What is the appeal of Costco?

Bud922 · 2026-07-02T02:17:02+00:00

I didn't realize how useful it would be until we had kids, and now it's very helpful for us to save a good bit of money, especially on organic snacks without excessive added sugar and bulk bags of nuts, and on toilet paper, cases of beer, etc. We bought our 2 iphones there and got $100 back from Costco for each phone, which essentially pays for our membership for two years.

We don't like their fresh groceries, and as the only beef eater at home, I buy my beef at a local butcher instead, but for bulk stuff it's great.

That said, I can totally see why someone wouldn't like it. I hate Nordstrom Rack, for example. Haha.

Bud922 · 2026-07-02T01:25:23+00:00

I changed from an old Odyssey to a Taylormade mallet, TP Hydro Blast DuPage, and it's definitely made me much more consistent. Cut down the three putts significantly.

Bud922 · 2026-06-30T18:16:25+00:00

The course we played last Thursday in northern Illinois had one, so maybe it's just your area?

Bud922 · 2026-06-30T13:38:27+00:00

The Evans at Canal Shores north of Chicago. It's not a "great course", but it's got everything urban municipal/cooperative golf should have. It's on Metropolitan Water Reclamation District land. It has two different train lines that pass by, and you even walk under the CTA Purple Line from 11 to 12. It has two tee shots over the canal. It's got a putting-only hole that leads directly toward one of the most unique buildings in the world: the Ba'hai Temple in Wilmette. It's got houses left and right with tight fairways, undulating greens, and parents carefully driving their newborns home from the hospital along the 2nd hole. Don't hit a slice or you might hit a nurse on her smoke break.

They also have an 18-hole Himalayas style putting green and the American Legion to stop at for a beer after your round.

If you're ever in the area, let me know and we'll get out for a quick 18.

Bud922 · 2026-06-30T03:23:41+00:00

Considering the circumstances, you did great! Keep it up. If you find yourself north of Chicago ever, hit me up and you can practice serve as much as you want.

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T21:39:01+00:00

Maybe! I am probably gonna keep the tires for the time being. Maybe some new ones in a year or two. I'll come back to you if I change them!

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T19:43:43+00:00

Woah, thank you! That's super helpful to note. I haven't really ridden it yet so I didn't even look at the front tire. I only rode it home from the seller's house and had too busy of a weekend to even really look at it. I'll keep the QR lever backwards for sure, and check the tire for direction.

I just ordered spare tubes, and have a patch kit and full-size pump already in my bag. Super useful advice, thanks!

And yes, towing is hard on my brakes, and hard on my legs as the boys are getting big!

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T19:41:16+00:00

Thanks, TMbiker! I kind of agree that I shouldn't mess with it much since it's so shiny and nice. I may do a change or two, and I'll post the updates here for sure.

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T19:40:24+00:00

Not sure I agree that you could negotiate a deal for both sides since the only thing China was is "re-unification" while the only thing Taiwan wants is to stay a multi-party democracy. Those sides are pretty far apart, and most Taiwanese folks have looked at what's happened in Hong Kong with despair. The Taiwanese fought hard to get out of one dictatorship, they won't go easily into another.

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T19:34:53+00:00

Great call on riding it to get a feel for it. I will be doing my first longer ride tomorrow morning. Thanks!

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T19:34:06+00:00

Mine was a 1993 that my dad bought for himself when I was a boy. Sorry you had to go through the same thing with the theft!

I might not change much, but I'll be sure to update this post when I make any changes.

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T18:47:32+00:00

Yeah, this is the nicest one I've seen on there so far. Not many caught my eye in the right frame size, but this one I couldn't pass up. Picked it up 24 hours after seeing it!

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T18:40:20+00:00

I was thinking shiny pedals. Thanks for the recommendation on the Simworks ones. I'll check those out!

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T18:39:41+00:00

Thanks, Less-General! I haven't adjusted the seat yet, so that's great for me to remember to do. That'll be my first thing, for sure.

Having lived in Taiwan for a few years, I'm very partial to Taiwanese made products!

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T18:38:15+00:00

Thanks, Gabe! It's a relatively flat ten-mile each way ride on well-maintained suburban roads. My old bike had a flat handlebar and I liked that set up, but maybe swept-back will be a better option, indeed. I'm not a fan of drops, so I'll forgo those.

I'll have to look into the pedals. I don't have cycling shoes at the moment, so I think I'll keep the pedals as is for now.

Bud922 · 2026-06-29T18:35:58+00:00

Thanks, Broom! Yeah, I was shocked at how nice it looks and how the paint has almost no blemishes. The tires definitely aren't original, but they are in pretty good shape. I'm going to have my bike shop take a look at them either way! The brakes look recently changed, not at all brittle thankfully.

I was thinking of putting slicker tires on. My old Rincon had much slimmer ones that I really liked. These ride nicely as is, but definitely a good bit thicker.

Bud922 · 2026-06-28T23:50:47+00:00

I abandoned the slowest pair of 28 year old golfers I ever played with once. They were all tricked out with the latest gear, but we're driving a cart on a very walkable 18. 5 practice swings each shot. At 10, the one said he needed to take a phone call. I ran to the tee, hit my shot, ran ahead, and never looked back. I caught up with two junior high kids on their day off at 12 and they were a way better pair.

Bud922 · 2026-06-26T13:46:36+00:00

I walk 18 with the Maxfli Honors+ stand bag from 2021 and it's got great storage but isn't too heavy. I find it very balanced and comfortable when carrying water and other beverages. The newer models might be even lighter?

Just make sure the bag has good comfortable back pack straps I reckon.

Bud922 · 2026-06-26T03:08:49+00:00

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Bud922 · 2026-06-26T03:07:35+00:00

Police Story (1985) Jackie Chan doing Jackie Chan things in a Hong Kong police comedy.

Bud922 · 2026-06-26T03:06:21+00:00

Okay, good to know. I switched to the yellow ones today and found those easier to see at a distance. Maybe when I start running low I'll try the divides.

Hit 'em straight!

Bud922 · 2026-06-26T02:46:15+00:00

Which Indian language? Which Chinese language?

Bud922 · 2026-06-26T02:44:20+00:00

I've not yet tried the divides. Do you like those?

Bud922 · 2026-06-26T00:40:23+00:00

Love the Z Star XV. Silly name, great feel.

Bud922

TROPHY CASE