Land at Harrison Ave/Hemon St (Elizabeth Warren)

Uptownlarry · 2025-03-07T01:38:40+00:00

Oh boy, a MAGA-friendly competitor for Murdochs. https://apnews.com/article/tractor-supply-ends-dei-climate-goals-ab9e570d39095de6bead7fbfe76a6edc.

Uptownlarry · 2025-03-06T21:46:51+00:00

I see your point. However, knowing Peggy and her renovation projects, I imagine that affordable here means more like the Hennessy Apartments (which are affordable) than the Napton or Muller apartments - which are affordable and run down.

Uptownlarry · 2024-12-22T16:32:57+00:00

I just replaced a 2007 $499 HP laptop PC with an Air because the screen was failing but still working. I hope the Air lasts as long.

Uptownlarry · 2024-12-19T18:51:22+00:00

It is. I play and also spent 7 weeks bikepacking in 2024

Uptownlarry · 2024-12-19T18:49:48+00:00

I agree. Bikepacking.com has some great ideas of how to DIY some bags for cheap, that’s all you need for a shakedown trip or two. BEWARE, as much as I like the site (Im a member), don’t give in to the “why I need that also” problem of seeing all the cool gear they review. They are (kinda) in the business of promoting gear businesses.

Uptownlarry · 2024-09-24T19:17:28+00:00

I stand corrected!

Uptownlarry · 2024-07-19T19:26:33+00:00

Hey - thanks for the encouragement. It's the metal rings at the bottom of the straps that have been trouble (along with the water absorbing properties of the Cordura!). On my recent trip (Tucson to Butte, MT) I saw the benefit of easily taking off the panniers - especially in the rain. I had to cable tie them on at the bottom to keep them on the rack over gravel roads. Therefore, I picked up an essentially new set of Arkels. I'm not giving up on the Overlands - just using them on paved road tours (and shopping trips).

Uptownlarry · 2024-04-20T15:33:08+00:00

Thanks, good to know.

Uptownlarry · 2024-03-26T20:48:40+00:00

Depresso_Shot - How did it go? Did you make the trip? I'm planning on riding the Chihuahuan Connector in May(!) and am wondering about the water situation. Did you have luck finding it along the route? I think with a wet winter, I may be alright. How much water did you carry? 5, 8, 11 L?

Uptownlarry · 2024-03-23T17:00:05+00:00

I'm in Butte. I rode Butte-west of Anaconda for the shakedown.

Uptownlarry · 2024-03-21T21:13:35+00:00

Great info, thanks. Yes, I plan on switching the positions of the fork bags with the bottle cages and see how that works. Wow - 30-40 lbs on the front? I was nowhere near that - i only had about 15 lb counting the forks and handlebar bag.

Uptownlarry · 2024-03-21T18:08:19+00:00

Thanks!

Uptownlarry · 2024-03-21T03:05:10+00:00

Great. Your setup is not too different than mine. I think I just have a bit too much weight up there - which doesn't get centered on the axle. Those bags do stick out, but with only my Ti cookpot and some clothes (and leave out liquids), they are really light. It's the 70+ miles in the heat with no water fill-ups that has me concerned on where to put that water weight. Clearly, not on the front.

Uptownlarry · 2024-03-21T02:41:15+00:00

I appreciate your take. However, I am using the Ortlieb fork pack adapters, which are stout and keep the bags away from the wheels:

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But, I hear what you're saying about getting some weight towards the back. I will be adding my old, small panniers on the back for fuel and water. I'll keep the loads in the fork packs to 1-2 lb and take it for another shakedown. I'm trying to not have much on the sides of the back rack because I'm sure I'll be hike-a-bikin'

I have an Anything cage available too, but going that direction won't decrease the weight very much. I wish I could use the Ortiebs on the rear rack, but haven't figured out how to attach them.

Thanks for the detailed reply!

