😁 Forget about finding fit people there; it just doesn't happen. I tried an aerobics and weightlifting combo class once, and the only person who looked like they actually worked out was the instructor. Everyone else was just... there. When you sign up for group fitness, you have to accept one basic reality: everyone is in the exact same boat as you. There's no point in feeling embarrassed. Just relax and enjoy it. Go to aerobics, Zumba, or whatever. The first few sessions are actually kind of funny while everyone is still trying to figure out the moves. Everyone goes left, and I go right. 😍
ideesššsti Draško, those rigs look killer. Real pro vibes here. 😲 If I had the square footage, I’d definitely set up a home gym. Respect. Did you build all this yourself—cutting, grinding, painting everything from scratch?
Bryan Jackson98 said:I’m not sure if this has been covered yet, but I’ve been wondering about this tendency people have to voluntarily subordinate themselves—essentially placing themselves in a lower tier because they assume someone else is more intelligent. It’s like they stop trying to hold onto their own convictions or become too terrified to push back. I have two specific scenarios playing out in my life. The first involves older generations; for context, I’m just hitting my late teens. They look at me differently the moment I mention I'm heading to an elite prep school, instantly labeling me as some kind of intellectual prodigy who exists on a plane above my peers. Then there’s the second scenario: when I tell someone my age that I’ll be attending a top-tier academy, they seem to regress, acting even more foolish than before, which I find fascinating. In those moments, once they’ve convinced themselves that they sit at a lower intellectual level than I do, I could practically lead them anywhere; I could convince them that nine is actually less than seven—a banal example, obviously, but that’s the point. I could spout absolute nonsense, and they would nod along, refusing to even take a second to verify the truth. I’m curious about the root cause here. Is it driven by some deep-seated prejudice regarding prep school students and the prestige attached to them? I’m not saying I dislike having this advantage, but I’d love to understand the psychological mechanics behind why people surrender their agency like this.
They won't bother because they know you're talking nonsense. And it happens because they know you're talking nonsense, so they don't give any weight to what you say.
I get the feeling your brakes are either garbage or just poorly tuned. I run Shimano Deore M596 mechanicals. I’ve hammered them through thick woods, mud, rocky creek beds, and cooked them on brutal paved descents, all while riding over 22996 miles. All I do is swap out the pads, and I'm good to go. It's constant braking, and I'm 190 lbs naked—not even counting my watch—plus I'm always hauling a backpack. Basically, these brakes are stopping over 220 lbs.
Ronald Diaz said:It’s like I wrote 😁 Where are you? I’m over by John Doe (above Manhattan) and once I leave my place, the first mile or so is just a straight downhill shot. If I don't hit the brakes, I'm hitting 40mph before I can blink. If I don't dress right, I look like an idiot—fingers freezing, face numb, and worst of all, I'm totally unprepared because I just stepped out. Then I start pedaling through Manhattan to warm up, and by the time I hit Jane Doe, it's fine. By the time I reach Brooklyn, I've warmed up, and once I get into Chicago and pick up a steady pace, I'm actually overheating. I'll need to go buy more gear for next winter; I can't seem to find the right combo.
Upper West Side. So you know exactly what I mean. And the ride back is always hell.
Layering is everything. For me, the biggest issue is the elevation change. When I'm heading toward downtown, the first mile or so requires almost zero effort on the pedals, which is a disaster in terms of temperature control. I end up completely frozen, even when I'm hitting speeds around 37 miles/h. But braking doesn't make sense either—it’d be a waste to ruin such a great descent. So, I just dress heavier. By the time I reach Brooklyn, it's pure chaos—flooding, madness, the whole thing.
Today’s gear for the ride: Top: dry fit short sleeves, some synthetic long sleeves, a tracksuit, and an ultra-thin pair of Nike Air Max. Bottom: Tracksuit bottoms, 100% synthetic, lined, windproof. Legs: Standard socks with classic leather sneakers, no ventilation. 😁 Hands: Full-finger gloves. Head: An earband. Neck: A wool scarf.
Ended up getting soaked as if it had been raining. I probably could have skipped the jacket, but then I likely would've been freezing.
cosmicscout9 said:Thinking about biking to work tomorrow. It was already freezing this morning—well below zero—and I felt the chill just walking in the jacket I’m supposed to ride in. I've got the afternoon shift, but still, tonight is going to be a mess... uh... and 14 miles it's one way...
Biking generates way more body heat than walking does. You might feel the bite for the first few minutes, but once you're warmed up, you'll probably find yourself stripping layers off.
placidfalcon said:yeah... thinking about picking up a real gas mask
I don't think you can actually wear one. Plus, I doubt how much air you'd get through that filter. It wouldn't be enough for a heavy workout. It’s basically like an intake restrictor—kills your power and keeps the sweat trapped underneath.
Why leave a tooth like that for so long? Just go see a dentist and get it fixed. Tell them about the pain, too—they’ll figure out the next steps. Honestly, that ache could be from pressure or you hitting it in your sleep without realizing it. Don't just sit there thinking "oh, cool," just head to the clinic.
wearyotter36 said:Interesting choice of emojis ;-)
I'm guessing that would be the case 😁
Charles Bailey45 said:Look, I don't care much, but pairing high-end, heavy-duty brakes with 185mm rotors against a weak, thin fork that can't handle them? That’s a recipe for disaster. But hey, if it works for him, fine by me. 🙂
Better to check the fork's actual rating and stay well below the limit.
You guys have no idea how much I make the day for those sitting or standing way in the back. 🤔 Or maybe I just ruin it—depends on whether they're rooting for me to pull over 😁, or not 😬
nimblehound32 said:I’d honestly rather just slap on a bigger rotor and some heavy-duty hydraulics so I don't have to touch the front brake. Or is there any way to keep both the V-brake and the disc functional in the rear without ditching one? 😁
Why would you even want a stronger rear brake than the front? Physics doesn't work like that. When you hit the brakes, the weight shifts forward anyway. Especially in downhill racing—you're already pitched forward, then you add braking force, and there's basically zero weight left on the back end. A buddy of mine who races professionally uses a 140mm disc in the rear. It gets the job done.
Charles Bailey45 said:Look, a used larger rotor plus an adapter will run you about 150 bucks $67. Less heat soak, better stopping power, but the real question is if the fork can actually handle it. What's currently on the bike?
I learned the hard way when I first started messing around with disc brakes. Now? I don't sweat it. Heat isn't the enemy; actually, you kind of want them warm. When I'm riding through wet conditions, I'll give the brakes a quick squeeze just to get them up to temp and dry out. It keeps the stopping power consistent regardless of the weather. Just don't ride the brakes constantly—you’ve got to let them breathe every now and then.
restlesscobra9 might be looking at an allergic reaction to alcohol. Redness and shortness of breath are the usual red flags for allergies. Then there’s the heart palpitations 🤷 If it's the booze, just quit. I used to get these sharp pains around my eye, so I cut it out. Now the pain is gone, I don't drink, and life is better.