My gym survived my idiot governor’s covid shutdown. Not all gyms were so lucky. With things kind of sort of back to normal, and yet another covid variant on the way (*yawn*), I was wondering what the financial side of gym ownership is.
It turns out not to be so easy to get reliable numbers from public sources. I have little doubt franchisors and multi-location gyms have excellent financial information. The same goes for the various segments of the fitness industry. But it doesn’t look like much of it is publicly available. What follows is what I could cobble together from readily available sources.
The single biggest cost is likely to be rent. It is also the most variable cost. We’re talking real estate, so it is all about square footage and location, location, location. I’ve heard the rent for Tundra’s garage gym is pretty cheap: $20. Same as downtown. Or that might just be rumor.
Equipment costs are another huge variable. The gym’s size and type of equipment will determine the final cost. All those fancy machines with a light show like a slot machine don’t come cheap. It’s hard to nail down any sort of typical number hear. From what I can tell, a large gym will spend about $100,000 per year to rent its equipment.
Video and sound equipment has become a fixture in many gyms. It may look like all those TVs sprouted out of the wall, but someone had to buy them. The (horrible) music they pipe in is very likely licensed unless the gym is playing a local music station.
Like every other business in America, your gym better have insurance. The oaf who drops an 80 lb dumbbell on his foot isn’t responsible. It must be gym’s fault. From what I can find, gym owners should expect to spend at least $10,000 annually on liability insurance.
Staff salaries and training is maddeningly difficult to nail down. I checked fitness trainers’ salaries in my area, and it is very inconsistent. If you work full-time for a national chain, gym pay is about $22 per hour for a full time position. If you work for a smaller outfit, then the position is likely part-time but ranges from $30-$50 per hour. You are also likely to be able to do your side hustle as a trainer at the gym. Does the gym get a cut of your side hustle? I can’t tell.
Gyms will likely pay about 7% of their gross revenue in marketing costs. Interestingly, nothing suggests this varies by size or how long the gym has been open. That can’t be right. One gym consultant did have an excellent bit of advice for owners. He pointed out it costs nine times as much to acquire a new customer as to re-enroll an existing one. When I think about the different gym memberships I’ve had, it appears some owners got the message and others didn’t.
Remember when Scott Ian had hair? This week’s music does.
Firsting down the highway…
heavy metal thunder?
Lookin’ for first adventure…
Dammit. I had constructed a new word and then autocorrect fucked it.
I’ve been waiting for you to reveal your new word.
Broshittaward.
I think you coined a word for firsters that are not on subject. They earn the Broshittaward and deservedly so.
Apropos for Oscar night.
Just so you know, I stared down this thread for 10 minutes wanting to post. But I was too eager to see the reply to my “protein comment” in the previous thread.
You only scored a “pity first”. I was about to first you so hard, you’d be wearing Kotex for the next 6 weeks like you were the new fish on Riker’s.
I’m benevolent. You’re welcome.
I was just finishing up Firsting your mother. I showed your girl the old First Penis this morning.
She called. Even at 78, she was a little disappointed.
Do better.
There’s a point where so many sausages have been down that hallway, that it’s just damaged beyond repair. Not even the First Penis can do anything with those scuffed floors and broken lights.
Nah.
She’s very self-aware.
She asked me to be your friend after she’s gone.
She’s good people, even though she gave birth to Tres. I won’t hold that against her.
Big Vagina Syndrome is becoming a common disease. It’s a shame you won’t do anything to cure BVS.
https://youtu.be/2lPMf4scsTg
My wife and I are snowbirds, living in OH and going to FL Jan-Mar. We have a nice home gym in OH, but have to find facilities in FL. This year we used the little gym at the condo complex for our workouts, but next year I expect we’ll need bigger weights and better facilities. What’s a reasonable monthly cost for a gym?
It looks like many gyms want you to sign up for an annual membership, but obviously we only need a membership for 3 months.
That is likely to be a problem. You can often find monthly membership fees between $9 and $20. I would check local ads to see if any gym offers membership without an annual contract. I’m willing to bet at least one regional chain will but there’s probably an enrollment fee.
Probably depends on where you are; and, yes, a lot of gyms don’t do short-term or daily use passes. When they do, it’s usually pretty expensive.
I spend most of the summer in an expensive part of CO. A twelve-month membership is $110/month (which is really high. In flyover country where I live most of the year, I pay $40 p.m. for more facilities). In CO, monthly is $125; or you can buy a 10-visit punch pass for $160. The drop-in rate is $20/visit.
So, if I was going three times/week, the 12-month works out to less than $10/visit; the monthly works out to about $12.50/visit. Punch pass = $16/visit.
I’d expect most gyms in areas with a lot of tourists or transient population (i.e. college towns) to have daily or short-term passes. I’d also expect them to be expensive.
Areas without those either of those, I wouldn’t expect many gyms to have daily or short term passes.
Yeah, good point. Re: Planet Fitness; I pay more because I prefer to swim for my aerobic activity and the gym I use (Genesis) has a pool. And also a steam room and hot tub.
I’ll point out that just because they don’t have it doesn’t mean that an enterprising manager won’t make an exception for you. More likely to have something like that happen at a local gym than at a national one, though.
Yes! Thanks for that, it triggered a memory. I’ve had a gym manager, at an Anytime Fitness no less, do that for me. I had to pay cash, which I was OK with.
