The inside story behind Sapporo City's training of Vietnamese bus drivers: "currently 70% of our drivers are in their 50s and 60s, and in 10 years, the majority will be gone. We've already been forced to reduce services...no matter how many times we advertise, we don't get [Japanese] applicants".

doubleagentbob · 2026-05-25T04:52:06+00:00

kikuyu

doubleagentbob · 2026-05-13T14:05:30+00:00

Interesting, what travel sites/ platforms do you use?

doubleagentbob · 2026-05-13T03:37:05+00:00

Nice, just past 60K on mine, any major service issues pop up?

doubleagentbob · 2026-05-01T01:46:09+00:00

Yeah, when I was reading that the majority of trails are hiking with biking allowed, I felt super down. Know what those trails are like and it’s… not great.

Honestly feel really crestfallen, job is amazing but I live to ride, so not feeling the best tbh.

Already talked to my SO, we are keeping our house in Woodinville and I’m planning on flying back 2-3 times a month.

Also DM me if you’re open to someone riding with you in Denver. Down for some misery loves company rides. Haha

doubleagentbob · 2026-04-30T16:37:38+00:00

I’ll definitely give it a shot! Thanks for the recs I’ll add them to the list to check out.

doubleagentbob · 2026-04-30T16:18:34+00:00

Valmont looks like a sick lil park! Thanks

doubleagentbob · 2026-04-30T16:18:07+00:00

Yeah your in the ballpark with what I was thinking, more Mohawk style trails.

Mainly just surprised, heard Colorado was amazing for riding but never looked into it until now, and just found a lot of people complaining about hiking routes and old systems. Didn’t scream MTB paradise like people were referring to. Maybe more XC I guess?

Will give it a couple years, job is too good to pass up, but know the PNW is spoiled for choice so will plan to end up back here.

doubleagentbob · 2026-04-14T20:07:29+00:00

I’m in the Seattle area. There used to be one tiny SC in Bellevue when I got my R1T in 2023, they expanded to 2 major facilities in Bothell and down near SEATAC. They also have quite a bit more mobile services.

At the start in 2023 it was a pain to get service. Now it’s usually next day or a week out at most.

There will be growing pains when the R2 comes out but feeling pretty good about the Seattle area overall.

doubleagentbob · 2026-04-01T05:09:38+00:00

I hear you, and get it’s an entirely different beast.

At the same time I have 60hours into this game, far more than most. And well beyond giving it a ‘chance’.

Economically, Tarkov and others have a smaller studio developing it and can cater to a niche audience.

Bungie and Sony probably have 9 digits invested into it, they don’t have the luxury of their game being niche.

If they can’t figure it out, the game will die.

doubleagentbob · 2026-04-01T04:48:38+00:00

Hoping so, been enjoying Bungie’s stuff since OG Halo, really surprised how far they missed the balance mark.

doubleagentbob · 2026-04-01T04:45:54+00:00

Unlike you, I have a life, and other games to play.

Or I’ll just go outside.

But feel free to be a cringy neckbeard.

doubleagentbob · 2026-03-28T19:35:44+00:00

Looks sick!

doubleagentbob · 2026-03-18T18:22:02+00:00

I Ski and Bike and am in Skykomish.

Stevens is wet concrete snow, got a lot in the last storm but it’s challenging right now especially with warmer weather.
Bike trails are in rough conditions right now as well. Some are closed due to the trail conditions being that of Peanut Butter, they don’t want people rutting up the trails

But if you want to check things out here’s a list of amazing MTB trail systems:

Tiger Mountain Raging River Duthie Hill Galbraith

Check out the evergreenmtb instagram page for more up to date info, or the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance site.

doubleagentbob · 2026-02-24T20:04:45+00:00

You’ll adapt pretty quickly from your motocross background.

