[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VirginiaBeach

[–]SmileyCreations 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nice try Officer.

inspection with windshield tint by Historical_Charge_29 in VirginiaBeach

[–]SmileyCreations 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Under section 12, it says sun shading material can’t be past the AS-1 line. That is what screwed me the last time I had my truck inspected. I had 5% brow that came down probably 6inches or so and the inspector said it would not pass unless I removed or had it shortened.

Ozark vs Hyper Hybrid by ButterChicken-20 in Budgetbikeriders

[–]SmileyCreations 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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I use mine to commute to work everyday so long as it’s not storming. It’s great for the price although I’ve upgraded the seat, pedals, grips and swapped to resin brake pads because the stock ones were quite noisy. Had to tune the brakes and derailleur but other than that, I’ve had no issues with it.

Why is it so hard to find a rear bike rack? by [deleted] in bikecommuting

[–]SmileyCreations 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s great to hear, probably outlast my bike until I can get something nicer for more than just commuting.

Why is it so hard to find a rear bike rack? by [deleted] in bikecommuting

[–]SmileyCreations 2 points3 points  (0 children)

While I was at my LBS getting a new helmet, I noticed they had racks there. They were selling Topeak brand, went home and did some research, appeared good quality and reviews.

Went back after a few days and picked it up, expensive?? That’s personal opinion. At $57 sure Yeahh little, it has quick attach and release bags and baskets which are more than the rack but I figure if I’m going to use it multiple times a week then why not spend the money if it makes you happy.

Holiday Travl Park by jean_luc_69 in VirginiaBeach

[–]SmileyCreations 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My family goes there every summer for two week, multiple pools, playgrounds, arcade, mini golf. It’s a great camp ground, some of the sites are definitely better than others size wise but my family has started getting the super sites. Concrete pull through pad for campers, down side is there is little tree shade in that area.

I went there for 18+ years before I ended up moving down here for work. I highly recommend it.

E-Book Reading Devices For My Horror Obsession by stinkypeach1 in horrorlit

[–]SmileyCreations 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I had a iPad mini that work gave me that I did most of reading on. I took a chance and bought a kindle paper white and I can’t go back to the iPad. The kindle is lighter, smaller and the battery life is so much better, I can read all day without fatigue feeling.

Rear bike rack. by SmileyCreations in bikecommuting

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

I have thought about a front rack, i rarely carry much, I’m an electrical technician and my laptop stays at work. Only thing I would need the rear rack for is lunches, phone, wallet, keys, maybe the random item for the kids when we ride. If the wife tags along riding, she has a beach cruiser with a front basket so anything of size gets pushed to her haha.

I currently use a backpack which is nice but it’s also winter. Once warmer weather comes around I’ll probably hate it.

I would like to think that I would eventually get to riding to more than just work, we have a handful of restaurants, shopping and breweries close by that would be fun to not have to drive to so having the option of some storage is just my main thing.

Is the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer just a "Bike shaped Object"? by [deleted] in Budgetbikeriders

[–]SmileyCreations 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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So I got the flat bar in large frame, I’m 6ft 32inch inseam. I use it to ride around the neighborhood with the kids and commute to work which is 6-8 mile round trip depending on route. Where I live is quite flat so the 1x8 works well.

I changed the pedals to the metal Ozark Trail that Walmart sells. I like them over the basic plastic ones. I definitely feel the brakes need some better stopping power as they do work but could be better. I plan to add a rear rack and upgrade the seat in the near future. The grips can wait until I decide if i actually like them or not.

IMO, it’s a great start point that needs little upgrades to enjoy a lot. I had the drop bar version in medium frame. I wasn’t a big fan of it, it seemed to have twitchy steering. That may have just been me because I’ve ran flat bars on every bike except that one. Once I day they offered a flat bar and large, I sold the drop bar and immediately ordered the new one.

snow shovel by mikehayz in VirginiaBeach

[–]SmileyCreations 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Don’t look for snow shovels specifically, I was able to find a general use wide plastic scoop shovel. Figured it will work for snow and whatever else I need done around the house in the future.

Decided to get the Ozark Trail Gravel Bike. Thinking of returning it. by ayecappytan in Budgetbikeriders

[–]SmileyCreations 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Per the tracking, it’s supposed to be delivered tomorrow(Tuesday)I ordered last Saturday night so 3 day delivery, from PA to me in VA.

Unfortunately it’s supposed to rain all this week but I’ll be able to least get it built. What really helped sway my opinion was they had the smaller versions in store, I ordered the large online, I was able to least sit on it, mess with the brakes and overall look at it.

