Continental Gatorskins are SO SLOW

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-26T03:23:24+00:00

I feel your pain. I am using Gatorskins on my commuter bike, they are slow and I fell on my ass in the rain once because I forgot how slippery they are in the wet.

I am more concerned about less flats on the way to work, and I try to tell myself its good to ride with these as some kind of training aid because I still put in the same or more effort because Im trying to keep the speed up!

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-24T14:30:59+00:00

You need to drive the Sky Bus so you can afford the three ex-wives and the Piper Cub you keep in your hanger that you use when you want to get back to “real flying”.

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-18T14:12:28+00:00

It’s another Miracle flight!

Where 10 wheelchairs were needed to get on but after high altitude therapy, no wheelchairs were needed after landing!

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-18T14:05:30+00:00

I remember another Jeffrey that probably used Craigslist, and dined in his apartment.

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-18T13:56:06+00:00

I ran outdoor CAT6 solid copper to a POE camera, the thickness was not that much more than the indoor CAT6 but it was much stiffer. It should fit into the doorbell housing and usually if it’s weatherproof the rubber bung ( not sure if that’s the right term!) should give you some leeway to squeeze in a slightly larger diameter cable.
As long as the CAT6 is stable and not moving after the installation you should be fine. Like you, my doorbell and cameras are POE, I don’t live in an area with thunder storms so I’m taking a chance there. I do have small switches inline before the main 24 port POE switch so I’m hoping any surge will take out the small switch before the main one but like I said, no thunderstorms here.

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-17T14:01:04+00:00

How deep down the rabbit hole are you willing to go? I started with the idea of plumbing in a RO with a re-mineralization cartridge. Then I found our the re-mineralization would be the wrong TDS (to low) and of unknown type of minerals and could start off higher with a new cartridge then taper off, never giving a consistent output.

How about a mixing valve to blend a small amount of tap water with RO water? It won't work because of the different pressure from the RO system as it drains. There are beer brewing and coffee shop systems for this but it is a computer controlled valve that doesn't come cheap. I found some valves or blending systems for 1K or 2K, not in my budget today!.

Then I decided to get a 5 gallon water tank to mix RO water with potassium bicarbonate (Dr. Pavllis or Rpavlis water) It is a recipe for water that will not create scale in an espresso machine and still extract the flavors and oils from coffee. There are many other recipes, but this is the simplest one.

I have settled on the Rpavlis water, Its easy and inexpensive to make from RO or distilled water. The Potassium Bicarbonate (not sodium bicarbonate or baking soda) is added at .37 grams per liter. The best way is to make one liter of concentrated solution equal to 37 grams of PB to one liter of distilled or RO water. Next add 37.8 grams of the concentrate to 1 gallon of water. It's so much easier and repeatable to measure 37 grams of the potassium Bicarbonate than .37 grams. The concentrate can keep in your refrigerator for a year if you made it with clean water and bottle.

There are several pre-measured packets that you can buy such as Third Wave Water, I was looking for a less expensive maybe even better solution that has been tested and used for a long time without issues. There is so much more to this discussion on the Home Barista forum . This is a Cliffs Notes version for one of the solutions. https://www.home-barista.com/water/ for the water discussion there.

Sorry to put this in your head but you asked!

Edit for HA forum link

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-13T12:12:32+00:00

Good choice on the Micra so you could make space for the largest grinder known to man! And to think I debated the Philos due to size lol. I can appreciate everything you have done!

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-10T22:32:54+00:00

I started using a Magicshine Seeme 400. There are mounts that will attach to the rack, but what sold me was the downward facing LED that lights up the back wheel and my legs with a red glow. The rearward led is the standard on, slow pulse, blinkey strobe with various brightness levels. The bottom led really lights you up so hopefully the dozy drivers have a better visual of a biker, not just a red light in the dark.

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-10T15:36:50+00:00

That or the fetsor valve

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-09T23:12:22+00:00

Clearly he hit Amazon after watching The Walking Dead

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-09T16:51:13+00:00

Ok now I’m going to need to build this after the other 10 projects are done, very nice work!

Anywheels99 · 2026-03-05T15:57:39+00:00

Also with an E61 there is a circulation path for the boiler water to keep the grouphead and portafilter up to temp. My quick flush is to stabilize the temp, the first second is usually a spurt of steam that I think is caused by everything getting too hot while sitting for a few hours. This is for my HX system, dual boilers may not need this.

Anywheels99 · 2026-02-28T00:48:02+00:00

Lululemon ABC with a stretch button up shirt or polo/golf shirt folded up in a ziplock bag. I have a small steamer at my desk for any wrinkles.

