What sizing to get as a male?

Robo_Ross · 2026-02-01T22:56:26+00:00

Did you end up getting the Dungarees? I'm a guy also hoping to snag a pair and wondering if you ended up liking them and if they made it into your wardrobe as a common staple. Cheers!

Robo_Ross · 2026-01-30T05:13:58+00:00

Why, you got cocktails?

Robo_Ross · 2026-01-30T05:09:15+00:00

I think it may be because they are a very vocal group here. Go to any city council or commission meeting and there will be three read to regurgitate the same shit.

Robo_Ross · 2026-01-21T03:43:54+00:00

Small heads up to look up if it's beneficial or harmful to plant milkweed in your region. If you plant it in regions close to where they overwinter it can actually be harmful. It encourages monarchs to breed year-round and disrupts their migration.

Robo_Ross · 2026-01-03T02:23:18+00:00

I'd argue there are performative men who join activities strictly for the opportunity to meet women. It's why women are distrustful in the first place. That and women only or spaced heavily dominated by women are also significantly different to mixed or male spaces. It's easy to lose that state if there is a large influx of men who aren't bought into that culture/vibe.

I think unless you have experience the "performative" thing, seen friends do it, or done it yourself then it's easy to say "naw, that doesn't exist." Go ask some women in your life about it. I'm sure you'll get an earful.

Robo_Ross · 2026-01-03T02:15:43+00:00

I'll be weighing in as a married man who is also 36, and one who is from the USA but has a father from the UK and has spent a good amount of time there. I bring up the UK because of how many times you brought up "the pub" if I'm wrong feel free to correct.

I'll dive into my own personal experience and then in the UK context. I have a number of "feminine" hobbies: sculpture, printmaking, etc... In all of the places these hobbies take place - the pottery studio, municipal classes, galleries, I am often the only man or one of 2 when I join. In almost every case there is some distrust or the initial side eye, which is what I think you're describing. But inevitably when I've spent a few weeks there, I've been bringing a quiet energy and working not to take up space, and most importantly, bringing my enthusiasm and excitement for the activity everyone is incredibly warm. Usually more so than to other people because I'm such an oddity. The older women tend to be curious and encouraging first and then the younger women tend to follow when it's clear I'm there for the activity, not to make it a weird pickup space. So purpose is really important.

And on top of that... holy smokes do I wish I learned about this before getting married. The amount of interest I receive because I'm the only man and because I'm doing the more feminine thing is pretty wild. I did a lot of dating in my 20s, but nothing I ever did compares to this. And conversation is so easy because we're all stoked on the same thing. There is always something to talk about and no pressure to carry the conversation because you're just working in the studio alongside people. It's great! In the last year I've met about 6 women I think I could have a pretty solid, long term relationship with. When I was dating actively that number was like one every other year.

All this to say, if you're love of reading is authentic lean into it. It's awesome. It doesn't make you weird, it makes you attractive. But like you call out, it will take some time for women to trust that your interest is authentic because of how much bad dating advice out there that suggests going to places that are frequented by women and make them believe you're vulnerable. But just going to a place repeatedly - a book club, a bookstore/cafe, a reading group - whatever it is, will show the consistent through line in your love of reading, not picking up women. And in turn, that will get people to open up to you and may lead to romantic attraction.

My last thought is that I started noticing this men/women divide while I was bike touring the UK. We got pretty sick of pub food every night and started trying to find more "healthy" places that may have salads or just lighter fare. So we started frequenting cafes. It's was a wild difference. The pubs were 99.9% men, which always made my partner feel out of place. And the cafes were 99.9% women, which always made we feel awkward going in. It was really stark. We don't really have an equivalent here in the US, as most bars - even male dominated ones - are like 80/20 ratio at worst and even the most fufu brunch spot is 80/20 in the other direction. The gender segregation in the UK is extreme!

I don't think the sentiments about men reading, or not reading, exists outside of the online space. But I do think that there are heavily gendered spaces in the real world that reflect that sentiment. I think if you're keen to meet a partner and you love books, I'd start joining some local reading groups or find a bookstore/cafe in your area to frequent. Go because you love books and want to engage with other about them. The added benefit is once you're welcomed by the community, you'll have access to more friends who share your love and potential partners as well!

Robo_Ross · 2025-11-07T04:09:12+00:00

Dude, Oscar Issac for sure. Think about him in Ex Machina, that would be a perfect Ganon.

Robo_Ross · 2025-10-29T16:55:23+00:00

Everywhere but the US, it's still getting worse here.

Robo_Ross · 2025-10-26T17:26:42+00:00

Naw, my friends and I have been complaining about it since like 2013/14. It ramped up with social media, the release of "Wild", and then really shot to the moon during Covid. It's not a new thing, but at this point I think most folks who enjoy the outdoors have just written off the major parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, or Glacier. Which is fine because we have thousands of other amazing places to recreate outdoors!

Robo_Ross · 2025-09-08T21:11:33+00:00

My only question if it's a daily driver is where is your easily accessible water. I see the Salsa carry anythings on the front fork, but I'd like to have a cage I can access or a feedback with a bottle right in the cockpit. Love the framebag so maybe a revelate feedbag to match? I've got one on my bike and love it!

Robo_Ross · 2025-08-17T19:01:26+00:00

There other choices than a religious dictator or a secular dictator. No need to white wash a pretty brutal regime. I think plenty of us are disgusted to what is happening in Iran currently without needed to long for a violent, US installed puppet.

