throet

Is this a kind way of saying it must be a boomer thing? When I was a programmer in the eighties, I would have been offended if somebody called me a hacker in the context of my COBOL skills. I can get though how in current context it would be viewed as a compliment. I have regularly been referred to as a hacker in the context of my golf skills over the years, and that hasn't changed at all.

NBR but I'll go ahead and post it here anyway. Got a quote on trimming my trees that were growing into the house. Instead decided to save $680 and do it myself. Was up on the ladder sawing a 4in diameter branch off a Live Oak. Once the cut was nearly complete, the branch bowed down as I expected it would. As I finished the cut, I expected the branch to fall down and away from me. Still not sure exactly what happened, but the moment I completed the cut, the thick part of the branch that I just cut away catapulted into my face, putting a sizeable gash in my upper lip. As is generally the case with these things, all of the urgent cares were closed, meaning I ended up at the ER paying $580 copay / coinsurance to get 3 stitches.

OK I'm having to circle back on this and provide some deeper insights. While I initially wrote it off as just being OK and a bit overpriced, now that the bottle is nearing empty, I've developed a real fondness for it. For one, I've grown to appreciate that the "nose" on a whiskey is really important. I remember making a snide remark on this forum a while back that I'm not interested in sniffing whiskey - just drinking it. I realize now how wrong I was about that, and this selection for me has a really powerful yet pleasant nose. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy sniffing it, and that seems to make that ultimate gulp so much more enticing and pleasurable. Secondly, I think I initially let myself get too stuck on needing sweetness from a whiskey. While there are plenty of sweeter whiskeys that I thoroughly enjoy, I'm also enjoying some like this one that aren't so sweet. Not sure if that's just a bourbon vs. rye thing, but I'm wondering now if I need to at least try some more Ryes before ruling them out. On my list to try are 1) Mitcher's Barrel Strength Rye, 2) Wilderness Trail SBBP Rye, and 3) Pikesville Rye. Let me know if you've had any of these and which you would recommend.

There are a few endorsements in this thread from folks - CycleEast and VeloFix are the ones that stood out for me.

Yeah that's another part of my regret. I'm diggin' the new 140mm Grip2 way more than I ever did that Fit4. Not sure if it would have been possible, but if they were going to have to change out the damper anyway, I should have asked them to make it a Grip2.

I already replaced it with a 2020 Fox Factory 140mm Grip2 fork. The one being rebuilt would just be a spare for me. I'd rather spend that repair money though on either servicing or replacing the fork that's on my backup bike, which is non-boost. In the overall scheme of things, having a spare fork is a luxury I can do without. Oh forgot to mention, it's currently set at 130mm and can be adjusted to 120mm or 140mm with the proper air spring.

Ugh! I'm already regretting my decision to move forward with that rebuild. I've seen multiple posts online where folks illustrate how some of those imperfections can be fixed, and others who simply state that they aren't a big deal. Found another video where the Kashima coated stanchions were replaced with much cheaper black stanchions, which I'm sure would not make the least bit of difference for me. Oh well, costly lesson learned I suppose. Anybody interested in a freshly rebuilt (by Fox) 2017 Factory 29 Boost 34 with brand-new Fit4 damper and brand-new Kashima coated stanchions for $500? Available as soon as it arrives back to me, and will supply paperwork as evidence of the work being done.

I had my 2017 Fox Factory Boost 34 Fit4 sent in for service nearly two months ago and finally got the assessment back today. Needs new stanchions and new damper, along with complete servicing. Cost is going to be $468 including shipping - ouch! They claim I'm getting the parts at cost. I had never noticed any visible damage to the stanchions myself, but have no reason to believe they would just want to scam me. It was last serviced locally. Since I already replaced the Fork with a new one, this one is just going to be used for service rotations. What's really sad is that my other bike also has a Fox Fork that needs service. It's an even older non-boost 2014 Evolution Series fork that's also been serviced locally over the years. Would it be worth taking it over to Cycle East for an inspection vs. having it sent to Fox?

