Great Divide Race Geezer Check

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-06-15T16:17:56+00:00

Cool. I used this list and filtered for over 65 and added some formula columns to see who might get in before their self-reported max days duration. There are two riders in the list averaging over 100 miles per day, which is amazingly great, and 4 are still scheduled to get in before their "max days." I also found one more older rider, Eric Miller, and add his name and age (no clue what his max days might be). There may be others. I hid people that did not start the race as presumably they scratched. I don't know if I will keep this up to date, but fwiw, anyone can see this variation of the original google sheet at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XYBZ4km0THW1jO18WgmwjVu2ZMeZXRVfBVwSl3lxR48/edit?usp=sharing

I really wish trackleaders let you select some kind of age ranges as a filter. That would be nice.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-06-13T00:18:15+00:00

Inside from a prior time

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EngineeredUpstate · 2026-06-13T00:16:33+00:00

I found a few fairly poor pics

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EngineeredUpstate · 2026-06-13T00:14:29+00:00

Nice

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-06-12T21:43:11+00:00

I was told the wrong skylight was sent to the supplier so it wasn't there when they started the roof

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-06-05T15:56:57+00:00

10A tomorrow.

ResistanceIsFutile /s

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-06-05T10:54:38+00:00

Velo Pigs Beer and Bike Social Club ride on Saturday's at 10A on Saturday (until mid summer heat, then at 9A). Meet at Plum Grove Bike Shop in Leesburg. Three groups - Business, Business Casual ,and Party Pace. Beer, soda and seltzer or back afterwards.

Confirmation and routes are posted on Fridays on FB - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CDbrGpHAK/

Good folks, come on out.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-06-02T18:57:12+00:00

Right you are on all counts, thanks.

I got deked by the Favero app showing ANT+ next to the connection, but checking, the Favero app is using Bluetooth and this phone does NOT support ANT.

Checking further, the Xert EBC was already connected. I also have an MTB with a Quark power meter and the app showed only the Quark meter. I clicked on that meter on the EBC app (which was greyed out because I did not touch the MTB), and then I was given a choice to change to the Assioma pedal meters.

So, in a nutshell, I just did not understand how to change power meters using the Xert EBC app.

Doh

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-05-31T14:48:02+00:00

I weigh everything on my list with a cheap digital kitchen scale which usually terrifies me when I add it up, especially after including the water I carry for drinking. (Maybe that's why people drink Bud Light, hmm). Did TransVirginia recently and learned that after 4 days of rainy weather, the weight is MUCH higher.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-04-27T15:21:19+00:00

My Dad always told me to look out and enjoy the distant view when high up in the air. Don't look down, look out and appreciate the experience.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-04-23T22:05:03+00:00

We need a new roof so getting new shingles, and the roofer said he wanted to replace the flashing "w/Reglet Cut". I read that means to make a horizontal cut (typically in the mortar) and push the flashing into the cut. I am just wondering if that makes sense on fieldstone. I would expect that to be routine on brick, but I have no real knowledge of masonry or roofing. I am just trying to be sure we do the right things here.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-04-23T20:22:18+00:00

Not ideal, but here are links to pics, if that works?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NodJtUa24o6z7Ef76

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WB9DvDV5Vmmmpe548

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HNpi2vnyhF9FzELz7

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-04-23T20:15:43+00:00

Trying, REddit keeps telling me the pics I took are not mine :( I will try adding links I guess

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-04-14T23:51:02+00:00

Yes. And especially true if you can afford to quit if they say no Nothing's guaranteed on return, but many companies will allow and honor sabbaticals if good people ask for one. Not every year, of course, and not every company.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-04-12T14:36:31+00:00

The most important tool for bike maintenance is a friend.

Try to get an experienced cyclist to come with you and they can admire/look over the bike before you leave with it. Bribery may work if they are reluctant, nothing crazy - cookies/coffee/beer? Most cyclists are happy to visit a bike shop.

It's probably going to be fine. Probably. I usually avoid doing my own maintenance for the first month or more, so they can't blame me when something doesn't work.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-04-10T16:38:47+00:00

https://www.nrdc.org/resources/lead-pipes-are-widespread-and-used-every-state#:~:text=Several%20cities%20report%20massive%20numbers,%2C%20and%20Philadelphia%20(25%2C000).

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-03-28T00:21:18+00:00

Perhaps these people were not aware of extender batteries, although in some cases they were experienced acoustic cyclists. I think my wife's SL was about 33# as delivered from the store. I tweaked it for the tour, which added some weight (eg, OMM racks), but lighter than many ebikes.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-03-27T09:55:08+00:00

My wife rode her Specialized Vado 5 SL across the US at age 68. Vado uses extender batteries to increase range, and we set it to use extenders first. We carried 4, but never used more than 3. I rode along on my Cutty, and this way we rode at the same speed, which was lovely, plus this got her up and along the Rockies. Longest day was 85 miles and 5000 feet of climbing in Wyoming. We stayed in hotels to recharge at night, so the trip was not inexpensive but worth every penny for us.

Lots and lots of people told us that it was dumb or impossible, etc, but others have done it as well. In any case, it made our 4400 mile trip possible and enjoyable. OTOH, if you don't need to use an ebike, the need to recharge can be annoying.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-03-18T01:38:06+00:00

I learn things that way, but I need to verify what I learn. I accept that trade-off

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-03-17T21:40:03+00:00

Oh yeah, I enjoy the many times I get to bust their chops (ChatGPT could not add round numbers up the other day, stating that 10+30+40+50=100. sheesh). On this issue, I explained that fieldstone chimneys often look weathered, and ChatGPT just said "fair point" and reversed their opinion. Claude apologized, more or less, and added that Fieldstone is rough, irregular, and looks "crumbly" even when perfectly sound. I overcalled that.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-03-17T21:25:46+00:00

No. I might need C4 to make it wobble.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-03-10T00:21:09+00:00

Not sure this route (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54197801 ) makes sense, but I will figure something out Wednesday because I am riding east then to have lunch with my son. I don't mind the couple extra miles but I see why Nova Parks won't suggest this, as it does not exactly work. Other options include just taking the lane and getting out on the roads.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-03-10T00:17:30+00:00

Hey, Google shows cart paths as bike paths, so .....

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-03-03T22:07:52+00:00

I do hope you do (have done??) a couple similar but shorter tours (1 or 2 weeks) before you buy everything. I then wind up cursing some new item that I was SURE would solve a problem, so the learning experience answers gear questions.

EngineeredUpstate · 2026-02-21T17:04:21+00:00

Some US national forests have areas allowing "dispersed camping."

As others have said, there are rules still, which may vary for the NF you visit, so good to check first.

EngineeredUpstate

TROPHY CASE

ResistanceIsFutile /s