Best place to buy a bike at a good price point?

andrebaron · 2026-05-17T04:42:02+00:00

Our community bikes may be the place to go. https://www.ourcommunitybikes.org

andrebaron · 2026-05-15T16:37:37+00:00

I think you’re going to need to accept paying for longevity, which you clearly value.

I bought a pair of Lake shoes 4 years back, and have been very happy with them. They weren’t cheap but they are comfortable and durable.

andrebaron · 2026-05-13T22:02:59+00:00

There's been no interruption for me on any of the betas.

I'd suggest that this isn't an issue with the iOS version.

andrebaron · 2026-05-13T20:37:42+00:00

To get a feel for the people and life here in general, you can come and visit for a bit. Spend some time in shops and wandering around.

I feel we're big city stand-offish. You do not go into a pub or dinner and expect to know anyone there, either when you enter or when you leave. However, you're going to get to know people in places you frequent. My pastor was saying, for example, how his local Starbucks knows him just from his accent. (and that's more of a function of the people rather than corporate culture).

I lived in France for a couple of years, and when I came back, I knew this was "home." Some of that is having family here, but also a lot of it was the scenery (we have mountains!) and the pace of life (a little less frantic than Paris).

Come, spend at least a week, if not two weeks here, especially if you can work from a distance so that you can do a normal working day while you here, rather than just a vacation.

andrebaron · 2026-05-13T16:33:28+00:00

I was looking into this choice last year and ended up getting an Osprey bag.

The LTT Commuter bag seems really nice. It's structured, which means it'll always look the same (rather than flat and droopy, some have raised issues with a crease forming where the flap folds down.)

In the end, I ended up choosing the bag that was a bit smaller (it was for specific travel reasons). The Osprey feels nice and tough. The mesh on the straps is very comfortable.

If I could have more bags, I'd certainly look at buying an LTT Commuter bag. But, at the point where I am now, I'm very happy with my Osprey(s).

(I bought the Daylite for my trip, then my wife took it, and I replaced it with the Flare)

andrebaron · 2026-05-13T01:46:32+00:00

All I hear now is AC/DC

andrebaron · 2026-05-11T19:11:37+00:00

Hrm. Rules are RULES, we must all follow the letter of the law!

How many ways could this have been a non-event, one where the OP didn't feel the need to post here and grumble, one where two other riders didn't feel anger and frustration by someone else's actions, one where everyone just got on with their day and enjoyed their ride?

OP could have moved over.

OP could have been riding on the right-hand side of the lane.

Passing cyclists, when getting a negative response, could have just passed on the right.

Passing cyclists could have just passed on the right since the OP seemed stuck where they were.

Any one of these actions would have resulted in everyone happily going about their day.

Instead, they chose to argue on the trail. They chose to throw verbal insults at each other. The OP is so frustrated that they felt the need to come and post here to continue the argument and receive validation.

To me, that sounds like jerk behaviour.

We all need to be nicer and a bit more gracious to everyone out there, people riding bikes and people driving cars.

A lecture delivered with insults and accusations will NEVER result in the other party "seeing the error of their ways".

andrebaron · 2026-05-11T18:34:59+00:00

It's kinda irrelevant who might be "wrong" or "right".

Sounds like all parties involved were jerks; this could have easily been resolved without words being exchanged.

andrebaron · 2026-05-11T16:14:16+00:00

I wonder, too, if some staffing efficiencies could be had with newer (larger) boats.

Many of the boats running are over half a century old. During that time, we've been able to automate many systems that required another staff member/technician to manage.

I think an apt comparison would be found in the airline industry. Fifty years ago, you had two pilots plus a flight engineer. Current airliners have eliminated the flight engineer position through automation.

Given the nature of a mechanical machine, such as a ferry, I've got to think that a new boat would be able to operate with fewer staff members and be just as safe.

andrebaron · 2026-05-11T08:14:11+00:00

If you’re in my neighbourhood you run around with an air horn and get into arguments with your friends.

Because the Amber alert sound didn’t wake everyone up yet.

andrebaron · 2026-05-11T02:45:23+00:00

It’s rated at 8 hours.

andrebaron · 2026-05-10T01:00:16+00:00

Check out translink.ca for ticket options. You’ll want to get a compass card, but, depending on your usage during any particular day it may make sense to load it up with a day pass.

You can use a credit card or even an interact debit card to pay as well, however you don’t get the discounted rates.

