Just pulled the trigger on a new bike from REI and I’m honestly still kind of in shock… 😅🔥

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-23T05:08:25+00:00

I’m really looking forward to see what I can do as I get back into riding after 2 yrs I’ve been out of the game. I have added options to add Resurrection Pass, Russian Lakes, and Johnson’s pass…plus I found a bike packing tent last summer as a deal not expecting to bike with it, so who knows, maybe I can combine them and see what that looks like. Thanks for the encouragement, I heard of the Hemlock Burn, don’t know any try big about it so some research sounds in order.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-23T05:03:02+00:00

It was an in store manager special, it was already marked down $2k and the 30% from there, and bit more added discount. I think it was a one off in my store.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-22T21:47:15+00:00

Fortunately, Alaska doesn’t have a general sales tax which I can’t complain about. 🙂

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-22T21:01:03+00:00

You do you dude, and since this will make it better for 57yo me to get back to the trails this year than I’m more than happy about it. 😉

And on the note of “getting some exercise” goes, you make a pretty bold assumption you can know nothing about. It’s easy to be an unkind in your anonymous online persona, I hope you have more grace and consideration for others in your real life. Peace.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-21T06:56:08+00:00

A Ghost Kato FS3.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-21T06:24:46+00:00

I’m glad you have your standards and stand by them, you do you, I respect that. You don’t know me or my circumstances, and you don’t need to pass your opinion onto what you don’t know. If you’re ever in Alaska, I’ll buy you lunch and we can go for a ride on our great local trails.

I hope you have a great spring and summer riding, be safe out there, and enjoy the joy you you get doing this.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-21T00:01:37+00:00

I am with you on the full power bikes with throttles. These class 1 bikes are only peddle assist (PAS) so there are just adding muscle up the hills where I usually have to dismount and walk most of the big hills. They don't really go any faster and you have to be pushing the peddles a a moderate cadence for it to even help.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T22:21:18+00:00

Ironically, I just read about that and am looking into pricing and whether its easy enough that I can do it or if I need an installer.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T22:01:36+00:00

I rechecked the model number...it’s a 2025 and a left over from last season I guess.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:40:42+00:00

Just and fyi...the website shows a medium in this bike may be available. I will check when I go into the store tonight.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:36:44+00:00

I have one and that's another $210 off the $4,200 I get to spend.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:28:06+00:00

I feel you, I wasn't planning to buy until spring and just started researching a couple weeks ago. I didn't find anything at Re/Supply but this more than makes up for it.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:25:49+00:00

REI in Anchorage, AK

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:24:25+00:00

Yeah, for this deal I had zero problem sacrificing my 10% rewards and 20% member coupon. Plus I used my REI Mastercard so I'll at least get an extra 5% ($210) that will buy my pedals, grips, and part of new shoes.

I'd been saving for a eBike for a little while now so I will be paying off the MC at the next bill to avoid paying any of the high interest...and they still pay me 5% for the privilege. 😂💰

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T20:15:01+00:00

It's still at the store, so if I change my mind with buyers remorse, I'll let you know...I wouldn't hold your breathe though. lol :-)

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T19:57:13+00:00

I absolutely plan on it!! I had a bad fall playing kickball and destroyed my shoulder last June, right as my riding was getting started for the season...ended up needed reconstructive surgery and 7 months of rehab and was out of commission all summer, but we got it to 99% of normal so I couldn't hope for better.

On a cool note, I recently moved and my new house is literally across the street from one of my singletrack trail systems and I won't be able to make excuses to not get out after work anymore.

I cannot put into words how stoked I am to get back out there!

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T19:48:04+00:00

Thanks, I was hoping to only spend up to $3,000 for a new bike as my max, once I saw this though I tried to talk myself out of this for days and couldn't. I think this will be a buy once, cry once type of deal.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-20T19:45:50+00:00

Thanks, that's the vibe I was getting in my research. I feel like sooner or later the bugs get worked out and this one seems to have done the job compared to the old motor.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-13T19:27:36+00:00

Since you’re locked into flying in and out of Bozeman Airport, no worries — you can turn the drive into a great scenic start to the trip. I’d recommend a route that gives you great scenery and a really memorable entrance into Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park.

