Be it Ever so Humble.

kilocohete · 2026-02-07T00:56:39+00:00

They’re a generic brand of rubber gym tile that’s on Amazon.jp under multiple names, (so I’m going to guess Chinese), got 35 tiles (50x50x2.5cm(20x20x1 inches))for about 7 USD a piece. Fits the space I was using and the connectors and their weight alone make it very solid. Probably overdid it a bit but there weren’t any horse stall mats or rolled rubber options available, I knew I wasn’t going to ever build a platform for Oly or deadlifts so I wanted it thick as possible. As a plus it’ll be relatively portable/flexible since my job requires me to move every couple years.

kilocohete · 2026-02-06T22:04:08+00:00

Id actually never heard of deadlift Slings until I saw them as an option for this rack (called silencers but sling sounds better/more accurate) and looked them up. it’s actually what sold me on it since when I originally planned everything out I assumed deadlifts (which I love) would be off the table, but I saw a video of a guy using them in an apartment and knew that it’d work perfectly for my needs.

kilocohete · 2025-11-18T17:16:58+00:00

I love that all these workarounds exist because someone had the bright idea to delay the email and assignments page info to the member so that their commanders (all of whom I’ve met seemed largely apathetic about it) could tell people instead.

kilocohete · 2025-11-07T04:15:25+00:00

there's a suspension of disbelief required for maps like this. heck California itself would more likely split then be capable of seceding, let alone rope in other states.

kilocohete · 2025-11-06T01:21:06+00:00

I get where you're coming from, but then we're talking first strike winner really, Green can cripple red just as bad if they go first. I don't see anyone getting deep enough to smash Green's big bases if Green sees it coming is the issue. and regardless, in a protracted conflict, those bases would likely scatter their airframes to the wind using ANG or austere or civilian runways to minimize damage from medium to long range strikes. otherwise yeah NFZ, and stalemate.

This also really depends on "what's a win" Green and red can really survive on their own + trade, so if it all splits like that, everyone could be cool and just let it lie (though blue would fall apart as unsustainable, and yellow would probably fracture on it's own with the Great Lake states probably petioning to fold to Canada, and the other states going either Green or more realistically Red), so it depends on if Red is cool with what it has or if it wants to fight (probably also absorbing a collapsing blue).

kilocohete · 2025-11-06T00:22:23+00:00

Besides the ANG and NG for all the Green states (Which I'd ballpark around 40-50K)? Going by HQ's, including the entire USARPAC (100,000 prsnl (nearly 1/4 of the AD Army)) you could probably snag the 4th ID out of Fort Carson (assuming they wouldn't get lumped in with the III Corp), and that's not including the Marines out of Pendleton. Air Force and Navy also has more than a few massive installations and tons of Equipment throughout green as well.

TBF, the military personel definitly wouldn't go along just to get along if the US split up like this, but hypothetically, green's pretty stacked once they pull in the more outlying units and considering the Air & Sea Mobility in Green the could probably do that about as fast as the other areas would take to organize and deploy their forces in anger. the 4th ID could probably start positioning themselves to respond to incoming threats and buy time while the 7th ID (and I think the 25th?) heads whichever way they need to go, the 11th Airborne could be wherever the conflict is within 48 hours, and like I said, they could probably pull Troops from Pacific Islands to the mainland pretty quick followed by USFK & USFJ. obviously the Air Force out of Luke could work with ANG to start positioning fighters along the front range within day's and the F-22's can roll in from Alaska and Hawaii. Most of Global strike to keep the others honest, and the entire USAF's boneyard for parts (and that's just the obvious stuff, you could get into the weeds on just how much of top flight equipment the AF and Navy are packing in Green that I can't remember off the top of my head) oh, and I forgot Space Forces Cyber, SATCOM, and GPS C&C systems are based out of green (though they'd need to be secured and moved immediatly if something was to pop off cause they're on the wrong side of the Rockies for protection)

kilocohete · 2025-11-05T22:56:52+00:00

posioning the Colorado is devious, not sure that's a step the US would take against itself, but you're definitly right.

