notyal

24 minutes ago, AustinBike said:

I think that because they are not paying for the police we could also erect a big sign at the entrance of the neighborhood that says "this neighborhood ACTUALLY defunds the police."

That would be fun. They would love that.

Whose hand do we have to grease to get that big erection? 

(sorry, couldn't help it)

50 minutes ago, mack_turtle said:

grease some palms

I've never really understood this phrase.

1 minute ago, mack_turtle said:

give the right person a handjob

But now it makes sense. 

1 hour ago, jcarneytx said:

Mazda3 Turbo AWD..... Mostly just annoyed I need to rent a uhaul just to go buy a couple trees...sigh. 

Hmm? I'd say you at least need to get the moonroof option.

3 hours ago, Mattlikesbikes said:

So, I am really happy with my Rimpact, but then I look at the fleet of bikes in my garage and how I would love to convert more of them. But dang it gets pricey. So I am looking at doing one of the Ghetto options - 1.5" Closed Cell Backer Rod. Available around $30 for 50ft. I'd likely run it in bikes that are not trying to run low pressure and not heavy riders (wife and kid bikes). But who would benefit from lower risk of flatting and ride home on foam vs tube swap.

 

Anyone spend much time looking at the ghetto option? I've read a handful of forums and videos.

I've been curious about this ever since I realized that the Huck Norris was basically a glorified pool noodle. If you settle on a ghetto solution, please keep us updated.

Until cars are full autonomous and can legally drive my drunk ass home, I don't give 2 shits about a "tech package". I heard a radio commercial for the new electric VW SUV where they were touting how you can open the moonroof with voice control. I though never once have I wanted a moonroof open so badly that I can't wait for a good time to remove one hand from the wheel and press a single button. On the other hand, I can't tell you how many times I've been frustrated using Siri or other AI voice commands. Talk about a solution looking for a problem. 

I buy a computer or phone based on the tech and fully expect it to be near worthless in a few years. That's fine when we're talking a couple grand for a device, but not for what new vehicles are costing these days. 

I just bought a 2012 F-150 4x4 with 22,000 miles on it. It's got the V8 instead of the turbo charged V6. It had basically no tech features. For $370, I added a touch screen receiver with bluetooth phone and a backup cam. It runs Apple CarPlay for all the maps (which gives speed limits) and any app on my phone like streaming music services, messages, Audible, etc. I'm letting my "disposable tech" do the heavy lifting while I just need my vehicle to run. Couldn't be happier. 

45 minutes ago, radicalpugilism said:

Thanks for all the responses!

I’ve spent a lot of time on the Ripley, but not in Austin. So maybe a demo isn’t the worst idea  

And I would totally get two bikes if my girlfriend were okay with us storing another 29er in our one bedroom apartment. And if she were okay with me dropping way more money than I should. 

I’m still pretty undecided.

So, it's the bike or the girlfriend? That's a tough one. 

It would be fun to watch these geniuses try to get the gas from the grocery sack or laundry basket into the car's tank.

My brother in law has a Cirrus SR22, the one in this article that deployed the whole plane parachute. He hope to never have to use it, but it sure does seem like a hell of a safety feature.

1 hour ago, live2ride4ever said:

The usual advice given to novice riders is to follow someone faster than you and do what they do. Not only is this idea ill advised, it can lead to serious injuries when someone tries to ride beyond their abilities. I don't know of any sport you can become good at without learning skills and proper techniques and practicing them correctly frequently. The advice I hear constantly is "ride more." Like you will just figure it out and ride successfully (once you've done all the wrong things and crashed a lot). 

I'm not going to say "you're wrong", but I'd wager to say that 99% of us have used the "usual advice" to good success. 

1. Ride with better riders. Yes, of course. See what they are doing. Notice where they are being cautious and where they are taking risks. Not saying you should try to follow a pro DH rider down the hill, but having someone push you slightly above your limits is beneficial. Just be aware that they are better than you and there is never any shame in walking an obstacle. 

2. Ride more. Practice, practice, practice. I can't see how that is bad advice.

The best riding tips I've gotten:

Steer with your belly button. (aka "point with your pecker") Don't turn the bar or your head to steer. The bike will follow your hips. This works on all turn. It works on fast downhill sections, but it works especially well (and its impossible to over do it) on slow uphill switchbacks.