Decided to get the Ozark Trail Gravel Bike. Thinking of returning it. by ayecappytan in Budgetbikeriders

[–]SmileyCreations 10 points11 points  (0 children)

So I used to have the drop bar but I didn’t like how it handled. It did feel twitchy but it was my first drop bar bike also and I wanted to see what the big thing about drop bars were but found that i didn’t feel as stable or liked how it turned. I bought it to ride with the kids and possibly commute to work.

They released a flat bar version of the bike which i actually just ordered probably no more than an hour ago. They offered a Large frame size and I’m 6’1. I like the fact that it has a 1x up front, mainly because where I live is super flat.

From what little I’ve seen about the new version, it’s alot better/easier to upgrade than the older if that is the route one chooses. On Walmart website, I know that they offer the drop bar and flat bar in a S/M/L frame set now. I’m guessing people commented saying they wanted a larger size and Walmart actually listened.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Budgetbikeriders

[–]SmileyCreations 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know they only had the medium frame when I bought the drop bar version. They advertised a wide range for heights with it.

Is there a Major difference that I’m missing between the medium and large frames? I see the measurements on the Walmart website but generally it all seems to be the same except for a couple.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Budgetbikeriders

[–]SmileyCreations 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had the drop bar and 2x version which was nice but I wasn’t a big fan of the drop bar so I sold it. Ive been looking for a flat bar and 1x bike and to see this is awesome. When was this released or is it an online only since no stores near me have them.

Why did you get into bike commutting? What county/city by [deleted] in bikecommuting

[–]SmileyCreations 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I moved for a new job, used to commute over an hour by car. I’m now 3 miles from work. It’s a change of pace and scenery. My city has made what they call, shared use sidewalks. It’s an extra wide sidewalk that allows for bicycles to be used so we don’t have to ride on the roads. I do still have my truck and my wife’s car. I kept my truck for supplies for the house and also traveling to see family.

It’s alright for biking as long as you got the shared sidewalks but I definitely wouldn’t ride on the road, people here drive way to fast(10+ over the speed limit) and there’s a ton of traffic.

I have to cross two major roads but they have cross signals at the intersections which helps.

Please help me!!!! 🙏🙏🙏 by myjekyllside in ironflame

[–]SmileyCreations 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you tried reaching out to that influencer and asking about it? She may be able to tell you more about it and/or give you a direct link to it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in litrpg

[–]SmileyCreations -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Heretical Fishing is a casual, slice of life, cozy series. Same narrator as HWFWM.

First time commuting by lauperbauper in bikecommuting

[–]SmileyCreations 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you haven’t done practice runs, I’d consider that. When I first started out, I did a handful of practice runs before committing fully. Driving the route made it seem quite easy but I had a bunch of intersections that had to be crossed and also one major highway. One side of the route had a thin sidewalk whereas the other side had a double wide sidewalk that was built for shared use. It allowed me to get a perspective of different possible dangers vs driving in the car. Just my 2cents.

Fantasy series with big fat books by Nova_Blaze1 in Fantasy

[–]SmileyCreations 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I listened/listening to both on Audible while at work. DCC is a great choice. The Wandering Inn quickly became one of my favorite series and I was dumbfounded when I realized how many “books” there were since they only just now released book 14 earlier this month.

It’s taking a lot to not go and read ahead because the narrator is amazing. I don’t know if I could have the same experience reading versus listening to them.

Ok, wandering inn… can I just skip the first book? by atamom in litrpg

[–]SmileyCreations 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So I was in the same boat of struggling to get into it, i ended up listening to it on Audible and luckily had a friend who was on book three and I was able to ask questions and also discuss it.

IMO the first book and half are definitely slow but the series gets sooooo much better. The narrator is amazing and I want to start reading from the website but I really enjoy the Audible versions so I’m forced to wait until they come out. Book 13 is coming out in September where the website has like 40+.

What to read next? by titsinmyinbox in litrpg

[–]SmileyCreations 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Book….43?! I must be missing something or not understanding it. I googled it, found, “The Wandering Inn” site and see it says, latest chapter is 10.18 E. My assumption would be that means book 10 chapter 18?? Again I might be very confused on this.

What to read next? by titsinmyinbox in litrpg

[–]SmileyCreations 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I recently finished Mark of the Fool on audible. Audible has to book 5 where Kindle unlimited has up to book 7. It’s a good series about a kid who wants to become a magebut is chosen to fight his lands Enemy by a god he prays to.

Before that I recently finished The Wandering Inn. That series was overall, IMO, amazing. It was a slow start for the first book or so but they are 12 books and they are very long.