Bought this a couple of years ago and used it once. Paid over $200 for it. Mine is a Size L in this same White-Black color scheme. I still have all of the adjustable chin pads, as well as the carry bag. Asking $150.

Can attest - rode Snail, Rim, and DD mid-morning and it was near primo. Humidity was bad but overall it was really pleasant with overcast skies and mild temps. I'm working all day tomorrow, but if there is additional limb trimming needed over the weekend, give me a hollar.

Went out for an exploratory ride tonight. Double Down is good to go. Quarter Notch is mostly good, but puddling is a bit excessive. Best to give it a few hours of sun tomorrow. Picnic definitely needs more time to dry out - should be good tomorrow afternoon if we don't get more rain. Humidity was oppressive, bearable only due to the fact that temps were in the mid-eighties. Expecting more of the same tomorrow in that regard.

I like the concept behind that Tannus, but can't get comfortable using insert and tannus in the same sentence.

I've already been looking at Coinbase and that is the site I've been using to monitor prices. Ether is the only coin I'm interested in right now, and I prefer to stick with PayPal given that I'm a shareholder and trust that they will be around for a long, long time. If I do decide to open a Coinbase account though, I'll let you know so that I can specify you as the referral source.

Funny you should ask. I was trying to test the water yesterday to see if I could purchase these investments through my Roth IRA brokerage account, but due to the trading restrictions, I was blocked from doing so. One is a straight Ether Trust and the other is equity in a Canadian company working to standardize around Ether as an exchangeable currency, who also holds Ether as an investment. Given the potentially lucrative nature of these investments, I was hoping to shelter any gains by using my Roth IRA account. Since that didn't work, I'll probably buy some Ether direct via my PayPal account just to dabble some. I'm still of the mindset that crypto is incredibly speculative, and I have to approach it with a willingness to lose 100% of any investment I make in it. I'm willing to take my chances with a few grand, and do believe that Ether is the best bet right now given its scalability.

No beer necessary - just happy to pay it forward! I PM'd you my address and phone number. Just text me and let me know when you want to swing by. I can leave items on front porch if I'm on calls when you decide to come by.

Forgot that I also have a brand-new Lenzyne right load water bottle cage. Supposed to be red but has a pinkish hew. My mistake for purchasing online unseen. Your good fortune if it suits you.

Cedar Park

Few items that are just cluttering up my workspace if anybody is interested. Fizik Saddle - a bit worn around the edges but totally useable. Never liked it because it would hook my baggies in the back. Maybe better suited for road / CX. CB Candy Peddles (White) - beat-up but work fine if you're into CB clipless. Brand-new showroom pedals. Not suitable for serious MTB but great for a kids build or cruiser.

OK I'll PM you.

I have a pair that are in good shape with the exception of the end plugs being a bit beat up. However, I can't find the clamp for the left grip. I honestly don't know what happened to it, but it is nowhere to be found. They're yours to have, but unfortunately you'd have to find a left-side clamp and would probably want some new end plugs.

FollowCam Friday is Nate Hills - not BKXC. I believe BKXC did do a couple of segments here in Austin - GB and Cat Mtn with Seth B. Seems Nate hangs out almost exclusively out West - Rockies and beyond.

Looks like my Sago Palm 🌴 is coming back in a strange way.

Sounds like a plan dude! Shall we meet at the 183A overpass or someplace else?

Funny you should ask. Had my first ride today on my new build with 760mm bars vs the 740mm I had been riding. I also shortened the stem from 60mm to 50mm. Overall it felt really great, although I didn't take on any real technical features or punchy climbs this morning. Both my old bars and the new ones are only a 7 degree sweep, which has always been enough for me. I'll need a few weeks of riding to say for sure, but initial impression is that I like the change.

Really sweet! Definitely feels plusher than the original, but I'm not sure whether that is the new fork, the rimpacts, or me just wanting to believe that it is. Anyway, I'll be playing around with the suspension tuning some over the coming weeks to really get it dialed. I see the sun shining now and my last meeting of the day just cancelled; so I might be going back out for a twofer this afternoon.