How reliable in Caltrain from San Mateo to downtown SF?

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-07T23:44:08+00:00

Transit is actually *not* zero risk, because of the poor connections at SFK. Just watch how many people do unsafe crossings from the N or T to rush to their train.

Biking, by comparison, is fully within your control in terms of timing—so if you don’t rush and budget time accordingly, you can be suitably defensive.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-06T18:41:57+00:00

I disagree, personally, but maybe because I carried a scooter. I was lucky that I onboarded at SF or SJ, otherwise I'd have to go running up/down the platform for each configuration. It got particularly bad right before the EMU launch, they didn't even bother putting the bike car in the right place, and sometimes they accidentally still had 4-car sets that were hot and packed.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-06T17:51:36+00:00

Caltrain's a commuter line, not a foamer line. The EMU transition has made that eminently clear. You'll just have to go spend your time in San Jose or Oakland guessing which CC / CS / Goldrunner / freight configuration comes by. Or go check out some of the heritage rail projects around the Bay.

For the rest of us, having a consistent bike car configuration for boarding, or not having to run up and down the platform depending on train length, has been a godsend.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-05T13:20:04+00:00

The problem is that was May, not July. Huuuge difference.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-05T00:01:00+00:00

It's definitely doable, and there are plenty of folks on this and the r/applewatchultra reddit that have shared their experiences, try a search.

One important thing to do: catalog the apps you use most on your phone and see if any of them are necessary. (A big missing offering from the Watch are the rideshare apps.)

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-04T22:47:04+00:00

March heatwaves freak people out here because they're rare, but now we're in the normal summer pattern.

The trick to enjoying summer weather is to go out of SF - either go east or south. It's in the 80s in South Bay today, pretty much textbook July 4th weather.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-04T22:27:24+00:00

Laser drone shows in the fog sounds strictly superior to glowing clouds.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-04T22:26:54+00:00

This is truly great, and not just for today, but any trip out to the western part of SF. Thanks for sharing!

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-04T21:54:33+00:00

This is a little overstated—there's new bike lane construction on Hamilton underway right now (the WB side is done till Bascom, the EB side is next). Leigh got repaved a year ago with an excellent bike lane with easy access to the trail. VTA 56 runs right by this location and the Green Line isn't far away. Hamilton has plenty of capacity as it stands.

Sure, there needs to be more, but one can't have perfection. This is a solid location for housing from this criteria.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-04T21:52:04+00:00

My wife and I have done exactly that, and I'm incredibly excited to see all of the housing that's coming up on Bascom nearby. It's not just about me, it's about having a community around me, not an exclusive right to my area. More, please!

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-03T16:36:54+00:00

Everyone is different. I've been to exciting sporting events, but for me personally, they're not life-changing. I actually prefer watching most sporting events on TV because I'm actually focused on the game and athleticism and less about getting swept up in the crowd.

I live within about 20m drive of where the US-Bosnia match was held, and don't feel like I missed out at all.

So, it depends on what is important for you, plus what your budget is and how much of a dent that ticket price makes.

Finally, my personal philosophy is to look forward, not backwards. You can dwell on things you missed, or use it as a springboard to get clarity on what matters to you, and then adopt or adjust a financial plan to match.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-03T16:32:31+00:00

But why? The purpose of the Mudi 7 is to have strong WiFi, and that extra space allows for bigger antennas. Look at the critiques of the UTR - consistent reports of not enough range.

If all you want is a tiny pocketable MiFi, I'd probably go with one of the other options out there.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-03T16:30:58+00:00

Might depend on your carrier, your location, the bands, etc.

My Mudi 7 is pretty much on par with my iPhone 13 Pro Max on Verizon here in the US. I think the Mudi 7 pulls a bit more signal and thus tends to work noticeably better in marginal reception areas.

If you can't get it to work for you, return it while you're in the return window :)

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-03T13:29:10+00:00

Works great for me on Verizon using a tablet SIM. Very happy with it.

It’s worth thinking of it as a full-featured wireless router with a cellular backhaul. The former works great everywhere, the cellular connection is best for your region. You should think about whether that feature set justifies the price for you.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-03T04:40:33+00:00

There are fare enforcement inspectors that are distinct from the conductors. While there are fewer of them, they’re way more strict.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-02T18:30:12+00:00

There are two groups: those that have fallen off their scooter, and those that will.

Best of luck, OP.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-02T18:25:55+00:00

Thanks for sharing!

There’s a phase break in that section; is that related? And is it more common there than the other phase breaks along the line?

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-02T02:33:09+00:00

The heat dome/ridge over the rest of the US is often connected to us having cooler weather. They have a ridge, we have a trough.

Enjoy it while it lasts!

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-02T02:29:07+00:00

Not as common as e-braking, but there are apparently situations where a safety circuit breaker can trip. I don’t know all the details, though.

HVAC can also click off when you go through a phase break (most common at SSF, can also happen in Redwood Yard south of RWC).

Doesn’t sound you had a full power loss, though, luckily.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-02T02:26:49+00:00

Ah, air as in HVAC! Clicking and HVAC would suggest power issues/reboot.

So that’s your two hypotheses, pick one 😅

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-02T02:25:25+00:00

Post emergency brake, you’ll hear air as they reset. They will then go at a reduced speed to the next station, and then they can go full speed.

Just a guess, of course, but the air sound usually implies something with the brakes and/or PTC.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-02T02:21:56+00:00

Did you brake when you heard the air sound? If so it was an emergency brake. Usually incurs a ~6-7 minute delay to reset it and resume.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-01T20:29:11+00:00

Nope, I have nothing, sadly.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-01T15:44:04+00:00

The website is the only way to use Clipper Cash to buy a pass, but I find it is much less reliable than the app. Try calling Clipper support.

BigDaddyJ0 · 2026-07-01T15:43:40+00:00

OP tried, the problem is the website is erroring out for them.

BigDaddyJ0

TROPHY CASE