It sure is a beautiful area. Thanks for tuning in and I hope you are having a great week.

Hi David, I'm glad you found the channel. First of all, I hope that your new knees and fused lumbar will enable you to resume your active lifestyle. Between the two bikes, Julies 2022 Turbo Vado 4 bike and the 2021 Tesero Neo X1, I prefer to ride the Tesero and Julie prefers the Vado, but I tend to ride rougher routes and Julie prefers smoother routes. The riding position is similar, both have a suspension seat post and suspension front forks. The Cannondale can be made a bit more "cushy" as the front fork is an air adjustable fork and it has larger diameter wheels and wider tires. Both bikes are more than adequate for gravel roads and cobbles but neither will be as forgiving as a high-quality full suspension mountain bike. I don't know if the 2024 versions of these bikes are similarly equipped, so the difference between our two bikes may or may not still be valid. I have back and knee issues as well, so I have pretty much given up mountain biking and we no longer have the full suspension mountain bikes that we rode for years. At first I was a bit worried about giving up my rear suspension mountain bike, but for the type of riding I do now, cranking hard seems to bother my back more than the occasional bump. I like your idea of getting a Thudbuster for your current bike. Who knows, maybe adding a Thudbuster, lowering the tire pressure on your current bike and taking a standing position when you encounter a big bump might just be enough cushion so that you won't irritate your back. I suspect the Thudbuster is probably better than the suspension seat posts that are on our bikes, but I don't know that for sure. If so, it wouldn't be wasted money, as you might be able to use it on a new bike, depending on the diameter. Thanks for tuning in and best wishes.

Great names. Thanks for tuning in and for posting.

The Roomba certainly deserves a name. Julie says admitting that I have a problem is one step closer to a cure, but I don't think it is working. :)

I'm sure it is one of my odd quirks, I tend to give names to objects. Julie will humor me on this one.

I'm glad you found the channel and thanks for posting feedback. I'm always up for an outing, so it would be possible to link up for a ski. Take care and have a great summer.

We did see some deer. There are elk and bear in the area, but we did not see any on this particular outing. Thanks for tuning in and I hope you are having a great summer.

@@tomm9850 Incredible, thank you! Have you ever encountered a grizzly bear in those areas like the salt river? Or is it strictly black bears? I am planning a trip this summer but unsure if I should be worried about Grizzlies while sleeping out there overnight. Stay safe out there! I look forward to seeing more of your adventures.

@@Ra05 The Southern ends of the Salt River and Wyoming Ranges are mostly inhabited by Black Bears. I carry bear spray when hiking in these areas and use a bear vault to store food when overnighting in the back country. I have had bear encounters in all of the areas I hike, but not every year or on every outing. There is some risk, but I think it is manageable. Check out this link if you haven't already wgfd.wyo.gov/wyoming-wildlife/large-carnivore/grizzly-bears-wyoming

:)

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for coming along and for tuning in. Have a great week.

The original file was captured at 200 Mbps and looks better with fewer motion artifacts than what KZfaq is streaming. The original file was 11.2 Gb in size for this 8 minute video. KZfaq took about 4 days to process the original file so that it could be streamed in their 8k format. I doubt that many viewers will be able to view this video at KZfaq's 8k streaming rate, especially if connected via WiFi on a mobile device, but at some point in the future everyone's capabilities will improve and 8k won't be as much of a struggle or novelty. KZfaq's 8k streaming looks much better for static (stationary) camera placement as demonstrated in my previously linked test video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ns9djMdqy9a6g30.html than it does in this video where everything is moving, but maybe motion blur is acceptable as long as the viewer's focus is on the static objects, such as me on the bike as opposed to trying to view the scenery on the side of the road. 360 video streaming is mainly a novelty at this point and mostly directed to the few people using a VR headset. I don't have access to one, but I think it would be a fun experience. As you noted, the real benefit of the higher resolution 360 capture is for post production framing of standard video. It is such a powerful tool and it tickles my creative side more than any other camera I have used in the past, especially for ski sequences. As always, thanks for tuning in and posting feedback. Have a great week and a fun Summer.

That’s a great observation about the detail in static subjects. To make this all worth while, it might make sense to plan some pit stops in journeys, to appreciate the scenery for what 8k can do. I particularly loved the view of the amphitheater in Shoshone National Forest; it reminded me of an impromptu hike I took 20 years ago near Escalante, Utah. Maybe the other subscribers will have a déjà vu experience in these videos and resonate with them as well. Living in the Northeast, life is always on the go, and we often don’t take the time to see, appreciate, or respect nature. In your video, it was amazing to look up and see the clouds glide over the canyon-something that’s often missing in many still photos. As I said before, Its also very cool to ride along and see your entourage, your cycling equipment, or your ski technique. Keep on trekking (and shootiing)!