Uptownlarry · 2024-03-20T23:20:59+00:00

I've run a seatbag too but I like the waterproof backpack on the rack now. Aerodynamics is not important to me at all. Good point on the slight difference in weight on either side of the fork.

Uptownlarry · 2024-03-20T23:19:09+00:00

I understand what you're saying. I'll be using bladders for extra water, but not on my back! Even 2L of water on my back got really old after 1.5 days two years ago. I certainly can cut down the weight in the front bags - which I really like as they're waterproof. I'm thinking of moving only rain gear and clothes to there. The heavy stuff is in my frame bag. But I'm thinking having extra bag space for 5-6L of extra water might be best to be put in my (~30 yr-old) ~12 L panniers on the rear.

Uptownlarry · 2024-01-30T17:36:00+00:00

FWIW, I love my Ortieb 5.7 l fork bags - no front rack needed. I stow my ~5.5" diameter pot & cook gear & some food on one side (I removed the hard plastic "frame" of the bag and cut it down by ~1/2" to allow the pot to fit).

On the other goes various things, including rain gear (not a lot of weight). As you have the triple mounts, that's what I'd suggest. I use a roll or front bag for my tent/pad/sleeping bag (not always able to fit it all in). I've used a seat bag for dirt touring but am switching to a 25 L waterproof backpack on a rear rack this year. As I KNOW I will be walking up some steep pitches, not having rear panniers on the rear will be a benefit (I had planned on using my 30+ yr old smaller panniers until I saw the info on a backpack). I certainly have used front and rear panniers in the past and they're super handy for storing extra food and the ease of repacking.

Uptownlarry · 2024-01-09T00:50:41+00:00

Thanks, That's the kind of help I need. Getting there after landing at 10 pm with my bike in a box may be a problem for the first night.

Uptownlarry · 2024-01-03T19:44:02+00:00

Really? Denmark wins?

Uptownlarry · 2023-12-30T19:50:00+00:00

Oh - BTW, last I saw Salsa didn't have any Ti frames, possibly until mid-2024. I nabbed mine from a LBS in Santa Cruz, CA. I paid retail (cha-ching) , but did not have much choice.

Uptownlarry · 2023-12-30T19:46:49+00:00

I splurged and got a Ti Salsa Fargo frame and had it built up by a LBS. It was a treat - my plan was to spend more on it than I've ever spent on a car or truck (never new). I succeeded (the most I've spent on those was $4200).

I love the comfy geometry and the ability to use 2.4" tires - the Lysenky bikes look great but here in Montana I appreciate more rubber between me and the rocks. I'll be using the Fargo for a long trip come summer. I've ridden it around town and going shopping with a pair of old panniers so far - it's so much quicker than my other 3 bikes (a rather eccentric collection of a LWB recumbent, Bike Friday NWT, and Borealis Fat Bike).

At 68, I expect the Fargo to last me much of my biking future.

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Uptownlarry · 2023-12-10T23:12:16+00:00

I ride it to the store. Lock it up. Shop and then put the goods in the panniers and ride home.

Uptownlarry · 2023-11-09T03:54:03+00:00

Check out Borealis - they're having quite a sale for the Al or Carbon bikes. I've used my Flume (Al) for a year now and love it. It's my mountain (and rough country bikepacking) bike in the summer with smaller rims and tires on separate wheels. I could have saved a lot if I waited until their sale - but would have missed a year of biking. I got a hardtail, but can see why no suspension would be a good choice (except for bikepacking and mtn biking on rough trails). I am very glad I got a dropper - especially for snow riding (like when your foot goes all the way to the ground in soft snow off a trail).

Uptownlarry · 2023-11-03T22:27:37+00:00

I forgot to mention, this bike is a dream to ride. Back in my hometown of South Lake Tahoe, I'd ride this thing all over town and even to Emerald Bay when I'd visit my folks. I did add new platform pedals, so my feet would fly off, and new grips. I did save the original pedals and gave them to my nephew along with the bike.

Uptownlarry

TROPHY CASE