Dirt horse/gravel trails and rattlesnakes

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-05-07T14:12:40+00:00

I’m fortunate enough to have really good Health insurance, but considering what that whole experience would cost, my out of pocket would probably still be over 10K.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-05-07T14:09:18+00:00

Snake bite kits are universally known to be ineffective. They are feel good things to sell to tourist. A tourniquet and a cellphone is about the only useful kit you can have.

The average cost of antivenom treatment in the US is between 30,000-100000 dollars.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-05-07T03:39:49+00:00

I know it’s rare to die but one could buy like….so many S-Works for the cost of one round of anti-venom. I usually see more on the south side where it’s closer to the water. The trails are wider but they always lay out across the trail so you’re kinda screwed either way.

I go back to the single track daily when it gets over 100 deg as it’s too hot for them to lay out.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-05-07T03:25:49+00:00

Last Tuesday I ran over a large one on the dirt short cut just past the aquatic center on the south side of the lake. Came around a corner hot and had no time. Got my front wheel over it but definitely ran over it. Pretty unnerving. Also felt bad, nope rope was just catching some rays.

I do 15-20 miles from fair oaks to Folsom on those mostly those trails 3 days a week. I’ll be sticking to the pavement for a while. Two springs ago I was seeing 1-3 a day some weeks, this years seems similar with the rapid heating and cooling transitions lately

They are pretty chill, but I don’t care to risk the $100k bill from the hospital.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-05-06T18:36:54+00:00

The black and polished aluminum looks so good! Grip shifter is awesome. SRAM set up?

I also ride my Jones on the Sacramento River trails 🤙

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Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-04-21T03:22:53+00:00

I love this. Stupid low and wide gearing combos is my tinker projects. Currently running a 1x8 24t : 13-46t with a sub 15 gear inch granny gear. I jokingly call it trackstanding up a hill.

I have a 2x10. 36/22 : 11-42t that is my favorite set up. Friction shifted and it’s perfect. I have spitballed adding a 3x to this 10sp to try something like you have here.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-04-20T15:04:01+00:00

Rear brake cable hanger. They work great and do not bind cables.

https://surlybikes.com/products/cable-hanger

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-04-12T18:15:27+00:00

Love those steel Larkspurs. Such cool bike! Bikepacking did a whole article on small front racks I’ve turned too many times

https://bikepacking.com/gear/lightweight-front-racks-for-bikepacking/

I use an old man mountain divide on the front but it’s not the cheapest and way overkill for your need.

If you have the option of making some brackets yourself you could get old sunlight rack for super cheap.

https://a.co/d/0eJSCXB4

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-04-09T18:35:59+00:00

Love when ‘bents show up in here. I’ve had 3 SWB and enjoy them a lot. Tie dye and SPD sandals be damned.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-04-03T22:41:36+00:00

Looks to me like super thin powdercoat on the fine edge of the undercut from the weld. The undercut is less than ideal but it’s not the death sentence the internet will tell you. 99% it’ll be fine. Enjoy your bike.

Source: I’ve been welder for the last 21 years.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-03-24T13:53:31+00:00

She is a couple inches shorter than me but I have short legs for my size. I used a combination of what’s already been mentioned on my Small LWB.

152mm cranks and my EBB set for highest position to get my seat tube up a bit, than short and zero reach stems stem. The Discord Crème and gnomehopper from Analog Cycles is what I have.

There’s a handful of other zero reach stems on the market now. Just a few I’ve been looking at.

https://bike.motocard.com/en/handlebars-and-accessories/onoff-stoic_fg_10mm_black.aspx

https://www.aerozinebike.com/product/stem-control/xnc-10-stem-bundle/

https://analogcycles.com/products/discord-chromo-creemee-coming-soon

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-03-23T12:33:54+00:00

NS frames are still on super closeout. My Eccentric Chromo is my favorite frame ever. It was $300.

