Grumps can suck it, it's Friday!

[Drew]

I've used both. Saris > Kuat, every time. Saris also made in 'Merica by 'Mericans. Kuat made in Taiwan/China.

Superclamp is the business. My only bitch about them is you can't order them with fat trays... you have to buy them separately.

And I have an Odyssey. It is fantastic. Decent mileage, build quality OK, but the space... wow. And the kids dig it. There are a gazillion of them on the roads, so it's not like parts are hard to find or nobody can fix them. Tough to go wrong, from a practicality point of view.

The wife swore them off a long time ago. Then I convinced her to go with me to look... and she saw the boy open the door, climb in, and get into his carseat... by himself. She was sold that instant. We've had one since.

Is this info in the Racks thread? Good to know!

It will be shortly... also note that Saris does 20% off promotions usually twice a year (has been Memorial Day and Labor Day in years past). Sometimes Chirstmas too.

[EricKeller]

I never understood the hate for the minivan.

It's not hate, it's good natured joking. Sad thing is the people that take it seriously and buy an SUV when they really need a minivan. Ours was nice to have, but I only miss it occasionally. If we were taking a protracted road trip, I'd probably rent one. If I was going to buy a utility vehicle, it would be a pickup.

[Matthew Strongin]

N+1 teaser shots started coming in. It's in progress and looking sweet. This has been a good year for bikes!

[jdp211]

Since we're getting this started early and everything is signed, sealed, and delivered, I'll add this in now. I'm all set on my internship this summer at a killer firm, doing something I really want to be doing! Now just a month and change of the semester to go and then a bit of time off to ride bikes and see the outside of a classroom before I start.

[mnoble485]

image-3509872005.jpg

Pulled into the job site this morning and found out one of my subs beat me in. Ribs, chicken and a pork butt slowly smoking. He's a great guy who said he was thankful for our work. It sure smells good.

Mike

[joosttx]

After to a week of traveling In South America im headed home to beautiful entrophy I am sure.

[mainemike]

I closed 2 deals for new employer, which could easily be in Thursday Grump, cuz all you get is: good job, what do you have for April? (oh, and some $$) I'll also add that I beat the other guy they hired at the same time by exactly...2 deals. It's that kind of environment. I can't complain though, and I'm happy about it for the moment. And I'm skiing tmmrw.

[defspace]

PT says today could have been my last visit if I wanted, but I went ahead and scheduled one final visit two weeks from now. My shoulder feels like my shoulder again.

Yesterday I opened up an envelope from the hospital. "Great, another bill..." Nope. $563.80 coming back my way.

[lumpy]

This could have been in the weekly activities thread, but: went up to Mt. Washington in New Hampshire last weekend with my dad and #1 son, now 18. Dad built a cabin up on the mountain, at the base of Huntington Ravine, back in the early 60's when he was in college, and he wanted to get up there again in winter. Also, he turned 75 last week. Not only did we get up there and have good weather and a birthday party, but he climbed one of the ice routes with the caretaker. I'm glad the old guy is still going strong and the boy got to be part of it.

[robin3mj]

Picked up the minivan today. A loaded 2015 Sienna that I think I got a great deal on.
So many bells and whistles. Huge. (Yooge, ok?)
It's like driving a Manhattan apartment.

Also, the sun was out so we set up our daughter's Easter gift- one of those turtle shaped sandboxes that Fisher Price has sold about a billion of. She is over the moon.
I sat in a folding chair and enjoyed a Grapefruit Sculpin while she dug.

Suburban dad life is ok.

[rowdyhillrambler]

Started out the day with a good ride. Picture in the other thread.

Marked the new trails at the local park, finally gave us the OK for ATB trails!!!

Went climbing, took 10 kids and they were awesome.!.! Totally a great time.
image.jpg

[Derek Raymond]

Tomorrow is my one year anniversary at the garage I work out of. Let's just say I work for a giant ip/tv/phone company. I am lowest in seniority, but after 6 months I''ve consistently had the highest metrics out of any other technician. My manager kept stating that it was bologna that I can't get a raise due to union mandated pay increase schedules. Company recently changed a policy and high performers now get some pretty sweet bonuses. If numbers are met quarterly, they then match those numbers (I have). The humble brag isn't the part I'm excited about, it's the fact that I can now afford to buy this:https://www.etsy.com/listing/1968103..._home_active_7

[incepi]

Good bye winter!

I took a photo of this Spring flower yesterday, covered in ice. Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the mittens. I like seeing these lost items placed in safe locations by thoughtful strangers.

DSC_0020copy.jpg

[Matthew Strongin]

Tomorrow is my one year anniversary at the garage I work out of. Let's just say I work for a giant ip/tv/phone company. I am lowest in seniority, but after 6 months I''ve consistently had the highest metrics out of any other technician. My manager kept stating that it was bologna that I can't get a raise due to union mandated pay increase schedules. Company recently changed a policy and high performers now get some pretty sweet bonuses. If numbers are met quarterly, they then match those numbers (I have). The humble brag isn't the part I'm excited about, it's the fact that I can now afford to buy this:https://www.etsy.com/listing/1968103..._home_active_7

Nice! It's great when things start to come together.

[Derek Raymond]

Nice! It's great when things start to come together.

Thank you, and it is. Really excited about this.

[davids]

I know this is late, but I was busy on Friday:

A weekend in DC for the bat mitzvah of one of my oldest friend's kids. Going to DC, especially for a series of scheduled events, is always a sprint between friends and appointments. This weekend was particularly full:

Fly in Thursday night, grab the rental and drive to the hotel. Check in; unpack; trot to the lobby bar for drinks (and an exchange of gifts) with friend #1, a very tall fellow. While we're hanging out, the aunts & grandfather of the bat mitzvah girl walk by. Reunion ensues.

We start Friday by treating two of the former au pairs of the bat mitzvah girl to breakfast. They have traveled from Germany to be here - you think they might like this family? After sending them off, my wife & I get a couple hours to ourselves. So we spend it doing reconnaissance for our daughter, checking out DC neighborhoods that might be a good fit for a very young couple on a tight budget. Next up is a long lunch and stroll on the Mall with a young family who we've known since long before they were even an item. I spend some quality time with their 3 year old twins, too. We get in an hour's downtime before Shabbat evening services and dinner with every single out-of-town guest. Many more reunions ensue. We are among the last to leave.

Saturday begins at breakfast with another couple - I've know the guy since 1979. After an hour catching up we make our way back to the synagogue for the three hour service, which is (mostly) a joy. Then a luncheon. More schmoozing, more reunions. We are among the last to leave.

A quick stop in the hotel to change and then we're on our way to visit still more friends. We spend a few hours strolling through Bethesda to visit the local cherry blossom-filled neighborhood, so packed with cars and walkers that they've deployed the police. Coffee and snacks and then on to the evening party down the road. More food, more conversation, dancing, singing, laughing... We are among the last to leave.

A final Sunday brunch, where I finally get to have conversations with our hosts. More time with their families, more food. Then off to the airport, where we drop off an aunt and say goodbye, one last time, to remnants of their family as we all head for our flights.

Whew. That was great. I love my friends.

[Artie]

It's Friday. The sun is shining, and I get to spend another weekend with lots of riding with the best guys you could ask for.
Even better, I get to spend some quality time with my gf.
All good here.
Over and out.

[mnoble485]

My weekend is starting at 12:00. Tickets and parking pass in hand for the final spring training game between Detroit and Tampa Bay. Blue skies and mid 80's temp.
Life is good today.

Mike

[defspace]

Track races start up tonight.

[dutchess]

MR T got me good this morning.