big john

It was so windy this morning the house was shaking so I went mountain biking near Jet Propulsion Laboratories.


I stopped here to pee, there was nobody around.

Mojo31

There is a pretty big difference between buying new and used.

If buying new, unless the car you want is in short supply or in high demand, then they are pretty much commodities. For example, you can go to most any Ford shop and find a row of F150s. If looking for something like that, then you go in offering invoice less rebates/incentives plus $100. You’ll probably get the car. Best way to get the best deal is to get a couple of dealers bidding for your business.

Trade is where they can get you. Best bet is to shop the trade with Carmax and a few lots, and that should give you a pretty good idea of trade value.

On both ends, don’t be afraid to approach the negotiations with aggressive offers. The worst they can do is say no, but they never will. You can often find what others are paying in forums devoted to the make. But, don’t forget, lots of people are not good negotiators, but think the $500 they got off sticker after buying the extended warranty, wheel insurance, tint, and ding protection is a great deal.

Used cars cars are a different deal since no two are alike. There is always a bigger margin for the dealer for that reason since it is hard for the customer to comparison shop.

big john

I took these pictures from the web but it was super nice today. Lots of climbing, a few other riders and lots of loose rocks on the lower sections.

Eric F 

You're in my 'hood, bro,

abshipp 

My goodness that looks lovely. Maybe a bit chunky in spots for a 120mm hardtail on 2.2" tires.

Our local state park opens up for mountain biking tomorrow

Trying to decide whether to go or not since it is opening day. I'm leaning towards going since it will be in the low 40s but this weekend is forecast to be in the 70s. Maybe folks will wait until then.

big john

I know. I start near that parking area on Windsor. Yesterday we did a road ride starting at the 210 and Angeles Crest. Less wind over there.

LAJ

On our Taco's, I went to a Toyota dealer because Certified Used is the way to go. Also, if it's Certified, the 8/80 powertrain warranty starts the day you bought it. I didn't insult them, gave a fair offer, with one stipulation... I want it done in an hour. It all worked out OK.

big john

Some of it is so smooth you could ride a gravel bike or even a road bike with the right tires. Other parts are sketchy even on my enduro bike with 2.8 tire. I couldn't find a picture of the loose rocks near the bottom but they are a challenge. There are lots of rocks that don't move, too, making pedal strikes a concern.

big john

That's huge. I don't know if anyone else does that.

DougRNS

No new MRI. there is a tear/fissure and the disc is protruding. The low back isn't really in pain now and my chief complaint is the burning/irritated feeling when sitting, even on a comfy office chair. That is much worse on a bike seat and stays flared up for a couple of days.

No clue how he places the injection i think it is guided by some sort of x ray like device to hit the spot.

My telemed follow up is 4/8 and if I'm not improved I get shot #2. I think I might have to wait so the shots are at least 1 month apart. So the process will be slow especially since this has been going on since mid-September. It's a cluster.

bampilot06

Bike computer for the Ritchey came in today. Of course I am at work. Nothing special, cheapest I could find with a cadence sensor.

Ordering Spd Sl Rs 500 pedals, ritchey team cap, and a spare breakaway hing clamp tomorrow.

DougRNS

What an embarrassment of riches.

rjones28 

I had a basic Sting Ray when I was a yute. Red with a white banana seat.

WhyFi

Who cares about that? Tell us more about the Disney princess cup.

MoAlpha

It does sound terrible. The disc herniation doesn’t produce pain locally, although disc herniation often paired with “bad backs.” The burning sensation, assuming the underlying theory is correct in your case, is caused by irritation of the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord by pressure from the displaced disc. No one knows how the injections really work, but they are targeted at the irritated roots. The injections are done under fluoroscopic guidance. They can be placed in the middle of the spine or or through the neural foremen, the the window between the bones through which the nerve root passes. Apparently, and for reasons I don’t understand, it makes a difference.

If you aren’t getting relief after the second round, my suggestion would be to look for another anesthesiologist who specializes in pain control or possibly revisit the entire diagnosis with a good neurologist.

As I may have mentioned, I had a disc herniate and break up, shedding a fragment which landed on my left L3 root. The pain was exquisite and there was muscle weakness, but the anatomical story was completely clear, which is a good sign for stuff working. The injections were nothing short of miraculous for the pain and the whole thing resolved in about four months. Nine years later, I’m fine except for some muscle loss on the inside of my left quad.

rjones28 

Do you have a projected completion date?

rjones28 

Does ​​​​​Velo Vol drink coffee?

bampilot06

it came in my easter basket.

Mojo31

My daughter has been dealing with COVID toes or something remarkably similar. But, she never had COVID that she knows of, and has never tested positive even though tested fairly regularly. She got Pfizer #1 on Monday, and her toes are almost completely back to normal! Hopefully they continue to improve.

MoAlpha

Nonfreezing cold injury?

rjones28 

You just know.

Mojo31

We wondered, but she hasn’t been anywhere cold (except for the Big Freeze, but she had the condition at least a month earlier).

Her primary care and dermatologist have ne clear explanation.

We’ve been wondering if she had an otherwise asymptomatic case.

LAJ

Man.. Positive thoughts.

rjones28 

Naturally

rjones28 

Surprisingly, I had never installed a set of SKS Bluemels fenders until today. Installation was more fussy than I expected, but the end result is nice. Even did a little customization, because of the front v-brake.