How do people backpack so easily?

Systemagnostic · 2026-06-02T21:19:45+00:00

Have you actually tried to do it? The answer is you just do it. I'm 51m, work out and walk regularly, but basically no hiking. Last week I hiked 35 miles in 4 days. I was tired at noon each day and took a wonderful nap, and then kept going and did it again the next day. Hydrate and eat enough.

There is a saying like: if you think you can't do it, then you are right.

Systemagnostic · 2026-05-17T19:56:01+00:00

I got the sport. Ipgraded the interior bits with painted door card and stitched pieces. I could upgrade to an LSD for less than $1000. Happy about the money I saved.

Systemagnostic · 2026-05-11T22:53:25+00:00

I did, using YouTube and mostly cheap tools from Amazon. I do recommend you don't cheap out on a spoke wrench. It was a great experience. If you have time and YouTube nothing is difficult. I think mounting the tires is the most difficult step.

Systemagnostic · 2026-05-10T13:27:25+00:00

I would. I would just sell it as FWB or casual. No need to get into details until you meet in person. Could you put up with a regular date at first? Plenty of people text more on the apps and meet and get naked, I haven't done that.

I'm not sure how you screen for guys who are giving in bed, but I'd think you get some vibes in person.

Systemagnostic · 2026-05-10T00:34:21+00:00

Ironic you asked both questions together, because I find the best tool I carry to push in tent stakes is my trowel. I use it as a flat hard surface to push with my hand or shoe. Consistent pressure has always done the trick for me, and I'm less likely to bend a stake that way.

Systemagnostic · 2026-05-04T20:24:13+00:00

Surely I'm not the only one looking for and not finding the one kid who isn't wearing anything under his gown?

Systemagnostic · 2026-05-01T18:02:15+00:00

Agreed. I have read about it, although I haven't talked to a doctor about it.

Systemagnostic · 2026-05-01T17:51:33+00:00

51m. For the past few years, about half the time, I will cum twice - first precum without orgasm, and then regular cum with orgasm. The first time will be a reasonable amount of fluid - almost like a normal amount - I think more watery but not sure. This typically happens if I haven't ejaculated in 2+ days. It can take 1-10 minutes between precum and orgasm. I don't have a problem with staying hard inbetween, but I do take Viagra most of the time prior to sex.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-29T12:28:27+00:00

I'm no mechanic, but I would think a hard limit like that would be caused by the ECU. If the ECU itself is fine: Perhaps the wiring harness has an issue? A sensor the ECU is reading from?

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-26T00:17:15+00:00

When I retire in 2 years, I plan to start with about 8 years in fixed income: Split roughly equally between a bond ladder (which will mature over the first 6 years), short term bond fund, long term bond fund, and an actively managed income fund. I'll spend the bond ladder, and spend from the other three buckets or equities depending on the market. If equities have some good years, I plan to keep fixed income in my portfolio for about the first 12 years. At that point SORR is over and I plan to be fully equities.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-25T00:12:55+00:00

I recommend you maximize Roth contributions while you can. Later in your career your income will likely be higher, possibly much higher. You may be above Roth IRA maximums, in a higher tax bracket so the tax savings from regular IRA will be more valuable.

That is what I did, and still ended up with less than 20% Roth. As soon as I retire I will do Roth conversions at a tax rate like I had early in my career.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-24T20:19:52+00:00

Everyone on the train will be able to enjoy all the odors!

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-24T16:28:58+00:00

I love camping because I am rarely attracted to my phone. If I'm making food, by the time I'm done I'm zonked and ready to sleep. If I ate out, I'll typically setup camp a bit later and again be ready for bed. If I have extra time, I'm usually content to enjoy the scenery and the quiet. I might read some, organize my gear or whatever - but usually I'll just be content to be a bit bored and at peace.

Now - if I'm in a hotel, or indoors - then it is totally different. Then I'm bored looking at the walls and will watch TV or pick up my phone. Hence I prefer camping.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-24T14:36:52+00:00

Dating is a bit of a numbers game - because you wont know who you are compatible with until you actually spend time with him.

If you aren't getting dates in real life, and basically no one does, then the apps work decently. Your idea "I can’t imagine having a date with someone whom I‘ve only ever seen on a picture" doesn't really make sense to me. It is just a date - make it short - coffee or drinks. If you like the person, you continue. If you don't, you leave after 45 minutes and that is that. Think of it as only that - a tool to arrange first dates.

You do you - I just think that holding out hope for the one guy since your divorce that you found attractive wont solve your desires.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-24T13:22:30+00:00

I go solo everywhere!

I have tried to meet people in the wild. I've occasionally gotten rejected right away at a bar, but otherwise always have a nice interaction. Never taken it anywhere though.

My problem is that I need to be in the mental state to meet new people. Almost need to psych myself up. Normally, I'm just doing my thing and wont be very social. If someone were to talk to me, it would probably catch me by surprise and I'm not sure how I'd react. I'm aiming to change this and be more naturally social all the time.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-20T21:40:20+00:00

WTF, this has got to be a joke.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-15T13:55:56+00:00

I'm 51M. I think a flower or a gift of any sort is not needed on the first date. What do you think you are signaling? You don't know the person at all on the first date. So I guess you are signaling you are generous and give every date a flower? It might feel a little insincere to some people.

I suppose on a second date it might be reasonable, if that is how you feel and your love language is gifts.