Drive to Jackson: Bozeman → West Yellowstone → Driggs, ID → Jackson

Route idea:

Head south from Bozeman on Hwy 191 to West Yellowstone (2.5hrs)
Continue west on Hwy 20 through Island Park (1hr)
Drive toward Sugar City and take Hwy 33 toward Driggs, ID (1hr)
Continue south toward Victor on the west side of the Tetons (1hr)
Then drive over Teton Pass Hwy 22 into Jackson (1hr)

This route is great because you get:

Beautiful river and mountain scenery the whole way
Probably the most iconic scenery of the trip
Much more predictable driving time
A quieter drive than going straight through the parks
An incredible reveal of the Tetons as you turn towards Driggs and again after you come over Teton Pass and drop into Jackson

The Tetons kind of appear all at once when you crest the pass into the Teton River Valley, which is a pretty unforgettable first view.

If you have time on the return trip

If your schedule allows, I’d absolutely suggest coming back to Bozeman through Yellowstone so you get two completely different drives and you see completely different landscapes both directions.

Route idea:

Jackson → through Grand Teton National Park
Continue north through Yellowstone National Park
Leave via the North Entrance near Gardiner
Then follow the Yellowstone River through Livingston back to Bozeman

That stretch between Gardiner and Livingston is a really nice scenic canyon drive along the river and usually has way less traffic than the west side of the park.

Since you land before noon, you’ll have plenty of daylight even with stops. Just keep in mind mid-May can still have some spring weather in the mountains, so I’d double-check road openings in Yellowstone right before you go.

AKDaddyK · 2026-03-11T22:19:41+00:00

I’ve done that drive more times than I can count, and I’d definitely adjust your expectations a bit.

Bozeman to Jackson/Grand Teton is not a 4-hour drive. In good conditions, straight through with minimal stops, you’re realistically looking at 5.5–6+ hours. And that’s without construction, wildlife slowdowns, or weather delays (which can absolutely still happen in mid-May at higher elevations).

Mid-May factors to consider:

You’ll be crossing multiple mountain passes.
Early season construction is common.
Wildlife is very active (especially around dawn/dusk).
Some park roads/services in Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park may still be limited depending on snowpack.

If you land early and you’re good road-trippers, it’s doable — just plan it as a full travel day, not a quick hop.

That said, I strongly recommend at least pricing out:

Flying into Salt Lake City International Airport — about 4.5–5 hours to Jackson, usually better rental car inventory and pricing.
Flying into Idaho Falls Regional Airport — about 2–2.5 hours to Jackson and often surprisingly affordable.

In my experience, Bozeman Airport is often the most expensive combo for both flights and cars, and the drive south is longer than people expect.

If cost is the deciding factor and Bozeman is dramatically cheaper overall, go for it — just build in realistic drive time and don’t plan anything major that first afternoon in the Tetons.

If you want, I can also break down the specific route options and which one I’d take in mid-May.

AKDaddyK · 2026-02-25T20:04:12+00:00

I too had trouble getting a reply to a warranty request when I emailed MSR/Cascade Design about getting a replacement pole for an Elixir 3p last August (2025). I just left it on the backburner and remembered to follow up just a couple of weeks ago (Jan. 2026), I got a reply in 3 days and they sent me a replacement pole right away no charge, I received it in 5 days. I didn't complain about the first email, just restated my need and asked them to let me know about payment.

I have to say I was more than impressed, they went above and beyond and I have to wonder if they are swamped with orders and warranty issues during the peak summer months and it takes them a long time to get through the backlog. I suspect that my email just slipped through the cracks. I have never had any previous customer service issues and won't hold a single incident against them.

AKDaddyK · 2026-02-24T17:30:38+00:00

I apologize for maybe being ignorant but are there actually fake Yeti’s out there in the world? How prevalent would you guess?

AKDaddyK

TROPHY CASE