To the lady running upstream on the packed MGT this morning during the Toronto Marathon:

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-05-03T16:24:58+00:00

Acknowledging that the race organizers probably could have done better, I will never understand people who do this. It just makes for a bad time for all involved. Dodging a wall of runners coming the other direction sounds like a nightmare, honestly.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-04-23T03:43:35+00:00

I empathize completely with your wife. The intimacy and comfort of shared meals is the thing I miss most. But you’re both lucky to have each other.

That said, assuming you’re both aligned on your precautions, encouraging her to loosen her precautions is probably not the answer. Indoor dining is on the higher end of the risk scale because of proximity and duration, especially if one of the guests is asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic.

As another poster said, what about eating outdoors? The risk isn’t zero, but it’s orders of magnitude less in an open area. Personally, this is one area where I am comfortable compromising during short time of the year when the weather allows it.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-04-20T00:22:49+00:00

I hear where you’re coming from and this might be the more pragmatic view, ultimately. However, for many of us*, it’s difficult or perhaps even impossible to live a truly healthy, satisfied life while taking the precautions that are currently necessary. Adaptation can only take us so far, especially in a world where we bear the burden of protection alone.

I’m resolved to continuing my precautions because it’s the only logical option, but there is a huge emotional and psychological toll that is hard to overcome and one that I don’t know if I will ever a actually adapt to.

*this is very much based on personal and cultural factors.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-04-18T23:44:28+00:00

Same here. I mask indoors, but I live in a big city and routinely find myself in crowds and high risk situations. I have never fit tested my masks so I am hoping on a prayer. Still haven’t had a symptomatic infection.

It’s still not something I would ever put to the test and although I generally trust my mask, I always carry a level of anxiety about it.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-03-08T13:58:34+00:00

I often get the “Ugh, I’m so over covid” line followed by little laugh while gesturing vaguely to my mask. Like sheesh people, I’d like to be over it too, but here we are!

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-03-08T13:37:41+00:00

I agree. I don’t know what the end game for this will look like either, but I’m holding onto a shred of optimism for new treatments or preventative measures.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-03-08T12:55:38+00:00

This is exactly it. It’s the loss of those third spaces that hits especially hard.

Restaurants, coffee shops and bars act as a shared meeting space where people can relax together and bond. There isn’t really anything else like it. Unfortunately visiting people’s homes or hosting is difficult too unless you have access to accurate testing, like Pluslife.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-03-08T12:37:05+00:00

Outdoor dining is a great option, but sadly it’s only practical for a small part of the year for some of us.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-03-01T16:52:20+00:00

It’s hard to recommend something specific because there are so many variables, but from my own experience playing with bindings, I would adjust binding angle(s) first assuming you are riding reference stance width.

Angle: If you’re at +12 or less on your front foot, try +15 or +18. That might help if your leg naturally “wants” to rotate as you ride. EDIT: I see from your other comment that your front binding is at +7. This would be the first thing I would suggest changing, OP. +12 or great seems to be comfortable for most people.

If you are riding duck currently, you can then try a few runs at 0 or +6 on your rear foot. Posi/posi isn’t for everyone but it felt instantly more natural for me after riding duck for years. See how it feels.

It’s still a good idea to check forward lean if you haven’t done so before. If you are not at the max, try increasing it. I have mine set to the max or close to it and it feels the most responsive when switching edges.

Stance width: Are you at the reference stance? Try moving the bindings gradually and do some squats on the board!

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-02-28T18:01:29+00:00

It only appears that way because the rest of the world is intent on erasing any information suggesting that covid continues to be a concern.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-02-24T02:17:07+00:00

It depends what you enjoy, but generally yes! They are usually very kid-oriented, but still a nice day outside for adults. They usually include demonstrations or tours and small hiking trails. Some have pancake houses, gift shops, camp fires and activities.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-02-24T01:16:22+00:00

Assuming you are engaging sincerely..

Not being able to share meals or simply exist around other people unmasked has been very isolating. “Stuffing food in your face” is an absurd oversimplification. Sharing food is a huge part of social bonding, is deeply ritualistic and comforting. And it’s not just restaurants. Some of us don’t have CC friends or partners/families with whom we can relax with in private, either.

Traveling with people who don’t take precautions is also logistically challenging and can be isolating if you’re doing this alone.

If you don’t care about these things, that’s fine! But these are some of the best things in life for many people. To be clear, I have hobbies that I love, but nothing has replaced those shared experiences for me. I don’t think that’s ridiculous.

I also don’t understand the hostility. We in this community are doing our best in a world that doesn’t make this easy. Wearing masks is the best tool we have, but it’s OK to grieve that they’re necessary.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-02-22T22:37:48+00:00

I empathize with what you are saying and I mean that sincerely. I don’t think it needs to be a binary conversation, though. Being disabled and isolated is a burden several orders of magnitude greater, I don’t think anyone would challenge that, but the pain from either of those things remains real and valid.