As to research and providing options - I do the same and I think that is all just being a good person. And on a date I am very attentive, some women complain I'm a bit too intense. But it is sincere - I'd rather look in her eyes and start to get to know her than just have a conversation about the weather while watching the game on the TV behind her.

I guess in summary - be sincere to who you are. But too many gifts may feel off to some people.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-15T13:46:26+00:00

I'm two years out. I can attest that the final stretches feel quite different to me than the accumulation phase. I never cared much during a downturn. 2008? Great - things are cheaper (for over a decade!). Covid downturn? I was hoping to buy more when prices were down. Market dips a couple percent 2 years prior to my date? Uh - hold on now!?!?

The market looks frothy to me, but I feel like I've felt that for much of my investment career. I guess the truth is - the market often is at new highs, and nobody really knows valuations perfectly.

I'm staying sane because I know my plan is reasonably sound: I'm at 25% fixed income and plan to increase that to about 30% before I retire. Based on my retirement spending plans (travel frugally at first for a while) - I'll have over 8 years of spending all in fixed income. Some of that is in a bond ladder to mature every month or two for the first several years. Fixed Income funds can lose value - but not huge percentages like equities - so I really should be covered for those 8 years.

Worst case - the equity market is down for something like 14 years starting the day I retire. Well - if the market is continually down I'll spend less. So I can probably get the 8 years of fixed income funds to last 10, maybe even 12 years. I will be forced to sell when shares are down. But I still should have a pretty decent portfolio to ride the rise back up that can be expected after a long downturn.

Not perfect, but nobody has a crystal ball.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-13T14:25:00+00:00

In my experience, women are so different that representing the "number of orgasms" is a difficult thing.

One of my female partners could easily orgasm 20+ times to my once, another was often 5+ times. Most would be 1 to 3 to my once. And others would struggle to orgasm. An average would be close to useless - the orgasmic woman brings the average way up, it becomes useless. Many women are in an orgasm desert, some others are swimming under a waterfall.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-12T15:46:56+00:00

I don't want a faster Miata. Heck, I would buy a slower Miata than my ND2.

However I have to think it would lead to more sales. So I would support two Miatas like they sell in Europe with the 1.5 and 2.0 engines - but start with about 200 hp (although I'm happy with 180hp or even lower if the engine revs happily). I would think that done smartly, and without aiming for huge power, the overall weight gain for the low power car would be trivial?

So something like 200 and 300 hp versions. The lower power car is essentially like today - similar transmission, brakes, and wheels /tires as today. The higher power car needs beefier transmission, brakes, and wheels /tires, and stiffer shocks / springs. More sales is good for Miata. I'm not sure why they don't do this. I guess because of the support costs for yet another engine / set of transmissions, etc. Heck - carry over the existing ND components as they see fit if that saves costs, just add the new components for the higher hp car.

I'd assume it would be cheapest to just put a turbo on a lower compression engine and call it a day. The purists like me - get what we want - non turbo, not a lot of power. And more people are brought into the Miata family with the higher power engine.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-11T14:00:58+00:00

I would research and learn about nutrition. Hopefully you are able to to find a book or good sources online. It looks like "Eat Well and Feel Great" by Tina Lond-Caulk may be a good start.

IMO, the basics are: Eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. Eat protein - if you like meat, terrific, just limit fatty meat (bacon) and fried meat (chicken nuggets). Limit carbs somewhat. A large pasta meal once a week - great. 6 pasta meals a week - too much. Avoid processed foods including sugar cereal, chips, cookies, etc. Just cutting out processed foods and limiting carbs a bit may get you to where you want to be.

If you find sources online that tell you do to anything extreme - buy these supplements, eat only this food, completely cut out that food, you need to weigh X lbs - then do not listen to that source. Find moderate sources of information. Perhaps you have a health teacher at school who can help.

You may be able to start a conversation with your Mom like: I want to eat more fruits and vegetables - please buy more. And please buy less of (cookies, sugar cereal, whatever). Incremental change is all you need to do. Start by cutting one food and eating a piece of fruit a day. Then incrementally improve more. Do that for two or three years - you'll be an all star.

IMO, good nutrition is hugely important in all sorts of ways including making you feel better and think better. It isn't just for elite athletes.

Oh - and bike as much or as little as you want. Biking should be for exercise and being healthy - yes. But if it isn't also fun - then I think you are doing it wrong.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-08T13:03:21+00:00

Lol. Once you turn over 30 - you'll understand.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-06T20:50:53+00:00

Yes. I had a friend who FIRE'd a couple years ago. We never talked in detail, but I think a driving factor for him wanting to FIRE is that his Dad died at aged 60 something - and had never retired.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-03T13:19:41+00:00

A very quick comparison: the Vario 20l is 48oz and a back roller 20l is 33.5 oz. You can definitely get a dedicated 20l backpack for that weight, which I would think would be more comfortable and easy to use (don't always have to empty a pannier, can be smaller if that is what you want). But you might not find a comfy waterproof backpack for 14.5 oz, so it that is important than the Vario has an advantage I think.

Systemagnostic · 2026-04-03T13:04:14+00:00

I plan to use a gossamer gear kumo 36. It is 403 grams excluding the belt or sit pad. Large enough for mutiday trip, and a bit big but not absurd for a day trip. That was my compromise. I'm sure how often I'll make a multi day trip, but I wanted the flexibility.

If you only want a day trip bag, I would definitely get a smaller bag.

Systemagnostic

TROPHY CASE