I mounted my Switchback X2's using Voile's paper template with their pin line on the balance point of my S-Bound 125. I really didn't give it much thought at the time, it was just the way I had always mounted my Cross Country Skis. I've also skied SB 125's with a 3 pin binding on the balance point and I was happy with that position as well. I think you are wise to consider other options and 1 cm forward is pretty darn close, probably not enough to make a dramatic difference in how the ski feels. Most Alpine downhill skis use a boot center position and when I mount them up, the pin line tends to be a bit forward of the balance point of the ski given my shoe size. The SB 125's are in the middle ground area of ski design, a cross country downhill ski, but I think you will be happy mounting yours in either location.

@@tomm9850 Tom. Your reply very much appreciated for additional confirmation. I went with 3cm forward of BP, comfortable with that given it is only 2cm forward of mid point. (My new point of reference given so many pin lines, all mounted by different people, have been on ski centre - which also included skis mounted for boot centre) With the SB125 skis having a chunky aluminium tail guard, the actual ski BP could arguably be slightly forward anyway. Thanks Tom.

@@rohansyer9388 I really think that the balance point pin line mounting on cross country skis was a general rule of thumb for good kick and glide performance, based on XC ski design for skis with minimal side cut, and had little to do with turn performance. I sure wish that Fischer would provide their recommendations for mounting, and it should probably be related to boot center, especially if the intended use for the ski is for downhill performance. Please post back after you have had a season on your skis and give your thoughts on mounting them 3 cm forward (1.2 inches). Thanks for posting and have a great week.

We do have some nice roads, but I wish we had some bike trails. Thanks for tuning in and have a great week.

Thanks @jt3200. Great to hear from you. Looking forward to the next time we can get together. :)

Insta360 sells a "snow kit" which includes a chest and helmet mount and a short extension rod. I might have to give that a try at some point.

I do enjoy the 360 camera but it does have its limitations. I picked up their newest camera, the X4, this spring and I'm hoping the higher resolution will make it more useful. If you are curious, here is link to a sample 8K 360 video that I uploaded to KZfaq just as a test. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ns9djMdqy9a6g30.html I'm glad you were finally able to see this video. Take care, have a great summer, and be safe on your bike outing.

@@tomm9850 Yes, I suppose the high resolution will help to crop the video down. I was chatting with Jarred at Tahoe Tr Guide, and really, every camera (and lens) has its frustrating limits. Last year, I thought the iPhone 15 with its 3 lenses would be all that I would need but I’m still working on it my ski shots. Its wasn’t a waste since I needed a phone, lol.

I have a newer winter tent, but this one has so many memories I just can't seem to part with it. Thanks for tuning in and for posting. Hope you are having a great week.

I'm not that familiar with the Racktime system, but I went out into the garage and took some photos and measurements for you and have uploaded this video. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kJukqJiH0cjNk2w.html I hope this helps. If you can determine which system this is, post your findings so that others will know. For others reading this post, it appears that Cannondale is using a different rear rack on the newer models of the Tesero Neo X1. A set of Ortlieb panniers work well hanging off the side of the 2021 rack and are easy to put on and take off. I only use the Ortlieb setup for bike packing. For normal day use, I have a Topeak strap mount bag. It would be a pain to use the Topeak as a daily commuter setup where you would need to put the bag on and take it off a couple of times a day, but for my recreation rides, it works well.

@@tomm9850 Thank you very much, I appreciate it! If I find out, I will post here immediately.

So, I ordered a couple of bags, only the Snap It 1.0 bags fit. Version 2.0 does not fit!

@@bitaddict1254 Thanks for posting back with your results. Have a great bike season and be safe.

Thanks for tuning in and for posting. Have a great week.

It sure is a lot of fun riding at max assist, especially uphill and against the wind. Take care, be safe, and watch the range estimate to make sure you can complete your journey. :)

I've not tried that technique. I've known people who hot wax the crown pattern and avoid filling in the dips by dusting cold wax powder or shavings over the pattern followed by the hot iron. II'll have to give your technique a test run next winter. Thanks for posting your waxing tips and have a great week. :)

@@tomm9850 PS - its not just my method. I always though it must be industry standard. It was passed to me from an old expert who ran a ski shop for some 50 years or more. Method is time tested. Maybe try it before next season and let people know your results. It also conserves wax and prevents contact between metal base of iron and synthetic base of ski. cheers

I'm sure you will have a blast with your new gear and I hope that next winter will be a great snow season for you. Thanks for tuning in and for posting. Enjoy your summer.

Glad you enjoyed the video and the soundscape. Thanks for tuning in and have a great week.

I just checked the chain on the Cannondale Tesero Neo X1 (thanks for reminding me) with the Park tool and the stretch is between 0.5 and 0.75 percent. It is a 12 speed and Park recommends replacing the chain when at 0.5 percent, so it is time to get a new chain. The Turbo Vado 4 bike chain is still less than 0.5 percent, so it will be good for another season. As far as the brakes, no squealing yet on either bike, but a quick visual inspection of the remaining pad thickness indicates that the front brakes on the Cannondale, and the rear brakes on the Specialized bike are worn down to the point where they should be replaced this season. Both bikes have been pretty much trouble free. I've had to tighten the head tube on the Cannondale a couple of times as it seems to loosen on its own, and the rubber charging port cover on the Cannondale can be a bit finnicky (it doesn't always want to stay closed). I don't know if the rubber flap on the cover was defective from the start or if it is just a poor design. It is held in place with a pressure fit. The flap can be easily replaced with a new one, I've just put up with it popping open on its own from the beginning. It is more of a dust cover than anything else and it stays down most of the time when riding. I'm glad that Cannondale has moved the charging port on the new Tesero Neo bikes from the bottom bracket location to the side of the downtube as I think that is a better location.

