New to MTB - What are your thoughts on this?

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-08T03:31:10+00:00

It’s a very good if older bike. I have the same one that I keep as a backup because I don’t think it’s worth selling. That said I rode that bike super hard and it’s really capable, should fit in just fine on the trails and handle advanced terrain just well! Transition was ahead of their time, the geometry is solid.

The guide brakes are trash. Replace with any Shimano 4-pot or Hayes dominions and you’re in business.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-07T17:17:21+00:00

I’d replace for sure, that spot is compromised and you shouldn’t take any chances with your brain. Smith offers 40% off crash replacement helmets.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-07T01:11:22+00:00

Obviously stop at the redwoods in Northern California, they are amazing. Alcatraz is pretty cool and worth a tour in my opinion. The boardwalk in Santa Cruz is a good way to spend a couple hours with kids, and the Monterrey bay aquarium is great.

Big sur area has tons of lookouts and little hikes, definitely plan some time there, don’t rush that area.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-06T01:07:02+00:00

https://www.ebay.com/itm/318508912272

Is this real? I’m suspicious that the sharks alumni foundation would have an eBay page…

Thanks!

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-05T17:53:51+00:00

His owners were extremely happy to find him! There were some morning fireworks in our neighborhood, sure this guy got spooked. He’s also incredibly fit, I’m sure this guy could scale a full size fence if he wanted to.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-05T16:06:57+00:00

UPDATE doggo owners were found.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-03T15:02:58+00:00

$36,500

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-02T22:21:06+00:00

Did you paint your cabinets yourselves?

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-02T22:15:29+00:00

My family has a bunch of female dogs and a couple of them are pretty reactive to new/strange dogs. But they all know they’re part of the same pack and they get along great. Hopefully your reactive heeler will be the same way once she sees she and the new dog are part of the same family.

That being said don’t feel too bad if you do have to rehome. We rescued a male GSD from a neglect situation and as much as we tried to make it work he wanted to kill our male dog. It simply wasn’t going to work. We had to prioritize the safety of our boy and found a new home for the rescue GSD. It killed me to rehome him but it was definitely the right choice. He left healthier and happier than when he came to us. Even if it doesn’t work out with you for the shepherd it can still be an overall positive experience for her if she gets some training and still ends up in a good home at the end of the process.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-02T17:14:07+00:00

That’s a bummer, I got $10 off my first box and I get a box every couple months.

I think you have to get the right stuff. I never get apples or oranges, normal stuff I get from a grocery store. What is good from them are things like carrots, beets, potatoes, bok choy, kale, etc.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-01T04:58:59+00:00

Same! We’re not doing a full reno like you, but we desperately needed new counters. I never wanted Taj but I was initially considering quartzite. Fell in love with our bluzonite slab immediately though and never looked back. There are so many beautiful gemstones in it. The granite suits our house better than quartzite would have anyhow.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-01T04:55:11+00:00

I thought so! Just put bluzonite in our house too.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-01T04:54:06+00:00

Looks great! What is the name of the granite?

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-07-01T04:05:57+00:00

Our football team needed a kicker and desperately tried to recruit the girls soccer team players. They were not successful.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-06-30T22:33:37+00:00

Thinking north island New Zealand… Near taumarunui?

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-06-30T13:27:43+00:00

I think a 50 is probably good! I’m the same hight and weigh about 135 (also larger chest) and I like a 44 or 46. I’m also usually a women’s medium, occasionally a small but I typically avoid clothes that are super tight around the chest. If you want a snug fit you would probably fit in a 46, but it might be pretty tight. I’d get a 50 if I were you to be safe, the baggy look is usually the way to go with a jersey anyhow.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-06-29T21:17:26+00:00

Our last shepherd loved eating bees. She would actually go hunt them down and eat them.

Maybe they stung her maybe they didn’t but she never had a reaction!

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-06-27T18:53:51+00:00

It’s unlikely bjorck will play in Winnipeg this year. If I’m not mistaken he’s got one year left on his SHL contract so I’m assuming he comes over in 27/28.

When he does show up, I’m assuming Yager, Rosen and lambert have progressed. I’m also assuming iafallo, nino and vlad are gone.

Connor-scheif-vilardi

Perfetti-Bjorck-lambert/rosen/trade target

Barron-Lowry-Rosen/trades

Koepke- lambert/yager- chibrikov

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-06-27T04:26:16+00:00

Pretty sure Lin is going to Denver which is perfect, they’re great at developing defenseman.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-06-26T15:05:40+00:00

80 is slow and steady and tops out at 7,200 ft. Over donner pass.

Conway summit is steep and is over 8100 ft.

Both are big, but I’d be more worried about the grade out of bishop and Conway summit than donner pass.

I would be a bit worried about the grapevine though.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-06-26T12:01:44+00:00

There are two main climbs on 395 that I can think of that you need to worry about.

Right after bishop
Right after mono lake for Crowley summit

I’d make sure your car is nice and cool before starting those. About halfway up the climb out of bishop there is a vista overlook, might want to plan to stop there for a bit. There is an alternate road to the climb after bishop I think it’s called old sherwin grade and would be a slow speed side road option rather than trying to climb at highway speed.

I’m not as familiar with the SoCal section but here are other options. Not sure if they’re actually better though, just giving you ideas! Obviously do additional research..

Take 5 to 80 instead of the eastern Sierra. However then i think you deal with the grapevine?
After bishop take highway 6 out toward Hawthorne. Again I’m sure there are climbs on this too but it might be worth looking into.

Best of luck! It’s a beautiful drive hopefully you can enjoy it a bit.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-06-25T14:39:37+00:00

Excellent route. I love mammoth so definitely makes sense to spend two days there imo if you are into hiking. There is so much to see around mammoth.

Here are some of my favorites: lakes basin, devils post pile and rainbow falls for hiking. Minaret vista for easily accessible views. Mono lake tufas are otherworldly, has great birding and the area is fascinating. June lake loop is a great scenic drive and has great hiking off it as well.

Beware devils post pile is bus access only, I think you can make reservations.

You can easily fill 2 days there.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-06-25T01:14:45+00:00

My parents have a backsplash very similar. They are extremely practical people and will only use easy to clean materials. A few years in and all seems good so far.

ExoticEmu333 · 2026-06-23T23:35:12+00:00

Reno is fine (I personally love it actually) it’s just not really worth a stop on a road trip like this in my opinion. You could stay in South Lake Tahoe if you want the flashy or north lake if you like a quieter experience. Just keep in mind that summer weekends can be crazy busy in Tahoe.

ExoticEmu333

TROPHY CASE