haven't seen Greg around much lately

 

I was thinking the same yesterday.

 

thanks for thinkin of me guys.

Where to start?? Main thing is that winter is coming here and I have a 200+ year old house that still is under restoration and it needs to get buttoned up before the snow gets here.
Car had some suspension design issues that still need to be rectified. My fabricator came down with a very sever case of Lime Disease so that really has slowed us down. I had to walk away from the car for a while as it was getting to me. Though do know that it is still in full swing and will be done and will impress.

I still poke in here often to see what's up and have posted a few times in the last few weeks. I'm keeping my eye out on all of you to make sure you are all behaving....

 

Thanks for the update...... of course we are thinking of you..... take care of all that needs your attention.....

 

Thanks Bob.

One thing I have done is put myself on a pretty rigorous workout program and healthy diet. Mostly due to knowing that being in shape get's better race results. I've lost about 30 lbs and am in pretty fit shape now. hope I can keep it up till race time...

I work out for about an hour 3 times a week on a Total Gym. I have to say that it's a very good piece of equipment. I then do about 35 min every other night on a treadmill while watching racing videos. I try and watch as much in car footage as I can find.

This might even make a good thread here in the racing section. We seem to not really talk about how to prepare the driver, but rather just the car.

 

Greg, I used my Total Gym tonight, and I too really like it. I have several types of equipment, including a self-spotting bench, but the Total Gym does the job very well. I'm usually trying to bulk-up though, like for a mtn climb, or an arm-wrestling competition...

I heard a bit about your home from Randy of M7, and it sounds very interesting! I've been busting hump on mine also, most recently doing research on retaining walls. I just might go with gabions to serve this purpose...

Until the M62 comes-out, I'm in a holding pattern of sorts. I'm virtually almost done in terms of modifying my MCS, and should be for sure by this time next year. I'm actually more excited about yours! Can't wait to see you racing next Spring...

 

Why gabions? Bad (native) soil bearing capacity? Streambed? Erosion control issues?

There are much better ways to go...........

 

First, sorry to Bob and Greg.... but this has been consuming me for quite some time...

Craig, I guess because I have a ton (literally) of rocks and boulders lying around, is one reason... They don't seem to make for pressure build-up (hydrostatic?) concerns like most, or all other retaining wall systems, necessetating drainage provisions. Price too, I suppose is a reason... Not the best-looking, I agree...

Living in canyon, I don't have a lot of flat land. I see a need in three areas, all for different purposes. The most important of which is behind my home, where the elevation increases about 10 feet very quickly (steep, like 70-90 degrees). Somone before literally just slapped-on concrete right over the earth, and it's busting-up now...

Another spot is an open area that is relatively flat, but I want it more so for a "sport court"... think hoops, volleyball, 1/2 court tennis with wall, etc... about 50' x 50' in size. The elevation drop over this area is not much, maybe a foot or two. Just want a wall of sorts on the lower side, to make it level...

The other location, I'll spare ya...

Craig, besides the interlocking systems that one sees at The Home Depot, what else should I ponder? The cheapo concrete rectangular blocks (w/ 2 square holes) look like they would work also, just not look as nice... If you have any links, kindly share, via PM, if you don't mind...

Sorry again guys!

 

Google Hilfiker - they manufacture gabion systems but also an MSE wall system - with a gabion face for aesthetics. I just build one for Marin County to repair a wahed out portion of Paradise Drive and was impressed with how cheaply and quickly we were able to repair a 200' long slide (nearly 25' high).

Verdura makes a stackable wall that is open celled and plantable - thus no hydrostatic concerns. I installed an 80' by 4' high one in my backyard where we abut the creek. Total cost was about $3,600.00.

The problem with gabions is that the baskets easily deform, you need to use the correct rocks (rip rap or light facing material) or you run the risk of the rocks shifting and damaging or ruining the baskets. The correct rocks are usually fairly angular to prevent shifting.

Anyway, to keep this thread on track - I miss Onasled's videos...........

 

I do have Hilfiker bookmarked actually, but I'll check their MSE wall system. Checking Verdura now... Thanks much!

 

Used to do it religiously! Just started getting back to it after about 5 years of not doing it at all.
Here is my oldy but still very goody! (of course I built it myself .. )

 

Good ole Specialized! They are like 20 minutes from me (same city)...

At least we are gradually getting more back to topic as now the discusson involves a mode of transportation! You ought to get a nice recumbent bike (good for the back) during the Winter months. Between that and the Total Gym, you'll be well-covered.