Learn to feel and hear when your tires start to slide. There is a moment in between full traction and washing out. It sounds like scratching. You can feel the scratch too. 

mack_turtle makes an excellent point about tire pressure. It makes a big difference. 

Braking is really only effective when you are not skidding. Skidding is lack of control. Plus it tears up the the trail. Use both brakes. Most beginners won't use their front brakes enough. 

Bring post ride beers.

Those paninis look pretty good. Are we sure they are lining up for gas?

8 minutes ago, Tree Magnet said:

Sounded like a good way to die

That's what I tell the mosquitos trying to pull this shit.

18 hours ago, TheX said:

Conversation with the guy that invented the clock.

Inventor: There will be 12 numbers on it.

Friend: So the day will be devided into 12 segments?

Inventor: No, 24.

Friend: So will the day start at 1?

Inventor: The day will start at 12, which will be at night.

Friend:

Inventor: The 6 means 30.

And the "little hand" will be fatter and denote the larger portion of time.

13 hours ago, quixoft said:

Should have brought a cooler full of beer for post ride libations. 

This was one of the first lessons I learned about mountain biking.

Mine told me to purge it every time. I assume for the same reason you don't store your bike with the dropper post slammed. Is that not necessary? 

They also made it sound like Austin was constantly overrun with dangling caterpillars. It was bad for a couple weeks.

13 hours ago, Sluggo said:

I embrace the soak. My go to bike carries two bottles and I have friendly spigots along the way. 

I got hose in different area codes.

2 hours ago, AustinBike said:

Have you MET ME???

I am trying not to be a cheapskate (which is why I try to stay away from HF) but when I think about an air compressor I realize that I *really* use it 5-6 times a year when setting new tubeless ties. Most of the time the floor pump is just as easy.

A $300 compressor for 5-6 uses a year is overkill, so I'm probably gonna get a $130 craftsman 6-gal from Lowes and be done with it.

It sounds like we use our compressors the exact same way. I have a 10gal (i think) hotdog Craftsman. It works great, but probably overkill. If it broke today, I'd probably get one to those $99 HF pancake ones. The guys putting up the wooden forms for my pool had one that looked like it had seen some shit. They used it to shoot nails and bore into solid limestone. If can withstand daily outdoor use, it can probably sit in my garage a get turned on briefly every other month. 

1 hour ago, Mattlikesbikes said:

If you wanted a cheap beater and there was no concern over ever dropping the post, a little JB weld and maybe a couple of bolts drilled through the ST/post, you could make it a perm height post and just run it.

If.

It looks like there is a little shim in there. Maybe they fixed that inside the seat tube somehow, got a smaller seat post, and clamped them together. 

40 minutes ago, TheX said:

Sounds legit!

It's trending up! Can't wait to hear about the house that sells next year.

I received this unsolicited “market analysis” in the mail today. I just found it funny. Two data points. Nice graph.

14 hours ago, AustinBike said:

Do I have to wear a cone then?

Depends. Can we trust you not to chew out your scrotum stitches?

7 minutes ago, AustinBike said:

Anyone have a good line on sewing a scrotum back up? Asking for a friend.

 

San Marcos Vet Clinic did an excellent job on my dog.

39 minutes ago, Trailrider said:

Rode Purgatory for the first time last week. The rocks were dry and I had pretty good grip. If it was a trail system that you rode regularly and memorized the best lines in the really hard sections, I can see a skilled rider blasting through it. I had a lot of fun and I also liked that some parts are in riding distance to the pubs for a beer. You don't get that at Madrone.

 

Baja Icehouse is down at the marina. 

I have this one: https://www.dakine.com/collections/bike-backpacks-hydration/products/hot-laps-5l-bike-waist-bag?variant=33209068814416

My choice of this one over the dozens of others was that this was the only hip pack i found that had a 70oz bladder. My fear was that I'd like wearing the hip pack, but I'd be forced to go back to the backpack style in the summer to avoid dehydration. With this pack and a bottle on the frame, I can carry almost as much as my 100oz backpack. I will say that it rides a little awkwardly when filled completely. If I'm not going to need full water capacity, I'll leave it half full (or half empty if I'm in a bad mood).