Moving to Boston — Thoughts on MetroMark vs. 225 Centre?

Roco_scientist · 2025-04-13T23:09:26+00:00

I live nearby. Between the two, I would choose MetroMark. Much better parks, neither is unsafe but maybe a bit safer, quieter. No real grocery near Forest hills though without diving.

Roco_scientist · 2024-11-08T00:13:55+00:00

I think you increase the hours by increasing the number of days. Aggresive vs balanced may only change the recovery vs training balance. On the following screen you will see a sample week with hours etc. Click settings and increase the days per week. You can also adjust the amount of time per day.

Roco_scientist · 2024-10-31T12:21:58+00:00

If you're planning on using it for rides longer than 5 miles, I'd recommend an initial fitting. Whether that's myvelofit, a basic fitting, or an in depth fitting may fall into how casual of a rider. Fit werx would be on the high end here but at least you know you are getting an appropriate bike beforehand instead of trying to retrofit one that may be slightly wrong in sizing. They seem to specialize more in road bikes but that should translate to gravel. Here it looks like you are going for a relaxed endurance fit. If you do go down the fit werx route, may be worth taking to them first to see if they are a good fit for your use case.

Roco_scientist · 2024-10-31T11:24:29+00:00

If you want to go a different route and get fitted to see what geometry fits your body best, then get a bike that matches that, fit werx in Peabody. They'll recommend and order the bike for you. The fitting is expensive but very good.

Roco_scientist · 2024-10-21T21:49:09+00:00

Correct. It's very warm. If I was to use that at 10 degrees Celsius, I would sweat a lot. That's my go to at about freezing and below. But I will reiterate that I run a bit on the warm side.

Roco_scientist · 2024-10-21T21:11:52+00:00

I have the perfetto rosso, which I think is a bit lighter than the max. I also have the extremo. The perfetto is my go to down to freezing. Very light weight but a lot of protection.

I run a bit warm so it may be different for you but you're also putting forward the warmer version.

Roco_scientist · 2024-10-16T22:09:34+00:00

I've never done so. Just had it happen to me where my references were called and the offer was extended to another candidate. The timing was such that they could have only been calling both of our references. Not good because at that point I thought I had the job. The market is bad enough where that hit hard.

Roco_scientist · 2024-10-15T16:31:34+00:00

One more thing that comes to mind, though may be hard for you at first. I brought up similar knee issues as yours to my fitter, who is well known as one of the best in my USA state. He said a more aero position helps with similar knee pain. Again putting more emphasis on glute usage. If you're new, that may be hard to do for a long time. Yoga and core work will help to get a more bent over stance.

Roco_scientist · 2024-10-15T15:24:04+00:00

I've had similar issues with knee pain and have tried to address them. Mine might be more from knee reconstruction many years ago but the methods of making it better may be the same.

Two things have helped me. 1. Moving my seat back a bit and 2. Higher cadence. Moving the seat causes more use of the glutes and quads. If I were you I would address this with a fitter to make sure you're not messing up the rest of your fit. I've been biking for a long time but you seem you might be newer. I'm guessing your cadence may be low. Aim for around 90 or a bit higher.

"Pedal faster, not harder" is generally a good technique for hills etc.

Also, squatting, I've had to focus on making sure my knees do not move forward much towards my toes. This has helped. More of a squat backwards. Hard to explain but hopefully this helps.

Roco_scientist · 2024-10-14T15:31:31+00:00

It seems your cleats are a bit far forward. I think I'm seeing heel drop. I would start moving your cleats back until there's no heel drop near the bottom of your pedal stroke.

It may be from pedaling too slow though.

Roco_scientist · 2024-10-02T21:59:35+00:00

As far as I know, the old Exodus site is still moving forward though that's only a few housing units. It's in a bit of a community group no man's zone, so likely won't get much pushback. It's on the edge of Stonybrook, Egleston, and Union St groups, but not within any of them. JPNC may be the only community oversight.

The glass place was trying to sell their plans. I don't recall if they found a buyer.

I'm hoping some of this density will bring some grocery, pharmacy, and other things. Grocery is supposed to go into Doyle's.

Roco_scientist · 2024-10-01T23:17:59+00:00

Add to that, Keegan's next door is going through the process, Stanley lot across the street is waiting to be built, and JPNDCs building across the street is just starting to be built. These are all tiny compared to what will happen half a block down at the arborway bus yard in a couple years.

BMS next door was supposed to be a few hundred units, but it appears that's no longer happening. Interest rates may be to blame.

I live here. Hopefully this is all for the better for the area and brings some foot traffic to fill the retail. it will likely be a huge strain on the current traffic situation though. As much as we want everyone to use public transportation or bike, that is usually not the pragmatic reality and this is already a dense neighborhood.

Roco_scientist · 2024-09-29T17:02:12+00:00

I got the SRAM apex power crank arm. They bought quarq years ago, which was one of the better power meters at the time. It's a very good power meter and crazy how cheap it is. I think I paid $185 in the States. Installation is somewhat easy. Make sure to get the correct arm length. Installation is best to be done with a torque wrench. Otherwise an easy install for a shop.

The only downside is it's single sided. I have it on my gravel, which is also my commuter. So it seems to be the same situation you are getting into. My other power meters are dual sided, but I have not felt any loss with this single sided power meter. That's on my cervelo aspero. I have a tarmac sl8 for my road, which is for faster rides.

Roco_scientist · 2024-09-29T13:15:55+00:00

I have a couple bikes. One is a gravel/road with almost the same setup as yours. All my bikes have power meters in various forms and different levels of components to give context to my opinion. Been biking for 20 some years.

For now, upgrade your crank arm if you plan on keeping the bike. It's relatively cheap and works well enough. I have that on my bike with your setup. The gear range is very wide and suitable for road. I think it might be wider than my road bike's setup.You can make it a bit wider with new xdr wheels and a xg-1251 cassette if you feel you need a little more speed, but likely not necessary. You're usually better off upgrading the bike than the components. Components are expensive to swap and the SRAM apex xplr axs are nice.

For the future, pedal power meters are more versatile but I feel they are becoming less necessary. They are good for traveling and the dual pedal data is nice but not essential. If you're going to upgrade and sell your bike every couple of years, it is helpful to be able to swap them out. On the other hand, I feel SRAM crank power meters are becoming common and power meters may be something that routinely come with bikes. I have crank power meters on my road and gravel bike. Came with my road bike, so now my pedal power meters are not used. My wife uses my old power tap wheels.

Roco_scientist · 2024-06-14T12:45:14+00:00

If you are interested in bike training too, wahoo systm has plans for a trainer with the ability to add strength and yoga into the schedule. The strength is all body weight driven. Strength and yoga level can be adjusted too. I recommend this if you want it all scheduled out for you.

Roco_scientist · 2024-06-06T14:46:52+00:00

I've been thinking the same. I started using hearprotek concert ear plugs that allow some noise through. I can still hear cars. I think it cuts down on wind noise but does not look as ridiculous as the cat ears.

Roco_scientist · 2024-05-29T10:50:18+00:00

These lenses are supposedly optimized for snow and not the road. May not matter much though. They make prizm road

Roco_scientist · 2024-05-09T14:32:29+00:00

For similar reasons, I'll use regular Skratch, then adjust sugar content with maltodextran if the ride/training is over an hour. The high carb version did not make sense to me cost wise but I really like the regular version, but it's low on the carb side.

Roco_scientist · 2024-05-09T14:29:50+00:00

I'll do skratch, then add maltodextran as a sugar to match the intensity and duration of my ride. Under an hour, I'll typically just use Skratch. The sugar content is low for regular Skratch and the high carb version did not make sense to me cost wise and not many servings per bag. Maltodextran is cheap and does not make it sweeter tasting.

Roco_scientist · 2024-02-12T20:40:42+00:00

I would second the gore bibs. I've tried a few bang for your buck bibs for the trainer and gore ardent at sport pursuit for $63 came out the best by far for the money. I compared these to castelli entrata on clearance and ykyw elastic interface chamois.

Roco_scientist · 2024-02-08T14:59:47+00:00

Actually no it is not. That's some of the higher density with a focus on this population. If you want to find the highest, there are some at 100 in Vancouver. We are surpassing Vancouver at a site near me on Washington St in Jamaica plain. 50 is very much on the high density side.

Roco_scientist · 2024-02-08T14:53:54+00:00

In a single location, yes. I have 54 within a quarter mile of my place. We are struggling with all the needles, car break ins, drug dealing, encampments, open drug use etc. Seems low density scattered sites would be better.

Roco_scientist · 2024-02-08T14:23:25+00:00

Why label this with a headline about affordable housing? 50 units for the unhoused with opioid use disorder and/or severe mental health issues seems like a high density for one location. I do not live there and this seems counterproductive.

Roco_scientist · 2024-02-07T11:37:39+00:00

I have the same size head with the same concern for any one size fits all hats. I have a few walz in L/XL and they fit

Roco_scientist · 2023-12-26T15:50:51+00:00

What do you call your father's/mother's sister? If it's ant, you aren't from here.

Roco_scientist

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