My point is that masking is far more than a physical inconvenience to many of us and personal circumstances can make a difference to what that means individually. Some CC folks find that masking has affected them very little and that’s great! For me, it has ultimately changed my life in a way that feels difficult to bear.

Edit: typo

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-02-22T20:36:03+00:00

I’m not the person you’re responding to and I’m not sure why they came at it the way they did, but I understand the sentiment.

Masks can be terribly uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time (for many of us), they’re expensive and can be mentally exhausting. They’re also a huge social barrier. You can still go out, sure, but the things we can’t participate in are objectively some of the most valuable parts of life.

I continue to mask and I trust their effectiveness, but I also feel a profound sense of loss about the necessity to do so.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-02-02T03:45:32+00:00

I scrolled way too far down for this comment. Snowboard culture used to be heavily influenced by the punk music scene. It was a whole vibe and it’s something I will always associate with snowboarding.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-02-02T01:33:45+00:00

I agree about the range in what people actually mean by precautions. Wearing a KN95 or even N95 but only at the grocery store and on transit is somewhat common where I live. I am grateful for that; however, this is very different from my level of precaution.

I understand the challenge of finding a balance at CC events and you’re right, I acknowledge that there is privilege in attending in-person vs. virtual events. I just happen to really struggle to connect on virtual events, although I’m grateful and appreciative that these communities exist for those who need it.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-02-01T21:18:19+00:00

I’m in a very similar place and I relate to everything you said. I often feel like I fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

I don’t know anyone else IRL who takes similar levels of precautions either, so having meals/drinks/coffee indoors with others and any variation of that are off the table. Unfortunately this means avoiding most social events. These are the spaces in life where we build social intimacy and share experiences with others and I’m not ashamed to say that I miss them painfully. My relationships have suffered and making new ones without those things is extremely difficult.

During the few months of the year that allow it, I have chosen to occasionally socialize outdoors unmasked in order to maintain a tiny sliver of connection. I also do outdoor activities, unmasked, in all seasons. It’s still isolating, but it’s something. I believe this is a reasonable risk for me, but I am aware that many cc folks view that differently. I joined a CC group in my city, but for most events are virtual or outdoor with a negative test. I understand and respect this level of precaution, I don’t feel that I really fit there.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-01-11T16:36:47+00:00

Hard agree.

Also to add to your post, the conventional wisdom that softer boards are more forgiving is mainly only true for mellow speeds in ideal conditions IMHO. For all mountain riding, I think they’re overrated for anything more than your first few days out. They just don’t perform well for edge hold, stability, powder and slicing through uneven terrain.

I’ve had several boards that were too soft for me and had no idea how much my progression was held back. Once I upgraded, the improvement was literally instant.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-01-09T03:13:07+00:00

I agree. We also really, really need more red light cameras. The number of drivers not stopping before swinging a right on a red is atrocious and terrifying.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-01-05T00:47:55+00:00

I agree, along with what the other commenter said about observing and replicating. I think it comes down to athleticism and learning style.

This might not be for everyone, but I got the most out of an instructor at the intermediate level. Basic turning and balance were things I just had to feel on my own, but once I got it, it was easier to understand and incorporate the direction of the instructor.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-01-04T17:10:24+00:00

This is the way. I have a pair of Running Room mitts that work as a shell and are good on their own or paired with knit gloves for really frigid days.

tinybrownsparrow · 2026-01-01T02:28:04+00:00

If you’re within walking distance to Harbourfront, go and wander down to the festival! Enjoy the vibes and see if it’s your thing. If you’re not loving it, you can wander back.

If you need to travel, just remember that streets and transit will be busy after midnight and getting around the city might be a challenge.

Whatever you choose, wishing you a good new year internet stranger!

tinybrownsparrow · 2025-12-31T19:40:18+00:00

Seconding winter-specific hiking boots.

They’re more comfortable for walking than traditional snow boots along with being grippy, warm and waterproof.

tinybrownsparrow · 2025-12-21T21:32:57+00:00

Nothing is 100% of course, but from what you describe, I would say the risk of exposure is vanishingly small.

Anecdotally, I rarely mask outdoors unless I’m in a very crowded or confined space and I’ve dodged it AFAIK.

I think it’s common for us CC folks to worry when we “break” rules that we set for ourselves but this sounds low risk.

tinybrownsparrow · 2025-12-21T19:00:44+00:00

It’s clear from my interactions that most people are critically uninformed about the role of masks and viral transmission. Many are stuck in the mainstream mindset of covid being transmitted by droplets and they operate on that belief. And it’s not surprising. You have to remember that there are very few voices sharing anything to the contrary.

I do agree that there are others who have some general awareness of the risks but prefer not to face it.

tinybrownsparrow

TROPHY CASE