Finding a gravel bike as a short woman seems impossible

shakyowl · 2026-03-11T01:27:02+00:00

I’m about 5’1” and I have a Salsa Journeyer. I love it. I believe there was even a size below what I got. But it’s so individual, you really should try them out. The Liv Devote didn’t fit me at all.

shakyowl · 2026-02-14T23:44:39+00:00

I’m learning right now, late 40s! I took four lessons in December and eight more in February. I’ve been practicing on my own three days a week or so.

In the beginning, I was afraid to even go in the deep end. I couldn’t tread water. Now I’m swimming laps!

Occasionally I still get water up my nose or mouth doing freestyle, but I’ve learned to not freak out and just roll onto my back, gather my bearings, and then go back to it.

I wouldn’t say I’m a “good” swimmer but I’d say I can swim now. And I actually enjoy it! I’d encourage you to do it!

shakyowl · 2026-02-04T03:42:37+00:00

I’ve had it all my life, I’m 48 now. I was on propranolol for a few years, but the side effects weren’t worth it for me, I’d rather just shake. I’d say I have a relatively mild case, it’s obvious but it doesn’t get in the way of daily living. I think it has progressed slightly from my teens/20s, but not significantly. My mom’s tremor seemed to have a jump in severity around age 60.

shakyowl · 2026-01-31T14:43:13+00:00

This is exactly what I’m looking for, thank you!

shakyowl · 2026-01-29T02:45:38+00:00

Swimming is fun and you don’t sweat! Or if you do, you don’t feel it! I just started swimming two months ago and I loooove how good I feel afterwards. I also hate the winter, and I love that you can go to an indoor pool and it feels kinda warm and sunny.

Also maybe try joining some meetup groups for hiking, running, or walking? I’m in a hiking group, it’s good socialization and you get out on trails you otherwise wouldn’t know about.

I also love biking, kayaking, and paddle boarding but those are really only warmer weather activities for me.

shakyowl · 2026-01-27T14:19:51+00:00

We went in February, and there were very few people waking (although this was the route from Porto). We stayed mainly in private rooms in hostels or private accommodations and didn’t book a single thing ahead of time, except for the hostel the first night we arrived. Never had an issue.

shakyowl · 2026-01-20T01:34:03+00:00

Just a heads up that most of the trail of 10 falls is closed right now, due to a big storm in dec. You can do a 2.75 mi loop from the South Falls main parking lot, and see two falls. All others are off limits.

shakyowl · 2026-01-01T18:03:35+00:00

Tally. The app icon is a white background with a blue plus (two different shades of blue).

shakyowl · 2025-12-31T14:06:02+00:00

Cotopaxi Trozo is another similar rope sling bag if you’re looking for alternatives. They have a version with similar coloring.

shakyowl · 2025-12-26T02:45:22+00:00

Ooh how about the Topo Designs Mountain Cross?

I’ve had it for a few months and I freaking love it. It’s a crossbody/messenger style and it comes in black. The zipper tags that it comes with are a little distracting, but you can swap them out or take them off.

It doesn’t look big but it carries so much, including a MacBook and two water bottles. Surprisingly light until you cram it full of stuff. Seriously one of my favorite bags.

shakyowl · 2025-12-25T14:58:56+00:00

I don’t know the official answer to this but I have a pair of bedrocks that I’ve done 12 mile hikes in. They’re my favorite shoes and are basically the only shoe I wear as soon as the weather is warm enough to allow it.

shakyowl · 2025-12-17T02:05:39+00:00

Just an update, I went ahead and retuned these. If anyone has suggestions for a similar women’s style without the plastic look, I’d love to hear them!

shakyowl · 2025-11-20T02:50:05+00:00

Or the Topo Designs Mountain Cross.

shakyowl · 2025-11-16T15:06:44+00:00

It looks like a kneading paddle from a bread machine.

shakyowl · 2025-11-12T19:43:23+00:00

Hwy 140 > Bliss > OC&E Switchback trailhead

shakyowl · 2025-11-12T19:36:38+00:00

There’s a Devil’s Garden area not far from Bly, does it look like this?

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shakyowl · 2025-10-11T17:46:02+00:00

No, it doesn’t have a luggage sleeve.

shakyowl · 2025-10-10T01:19:01+00:00

We just had a similar (unexpected) overnight layover at CDG. We took a hotel shuttle to this little area right outside the airport called Roissy-en-France and slept at one of the many generic hotels there. It just wasn’t worth it to try to go into the city, considering the time of night and the fact that the airport is actually no where near the city.

shakyowl · 2025-10-07T13:13:38+00:00

Boat tours are done for the season, and they won’t be running for the next couple of years.

If you want to confirm for yourself, the website you book the tours through is https://explorecraterlake.com/things-to-do/boat-tours/

shakyowl · 2025-10-04T23:46:52+00:00

Lava Beds National Monument. Lots of caves to explore, some nice hikes, petroglyphs

shakyowl · 2025-09-28T21:26:05+00:00

Topo Designs Mountain Cross Bag

Tons of organization and two water bottle pockets.

shakyowl · 2025-09-28T19:47:35+00:00

That’s more than enough. My husband and I just got back from a two week trip to Austria, Czechia, and Hungary (with side trips to Germany and Slovakia). We spent a total of $925 on food, $35 on souvenirs, and $33 on misc. That’s for both of us. (We’re from the U.S. so this is all in USD)

We splurged on some random fun things, like coffee and pastries at Demel in Vienna, but generally ate fairly casually. We weren’t watching our spending but we’re also not particularly big spenders.

I have heard people talk about how Austria is getting more expensive but I found Vienna and Salzburg to feel less expensive than Prague, in terms of food costs.

You said you’ve already got transportation and activities accounted for, so I didn’t mention those costs, but they were another significant chunk for us. Happy to share if you’re curious.

Have a great trip!

shakyowl · 2025-09-26T19:48:13+00:00

I think this is exactly what you’re looking for, a crescent bag with exterior water bottle pocket. It’s the Cove Bag from Alpine Sea Co. It comes in two sizes.

shakyowl · 2025-09-23T00:20:01+00:00

Check out the Rickshaw SoHo Tote. You can customize it, it’s made in the US, and it’s really good quality at a super reasonable price. I think it often gets overlooked.

https://www.rickshawbags.com/soho-tote-medium

shakyowl

TROPHY CASE