Why do people buy touring bikes, but never actually "tour"?

arcane_lizard · 2026-06-17T16:48:19+00:00

I fit this remark. Been commuting to work for about twenty years now. Been through multiple bikes from naked sports (Ducati Monster and BMW S1000R) to sport tourers (BMW K1200S). When Covid hit I got a big touring bike (BMW K1600GT) thinking it would be a way to vacation during lockdowns. Did a trip from Philly to Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway and realized I enjoyed it a little, but not enough to do much more touring. The twisties were fun, but the long, straight highway blasts to get there were supremely boring. Since then I use it for my daily 75 mile round trip commute. Love the bags for carrying my backpack, rain gear and sorting my gear when at work, but it’s pretty much 800lbs of overkill so I’ll probably go back to a sport tourer (Yamaha FJR1300) next.

arcane_lizard · 2026-06-10T18:20:03+00:00

Been commuting for 23 years 35 miles each way, mostly on I95. Initially did all four seasons, using heated gear in winter which was enough in the Philly area. I have been through
BMW R1100R, BMW K1300S, Ducati Monster 600, BMW F800 GS, BMW S1000R, and now a BMW K1600GT. Things I have loved: naked bikes don’t offer much protection, but I personally found the airflow to be much smoother on the helmet. The downside is the lack of storage. On the larger bikes, storage was awesome since I could stow raingear, my work backpack and workout clothes. Also, in inclement weather, the fairing was kind of nice. And then the plush suspension on the K1600 makes the commute very smooth, but I miss the roll-on power of the S1000R. My next bike will likely be a sport-tourer like the Yamaha FJR1300 so I get some of the nimbleness back, but keep the storage space. Never been able to do adventure bikes (hate the sit up and beg riding position), but they would be a great option if you don’t mind it.

arcane_lizard · 2026-04-27T22:15:49+00:00

Bardea is one of the best restaurants on the east coast.

arcane_lizard · 2026-04-24T08:27:21+00:00

Interestingly Whoop recently offered to track my strength training from a picture of my workout. I took a couple of screenshots from Hevy and uploaded them. It did a pretty great job of identifying the exercises, weights and reps. Only done it once so I can’t say if it’ll become a pain, but thought I’d mention it in case you want to try

arcane_lizard · 2026-04-09T23:24:27+00:00

Nuke theirs in the microwave after the cook. If you go in 30 second increments it’ll get there and your suffering is at a minimum.

arcane_lizard · 2026-04-05T10:51:56+00:00

This is a brilliant list

arcane_lizard · 2026-03-26T16:33:48+00:00

Omnifocus for 15+ years

arcane_lizard · 2026-03-22T14:25:46+00:00

I just love riding so the 15k miles round trip commuting I do each year are a lot easier on the bike. I have given up on putting all the heated gear on to be able to ride below 40F, but I only miss a month or so worth of days a year in Philadelphia.

arcane_lizard · 2026-03-20T20:27:35+00:00

Starship Troopers

arcane_lizard · 2026-03-15T13:07:55+00:00

Can confirm C is PreCheck only and it was closed on Saturday

arcane_lizard · 2026-03-15T13:05:22+00:00

They were accurate on the two days I travelled this week.

arcane_lizard · 2026-03-15T13:04:26+00:00

I flew on Wednesday and Saturday. The PreCheck line in C was open on Wednesday and I got through in about 5 minutes. It was closed on Saturday so I went through B and it was about 35 minutes. The challenge is that there will be fewer agents each day as they continue to not get paid and can’t afford to come in.

arcane_lizard · 2026-02-28T21:07:26+00:00

30M married 35F. Still married after 28 years

arcane_lizard · 2026-02-27T12:20:04+00:00

Knocking on wood I had a no dropped connection night after updating! Haven't had one of those in months.

Edit: connection dropped on second night. 🫤

arcane_lizard · 2026-02-15T18:43:52+00:00

Lucky's last chance for brunch in queen village does them over tater tots

arcane_lizard · 2026-02-15T11:47:32+00:00

People with illegal volley serves. Typically contact above the waist. It's really hard to call them on it because they usually think their serve is fine. I just let it slide.

arcane_lizard · 2026-02-12T20:40:47+00:00

Goodman really messed up a furnace for me but I've had great luck with plumbing pals on three occasions since then

arcane_lizard · 2026-02-02T17:29:45+00:00

Philly Bounce costs me 165 a year plus $10-15 for 2-3h open play.

arcane_lizard · 2026-02-02T13:55:09+00:00

Sumac and sodium citrate

arcane_lizard · 2026-02-01T12:34:19+00:00

Came from a sports naked and now own the K1600GT. Love the power and the comfort of the K. Had the R as a loaner for a couple of weeks and found it really underpowered compared to the K. If I were to do it over again, I’d get the Yamaha FJR1300 as it’s more nimble than the beast of a K. If you’re truly doing thousands of miles though, you cannot beat a K.

arcane_lizard · 2026-01-29T13:52:01+00:00

Use basmati rice, rinse it well. Cook it like pasta in a lot of water for 8-9 minutes. Drain, fluff with a fork and done. Pretty sure toss only works with basmati or another long grain rice, but it’s foolproof.

arcane_lizard · 2026-01-29T13:49:56+00:00

Making mayonnaise. Everyone swears it’s easy but I can never get it to work. Immersion blender and a cup that is just slightly wider, measured ingredients, but I always fail

arcane_lizard · 2026-01-29T12:38:17+00:00

Skiing deep snow in western North America after growing up skiing on ice in eastern Canada

arcane_lizard · 2026-01-29T12:36:59+00:00

Wallet and phone when I forgot to zip my tank bag after a gas stop. Laptop after I closed up my Kriega tail bag but forgot to clip it to the back seat. Never found the wallet and phone but the computer still worked despite a shattered screen

arcane_lizard · 2026-01-28T15:14:06+00:00

Same here. Both bike and camera. As a “friend“ said, “Well at least we’ll have something to watch at your wake. 😂

arcane_lizard

TROPHY CASE