Julie switched from the 2021 Tesoro Neo X1 to the 2022 Turbo Vado 4 because she felt that the Cannondale was too large for her (both bikes are the small frame size). It wasn't that she couldn't adjust the saddle low enough for her leg length, it was hopping on and off the bike that seemed to be her biggest complaint. The wheel diameter on the Cannondale is larger (29" on her Cannondale and 650 b, 27.5 on the Turbo Vado 4 ) and that makes the overall height from the saddle to the ground greater. When I put the bikes side by side, they don't seem all that different, but Julie says that she prefers a lower overall position. I notice on Cannondale's newer version of the Tesoro Neo bikes, the small frame size uses a smaller diameter wheel than the medium sized frames (27.5" on the small frame and 29" on all other frame sizes.) The other thing that Julie really likes on her Turbo Vado 4 bike is the ability to adjust the power assist in 10% increments, and there are only 4 levels of assist on her 2021 Cannondale. I think the Cannondale is a better bike for very rocky trails, especially with big cobbles, but for gravel roads and pavement, Julie prefers the Vado over the Cannondale.

Hi Susan. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have in the channel comments. The danger of either you or I posting our email address in a public forum is the risk of being bombarded with spam and unwanted emails. I wish there was a way to have a private conversation on the KZfaq platform, but as far as I know, there is none.

Sei il benvenuto. Grazie per esserti sintonizzato e buona estate. You are very welcome. Thanks for tuning in and have a great summer.

Sounds great. Have fun and thanks for tuning in.

I did not use the mini skins on my SBound 98's on this tour, but I did have them along. The traction pattern on these skis works very well on warm wet snow and I just used a lower angle of attack with switchbacks across the slope for the climbs. This particular ski route is a route I used to ski in my youth, last century (1970's), with my brothers, and so I picked the 98's more for nostalgic reasons. It certainly is more of a challenge to ski with lightweight gear than with my plastic boot telemark setup. In hindsight, my Hypervector / Xplore / Alfa Free would have been a better choice for the downhill sections, as the snow was very deep and heavy. I checked the snotel site before I left home and I was expecting a few inches of heavy spring snow on top of a hard consolidated base, but instead there were sections of the trail (away from the snowmobile tracks) where I was sinking 24 inches, and I just couldn't power my turns in the heavy snow. I did make several downhill runs, but they were not very graceful. Just for fun, you might check out this video I posted several years ago, skiing the basic route as this video under June snow conditions, skiing SBound 98's and 3 pin soft leathers. The capability of this setup is similar to what I skied back in the 70's and is similar to the Xplore/Alfa Vista setup in this video. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qLpgjK6XnsW1dKc.html

Thanks for tuning in and have a great week.

I was following the CDT route over Sublette Pass and it is used by snowmobiles. I won't ski this route mid winter for that reason. There were a few groups in the area and I was surprised to see them this late in the year. The fresh snow sure made everything look pristine, but it was very heavy and deep. Not ideal conditions, but a great outing none the less. Thanks for tuning in and have a great off season. :)

Thanks for tuning in and have a great summer.

Both songs in this video were created with the AI software, Udio. It this instance, I provided the lyrics and some specific musical guidance and it was able to generate this song. It is simply amazing.

@@tomm9850 Thanks for the info - bravo!

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It was fun to create and edit. Take care and have a great summer.

Thank you! Cheers!

Fingers crossed! All the best from us up North. :)

I've never been to Scandinavia but hope to someday. Take care and have a marvelous Summer.

I have the 112s and they work great in the deep stuff like this.

@geok9310 Thank you too and have a great weekend.

Perfect! Have a great summer. :)

Thanks for watching and have a great summer as well.

Thanks Andrew and the best to you as well.

Glad you enjoyed the AI music video. Thanks for tuning in and for posting.

Glad it was helpful! Take care and have a great weekend.

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for tuning in and for being a subscriber.

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for tuning in and for posting.

Thanks for tuning in and I hope you have a great weekend.

So the whole song was auto-generated using AI? That really is amazing! Nice visuals too by the way… I’m assuming those were not AI generated, 😂

@paulmelde919 The AI music software tool is very interesting. It can generate lyrics based on keywords or you can use your own lyrics. Amazing stuff.

Thanks so much for watching and for subscribing. River canoeing sounds wonderful and a great way to enjoy Spring. Take care and have fun.

Thanks for tuning in Richard and I'm glad you are enjoying the channel. Take care and have a great week.