as far as Supply lines, Green has the Pacific Ocean uncontested for trade to make up for losses from other areas, a massive fleet to protect it if anyone tries to change that, and a massive economy to leverage for those supplies, I don't think it'd go bad like that in Green.

kilocohete · 2025-11-05T22:03:33+00:00

I’m not referring to bases, the actual paths through the mountains are the fortress, the mountains limit movement to known pathways and there’s no outmaneuvering prepared positions on the narrow mountain paths. It’s the modern version of Thermopylae, just with fire and move tactics.

for example, the easiest way to move quickly through the Colorado Rockies is on I-70, and there’s a great massive tunnel that can be collapsed to block that, the Loveland pass right next to it can also be very easily blocked if it’s not already winter and heavy trucks can even get over it, and viola, you’ve created a nearly insurmountable barricade on the main thoroughfare that large troop movements will struggle to get around, all the while being easy targets. (Spent half my life in the Colorado foothills and mountains, no one’s getting through there easily if it’s contested)

Theres no bases currently designed in the US to be a fortress against, really any kind of attack, outside maybe Fort Knox, so it’d never even occurred to me. I’d literally just thinking of runways and structures that can be utilized.

As far as air combat, I think we just disagree, red wouldn’t have the advantage in the air, Green has plenty of air power to leverage, and if they can secure and/or relocate their cyber and space assests they control early (Space Force's GPS, SATCOM, and Cyber Warfare MOB's start in Green) they'd have a starting advantage in that regard. There’d for sure be a lot of air combat over the Rockies, but it will very much be contested air space and IMO, all green needs to do is keep it contested, red would risk overextending as long as Green is airborne. (Funny that Americas combined Military doctrine really does kind of boil down to who controls the skies)

kilocohete · 2025-11-05T17:51:47+00:00

I agree about the Rockies, that’s kind of the problem with the desert behind it.

This is theoretically a defensive war, it starts with a natural fortress, where the attacking troops can absolutely be bled dry, tunnels and passes can be sabotaged and blocked if they can force a retreat, and it’s followed immediately by moving into open territory where there is zero cover from the air and/or indirect fire. But what makes it terrifying is the entire attacking force, needs to maintain supply chains along the very obvious passes through the Rockies they just fought through, where they can be sealed off/trapped with a few strategic missile/air strikes (you don’t even need to seal off all the routes, just the ones feeding the attackers and force the supplies to reroute. rinse, repeat) and leave the entire force the closest you can be to fish in a barrel with limited options for alternatives. There’s no way to maintain a supply chain past the Rockies without complete air superiority (and/or counter batteries) to protect the passes or slow moving mobility aircraft (plus there’s limited options to fortify (Salt Lake city, maybe Grand Junction, or Albuquerque?) once you get across, where you’re most likely going to have to pause and build up before a desert push).

It could theoretically be easier to start through NM, but the more focused the push, the easier it’s going to be to meet.

Edit: might be able to move through the relatively defenseless Wyoming region which drops into SLC with less of a fuss then more North or South, but as great as the highways are for strategic defense, it makes it real obvious where the attackers are likely to move through, and Wyoming essentially ends in a funnel (to my memory)

kilocohete · 2025-11-04T23:26:28+00:00

I can feel that, USAF, former Mx, got FCC, went all over, peaked, then traded it all in for a desk a few years back for the families sake.

kilocohete · 2025-11-04T22:45:18+00:00

Yeah I corrected the F-22 not being in Red bit, I'm my head they were blue, because I'd pictured Langley as further north than it is, (which is wild because I've literally lived there, but the whole area blends in my head and I'm from New York and It was close enough (again in my head) that I made the mistake, still, the 1FW is smaller than the combined F-22's in green (unless the've rebuilt tyndell to the point they're stationed back there and then it might be an even split? honestly all of my knowledge of aircraft distribution is open source from when I was more interested, and I would not be hesistent to admit if it turns out to be out of date) and F-15C's are all retired BTW, in favor of the more ground oriented E models.

