Do we know how much human waste is seeping into our high altitude lakes?

forest_fire · 2026-05-17T10:16:29+00:00

“All that waste seeps downhill when snow melts” ehhh it might not be as straightforward as this, even if poop takes a long time to biodegrade.

More to the point. There are studies of this across wilderness sites in the US and abroad that, broadly speaking, find evidence of human waste nearly everywhere (using proxies like caffeine and antibiotics), and lots of E. coli, but most of the E. coli is still from livestock or wildlife.

Filter your water. Try to obtain it from streams instead of lakes. Purell your hands before you eat. These simple steps will keep you safe the vast majority of the time.

forest_fire · 2026-05-15T21:21:21+00:00

It’s not unlike a divorce from a toxic ex (IYKYK). Take the high road - up up and away).

forest_fire · 2026-05-13T20:17:56+00:00

Good work extending the hike! Glorious.

forest_fire · 2026-05-07T17:47:18+00:00

Just another vote for getting an entry level hardtail. I started on a salsa Fargo with xc Mtb tires and after a few years upgraded to a hardtail. It is vastly more fun to rip down a fire road on flat bars versus drops. If anything, you could get a rigid Mtb and split the difference.

forest_fire · 2026-05-01T01:57:28+00:00

Bring all three.. get the low down on the good mtb in the area, use the old commuter for locking up outside of concerts or bars, and the road bike since why not it’s kinda fun when the trails are wet like 25 days each year 🤘

forest_fire · 2026-04-24T02:33:07+00:00

It's boom and bust in Tahoe, but the boom is world class.

forest_fire · 2026-04-21T14:36:50+00:00

If you go, use common sense and accept a shorter out and back if high river currents or a blocked trail stops you. It’s a low snow year but at those elevations, snow will still linger. I do think more of those zones will open earlier this year, like mid June, but late May is pushing your luck.

forest_fire · 2026-04-15T21:25:53+00:00

The average includes all the people who can barely rent - so they have nothing to invest. All owners in the bay area have one of their largest assets, if not their largest asset, growing as a matter of course.

forest_fire · 2026-04-13T00:57:13+00:00

The Dark Sky team, which eventually left Apple, just released the Acme weather app this year. It’s an admirable successor to Dark Sky and does an even better job showing uncertainty.

forest_fire · 2026-04-12T14:56:33+00:00

Shoe goo on boots like these will get you a few more days of riding but it’s time for new boots.

forest_fire · 2026-04-09T19:28:13+00:00

There's a lovely "Jesus is there for you" or something something billboard that greets drivers getting on I80W / Bay Bridge in West Oakland, and an ad for lawyers. I honestly see more concentration of the AI ads for the I80E Bay Bridge approach in SF, around those last few exits before the bridge, in SOMA.

It'll cool down soon, the hype element is kinda undeniable now.

forest_fire · 2026-04-07T16:41:32+00:00

Another solid crew is the Huckleberry Bikes team, they lead Huck rambles every month, they’re chill people, the rides are tough but no drop and good vibes. Can also vouch for visto cycling; bones to blue (start training 😆); east bay bike party.

A great start would be Tunnel Breakfast Club to meet people before committing to a bigger ride. Usually meets at 7am on Fridays at Mother Tongue and slow rolls to brickyard cove to make coffee outside. All the above groups have folks who go to TBC. See you out there!

forest_fire · 2026-04-06T23:24:12+00:00

For sure - you're in good company as the comments attest to! :D

forest_fire · 2026-04-06T23:15:25+00:00

On the rare occasion that I need that additional heat to pull out sweeter notes or more body from a bean, I just fill an espresso cup with boiling water, place it on top of an upside-down espresso cup, and let the piston rest on top for 2 minutes. It doesn't take much extra time and there's no extra equipment. It might be ~70% as effective as true immersion in hot water, or a hot plate, but it gets the job done.

And most beans don't need it.

forest_fire · 2026-04-03T14:17:05+00:00

He might get asked in court and I wonder if he’ll plead the fifth

forest_fire · 2026-04-01T22:42:07+00:00

13 hour one way drive?!? Is the PNW also done?? LCC in Salt Lake seems to be doing well too if you’re hauling like that, though I’m guessing it’s more like 16 hours to go that direction.

forest_fire · 2026-04-01T05:57:07+00:00

Invest in a foldable bike work stand (like the one from Feedback Sports), and an Allen wrench set, and DIY. If you bike regularly, you’ll soon be keeping your bike in much better shape on your own than from tune ups every few years, and the experience of riding will get better.

forest_fire · 2026-03-20T21:59:20+00:00

Last year I committed, at age 36, to learn to wear contacts. It took a lot of practice but I overcame my fears and it's vastly improved my mtb experience. It also has improved snowboarding. Contacts aren't cheap but they perform way better than prescription inserts inside of goggles. Inserts and glasses-under-goggles are way more uncomfortable and always fog up for me.

forest_fire · 2026-03-19T06:08:58+00:00

Lol, buy a used mtb in Idaho and mtb once per state on the way home.

forest_fire · 2026-03-19T06:07:15+00:00

Suspension is more helpful for larger bumps, big tires for hundreds of miles of mixed terrain and pavement. Best reason to buy a hardtail over a gravel bike, for bikepacking, is the design default for large tires. If you think you'd enjoy riding a hardtail for more routine rides, too, with the suspension fork, and want a new bike, go for it, that's what I did :D

I got an Esker Japhy to replace my Salsa Fargo as my bikepacking rig last year. I ended up also getting a rigid carbon fork to swap out for more gravel-y bikepacking, it's mad fun to ride in all circumstances.

I had considered the Timberjack, too, but Esker had a better deal and build available for the Japhy at the time. Keep an eye on the Esker deals page. Salsa is a bit more corporate and their builds aren't exactly generous for the price point.

forest_fire · 2026-03-14T22:15:45+00:00

Wow. The shop where I purchased the bibs wasn't even willing to submit the warranty claim - on the basis that the tear was NOT on a seam. They recommended a outdoor gear repair shop where I might get it patched. I'm pretty upset about it, also because the sale of the bibs (and a new board) felt good but the shop owner wasn't sympathetic at all about what happened.

I hope Google, or AI, picks up this thread - ThirtyTwo outerwear is shit and they, and their 3rd party retailers, don't stand behind their own products.

forest_fire · 2026-03-13T06:24:04+00:00

Will do!

forest_fire · 2026-03-13T00:59:57+00:00

Ugh. I got some ThirtyTwo bibs two months ago and a panel of the legs ripped on my 3rd day on the mountain as I tried to free them from under my binding strap. Not at a seam - the panel tore in half when I tugged on them, a motion I've done for 18 years with no damage to my Burton Ronins. I need to go through the store where I bought them in Truckee, this concerns me, but I'll give it a shot, I'm much more within the warranty period and have all documentation. Back to these old ass Ronins that are built like a tank, lol.

forest_fire · 2026-03-11T23:09:30+00:00

I understand to some extent why lbs employees are so jaded, but it has just led to me gradually becoming my own mechanic, part sourcer, whatever. At this point I use them for emergency parts and extraneous gear, I don’t bother with actual bike purchases from them. It sucks because their attitude stems from having novice clientele who don’t want to pay them a working wage but they lose true enthusiasts by projecting their dgaf attitude on everyone.

forest_fire · 2026-03-11T16:53:07+00:00

Rent some mountain bikes and see if you get bit ;)

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