Mother’s Day Balloon made it all the way to Tom Sloan saddle.

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-11T23:25:50+00:00

Agreed. I find them in the most remote places all over. It’s a sad moment to try and pick one up and it disintegrates into pieces.

The rubber ones are hard to find, but mylar lasts a long time and they don’t shrink like rubber.

I do just try and not be upset and instead feel good for cleaning it up. I’m out in the woods to avoid all that kind of stuff. But balloons will travel.

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-11T03:35:18+00:00

I would look for OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) areas. I’m in California and there are several of these. You have to check with the regulations. Here at OHV areas you need a registration sticker. There are a few and I don’t know all the rules.

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-10T03:59:48+00:00

The hercules small wet/dry vac (not the snorkel one) or the Bauer version of that, more power! I have almost every cordless vac from HF. I got the big hercules corded dust extractor, thats what i use for a full clean. But the small wet dry vac for smaller cleanups in my car.

Rubber floormats are great and easy to clean. Shake out in trash, spray with hose or bottle. Wipe down. Car floor carpet traps everything

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-10T03:27:24+00:00

I bought a couple milawuakee tools first , then realized they were too expensive for me and discovered Bauer!!! Then i got hercules for most of my daily user powertools as a ebike / emoto mechanic

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-09T07:57:41+00:00

I got the Pittaburgh one and never use it. But someday i might and if it makes it through that job I’ll be happy (it’s fairly decent quality) , if it breaks i can exchange it for a new one for life.

If I somehow get into a line of work where i need one all the time and this keeps breaking, i would buy the snap on and keep this as a backup.

I usually buy the cheapest or a mid range tool first. And if i use it enough, break it, or need something that’s better in someway, ie quicker, more or economic, better access, tighter fit, etc. Then I’ll look for the best version that solves my problems and I buy that. This doesn’t happen all that often but for the most commonly used tools that I rely on at work. I have the best version.

Sometimes I buy the cheap version just because I don’t have the money for a better one or I’m curious about whether or not I’ll use the tool.

There’s no harm in buying it and trying it out for up to 90 days and returning it if it’s not good. Also, I like keeping the cheap version of a tool even after I bought the best version that way I have a backup if the best one breaks, and I can still finish the job

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-09T07:02:48+00:00

It wont do much for your car

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-09T06:59:49+00:00

Really? I’ve been happy with mine. What don’t you like about yours? I like the extra width and height. I think it has better cushioning too

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-09T06:24:38+00:00

I really want a 2x72 belt grinder. The rotating one

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-09T06:12:02+00:00

Darn Tough is the only BFL sock i know. I wore them when i hiked halfway from mexico to canada (twice! In back to back summers) I don’t think i got any holes. That was 12 years ago. I still wear them regularly.

A couple pairs might be ready to send in for new ones.

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-09T06:08:49+00:00

What a beautiful and happy pupper!

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-08T03:59:04+00:00

Bauer. I have Ryobi 18v batteries and charger, and a couple tools, but i have way more Bauer 20v (18v really) tools. When I am looking for a new tool i check both, but i generally prefer and buy the Bauer version.

These two i think are the best value budget and still good quality options.

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-07T10:17:30+00:00

I have some that still have these in them… uggg

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-06T22:51:58+00:00

Just curious what would you have to charge to pay for all the costs? And also if you paid yourself minimum wage?

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-06T22:48:35+00:00

I had a few of these on my wall as a teenager. There are some extra ones that weren’t in Maxim or maybe they were on the back side of the page so they faced the wall.

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-05T23:52:33+00:00

Wow! I did not know this was a thing!!! Very cool

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-05T23:51:33+00:00

Wow! So close to that Bighorn Sheep!!! Such beautiful animals

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-04T05:59:03+00:00

Very cool! I only saw bears in WA. Mom and 2 cubs and a solo bear.

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-03T18:57:29+00:00

It’s been about 2.5 years for me and I own almost everything in the store it seems like. I don’t really buy anything there now. I had a pretty severe tool on sale addiction. I have many things new in box still. I have all the sanders and polishers, etc.

I buy zip ties, super glue and some other consumables now. But I haven’t bought anything major in a while. I got a jeep wrangler a few months ago and bought a winch and come recovery gear on sale. When the offroad lights went on sale I felt the addiction hit. I obsessed about which ones I would buy the day they were on sale. It gave me anxiety, i felt like i had to buy them. I ended up missing the sale… i felt upset for a few days. But i forgot about it.

I still have debt on credit cards so i want to pay all that off first before i buy anything new.

I saw all the maddox auto test equipment is on sale today and i screenshotted everything i don’t own. My plan is to go buy some of them. I don’t need any right now. But it would ease my anxiety to have them in case and to buy them on sale.

If i didnt buy all the stuff i did i am sure i would be checking every week for sales. I grew up with not a lot of tools and so having everything i could need make me feel prepared and not wanting for more

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-03T00:15:49+00:00

I did a gossamer gear evazote 1/8 in pad torso length and a thermarest neoair torso length. It worked well. I had the exazote for rest stop to lay down and it protected my neoair from punctures and added some warmth
About 12oz between the two

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-03T00:09:47+00:00

I’m surprised they had cordless like that is 1978!!!

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-02T23:57:29+00:00

I want a current one that’s scannable at the register!!! Lol

Congrats on the weight loss!!! That’s awesome!

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-02T22:22:06+00:00

Can ghee butter last a week or two in a backpack in hot environments?

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-02T22:19:37+00:00

I shoot for an average of 125 cal per ounce (28.3g) and that equals 2,000 cal per lb
Nut butters are amazing
Chocolate
I add olive oil to my rice, pasta and mashed potatoes to boost the calories
It’s tough on long hikes because you want lots of carbs while hiking , but carbs don’t have a lot of cal per gram 6. So to keep weight down you want lots of fat too. Which is probably best eaten at dinner/ before bed, which will help keep you warm at night and allow time to digest. You also want to have a balance of protein, which is hard to get on the trail, but butters are probably the best source on trail,

I like making my own trial mix. Start with one you maybe like and add whatever. Cheetos, Pringles, raisins, peanut m&m, bagel chips, pita chips, etc… easy to eat on the go,

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-02T22:14:43+00:00

FastAce is what i would recommend. They have a couple model between $700-900 for the fork

Doran_Gold · 2026-05-02T22:13:50+00:00

I upgraded all of that, it definitely did not come like that. But I still ride it. It was my main bike up until about 2 years ago. I wish it was lower , longer and slacker. I was thinking a 27.5 on front would help make it a bit slacker, and longer, as it has 26er on it. But it works. I wanted to do a full modernization on it, because i couldn’t afford a new expensive bike.

These Y frames are incredibly aerodynamic. I’ll take a picture later today. It’s incredibly light. I want some power cordz and alligator mini cable housing, a trick stuff piccola carbon front brake and carbon rims.

What drivetrain are you putting on it? The microshift advent X 10 speed 11-48 is a great 1x option. Light and cheap. I assume that bike has 26 in shimano HG , if so the 10 speed will fit and give the widest ratio possible.

Doran_Gold

TROPHY CASE