blackbird's posts

Thanks. Appreciate it.

That's a fair point. 

<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">I'm a Fromme rider and want to spend more of my Saturday's exploring Squamish this summer.</span>

Those are 3 that I wanted to do at some point. Even better if you can put them together. (Marc my word and credit line maybe cakewalk on the list as well for another time) 

I'm a decent but slower climber. Good descender.

Last year tried Rupert, Entrails, in and out and a couple others. Did pretty good for first rides there. 

I'm a solid blue black rider. Not a dbl black guy usually. 

Open to suggestions. 

Thanks

Is there a realistic way to ride u/l word of mouth, Hoods in the woods and somewhere over there in one session?

Are these ok post rain?

One route to explore is a car broker. They might be able to get what you want and or alternatives at a reduced rate.

As for BMW, Make sure mileage is very low and still has some warranty. Repairs accelerate after 100k and around 6 years old. City driving kills them due to extra heat and plastic composite parts.

Plus, any deficiency they mention in the inspections report: knock down the price.

And, never commit emotionally to a car. I.e. Be ready to walk out the door any and every time you go to negotiate….

Talk less. Let them do all the talking. Once they get you talking they own you.

Sometimes you can get one mid lease as someone trades up or out.

BMWs are great if you drive them as designed (hard) and maintain them religiously (especially oil and cooling system) Otherwise get something else.

My Kings need an occasional clean and re lube, usually once a year. Not a tough job.

Requires an Allen key, a clean rag, a tiny screwdriver (snap ring) and some rubbing alcohol (bearing cleaning) compressed air (remove last of alcohol) ….some ring drive lube ……and some triflow for the seals (putting back together)

Basically follow the instructions right off the King site. Totally doable at home.

The big service requiring special tools is rarely ever done in my case. In fact I had it done once on my other Kings after 5 years or so. I might be inclined to get the shop to do this because I don't have the specialmtool for bearing removal.

I look for a pack that is wide and less deep than many of the offerings available now. Much more stable. I didn't get along with the shape of the Raptor bags. I like the Acre Hauser 14 litre bag. Works well for me.

I have the Hauser as well. Excellent bag. I think it really only needed one improvement: hooks/clasps sewn into the pockets. Otherwise, Best pack I've ever used.

Looking to start buying shares in junior mining outfits, not investing 10s of thousands,
Q trade?

Not to be a dick, but I want to make it clear that buying (and presumably) selling junior mining shares is not really "investing". It's speculating at best and gambling at its worst. You can make money trading shit companies with no assets and compelling story true, but the "investing" part starts after they prove up a reserve, get the permits and build the mine.

If you are buying on touts (my buddy knows so and so, or I know a guy, I heard that etc) be wary. Nobody does anybody a favor in that business. Most of these guys make money marketing shares and stories. They nail a hole then its back to the well for financing and the stock finds its way lower…… spend the $ for another hole and rinse repeat. No one will tell you when to sell, and that information can be problematic at times (insider trading).

Use discounters for trading. They are all about the same give or take.

My two cents.

Probably close to service time, but my old mutt of a fork needs something a little less complicated….

My steel hard tail feels 64% less real in the cold.

The one you ride or the one in your hand? :0

Thought about this today while doing a 3 hour ride in the local trails.

I think there is an element of mechanical change with the bike for sure, but a very small one. Where I think the difference comes from is my body simply not being super warmed up, limber and on-point. Muscles don't stay warm unless moving, air's colder to breathe, my body feels more tense so my biking feels more tense. When it's hot and sunny, everything feels smooth and fast - days like today - the hits feel more abrupt, the descents more rigid, etc.

Just my take on it.

Fair point and certainly relevant when it's colder at the top.

I mostly notice that my rebound slows down as oil viscosity increases with cold temperatures. I usually open it up a click or 2 when it's cold. I'd imagine compression damping would work similarly, but it's harder to perceive.

Rebound wasn't bad but suspension felt stiffer and less compliant. May try this. Thanks.

So I noticed my otherwise dialed suspension feels less dialed as it gets to 10C around here. After the Fromme climb the other day it felt "off" on the descent. Just not as good as usual.

Anyone else notice this change in cooler temps?

I might go to yellowstone Nat Park..

Yellowstone is awesome. If weather permits of course.

Go in through Montana, do part or all of the figure 8, stop in Jackson Hole.

Head east to Custer and visit Mount Rushmore. Landscape looks like Canada if you know the prairies at all. Northern Wyoming is like another planet: red buttes everywhere. Perfect roads, I mean prestige. Weird and breathtaking.

Come back to Montana and go along the outside rim of glacier Park from the east side to west. Stay in Whitefish then take the Sun road through Glacier Park. Stop in St Mary's for a hamburger at the shitty house next to the gas station, then head to Watertown Park: Canada's crown jewel. Stay there if you can. Take the boat cruise down the Watertown Lake to Goats Haunt. I do it every time I'm there.

Then up through Pincher (Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump turn right towards Lethbridge) or head west along highway 3 through the south part of Alberta and BC. Beautiful trip.

tw

I'm sure many know this but it is worth mentioning.

Always check the price differential between GB Pounds and the CAN $.

I just ordered 105 shifters and front derailleur. Already a smoking deal on clearance at $142 Canadian.

When paid in GBP it was 80 or $118 with exchange. That's an extra 17% off. Couple that with the Amazon Visa (no exchange fees) and it's all savings.

Can you clarify the no fees part? You are paying their spread but maybe not the 2.5% you would expect from Visa. How did you end up with such a substantial difference?

Isn't 17% the VAT, which doesn't apply to international purchases anyway?

If not, this is compelling.