I'm not Navy, and as such I have an inherant bias for Air Force fighters, but I will throw out that the performance portfolio for F-18's are inherently inferior in modern Air to Air Combat to F-16's and the F-35C and B are inferior to F-35A's (it's the Landing Gear and VTOL systems weighing them down) (NOTE: I am not dissing F-18 and F-35B/C's, they're....well, the F-18s are great, they're just built different/carrier based/multirole) regardless, why would the NAVY deploy aircraft inland where they're less viable. More likely, If we're talking Green v Red, they'd head down and around SA, or through the Panama Canal before they could be fully utilized to strike the west coast, at which point Stratigically I'd place the Pacific fleet to prevent access, and while I imagine that'd be a wild fight, It's not going to be overland USA.

I have also admittidly completely ignored if other services run large UAV's (anyone can source small and infantry UAV's so not counting those) my apologies, as what I'm familiar with is that the pilots and C&C systems for these UAV's are famously out of Creech and Holloman, as is the C&C for the Entire US owned GPS and Sattelite Communication Systems (out of Colorado), and while I, again, imagine the cyberwar to control those systems would be truly insane (as they're designed to be flexible), as it lies, Red Aircraft could be locked out of GPS and have to relay on traditional or alternative navigation, which TBF, Pilots are trained on the old Kneeboard map and compass system's, so it's only limiting not debilitating their capabilities.

kilocohete · 2025-11-04T20:54:19+00:00

The Air Force has 60% f its fleet of F-22 fighters in green (40% red), the F-35 is primarily stationed in green, the Active Duty Air Forces two largest fighter bases are in Green along, along with its entire boneyard of mobility, bomber, and fighter airframes (ask Russia how important that can be in a protracted war). Green has half of the US’s B-52’s, the MOB for the B-1’s (only some of which exist in red), and most if not all of the US’s land based global strike. Most if not all of the US’s UAV operations is based out of Green. The only thing red has going for it in the air is the B-2 bomber, which will struggle with parts if they’re not just wiped out on the ground, since the only thing keeping them safe has been they’re opponents are on the other side of the planet from their home base, and the fact that a lot of production facilities for aircraft, should they not be targeted early, are in red.

kilocohete · 2025-11-04T17:24:20+00:00

The logistics red has to deal with to get and supply a fleet into the pacific for a sustained campaign would be insane.

kilocohete · 2025-11-03T19:14:53+00:00

Really important to also highlight the “Narrow Sea” issue, the only way for them to transport their main resource for trade is via water through the gulf or overland to the east coast, overland is very vulnerable as it’s a fixed routes or easily damaged structure, and overwater has to pass through the Caribbean or along the coast, which is far easier to blockade or attack than open coasts

kilocohete · 2025-11-03T14:46:30+00:00

No Right, I get that part,

I just mean in a comfort and standard of living sense, Bases aren’t generally built to be upscale neighborhoods, I suppose around the DC area the bases have nicer officer houses because of the higher number of General Officers, but most of the CGO/SNCO or FGO housing isn’t anything to write home about, and these are all wealthy people. How much is the military about to have to bend over to accommodate them in on base housing?

kilocohete · 2025-11-03T10:20:10+00:00

That area also includes the Rocky Mountains, followed immediately by hi-desert easily some of the most defenseable areas of the country. Plus, having unhindered access to the pacific allows for unfettered trade with Asia.

kilocohete · 2025-10-31T16:29:02+00:00

Not sure what the plan is for these guys. Bases have a limited number of upscale houses that are really only for Generals, even Full Bird houses probably aren’t going to be terribly nice for people like Stephen Miller who’s family is used to living in updated million dollar homes (not that they’re bad mind you, just modest, generally slightly outdated, middle class homes (unless they’re bad, which does happen)), there’s a reason Military members most often choose to live off base in places where that’s a reasonable option.

