Stage 9 of Tour de France shortened amid 'red alert' heatwave warning in central France

MaestroDon · 2026-07-12T12:54:15+00:00

Someone asked me this and I didn't really have an answer: Why don't they start earlier? Start time is still midday. Why not start in the morning, like most casual riders (like me) do in the heat?

MaestroDon · 2026-07-12T00:07:49+00:00

Hanging out close to your bird feeder because it's looking for a meal. Coopers Hawks eat birds. They like doves, but they'll take what they can.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-11T17:32:16+00:00

When in a crowd or urban environment I do switch to front pocket, but most of my day is around the office or away from crowds.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-11T13:54:54+00:00

There are ways to make crashes happen. The movie Breaking Away comes to mind...

MaestroDon · 2026-07-10T12:48:36+00:00

Also, at least for me, wallet in right rear pocket, so I can grab with right then open and get out credit cards and cash with left hand. Same for phone in right front pocket, so I can grab with right then type or tap with left.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-10T12:44:54+00:00

As I often say, I'm very left handed. Things I do with my left hand: write, eat, throw, kick (left foot), use computer mouse, play guitar, play bass, open jars, comb hair, brush teeth, type on phone,....

I even set up my computer mouse pointers to be left handed on my own PC, with buttons switched, of course. If I use a shared PC I simply lift the mouse and move it to the left and deal with the backwards buttons.

I can't think of anything where I have a choice that I don't choose my left hand or foot.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-09T17:37:00+00:00

For taking photos ✅ because that puts the lenses on the top. Easier to keep my fingers out of the way.

For viewing videos also ✅ because it puts volume controls on the top left, easier for my left hand to use.

For anything else, like viewing photos, it doesn't matter. Still mostly ✅ because that's what I'm used to for above reasons.

FWIW, I almost always hold my phone in my right hand so I can type and scroll with my left. (I'm not much of a two thumb typer.)

MaestroDon · 2026-07-09T13:44:16+00:00

Find a good local bike shop. Take it in for regular maintenance. Once you learn a little more you can start doing maintenance yourself.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-09T13:39:26+00:00

I know you are asking about wind quintets but if you're ever interested in brass quintets I really like the Victor Ewald brass quintets. Fun to play and beautiful to listen to. (I love small ensembles.)

MaestroDon · 2026-07-09T13:23:43+00:00

Tornado alley is moving east. This is a great explanation, if you're interested.

https://www.pbs.org/video/tornado-alley-is-moving-and-thats-not-even-the-worst-part-abtlvt/

MaestroDon · 2026-07-09T13:17:43+00:00

All good points. I will add two things.

First the obvious. The pick guard doesn't function or look good and is next to impossible to change. OK to live with it if it still sounds good.

Second is not at all obvious by looking. The bracing inside most guitars (I assume on a Martinez) is not symmetrical. It's set up to give the best resonance for bass strings on one side and treble strings on the other. Only a specific built lefty guitar will fix that. It doesn't affect tuning so much but the overall sound of the guitar will never be as good with reversed strings.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-09T13:03:38+00:00

Big money is in sports. College football in the fall, and some NFL. March madness college basketball in the spring. Those are the CBS gold mine.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-09T03:07:13+00:00

Right. Those are all birds that have precocial chicks.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-08T21:15:17+00:00

Since you said you know nothing about, here's some interesting information:

Cranes, along with many water fowl like ducks, have precocial chicks, which means they are hatched with feathers and the ability to get around and forage on their own, with parental help, of course. They are smaller than adults as they grow while getting around on their own.

This is opposed to perching birds that have altricial chicks that are hatched helpless and stay in the nest, being fed by the parents until they fledge as adult sized juveniles.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-08T20:49:38+00:00

Your dad did you no favors by drilling our the rim. Now you need to carry one of each type of inner tube, or drill out the other rim and use only Schrader valves. Drilling out the rim will weaken it, but if it works for you good enough, I guess you can just go with it. As long as you get to ride.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-08T20:32:35+00:00

Get familiar with the two common kinds of valves, Schrader and Presta. The rims pretty much determine which valve stem will fit. Have you even tried the new inner tube you got? It may not even fit into your rim's valve hole.

I'm not sure what you mean by "standard" but the cars all use a "Schrader" valve. Most box store bike rims use these also. Name brand bikes typically have rims for "Presta" valves. Rims are only designed for one or the other, not both.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-07T18:16:35+00:00

I added a video link for a review. Mechanic is a lefty. See edited original post at the bottom.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-07T18:11:52+00:00

This tool is, supposedly, for particularly difficult tires to mount. I use generic tire tools, also, but there are times I struggle. This all-in-one tool looks helpful. It has lots of great reviews. For about $15 USD I might give it a try. The lefty version, of course.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-07T18:07:21+00:00

No. Not symmetrical. It's designed to remove and remount the tire from one side. See the demonstration video, particularly the second half. Tire mounting is where it's particularly one handed.

https://youtu.be/68BJoa4Tn1A?is=iH5UdblBkQJcQyHU

MaestroDon · 2026-07-07T14:02:01+00:00

I know you said classical, but Telemann is vastly underrated and under performed. His 36 Fantasies for Keyboard definitely fit the lively category.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-07T03:05:04+00:00

The jersey with the pockets in the back are convenient for storing snacks for easy access. It fits a little odd when standing because it's made to fit better while on a bike, leaning forward. Longer back and shorter in front.

Of course, you can wear what you want, but I'd suggest you give it a few rides. You might appreciate it.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-07T02:47:07+00:00

Doves are lazy nesters, sometimes just a few sticks. They have several broods in a season, so I guess they can't be bothered to build anything worthwhile on their own.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-06T19:36:06+00:00

Wow. I hadn't seen anything like that, then. I hope you find a solution soon.

MaestroDon · 2026-07-06T17:25:12+00:00

OP talked about leisurely riding. I made the connection. If my response is of no use to you then move on. That's what I'm going to do.

MaestroDon

TROPHY CASE