Community Stories

The OF Clubhouse Water Cooler

CBM1590
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wagudc wagudc
It is amazing what some people can do. The other night my wife and I were discussing how amazing it is to watch really skilled boulderers. I happy to be able to do moderate / easy climbs at my age, and have no expectation of becoming an elite level climber.
I’m now to the age that a) my sons have been driving 10 or more years. I’ll never forget that unease seeing them drive solo down the drive. Unnerving; b) I can climb but am old enough to know better.

Speaking of climbing, if you haven’t seen Free Solo, it’s a must watch. Here’s the trailer.
 
wagudc
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CBM1590 CBM1590
I’m now to the age that a) my sons have been driving 10 or more years. I’ll never forget that unease seeing them drive solo down the drive. Unnerving; b) I can climb but am old enough to know better.

Speaking of climbing, if you haven’t seen Free Solo, it’s a must watch. Here’s the trailer.

I can't even watch videos of people free soloing. It gets my heart pumping too hard. I rarely climbing anything over 15ft, and when do I use a rope for protection.
 
p4ul
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wagudc wagudc
I can't even watch videos of people free soloing. It gets my heart pumping too hard. I rarely climbing anything over 15ft, and when do I use a rope for protection.

15ft??? Are you insane??
I am still shaking.

IMG_3269.jpeg
 
ghce
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p4ul p4ul
15ft??? Are you insane??
I am still shaking.

IMG_3269.jpeg

3 step! hey that's 2 steps more than I am comfortable with
 
p4ul
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ghce ghce
3 step! hey that's 2 steps more than I am comfortable with
Top one is completely off limits.😀
 
Waltesefalcon
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p4ul p4ul
Top one is completely off limits.😀

That's why it comes with the warning: "not a step, do not stand or sit on this step."
 
ahartfie
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Rather than having to go up 2 or 3 steps on my ladder, a few years ago I got leaf-protector gutters through Costco. I don’t miss having to clean out my house’s gutters at all.
 
Dsloan
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ahartfie ahartfie
Rather than having to go up 2 or 3 steps on my ladder, a few years ago I got leaf-protector gutters through Costco. I don’t miss having to clean out my house’s gutters at all.

I added those when we redid our roof a couple years ago. Some of the best money I've spent.
 
Archer
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ahartfie ahartfie
Rather than having to go up 2 or 3 steps on my ladder, a few years ago I got leaf-protector gutters through Costco. I don’t miss having to clean out my house’s gutters at all.

I had those added also. The thing is, the tops of the gutters still collect some debris, so every fall I still climb up there and clean them off, but it takes a fraction of the time it used to. It was pretty much an all day job before the guards.

I also still need to clean the laves off that collect in the valleys - I don't want them sitting there and rotting...

 
gbesq
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MRC MRC
Browsing Youtube yesterday I came across the IFSC BOULDER [climbing] Women's Final World Cup Bern 2023
I was astounded at what they could do. For anyone who has done any climbing in their past and worries about fitness it's an eye-opener. Spoiler: the oldest of the six finalists was 24 🙁
I was an avid climber in my youth, but like so many things I gave it up as I aged for concern about loss of strength, flexibility and getting hurt. I still sea kayak though as I’ve retained enough strength to jam a paddle blade into the gills or eye of any shark that gets a bit too curious.
IMG_0516.jpeg
 
ahartfie
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Archer Archer
I had those added also. The thing is, the tops of the gutters still collect some debris, so every fall I still climb up there and clean them off, but it takes a fraction of the time it used to. It was pretty much an all day job before the guards.

Beige Gardens, being a simple ranch-style house, has a very uncomplicated roofline. However, the giant oak tree that fell on it in 2009 managed to puncture holes right on either side of the valley. I needed a new roof after replacing it 18 months previously.

IMG_3626.jpeg
 
wagudc
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Archer Archer
I had those added also. The thing is, the tops of the gutters still collect some debris, so every fall I still climb up there and clean them off, but it takes a fraction of the time it used to. It was pretty much an all day job before the guards.

I also still need to clean the laves off that collect in the valleys - I don't want them sitting there and rotting...


Same issue here with the valleys and redwood needles piling up on top of the gutter guards. Plus, we get moss and algae growing in the gutters under the guards, so they have to bee moved to clean out under them. It is not entirely clear if in the net they are saving us work. We hire somebody to get up on our roof though, it is too high for me (two stories with 10 foot ceilings and a sloping lot.)
 
CBM1590
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The water cooler is only about three feet tall and requires no steps. It’s safe to come back 😁. I’m just leaning on it surfing the ‘net trying to figure out if the $15 Italian leather strap on Amazon is really $85-$100 less in quality and looks from the Veblenist or Bulang and Sons versions for my Speedy. 👍
 
wagudc
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$15 dollars sounds a little cheap for a strap, my guess is that it is crap. You can go cheaper but not too cheap. I own a number of Colareb straps that are in the $40 range and are of good quality.
Edited:
 
CBM1590
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wagudc wagudc
$15 dollars sounds a little cheap for a strap, my guess is that it is crap. You can go cheaper but not too cheap. I own a number of Colareb straps that are in the $40 range that are of good quality.
Good thought. Was contemplating these two,..but I am admittedly miserly at times, hence the saunter down Amazon Lane (But who the hell puts a $15 strap on a Speedmaster??)
 
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wagudc
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CBM1590 CBM1590
But who the hell puts a $15 strap on a Speedmaster??

I wouldn't. I think a bracelet is the way to go with the Speedy. I have bought $15 Natos from Amazon and they were to chintzy feeling for me to want to wear them. I think $30-$40 is about the lower bound to get a wearable strap in my opinion.
 
CBM1590
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Love the bracelet, but I am seriously stuck between sizing. Take a link out and too tight, leave it in adjust the micro adjust and it’s a bit big.
 
ErichPryde
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CBM1590 CBM1590
Love the bracelet, but I am seriously stuck between sizing. Take a link out and too tight, leave it in adjust the micro adjust and it’s a bit big.

Add another micro adjust. You can either do it yourself if you have a miniature drill press (0.9mm is probably the right size bit, and I recommend cobalt bits) or take it to an experienced Jeweler who can do that for you. Used to be "common" practice...
 
CBM1590
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
Add another micro adjust. You can either do it yourself if you have a miniature drill press (0.9mm is probably the right size bit, and I recommend cobalt bits) or take it to an experienced Jeweler who can do that for you. Used to be "common" practice...
Thanks for the tip! I don’t have a drill press so I’ll have to find a jeweler who can do it for me.
 
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