Good news, new seatstay is on it's way, and new brake levers are waiting for me already. They had the same seatstay color in stock!

So now I just have to make a tough decision if there's enough clearance on the 29/2.6 tires on my bike or not. After crack was discovered I did about 70 trail miles, and got some paint chips on the seat stay. I'll consult with LBS, of course. Maybe I can get some of that thick sticker stuff for it?

"Half-caf, half decaf with a scoop of coffee ice cream"

I look for a spot. When I find one, I pull into it. I use my brain power for other things like annoying youse guys.

Lol on both accounts.

With a twist.

Bought some sun sleeves at REI today. Also picked up one of those tool caddy deals that fits in a water bottle holder. Found one with the old Novara branding on closeout. The lid was a little scuffed so I swapped with with an identical, non-scuffed lid from a Co-Op branded caddy. I know - I'm a bastard.

Dr. just dropped off over 3 dozen farm-fresh eggs (direct from her own chickens), free to a good home. Might have to do some baking soon :)

I believe so. I suspect it's not heavily used, but there are obviously certain female-specific issues that are private and impact cycling that we guys should stay out of.

Dang. Got an update from the guy right ahead of me before the crash. Has a concussion, whiplash injury, separated shoulder, and a collar bone that shattered and will require surgery tomorrow. Could have been much worse, I'm feeling very lucky.

You gonna buy a new helmet? Not sure how your can survive a hit that was hard enough to bruise your forehead...

Reported!


Have you used your anniversary sale coupon? I ordered a new sleeping pad last night. Guess you can call it my latest cycling-related purchase.


https://www.rei.com/product/882032/s...d-sleeping-pad




https://www.rei.com/media/dcada594-1...c-af9189758e64

I'm all about the shady spot. Proximity to the door is a distant second priority.

Over/under on the number of posts before the infrastructure thread is moved?

Ouch. :eek:

Belongs in P&R IMO anyway.

It's ok, I'm done for the day. :)

See? Things are lookin' up!

No, and I don't know that I'm going to... not on anything significant, anyway. Can't really think of any pressing needs.

Also, my neighbor that drove across the street? Just ran in to her and chatted a bit as she was power-walking around the neighborhood. Weird.

For some reason, its way harder for me when someone dies who was known for doing something difficult, that required agility and strength and nerve. Its not really that their death is truly sadder, its more that you're reminded that we are all an unlikely miracle of physicality, we really shouldn't be able to balance and process and finesse like we do. And then how tenuous it all is and how it will one day be gone for all of us. Bittersweet.


Exactly what went through my head when Ex posted that pic of AzTall crossing a finish line in a race, hands held high. Wow, how hard it was to do that yet how graceful he made it look. And now he is gone from this world. Just like that.

I understand you have done a lot of touring. Do you find pads like this comfortable? Asking because I used a very similar one hiking in Peru and I can't say it was any more comfortable than lying on the bare ground. I'm curious about your impression (no pun intended).

Not to answer for indy, but for me, padding is more about insulating yourself from the ground. Without a pad, you can lose a lot of body heat overnight, dangerously so in northern MN, even in the summer.

I have been in that situation, but not this year. My otherwise favorite mattress started leaking around the valve stem again. Patched it the first time, but it didn't hold. It's a bad design and I don't want to get caught in cold Montana weather with it. Used the dividend a while back for a new, light down bag. Shaved a pound by doing so. Also got a new pair of NOT shorts.

I've already mastered docking the GX against the end of the island in reverse with the tire just barely kissing the curb (nice thing about truck tires is a built-in curb rash guard). The backup camera helps considerably. Want to put off dings as long as possible.

I do find them comfortable enough as long as they don't have vertical baffles. I once bought one that does and it seemed like I was sleeping on one of those pool toy rafts even when I inflated it as full as possible. The main purpose is really not for comfort but for staying warn. Even with a bag, sleeping on cold ground can suck the heat right out of you.


It's amazing how our notions of comfort can change with the development of new gear. Between '99 and '01 I did about 10,000 miles of loaded touring during three trips totaling between 7 and 8 months on the road. Camped the overwhelming number of nights. All that time was spent using a 1" thick mattress because that's pretty much all there was. I was fine most of the time and actually didn't go to anything thicker until 2012. This new one is 2.5" and is replacing one that is 3" thick. Someday I might take an older 1" one I have out with me on a short trip just to see if it's as comfortable as I remember it. I will try this new one out at home to make sure it's comfortable enough and return it if it's not.