bestbike85

8 hours ago, throet said:

Nice selections. I've had most of those (not the Penelope though). I really love that Four Roses Small Batch Select. Checks all the boxes for me. 

People rave about Four Roses Single Barrel, and while it is excellent, I give the edge to Small Batch Select. It's so good. 
 

The Penelope stuff is on the same level. I have the Barrel Strength and the Architect, and am on the hunt for the Toasted and Rio. 

Catching up on some recent bottles and pours I have pics of. I've really enjoyed the Penelope stuff recently. 

On 6/30/2023 at 11:17 AM, Barry said:

Nice glass. Like a squat Canadian Glencairn.

Between purchases, inheritance and gift box sets, we've collected a lot of drinkware. I drink out of about 8 types of glasses. Some with variants. And for the most part each has a particular purpose. And other than those spectacular Reidel glasses on the left, there are (or was!) 4 to 6 of each of these. 

 

Thanks! Nice collection you have. 

I've never been big into glassware and to be totally honest, I'm still not. However we recently did a bourbon trail trip and I acquired a few. Including the flavor of tonight. This thing is perfect for  a 2oz pour. 

On 6/17/2023 at 10:17 AM, Cafeend said:

Fresh Slate! Enjoy and Good Luck

Thank you! We all know I'll still make periodic trips down to brushy. 
 

First pass here. I'll adjust as I go but it's working so far. 
 

Both vehicles will be parked in the full size after I have the attic garage spray foamed next week and I get those dozen boxes up there out of my parking spot. If I unplug the golf cart and push it back 6-7 feet I get plenty of space to do whatever. 

Tonight's flavor

We have arrived. Time to plan. Have a golf cart to deal with now, too, because who would live in Salado without a golf cart. 

So I'm going to open this back up to anyone who's interested. Matt above was interested but it's been a couple weeks since I heard anything back, and we're moving 30 miles further north in the next couple weeks, which is going to make it pretty inconvenient for an exchange. 

Let me know if anyone is interested in these tires. 

Following up. I ended up looking at all recommendations, so I appreciate all of the input, and I went with Magicshine Alty800 front paired with the Magicshine SeeMee200 v2.0. 

They're both awesome. It was important to me to have the garmin/wahoo style mount for front and rear and the option to get an additional mount as I frequently ride both of my bikes so the ease of swapping back and forth was required. These things are crazy bright, especially the rear.

I'm ready for the move.

Wow that's terrible.

On 5/27/2023 at 1:58 PM, mack_turtle said:

Ride report coming soon.

Any update here? I'm likely not the only one waiting patiently. 

Those bars look gnarly, maybe too gnarly. Check out the Salsa Woodchippers. They're incredible for that type of riding. Could give you the hand positions and comfort you're looking for. 

FWIW all of my PRs come on flat bars, not drop bars. The limited leverage prevents me from going balls out, but I still have a great time. 

Any recommendations for a rear blinky light ? 

We're moving soon and my daily rides will involve more rural roads and gravel. I get concerned with cars come up from behind me, so a solid rear blinky gives me slightly more peace. 

2 hours ago, Mattlikesbikes said:

I'll trade you a case of XX. I've got the 38s smooth version and was thinking about getting an aggressive and larger set for occasional rides.

Sold. 

Sending you a PM now. 

Per Strava  I have exactly 800 miles on these tires. No punctures and ran tubeless since I got them.

Tons of life left.

I personally just went down to the 38s in the non-knobby version. 

Just make me an offer. I like Dos Equis and bourbon and do accept these as trade. 

On 5/8/2023 at 3:26 PM, The Tip said:

One of the good things about a new house is getting to reorganize your stuff. Nice.

I went under contract for a new home this week. Sadly I'll leave Brushy Creek behind and move much further north, but I'm excited to get my new space setup next month. 

There are decent deals to be had by retailers on Pinkbike if you shop around and throw out some offers. 

On 3/16/2023 at 11:50 AM, ATXZJ said:

I struggle with these sometimes. Just seem like a MTB with drop bars which doesn't make much sense to me. In my experience, a real 20-22lb gravel bike goes like stink compared to fat tired heavier bikes. 

No shade, and to each their own though.

That's fair. 

I bought the salsa fargo as a bike to put miles on for rides with no plan. A bike to do everything "good enough" and be fun and comfortable the entire time. 

From paceline roadie rides holding 18-19mph, to gravels events, to every mtb trail in central Texas, it's done it all. 

And surprisingly enough, it's become my favorite bike and my favorite type of riding by a huge margin. So much, that I got rid of every other bike except for my carbon Obed gravel bike, and I still ride the Fargo more by a 3-1 clip. Granted, as I get older I am enjoying moments on the bike that don't beat me up, so things like DD and even quarter notch I ride much less these days, if ever. 

And let the record show, this is a steel Fargo running 27.5x2.8 ikons with a dropper and 3 cages and clips 28 pounds on the dot. So it's not as burly as one may think  

Gravel Bike vs. Mountain Bike?
 

1 minute ago, mack_turtle said:

Over 31 pounds for a bike with one gear for a 165-pound rider. I had a good time riding it today, but it wears me out. I'm reconsidering my current attempt to lose weight.

Ooff. Yea, I'm with you. I'm 190 and anything over 30 that requires real pedaling is fatiguing to me. Good luck with your situation. Hope you get a buyer and find a frame that works next. 

On 2/16/2023 at 3:58 PM, mack_turtle said:

when I pulled it out of the box and discovered that it weighs nearly seven pounds,

I'm pretty oblivious to frame weights alone.

Do you have a full build weight out of curiosity. 

16 hours ago, RedRider3141 said:

All a matter of perspective. 

Thanks for bringing us back to reality with this comment. 

I spent my first 25 years of life in the swamps of South Louisiana. 

Central Texas weather is incredible! 

We've got a spot at Bastrop SP this coming weekend, where I plan to get a gravel ride in. 

I also booked Blowing Springs AR for July 1-5, so that'll be a fun trip with 2-3 rides. 

Well the rest of my kit is nowhere near as bad. I blame the dense fabric's inability to shed moisture like bibs and shirts. 

Either way, they're solid knee pads. 

I've got a pair of the G Forms. They're solid, really comfortable, east on and off, but man do they smell bad after a ride. 

Bumping this for 2022. 

We opened gifts early due to leaving today to visit family. We don't do much for gifts, usually keep it under $100 and small. 

Wife got me a really nice handup wind breaker!