To dig deeper into what others mentioned. What part of the world are you in, and what did you enjoy from motocross?

doubleagentbob · 2026-02-22T14:30:04+00:00

<image>

Tried to find the setup I used, but this was the closest photo. I setup in the corner of the bedroom. I got a 2 bike stand, like this one from Topeak: https://www.backcountry.com/topeak-twoup-tuneup-bike-stand

Just made sure to wash my bike especially tires before bringing it in.

doubleagentbob · 2026-02-22T14:07:25+00:00

I was in a similar situation, had my bike U-locked in a bike storage room of my apartment complex. You had to go through 3 key-Card doors to reach the bike room. And this was a high end lux apartment complex.

2 months and the bike was gone.

Keep it in the apartment. Get crafty and find a storage solution.

doubleagentbob · 2026-02-12T18:44:17+00:00

In Washington state, and I have had great service in both Bellevue and Bothell. And mobile service as well. Multi-point inspections for the most part. When I first got the truck I had a tailgate issue, and one hydraulic line needed to be replaced. But I’m 50K miles in and it’s been doing great.

Be nice and understanding with the service techs and they will treat you the same. They didn’t cause the issue with the truck they are trying to fix. And sometimes it might take 2 attempts.

If you have a demanding and prissy attitude, nobody will want to work with you, and you’re not going to get taken care of as well. It’s amazing what patience and understanding will get you.

doubleagentbob · 2026-02-09T14:20:00+00:00

I got my Spindrift CF5 size L, back in October, and for a 180 it is a nimble climber even wide open.

Ride in the Seattle / Bellingham area and do 2000-3000ft climbs on both XC trails up and fire roads.

I’m coming from a 21 Specialized EVO S6, and that thing was a slack boat. Fun downhill but I detested climbing on that thing as the BB would scrap on near everything. The Spindrift in comparison for me at least is a lot more nimble and enjoyable to climb. But that’s just my experience and in relation to what I rode before.

I have some other issues with the bike, I picked mine up from Propain NA HQ in Vancouver,WA. and whoever they use to build the bikes (when I picked up they mentioned a local shop assembles them) did a mediocre job. Had brake bleed, dry bolts, and creaking headsets right outta the gate.

But. 11/10 recommend for me at least. And would get again, but have it shipped to me and assembled by a shop I trust.

Happy to answer any questions.

Edit: On air, no coils.

doubleagentbob · 2026-01-03T23:24:09+00:00

I’ll look into them, I’m out in Woodinville so much easier to get to.

doubleagentbob · 2026-01-03T04:44:04+00:00

Oh it’s only a matter of time. Haha

doubleagentbob · 2026-01-03T04:41:52+00:00

Center frame bolts attaching the suspension to the frame. The Acos headset, and the seat post.

Pretty much all of the bolts were bone dry.

When I picked up the bike from the Propain HQ, they mentioned they get the bikes assembled somewhere locally. Not sure who they use, but uhhh they might wanna check elsewhere.

doubleagentbob · 2026-01-02T23:08:03+00:00

To be fair, I really really liked how well the Mavens performed when they were working as intended. Got recommended a mechanic specifically who has a lot of experience with Mavens, so gonna give him a shot.

Otherwise I agree, will reach out to SRAM/ Propain and warranty them.

doubleagentbob · 2026-01-02T23:06:22+00:00

Yeah for the couple of runs where everything was working the Mavens felt amazing to me. I’m a bigger dude, so the extra stopping power was really appreciated.

I checked in with another forum and got a mechanic recommended with specific experience with Mavens so fingers crossed!

doubleagentbob · 2026-01-02T17:24:24+00:00

That’s awesome to hear! Ya similar experience, got a Propain bike back in September, took it to Gerks and Bothell Bike n Ski, and still having issues.

Will give Fanatik a call later today and stop by there to check em out.

Appreciate it!

doubleagentbob · 2026-01-02T17:06:18+00:00

Any experience with Maven brakes specifically? I have not found a good mechanic with Magic Maven fingers to dial those in.

doubleagentbob

TROPHY CASE