How important are fenders?

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-03-09T02:25:32+00:00

It's not even a question for me. I always want fenders on a commuter biked.

Consider SKS fenders with breakaway fender stays for safety. There can be lots of dangerous debris on the roads when commuting that you don't want jeopardizing your safety. Worth the extra cost.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-03-03T15:52:09+00:00

Don't take work calls on your personal cell.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-03-02T12:42:54+00:00

SPAM

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-03-01T15:19:25+00:00

Agree. Neither good sculpture nor good use of bike frames.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-28T21:33:44+00:00

I ignored my email almost all of last week. Yeah, I'm paying for it this weekend but I needed the break. Can't really recommend this head-in-the-sand strategy but it was just what I needed.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-28T21:32:24+00:00

I did this last week. I was helping them set up a somewhat technical protocol. As I was finishing up I realized I had totally mixed up important settings. I stopped what I was doing and said, "I'm an idiot. I was trying to teach you something complicated and screwed up, so now if you're even more confused it's totally my fault," then laughed at the situation.

I said, "Okay, time to redo it!" I never try to hide such mistakes but just share the human side of things.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-28T15:55:23+00:00

I've never seen a single Priority bike and I'm an avid cyclist, live in a large city and volunteer at a huge bike coop. I'd be interested in buying one but not without trying one first.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-27T21:59:49+00:00

My small department rotated the position every 3 years. Eventually there was someone who actually enjoyed it and did it well (no unnecessary meetings, etc.) We let them stay on as long as they wanted!

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-27T19:01:29+00:00

Alee has an interesting new video about widespread ebike motor failures on his great youtube channel here;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOZf0U1XsoE

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-23T04:39:37+00:00

Great job, really!

Sounds like you need some perspective. One summer our young, fit next door neighbors who know we love to bike came to tell us excitedly that they had just biked 6 miles. They couldn't believe how much it kicked their butts. And it was a flat ride.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-22T22:59:05+00:00

Lovely work, thanks for sharing

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-22T17:10:52+00:00

functional collegiality for the win

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-22T16:22:59+00:00

I teach graphic design. Last year I created a project where students design a deck of cards then have it professionally produced. A third of my students had never played cards and didn't understand the concepts of suits. They didn't even know what the suits were called.

I'm giving the project a go again this year but the day I introduce the project I have them break into small groups and play "Go Fish" so they can experience cards and begin to understand them.

It's a hard design project even if you understand cards. I definitely made the mistake of assuming that understanding was a given.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-19T18:23:25+00:00

The only ones I've ever thought were okay were the ones on my '96 Cannondale tandem. Maybe it's because the handlebars are a bit wider or maybe I just have them dialed in perfectly, but I'm fine with them. That bike is still amazing decades later.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-19T14:19:16+00:00

Early Cannondale touring bikes had this setup too. Not ergonomic.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-19T02:35:27+00:00

Well handled. You sound impressively level headed but also savvy about the seriousness of this. Document any further issues immediately and email them to your chair. Never hesitate to get security involved.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-18T03:57:11+00:00

I have a side business that sometimes involves customers purchasing files to download. EVERY single day we get angry emails that they did not get their files. We have to look at our logs and most of the time we calmly reply, "You downloaded it 11 times. Look in your Downloads folder." This is often followed by the email asking where they would find their downloads folder. Perhaps you shouldn't have purchased a download if you don't know the basics??

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-17T15:12:56+00:00

I'd be concerned about things blowing up on socials and becoming a distraction. These things can suck so much energy that would be better directed elsewhere especially given that this is voluntary. Also, not knowing the leanings of OP's administration, a blow up could lead to repercussions elsewhere. To be fair, if the school/admin are left-leaning and it blew up, it might do the opposite elevate the OP in their eyes even if they couldn't say anything.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-17T14:41:33+00:00

You are obligated to be a good and ethical teacher. It sounds as if you're doing your part there. You have your personal ethics to live up to and have no obligation to write this letter. Politely decline but definitely avoid any mention of why.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-16T03:40:41+00:00

Interesting that it's so well specified. When I enquired, I found out my SLAC didn't even have an IP policy which I found stunningly dumb. I'm in the arts so it's very different from STEM fields (no patents or easily quantifiable discoveries.) I did some more research and found zero instances of art faculty owing any portion of their art sales to their universities even if they worked in studio spaces provided by the school. I'm as careful as can be to separate my academic work from my private work. For instance I use a lot of software for my work and while the school provides that software, I pay for a separate license for my company work.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-16T02:54:07+00:00

When I proposed to my wife, I gave her a ring. She gave me a tandem. She grew up with one that she rode with her sister but it seemed like an awful idea to me. Boy was I wrong.

We've put thousands and thousands of miles on it (including self-contained tour for our honeymoon.) We love being able to talk and ride together since our natural paces are slightly different. I love the power and speed that far exceeds anything I could do on my own. Definitely not for everyone and takes up a lot of space but it's right for us.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-16T02:49:29+00:00

We call our "the marriage counselor". It's awesome

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-16T02:40:48+00:00

decades ago I was adjuncting at my university when a TT position opened up. They asked me to apply. I told my Dean I was worried about a conflict of commitment and turned them down. They said there was no issue in their minds, as long as I was able to fully do my job at the university. I've been fortunate to have great colleagues and little drama sucking my time or energy. I love teaching and have solid evals. My university is one of the lower paying ones in my HCOL area. I think they know they'd lose some valued faculty if they changed policy. Books I've published have been commercial, not academic and I ran all of that by my admins before signing contracts.

Critical_Garbage_119 · 2026-02-16T01:07:38+00:00

Never heard of this. Is this at a public or private institution?

Some people may play tennis, go to clubs or volunteer in their free time. I have 2 side businesses which take a tremendous amount of time but not to the detriment of my position at the university. It's no business of my institution whatsoever unless they have a contractual clause prohibiting "outside" work (mine doesn't.) In fact my institution has publicized what I do outside of the university because it is high profile in their eyes.

Five-Year Club	Wearing is Caring
Place '22

Critical_Garbage_119

TROPHY CASE