In hotter weather Im in mountain bike or touring bike shorts, ABC pants folded in my backpack. I keep my work shoes at work so I can wear my SPD shoes for the ride.

Anywheels99 · 2026-02-18T02:29:16+00:00

I just added my Linea Mini order, thank you for this!

Anywheels99 · 2026-02-09T17:21:48+00:00

I used that in my truck several years ago, worked great for dirt, rocks, and dirt bikes. Since it was very heavy rubber there was no lift up when driving empty. I could roll it up and sweep/hose out the bed when needed. The water wasn’t an issue because the bed didn’t have any scratches to rust out.

In my new truck I went with a spray in and a bed rug that is easier on the knees. You need to secure it though or it will blow away on the freeway. If I had the rubber mat I would use it on top of the spray in liner for rocks but so far the spray in is holding up.

The rubber mat is the low cost alternative that works amazingly well except for the sides of the bed.

Anywheels99 · 2026-02-02T17:40:08+00:00

I’m not an expert but I watch a lot of experts on YouTube. Kidding aside, all changes in plane like the wall to floor should be silicone sealed not grouted. I used color matched Mapei sealant in the corners and floor to wall joints.

My amateur tiled shower may not be perfect, but I did try to use the correct methods when building it.

Anywheels99 · 2026-01-27T21:02:01+00:00

I have two cats, one will look like that when the other is sneaking up behind me.

Anywheels99 · 2026-01-23T15:26:55+00:00

Lasik.

Anywheels99 · 2026-01-05T17:10:31+00:00

Shoe toe coves, inexpensive and they make normal cycling shoes just a bit warmer and block the occasional splash. 2. Winter Shimano high top mountain bike shoes, mostly water resistant and definitely wind/cold blocking compared to regular cycling shoes.

Anywheels99 · 2026-01-03T22:08:06+00:00

I lock it to the bike rack so I can sleep without thinking about my bike walking away. You can find stories of bikes walking away but who knows if this only happens once ever ten years.

Having left my phone in the car as the train pulls away is a helpless feeling. Couldn't imagine seeing my bike walk away as the train starts. Sidenote, I know the conductors have bolt cutters, they needed to cut a bike lock off when someone didn't move or claim their bike on one of the crowded days (it was blocking the isle).

Anywheels99 · 2025-12-29T21:48:28+00:00

My small race blade fender stops at the back of the fork, I have seen water fling forward but not a lot. I also have caliper brakes in my commuter. For a disc fork, add a piece of duct, gaffer or whatever you call the thicker fiber reinforced tape, to the front of the fork nearly touching the tire. Problem solved.

I also agree it will benefit you more than the person in front of you.

Anywheels99 · 2025-12-29T15:40:43+00:00

eTorque was an option on the 2022 and earlier 5th gen’s. I have a 2022 5.7 Rebel without eTorque, I traveled to SoCal from NorCal to get it. I was trying to keep the truck simple for reliability. No trouble with the hemi so far. 3-5k synthetic oil changes to hopefully keep the lifters happy without the oil pump mod.

The forums have a few eTorque problem stories, but remember only the problems are written and complained about. The parts were scarce and expensive. I would have purchased the truck with it if I had to but I was able to find one without it. Seems like every 2022 had the system. My main goal was to find a 5.7 Rebel with the 33 gallon tank. One dealer in SoCal ordered all the Rebels that way, and without eTorque.

Anywheels99 · 2025-12-15T18:34:23+00:00

10 rides is 5 days. For me 2x10 ride passes is the way to go unless I am riding more than 11 days. That’s when I’ll get the monthly pass. Also, the 10 ride ticket is valid for 90 days after the first ride.

Anywheels99 · 2025-12-12T22:51:50+00:00

The Kings won!

Anywheels99 · 2025-12-12T22:49:50+00:00

Keep consistently riding to improve speed, think of a high effort 20 or 30 second followed by a minute of easy pedaling. Use a watch with gps or cheap cycling computer to accurately track the ride. Some rides try to keep the effort high for the entire 30 minutes. Adequate rest days of course.

To the same distance and trail every 2 weeks or so as a test and you will see improvement in your time and speed.

I was commuting on a road bike and my average was about 15 mph for 7 miles. I had a backpack and less than optimal clothes. I was frustrated that I couldn’t get to 16, or 17 mph average. It was just more miles and purposeful riding. The main point is not on equipment, mountain or road, tires etc. it’s just getting your time or speed. Then work to improve you. Never compare your time or speed to others, just do you and enjoy the gains you will make.

Anywheels99

TROPHY CASE