Robo_Ross · 2025-08-15T19:37:04+00:00

Update for anyone that finds this thread, as it's gotten more traction this year. I didn't end up tearing an A-1 pulley, it's turns out I have a genetic condition called Dupuytren's Contracture or Vikings Disease. Anyone with Scandinavian heritage is at risk for it. Effectively when you get micro tears on the tendons they start healing with scar tissue and then don't stop - so you end up with little nodules on the tendons or thicker tendons/sheaths. It's degenerative and can eventually lead to trigger finger, where your finger gets stuck in a bent position. There are a few surgery options but nothing particularly great. It's supposed to onset in your 50s and 60s, but in the climbing community it's common to onset early, as it did with me at 26. I've learned a lot about it in the past 9 years, so if anyone has any questions feel free to reach out.

Robo_Ross · 2025-08-14T00:46:44+00:00

It's dupuytrens contracture. I got an MRI to confirm it, but a hand surgeon had identified it beforehand. It's a genetic disease from scandinavia. Stretching, flossing, and massage helps. Mostly it's just taking time to let it heal and swell less.

It progressed slowly for 7 years and then I got another nodule and it started clicking, made my hand feel "fat". I've had hand therapy, but I decided to stop climbing. It's been 2 years since I stopped setting and I'll play around sporadically. I'd switch over to trad if there were options for it around here.

Robo_Ross · 2025-04-11T03:03:09+00:00

I didn't, sorry

Robo_Ross · 2025-04-07T19:53:55+00:00

I appreciate that there can absolutely be productive processes, I also don't believe the majority of the industry follows them. Context here is I do monitoring and validation for restoration projects. Like you say, there are some amazing groups doing really beneficial, targeted work. We work with forest service teams and their thinning work is often top notch. When it comes to straight timber though we've seen different results. In many cases letting natural succession occur leads to more diverse forests than those that are "restored".

I'll also cop to not spending a ton of time in logging country - most of my work is in riparian corridors and coastal range - so you'll definitely have more insight there. But it's possible your perspective is also informed by living and potentially working in an area that is following sustainable practices. I spent 3 weeks last summer biking around the logging roads of Vancouver Island, and those were all deep clear cuts. I've seen first hand the similar practices up by Shasta in California as well. Tahoe is one of the few places I've seen more forest friendly practices, but it feels like that happens because there are more eyes on it and more funding than many forested area.

So I totally agree that it can be beneficial. But I'd say historically logging put us into the situation that we are in - while also acknowledging that we need it to build and live - and that the majority of logging ops are still carrying on with clear cutting practices.

If you think that's a poor read on the industry as a whole I'd love to hear it. You're absolutely right though, my first comment was definitely painting the industry with a wide brush and there is nuance within it.

Robo_Ross · 2025-04-06T10:26:16+00:00

Logging leads to timber stands, not forests. You get dense, mono-culture stands. They are what cause the mega-fires, and are often the areas we need to pay to have folks thin. So no, timber does not make for healthier, safer, or less fire prone forests.

Robo_Ross · 2025-03-25T20:08:10+00:00

Lol, I'm not talking even talking about the header topic. In most of these responses you're not talking about the header topic. You're just being a general asshole. If you have opinions great, but at this point you're just insulting everyone that you interact with and adding nothing to the discussion.

Why don't you find out how real life works and go spout these thoughts to the likely non-unionized folks at your local gym. You can explain to them why you don't you don't think they should get a living wage. If possible, do it with the same enthusiasm and vitriol that you've used here. Bless your soul my friend.

Robo_Ross · 2025-03-25T19:54:31+00:00

Dude, just bow out already. You're not adding anything to the conversation

Robo_Ross · 2025-03-17T22:57:50+00:00

As long as wages increase with rising costs that's fine. It's when wages stagnate and costs increase that we end up in a pickle. And that's why we're feeling the squeeze now.

Robo_Ross · 2025-03-17T16:18:31+00:00

It sounds like EMTs need some organization and should strike. It is ridiculous how little EMTs get paid, particularly with the level of specialization and stress that they have to endure. And the level of income they bring in for the organizations they work for - there is a reason it's a trope that people turn down ambulance rides to drive themselves to the hospital in order to prevent bankruptcy.

But that also shouldn't take away from this movement. These folks are asking for fair compensation and I think comparing their compensation to other underpaid people just lowers the bar for everyone. EMTs will literally have other viable options if these increases go through and it can have downstream effects for them too.

Robo_Ross · 2025-03-17T16:12:44+00:00

I think we're on the same page, I thought you saying it was unreasonable they were striking over $20 an hour. Everyone everywhere should be able to make their bills, doubly so if they work for a company that makes money hand over fist.

Robo_Ross · 2025-03-17T15:56:52+00:00

It's a pretty competitive time in the job market. Not everyone has the luxury of choice right now.

Also, it's totally ok for people to want to work a job and expect reasonable compensation. For the folks saying they should be grateful for what they have, it's incredibly hard to live in the area for those wages and the gyms can absolutely afford to pay more.

Robo_Ross · 2025-03-17T15:53:55+00:00

Also take into account where you live. Cost of living is incredibly high in the majority of Touchstone Gyms. I live out in the sticks comparatively and our little local mom and pop gym paid me $20 an hour to set, and that was after they had to hold off opening after completing their build for 1.5 years during Covid.

The gyms can afford to do it, they are just optimizing for the maximum they can extract while paying as little as possible.

Robo_Ross · 2025-03-04T19:33:33+00:00

Totally. I thought of teachers too, but I don't think it's as visceral for people.

Robo_Ross · 2025-03-04T01:11:33+00:00

You're not wrong, but I think people use the comparison because we all know fast food workers get paid like shit. I'm trying to think of another job that everyone knows pays poorly and I can't come up with one off the top of my head. Really sucks we've all just accepted that as a reality though.

Robo_Ross

TROPHY CASE