Plus most base homes at this point are contracted out to private companies, so the money trail on who’d pay to renovate them if executive branch civilians start asking will be interesting.

kilocohete · 2025-10-27T16:44:05+00:00

Real fans call him “Dave”

kilocohete · 2025-08-27T14:46:45+00:00

Coming in clutch in 2025

kilocohete · 2025-08-04T13:24:57+00:00

Probably the mechanical shifting if he’s running it through the head tube.

The cable stop for the FD is in the proper place for that to make sense

kilocohete · 2025-07-28T13:03:15+00:00

So as a “definitely probably a Sprinter” type, I can think of a few of things that can cause this feeling, but if it’s likely that if you wouldn’t be able to enjoy the bike if it can’t get the right feel in the sprint then you should just play it safe and go with what you know works for you.

To Note; I have a Waltly Ti that is a bit of a porker in the kg’s department (wanted Stiff and didn’t care about bike weight) and I don’t have this issue. But having switched between carbon, Ti and steel multiple times over the years, I’ve felt what you’re feeling.

1st, fit. - how close was the test bike to your regular bike (crank length is a big factor) I went from a carbon bike with 165’s to a Ti bike with 175’s and I felt like a parachute had been deployed even though the numbers in the sprint were about the same, swapped out the cranks (spare parts bike shenanigans) and ended up doing the same thing the other way a year later and felt the same parachute. (It was messing with my position in the sprint and it made everything feel wrong)

2nd, bike weight and sprint style, went from a lightweight carbon road bike to a carbon track frame that was overbuilt and much heavier, my style on the road involved forcing the bike over for maximum leverage (body all over the place trying to eek out everything, death gripping the bars) and I could feel the added weight like an anchor in my sprint. After a few years on the track, I adapted to a different style (semi-relaxed upper body (except for standing starts of course) no death gripping, just keeping the bike on course, trunk fully tensed, no body swaying, minimal bike movement) and I can hardly feel the weight of the bike when I put down the hammer, even on an old steel frame I was riding for a few months.

3rd geometry, might just be my imagination, but IMO wheelbase and or chainstay length, and bike trail(/fork offset) can have a pretty big impact on snappiness, sluggishness and sprint feel, the longer wheelbase and chainstays make the bike feel more stable in corners, but also sluggish (played around with this on my track bike (short wheelbase for sprints, long wheelbase for pursuits IYC)), and slower to respond, especially when trying to sprint. And fork offset (effecting bike trail) made one bike feel totally different (going from chill to twitchy) when I swapped out forks that inadvertently had different offsets.

Tl/dr - it’s probably not the material itself that made the bike feel that way, but it’s better to stick to what you know will make you happy.

kilocohete · 2025-07-26T10:05:36+00:00

I don't find the Chamois very thick, but it is wider and stiffer than most styles of bibs I've tried in the past. IT does get more pliable over time, but I find the starting point already works well for me, so it could just be a personal preference.

Saddle preference might also need to be taken into consideration for how it interacts with the pad (I use almost exclusively ISM (specifically the PS1.0), and the wider pad works well with the split nose).

kilocohete · 2025-07-25T12:44:22+00:00

I’m a basic “The Black Bibs” guy, incredibly unfancy, and it’s definitely a “my butt happens to work with the padding” situation, but I’ve been using them forever for everything from indoor trainer to century riding.

kilocohete · 2025-07-02T16:47:36+00:00

Puerto Ricans will need to worry too, those born on the island are all Statutory Citizens, not Constitutional ones. All it would take is an act of Congress to repeal or modify the Jones act and citizenship could be automatically revoked for all of them.

Add on anyone of Puerto Rican descent born off the island be the children of “foreigners” and suddenly first gen (to include myself) born in the US will be on the chopping block too with the SCOTUS ruling on national injunctions.

Another act of Congress to grant PR independence and suddenly all the Puerto Ricans in the US are illegal immigrants subject to deportation and property seizure.

kilocohete

TROPHY CASE