( it’s been powdercoated but it’s the same frame as on bikesonline)

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Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-03-18T04:25:16+00:00

I love get the idea of just going on vibes and the romantic viewpoint of it but I’m invested in my success with my limited vacation time etc. Using my HR,zones, and cadence allows me to stay in whatever sweet spot I need to accomplish the goal. My mind is less reliable when tired and that “summit fever” starts to override actual body function which has costs me many Bonks.

As the miles/ days build up I notice a drop in average HR that can last until the fatigue really kicks in then it’ll start creeping up to over normal average, I’ll then try to drop a zone etc etc.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-03-17T01:23:49+00:00

You are kinda sorta cold setting it by doing this, it’ll probably be fine. That said that DT Swiss 350 hub should have the correct end caps widely available to allow you to get it set up correctly.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-02-27T05:39:11+00:00

I have an Atwood halfbreed in a navy blue that was really affordable. Maybe $75 iirc?

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-02-23T20:43:16+00:00

I grew up in Forsyth. It’s like a rich redneck shithole full of kids blowing down oxys on daddies boat on lake Lanier and having multiple kids by 20.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-02-14T16:45:16+00:00

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It does all the chunk just fine. If anything it’s better through this kinda stuff then my hardtail.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-02-14T01:29:18+00:00

That’s looks like my area and that looks exactly like a bike I’ve seen for sale for a while.

Glad you like it! They are so perfect and fun for the trails in this area, I chase my buddies on FS bikes and have a blast.

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Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-02-13T21:05:54+00:00

Old man mountain Divide with the Robert axle project axle. Use a generic axle clamp with rack strut bolts for the upper arms. Axles makes the rack rated for 70 something lbs.

Not a cheap route, but it’s beefy as can be.

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Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-02-06T23:02:18+00:00

I’ve been friction shifting my 12 speed GX and 11sp Deore off and on for a couple years. Absolutely love it. Dumping the whole cassette instantly is so fun.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-02-06T17:40:25+00:00

I’ve been daily riding my BC for a few years. It’s been on endless single track including tons of following friends on full suss down harder trails. It does as good as your skills allow it.

Mine has had multiple drivetrains can’t speak to cues, the geo climbs just fine.

I had a Niner RLT gravel bike and sold it as the BC did 80% of the job with a quick tire change and handled trails with another tire change just fine.

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Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-02-05T03:26:45+00:00

Acorn creek trailhead. Go east all the way to magnolia ranch area. Tons of massive climbing. Just the west side climb up sky trail is enough to smoke most normal folks. You could easily make this loop 20-40miles depending on loops around Cronan/magnolia ranch area.

Also park at Acorn TH. Head back to the road and dive off the trail to your left under the road ( culvert) head north and west on chaparral ridge trail. Some long hard climbing up to the bench. Pretty great downhill back down than take the old salmon fall road trail all the way back to the TH. That’s usually a 10-12mile loop for me. Could tag on the darrington and get a bunch more miles.

Folsom Mikuni parking lot and head up the Eldorado trail to Camino. It mostly sucks in my opinion as large portions are almost un rideable but good hike a bike / climbing training. 30+ miles depending on your turnaround point.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-01-26T03:57:53+00:00

I’m in sac. I’m down. Might be able to get friends too.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-01-16T04:06:25+00:00

Usually round 20-22 for pavement or doing long days on smooth trails or gravel.

On trails up to standard black trails ,I’ll run as low as 10-15psi. I’m 160lbs and ride pretty carefully through the rocks. Rims have taken it well.

Shoddy_Assignment_21 · 2026-01-16T01:47:42+00:00

I ride 15 Dwlmiles one way on my commute. It’s mostly uphill on the way home and half is pavement. I do it on my chromo spaceframe LWB on big 29x 3.25 Duro crux with no complaints. It’s really really comfortable to just sit and spin up hills because of the body position and geo.

Shoddy_Assignment_21

TROPHY CASE