Canadian Wimmenfolk, how long . . .

[kelownagirl]

Glad to hear MEC heard your cries of need across the border..

For Canuck..in Aussieland...the street that MEC in Vancouver is on, has within 1 block, several other sporting good shops. However I find MEC more cost-effective to begin checking out the goods...then going later.

As a plug for MEC, they have been good corporate sponsors for local cycling advocacy groups. During Bike Month in June, there usually is an event at MEC and cycling info. displays. For past 2 years, they have hosted a barbecue fundraiser in conjunction with the cycling advocacy group. Make sure you go to MEC on Broadway St. in Vancouver city, not the smaller store outlet in North Vancouver.

Oh by the way, Bicyclette is an independent LBS just a 5 min. walk down the same street. They have great bikes ..and not cheap cycling wear.

That's why as Canadian, after exhausting sources here, it's nice to shop in person at REI in Seattle.

I'm going there in March.

[Wahine]

Febreeze?

ROTFLMAO!! Maybe that would work.

[shootingstar]

Oh yea, visiting Vancouver Kewlonagirl?

You too can visit, Terra Bakery afterwards...

Weekend or weekday in Vancouver during your visit, KG?

Anyway, with MEC, methinks half of my cycling clothing is from there. I make them last a long time. A MEC jacket that lasted through several years of multi-day bike touring, work commuting for several years... A helmet for over 5 years, worn every time I cycled.

Incredibly my partner was able to get a tent repaired after he had used for several years....including 5 months of cycle touring and camping in New Zealand.

They also have a snowshoe repair service, yes this piece of esoteric info.

[kelownagirl]

We'll be doing an overnight on a Sunday on our way to Saltspring and Ucluelet - probably stay in a hotel in Richmond (my old stomping grounds) and catch the ferry the next morning. Same thing again the following Friday but we'll stop into MEC and maybe a bit more shopping on Saturday before we head home.