There’s not much snow on the ground in northern New York this winter, but there’s plenty of ice. And while ice can make the lives of walkers and cyclists a misery, it can also be a delight for the photographer.

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Knots are tools, among the most important in any waterman’s (ditty) bag of tricks, even if that waterman happens to be a woman. And I’ve written about them many times before, most recently in November of last year, when I described six of my “favorites.” I put “favorites” in quotes because the word is really a bit misleading. While I seldom feel the need to have more than a half‑dozen knots at my fingertips, so to speak, my list evolves with the procession of the seasons, not to mention changes in boats. I’m not alone. A sometime sailor’s knotty toolkit will differ from a full‑time paddler’s, for example. But despite all the words I’ve spilled on the subject, I may have scanted one vital aspect: how and when to use the knots I’ve described. I’ve certainly mentioned their uses from time to time in earlier articles, but perhaps I’ve never given the topic the attention it deserves. As reader Bill Forshey was good enough to point out:

I was trying to improve my use of knots in my canoeing and came across your article. ["Knots to Know! Basic Ropecraft for Paddlers" – Editor] I have, over time, learned to create the knots you describe, but I have to admit that with the exception of the trucker's hitch to secure my boat to my vehicle, I don't really know how to apply them.

And that’s the whole point of the exercise, isn’t it? Being able to tie a bowline with one hand makes a nifty party trick — and it can be a vital skill in a hard chance — but it’s more important to know what to use a bowline for. So that’s what this article is all about. I’ll look at some of the ways I use knots, both afloat and ashore.

Ready? Then let’s cast off!… Read more…

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I’m always happy when I can repurpose a throw-away item and keep it out of the waste stream, so I was pleased to discover that a plastic shaker container commonly used for grated cheese is just the right size to fit in a water-bottle cage. Here’s what I’m talking about:

Every HyperMart in my corner of northern New York sells store-brand grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses in similar containers, and they appear to be identical to those used by Kraft for their costlier name-brand grated cheeses, as well. Just peel off the label —it comes off easily—wash out the container, and let it dry. Then it’s ready to hit the road:

As you can see, it’s a perfect fit, snug enough to stay put on bumpy gravel tracks, but still easy to remove. And your new hard case could also be suspended behind your saddle, if you chose:

Of course, this hard-case alternative to the familiar fabric seat pack will need some tweaking before it’s road-worthy. You’ll need to cobble together some sort of retention system, for instance. But that shouldn’t prove difficult. A carefully sized bungee cord wrap might well fit the bill, for instance.

Downsides? Well, my new hard case isn’t waterproof, but a shower test proved that it’s at least as water-resistant as any of my fabric seat packs. And the contents will rattle about as you ride. (To silence the rattle, just wrap loose items in a clean rag or bag them in plastic.) I’ll probably use a tab of duct tape to make sure the screw top doesn’t jiggle off as the miles mount up, too. This is probably unnecessary, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, right? Of course, my new case lacks any sort of eye-catching embellishment. This doesn’t bother me, but if you think you’d like a swoosh stripe you’ll have to add your own.

Me? I’m sold. After all, the price was right. And just what will I carry in my new hard case? Here are some possibilities:

• • Tools and spare parts
• • A tire tube and puncture repair kit
• • Snacks
• • My lightweight wind shell
• • My cell phone—or even a small camera

The bottom line? Easy. How can you beat free? And what rider can resist an opportunity to re…er…cycle something otherwise destined for the trash? Not this one, at any rate.

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