Aw yeah. MEC’s annual Gear Swap is on Saturday. Like the police auction, this event is a major hassle. Unlike the police auctions, it’s worth it.

Same as always, the event starts at 10:30 in the rooftop parking lot of MEC’s Broadway store. Assuming it’s the same as always, the first people in the line will be there around 6 am, and anyone arriving at 10:00 won’t get into the sale zone until 11:30. Really.

But the deals are amazing. I picked up a barely-used cycling jacket for about a quarter of list price, and that was after everything had pretty much been picked over. The goods are a combination of stuff MEC is selling (returns, rentals, clearance, whatever) and member’s stuff. If you’re into the outdoors, and you’re cheap, the deals are worth the ordeal. This is the Army and Navy shoe sale of recreational equipment.

Further details, including how to sell stuff are on MEC’s gear swap page. Alas, I don’t expect to make it this year, so if you see a 52-54 cm cyclocross bike frame there for less than a hundred bucks, pick it up. I’ll pay you back.