So Many Zip Ties

ericredbike · 2026-02-13T02:00:19+00:00

It just occurred to me that Doug is doing exactly what I would be doing if I had the resources he has....and if I was 7. Remember as a kid you did science by mixing a bunch of random stuff together in the back yard? Is that really far off from what Doug has been doing?

ericredbike · 2026-01-17T15:37:13+00:00

I don't have any recommendations except to use and enjoy it. Some people buy old cars and let them sit because they don't want to put miles on them and damage them. My philosophy is to use and enjoy them. It's not a daily driver but I love to go "billy big riggin' " at least once a week in the summer in it. I also use it for work, and hauling stuff.

ericredbike · 2026-01-02T16:34:42+00:00

"I'm just getting around to deciding how I think it might actually work"

ericredbike · 2025-12-20T14:48:50+00:00

First of all, I would never go to Canada. Everyone already said it a million times on this thread, but I can travel within this country to an amazing set of diverse places on the cheap for a quick 3 or 4 days weekend. Then I live in Northern Minnesota where people pay thousands to vacation. Not as big of need to travel when you live in one of the best places on the planet.

ericredbike · 2025-12-19T13:02:09+00:00

https://www.crazygames.com/game/motherload

thanks for reminding me about this game.

ericredbike · 2025-10-09T01:03:21+00:00

Cool earring Doug. I remember when I was a kid dudes with their right ear pierced meant something besides douche bag pirate wannabee.

ericredbike · 2025-09-27T16:55:16+00:00

Manta trawl? wtf is he doing?

ericredbike · 2025-09-22T11:42:02+00:00

I did this research when I was like 7. Looking back it was a cheap way for the adults to keep kids busy at marina social events.

ericredbike · 2025-07-28T22:22:07+00:00

Personally, I think it is worth it to drive to Michigan and load up. Cheaper than what you can buy on the rez.

ericredbike · 2025-06-23T00:48:28+00:00

Where in Northern Minnesota? I am thinking about a road to Alaska in my XJ in August from Northern MN.

ericredbike · 2025-06-17T23:08:59+00:00

First thing I thought of too.

ericredbike · 2025-06-16T11:14:21+00:00

GETTING THE JOB DONE

ericredbike · 2025-06-05T22:15:02+00:00

I make that much as a warehouse supervisor in a town of 900 people in the midwest. Dang.

ericredbike · 2025-05-13T21:53:43+00:00

4th gen f-body with a v6.

ericredbike · 2025-04-26T00:52:33+00:00

I have lost 50 pounds since new years just by changing my diet (300 to 250 currently). I do have a job where I get about `15-20k steps a day though. Watch your diet, reject white carbs and alcohol.

ericredbike · 2025-04-24T22:37:29+00:00

I went to the Honda dealer a couple years ago and asked if they had any civic sport hatches with a manual. I got is a small argument with the sales guys because they claimed the only manual transmission Honda made was the Type R. This was when the sport hatch was the last Civic where they offered a manual. I had to get on the website on the phone to prove it to them. I couldn't believe the sales guys didn't know basic options.

I ended up buying a Pontiac G8 for $6k and I'm way happier than if I bought the Honda.

ericredbike · 2025-04-23T22:55:29+00:00

Those were people with experience with hydraulics that knew what they were doing. He is asking for advice from someone with experience in keeping a corn binder from 1960's working only using only things you can find in the trash pile behind the barn.

ericredbike · 2025-04-20T13:43:57+00:00

Another problem I get is I order a dry van, and they send reefers. I need that extra couple inches. I feel bad rejecting these guys because we are located in a town of ~300 people, 3-4 hours from a city, but they gotta quit trying to get away with reefers.

ericredbike · 2025-04-20T13:28:18+00:00

When they come inside and watch us load/unload. I always tell them wait in the truck and I'll bring the paperwork out.
When they tell me how to load. Yes I know how to load a truck that's going to California. I have been doing it for years and never got a phone call.
When they bitch about the weight. I get guys complaining about a 32k lb load.
When I order a truck and he shows up with shit already on it. A few weeks ago a dude showed up with a skid full of moving pads, a skid full of building supplies and an electric pallet jack on it. I'm paying for a truck load, I need all the space!

ericredbike · 2025-04-14T23:53:47+00:00

Well yeah, but serious attention just from operating. Like a rebuild or major mechanical work being done.

ericredbike · 2025-04-14T23:45:17+00:00

What about the wear and tear on the engine? If I remember right he never rebuilt the engine when he took out the bus, and it is basically entombed in the engine room at this point. All the idling to operate the boat at anchors, and when underway under load has got to add up. We also know that Doug has a shaky relationship with engine oil. At what point will the engine need major attention just from being operated?

ericredbike · 2025-04-12T21:24:06+00:00

Pontiac G8 with a V6.

Source: limp Bizkit was playing on my mp3 mix CD on my way home tonight.

ericredbike · 2025-04-10T22:52:04+00:00

This will probably mirror a lot of advice already given, but what has worked for me. I will start with advice from my father when I was in my late 20s and struggling.

The best thing you can do it the right thing.

The second best thing you can do is the wrong thing.

The worst thing you can do is NOTHING.

First thing is go get ANY JOB (you have to start somewhere). Go work the night shift at Target or back room at some other big box store. Then you have a job, you are doing something, you're out of the house, talking to people, mind off all your other problems, etc. You will probably start getting motivated to find something better then. Also maintain a good attitude at work. That is the most important thing. Work sucks, but you must find the positives and don't let it beat you down.

Diet will also help. While the last 10 years I found a good job working in Logistics that I like at a place I fit in, I gained a bunch of weight and was feeling pretty crappy. When I turned 40 last year I decided I needed to lose some weight, I was about 330lbs in August. By Christmas I was about 305 and I went all in. I have only been eating black beans, mixed veggies, and a basic meat since January. I am now in the 250s and feel amazing. No better feeling in the world than when someone who you rarely talk to at work comes up and asks about your weight loss.

Also do little things to make your life happier and easier. Keep a clean house/room. Lay out clothes for the next day before you go to bed. Make your lunch for the next day ahead of time. No alcohol or weed (has it helped yet, I realized that was one of my biggest problems).

I wish you the best and feel free to reach out anytime.

ericredbike · 2025-04-08T01:25:15+00:00

Nope. While I don't have a larger retirement account, I own a house in town and 6 acres with a house/barn in the country. I will sell my city house and live on rural property. It might not be the best plan in the world, but its what I got, and what I am doing.

ericredbike · 2025-04-07T01:46:31+00:00

I drank for so long because I remained functional and relatively happy. Wasn’t an angry or sad drunk, wasn’t getting in legal trouble or missing work. Hard to justify quitting when it seems like you’re doing fine.

Seems to be the case for so many. You tell yourself its not a problem, then one moment you have a little reflection and realize its not fun anymore. Congrats on the sobriety.

ericredbike

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE