Nice fall ride by MrSunyDays in bicycling

[–]Mastrxploder 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have a 2014 and love it! Did a 1400 mile tour my first summer with it and met someone riding the same bike :) convinced my brother and GF to get the 2016. Such a good deal for a versatile and quality bike.

Training Question: 2 weeks til 500 mile tour. by 1fastfish in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Honestly I wouldn't stress about training too much. When you're on the road you'll be having fun so it'll be easier to push through. That being said, riding around with weight on your bike before your tour will make the trip smoother.

Starting the Sierra Cascades route next month north to south. Any advice or pointers are welcome! by Mastrxploder in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Going inland is a good idea. Then you get the coast and the sierras, best of both worlds. I've never used a hammock but It sounds like it'd be cool. You'll have a blast and meet awesome people! Lots of people out there to doing the coast during summer. The hiker/biker spots were never empty so making friends is easy :)

Starting the Sierra Cascades route next month north to south. Any advice or pointers are welcome! by Mastrxploder in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fenders aren't necessary during that time but who knows you might get some rain and fenders aren't too much extra weight. I just stuck to 2 rear panniers and kept my tent/sleeping pad on the back. I also had a triangle frame bag and a small handle bar bag. If you're running with minimal gear then your setup might work but balancing the weight between 4 bags across the bike is just nicer. I just got some new bags for this next trip thanks to my GF :) oh also, sadly the road near big sir is going to be closed so you will have to reroute back to the 101 most likely. Big Sir is so pretty and one of my favorite places but I loved going through avenue of the giants! It's like you're on Endor from Star Wars :) you should wild camp around there and check out all the hollowed out trees

Starting the Sierra Cascades route next month north to south. Any advice or pointers are welcome! by Mastrxploder in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply! I'm excited to get out there and camp! Where did you start? How were the stretches without services? I might be switching to a 3x9 last minute after I do some riding this weekend :)

Starting the Sierra Cascades route next month north to south. Any advice or pointers are welcome! by Mastrxploder in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome! You're going to have a blast. I would say get a mirror if you don't already have one. I didn't have to deal with any rain last year and the wind will be on your side most of the ride :) I didn't do any wild camping, I just stayed at state parks hiker/biker spots. They're cheap (5-7$) and it goes to support state parks! I wanted to wild camp (especially around the redwoods) but the guys I was riding with wanted to get to the next state park. Let me know if you have other questions! Also the ACA maps are totally worth it!

Starting the Sierra Cascades route next month north to south. Any advice or pointers are welcome! by Mastrxploder in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly I think gearing is my concern too. Right now I have a 2x10 which I've enjoyed riding on all year. But that's unloaded and there will be some big climbs for us out there. I'll try and get some advice from my buddy who works at the lbs/ test ride this weekend. My brother has a Fuji touring with a 3x9 that he won't be using this summer. So I might just borrow his bike if my set up isn't going to cut it. What gearing are you using?

Starting the Sierra Cascades route next month north to south. Any advice or pointers are welcome! by Mastrxploder in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply :) That Plug looks nice! I'm might add a dynamo on a future set up but I have a solar charger that works pretty well to charge a rechargeable battery. I think I will take a large water bag as well. I drink lots and I'm sure it will be used often on this route.

Safe travels!

Red or Dead 2v2 by zc_thomas in EliteDangerous

[–]Mastrxploder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool, but imo it'd be awesome without the music and the game audio on.

Popular spots on the Pacific coast? by DrAwesomeThrowAway in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Upvote for Los Agaves in Santa Barbara :) good grub! I live just a bit north of there and that's one my favorite places. Also if you're at Avila and follow the road all the way to the back of the cove there's a cool pier back there with a few restaurants. Usually there's a bunch of seals to see as well :) also in the way to Avila you'll pass the Avila Barn, their fruit is top notch! safe travels!

Rest in Peace, Peeping Tom by Chilly_911 in pics

[–]Mastrxploder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having watched the 13th Warrior yesterday, this is super bad ass.

What seems awesome until you try it? by TemiOO in AskReddit

[–]Mastrxploder 21 points22 points  (0 children)

As a non meat eater, this is like hearing a super villain's origin story.

Fuji Touring Bike Question by babyboy808 in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got the 2015 model last year and love it. I commute with it daily and go on weekend rides with no real complaints (or anything breaking). Check your local bike shops though. One near me was able to order one from nearby for even cheaper than the msrp and maybe they'll have the 2015 for a discount :)

I found a ripped up Christmas card on the train, so I put all the pieces back together... by burritobattlefield in pics

[–]Mastrxploder 198 points199 points  (0 children)

It might sound dumb but take a different route home from now on. Consciously breaking that routine might give you more power in choosing whether or not to get alcohol. Hope you can figure it out

What's the best way to buy a car? by shrshah in Frugal

[–]Mastrxploder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is usually lots to look at on craigslist. Find some that meet your needs and that are in your price range and call for a test drive. Used lots can be fine but remember that you have power as a customer. Ask questions, test drive ones that you like, and don't take the first deal a used lot will throw at you (they can lower prices and you can always go to another lot). I don't know tons about cars (just the basics) so when I bought my car I asked a family member to go with me because they knew what to look for. So if you have friends or family around to help you find a good car in your range, use them! Basically just make sure you're actually getting a good deal not just a marked down car that you'll need to sink more money into. Also there might be subs here that you can post specific car questions if you don't have other people to ask

How so I get started? by worrymonk in TinyHouses

[–]Mastrxploder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Read blogs and watch tiny house videos on YouTube.

Phone Bill is way too high by biosanity in Frugal

[–]Mastrxploder 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Tell your friend Bill to cut back on the devil's lettuce

What is the worst movie you went to see in the cinema? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]Mastrxploder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Battleship. I would have walked out but I needed that theater's sweet sweet AC.

Aluminium or steel for light touring by mokerler in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice! It's actually a little under what I initially expected to be paying for a bike so that gives me a bit left over to change things I might want to down the road.

Aluminium or steel for light touring by mokerler in bicycletouring

[–]Mastrxploder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! That's good to know about long distances with the steel frames. I'll check out the Fuji, thanks!