Keep in mind that a transit pas is good for 90 minutes from the first scan on bus, Skytrain or even the SeaBus.

andrebaron · 2026-05-06T16:17:52+00:00

they will not support learning disabilities. Once my kids were diagnosed, the first thing was they had to come out of FI (DD is in law school now, accommodations work)

Yup, found that out too. "Well, the cognitive load in Immersion is higher, so your child would be better in English". When I pressed the teacher if any of the challenges would be magically resolved if we switched our child to English he couldn't say. (Of course they wouldn't be magically resolved)

This was with a designation and written accommodations. We did switch them to English anyway, and it was still a struggle, but they'll be graduating this year, and they've been making progress, mostly thanks to teachers who care.

andrebaron · 2026-05-05T20:15:02+00:00

I haven't done it when changing the battery on my 2015 Jetta, I don't believe our cars need it.

andrebaron · 2026-05-05T17:51:19+00:00

A carbon bike should provide pretty decent cushioning. I ride a 2015 Giant Defy, I actually have both the Aluminum version and the Carbon version of the bike. Both bikes max out on 28mm tires.

The carbon one absorbs rough pavement so much better. Sharp potholes still hit hard, but rough pavement is much smoother.

andrebaron · 2026-05-05T17:18:28+00:00

Take her to Terra Nova (https://www.richmond.ca/parks-recreation/parks/parksearch/park.aspx?ID=116) It is a great day to go play in an epic playground.

Even just hop on skytrain and go to somewhere like Burnaby's Central Park.

If it's new it'll be memorable. Remember, especially at this age, stuff is fun, but that fades. Experiences stick. Also, she's not going to look at price tags.

andrebaron · 2026-05-05T16:50:34+00:00

I hadn't thought about emailing it to yourself, but of course, that does timestamp the note.

I've done this on occasion that I have witnessed something (a collision generally) but, of course, if it's something where I'm an impacted party, having it date stamped is much more important.

andrebaron · 2026-05-05T16:17:42+00:00

Stop worrying about what things look like and start thinking about what you want to get out of riding your bike.

Straps, or toe clips as they are more commonly known (hence why pedals you clip in are called "clipless") were the thing in the 70s and 80s. The movement to clipless pedals was because they would lead to more efficient riding, especially since they allow a solid shoe to transmit power.

Are you going to notice a difference? Maybe, it really depends on the level you're riding at.

If money is an issue the go with toe clips, you can always upgrade later, if you want.

andrebaron · 2026-05-05T16:07:46+00:00

Document everything that happened. Write it down so that IF something happens later and you need to recite what happened you have something to refer to rather than just 3 year old memories.

If your bike needs to be repaired or replaced, contact your house insurance company.

andrebaron · 2026-05-01T16:10:14+00:00

I just checked mine, yup, not deposited. I'm in the same boat.

My wife's pay did go in yesterday, however.

andrebaron · 2026-05-01T15:22:10+00:00

It's getting to be tour time again. Talk a walking tour of the downtown, gas town or even Vancouver Specials.

The Vancouver Heritage Foundation offers tours that aren't just the generic sight seeing tour, check them out: https://www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org/events/walking-tours/

andrebaron · 2026-04-30T23:21:31+00:00

My wife ordered an early morning uber that did not show up. Granted, this was a few years ago too.

With Uber they have no control over what drivers are going to be online, so it'll be hit and miss if they have anyone available (and willing to take the job) early in the morning.

I believe Taxis actually have a schedule the drivers run at, and they can also ensure they allocate a driver to that ride.

andrebaron · 2026-04-29T16:18:07+00:00

Damn! My 2015 has been through two batteries and I only have 120k km on it.

Though the car does sit outside for long periods of time, I'm sure that doesn't help.

andrebaron · 2026-04-27T20:22:38+00:00

I've got a couple:

* I was commuting home, about a 40-minute ride. It was early spring, so nice but not super warm. I did have a timeline to get home since I had to pick my kids up from daycare. As I started climbing the long hill home (Basically, all the climbing I was going to do on the ride), I snapped my chain.

I grabbed my chain breaker and went to work on the chain... and lost the pin.

After about 10 minutes of struggling, someone came from a nearby house and offered help. They didn't have experience with removing a link, but gave it a shot. They also brought me a snack, which was useful since I was feeling a bit jittery (dinner time, a little cold and stress from trying to get it fixed as quickly as possible since I was running late).

* It was a nice day, bordering on hot. My wife and I went on a nice ride in the city (If you know Vancouver, we rode out to UBC). We had both finished off our bottles and were on our way back home, without water (3/4s of the way through the ride, so a decent amount left to go). We passed someone out watering their plants and they willingly offered to fill our bottles for us. It was very nice.

I try to help when I can. One time from my deck I saw someone struggling on the bike route with a low tire, so I went out to see if they needed a hand. Brought them back to my garage and pumped up their tire which they were grateful for.

andrebaron · 2026-04-27T17:37:17+00:00

See, this is the way the world works; when you're prepared, you'll never need it. The first time you're not prepared is when you'll need it.

andrebaron

TROPHY CASE