When I was in college, the gym across the street from my dad’s place did 3 month summer memberships for college kids for maybe $70 cash?
A gym I used during my undergrad years was like that. I preferred to using the University’s facilities that were ostensibly available for students. Back then, there weren’t many of such facilities and the sports teams always had priority for them.
The college girls are probably the cheapest marketing plan ever.
I think a reasonable monthly cost is going to vary by region.
Here in southern NH, I’m paying $20.99/month, which I think is about in the middle.
Planet Fitness is cheap nationwide, I think $10/month regardless of the part of the country, but on the other hand, it’s Planet Fitness.
I briefly looked in Anytime Fitness a few years ago. They are nationwide or nearly nationwide. I think they averaged $35/month with the actual monthly fee varying by region.
#vanlife people have gym memberships so they can take showers more cheaply than at truck stops.
Usually Planet Fitness.
That is smart.
Hah! When we were re-doing our bathroom, I was making the 5 minute drive to the gym about 4 mornings a week to shower & shave.
I want to tour the us in a comfy car and stay in hotels.
Not meant for RV lyfe
IDK, the fine folk in Miami, OK might change your mind. https://youtu.be/T4mwP45ZY1A
Thanks all for the insight/advice. It may be worth paying for an annual since we’re using a gym 5 days/week. I’m also going to check out the YMCA, where you can get a couples membership.
Was going to suggest the Y. The local one isn’t the cheapest but did offer 10 visit cards and had a pool.
Another option is gym’s offer intro passes or half dozen visits for potential member, and gym hop to the next one.
Hmmm… good suggestion. Looks like we’ll have to make some calls/visits next Jan when we return to FL.
My gym survived my idiot governor’s covid shutdown. Not all gyms were so lucky. With things kind of sort of back to normal, and yet another covid variant on the way (*yawn*), I was wondering what the financial side of gym ownership is.
The Democrat’s only announced candidate for NH governor announced that if elected, depending on the numbers, he’ll impose a mask mandate. Yay. Hopefully he loses.
On the costs of running a gym, I remember Rippetoe said something during the lockdown insanity of insurers and banks taking into consideration lockdowns and their disruptions on businesses, which Rippetoe thought would lead to fewer commercial gyms.
The oaf who drops an 80 lb dumbbell on his foot isn’t responsible.
Oof.
I dropped a ten pound plate on my foot once. I was unloading a barbell and not paying attention to what I was doing. There was a 10 lb plate on the outside of a 45 lb plate. I pulled the 45 pound plate off, dragging the 10 lb plate with it. Since I didn’t have my hand on the 10 lb plate, it dropped like a rock onto my foot. Ouch. Nothing broken at least.
I checked fitness trainers’ salaries in my area, and it is very inconsistent.
One of the trainers I worked with at my gym told me at this chain (a small chain with locations in NH, MA, and NY), trainers do not receive a base salary. It’s straight commission from clients’ training fees. One of their benefits though is being able to use the gym for free.
My weight is up. I ate like shit over the last week. 277.7 lbs.
The trainer I was working with left the gym to move to Florida. I decided to cancel my training contract, but keep the regular gym membership. A trainer I used to work with has his own gym. He’s cheaper. I’ll go work with him. In the meantime, I have lots of unused sessions at my current gym. I’ll be working a trainer my previous trainer recommended to use up those sessions. She has a bulged disc in the same spot where my disc is herniated. She and I talked a bit. I’m going to try safety bar squatting as the next step to go back to squatting normally again.
“I have lots of unused sessions at my current gym. I’ll be working a trainer my previous trainer recommended to use up those sessions. She has a bulged disc in the same spot where my disc is herniated.”
Either the perfect person to work with or the worst.
Best of luck on the back.
From chatting with a couple of the instructors at the spin studio I go to, most of them also work as personal trainers or at other studios. Most are also still in college and taking classes as well.
Weight has been down to within striking distance of initial goal weight again (St. Patrick’s Day basically just paused losses for the week). I’m just about to use up the last of the classes that have built up over last summer and will be able to pause the membership (~$40/month for 4 classes, drop in classes run $15). I managed to hit a new personal best for max wattage yesterday (1,398 watts), and pulled off a 75 minute ride with average power of 200 watts (25 miles estimated traveled).
Related to my post above asking about monthly gym costs, I mentioned that I’m currently using the condo complex gym. One of the pieces of equipment is a Bowflex with 310 lbs of rods. This was my first time using a Bowflex and was positively interested in using it. Then I learned about how the rods lose their tension over time (and this is an old piece of equipment). The “310 lbs” doesn’t even feel like 100 lbs. I was more challenged by some large bands that I brought with me from home. Anyone else have any experience with Bowflex?
I have a Bowflex here at home. One thing you can (need to) do to preserve the rod stiffness is to release the tension on them when you’re not using the machine.
Mine has held up pretty well. I bought it nearly 20 years ago, used. It had been very lightly used by the previous owner and it still does the trick for me. I haven’t tried to measure the tension on it though. You can buy replacement rods for them quite readily.
They do have a velcro strap to hold them together without tension between uses (and have a sign to remind people), but the rods are spent. We’re only renting, so I don’t feel like I have the right to request upgrades/replacements.
That’s impressive that you’ve been able to make yours last nearly 20 years.
Well, it’s not impressive at all when you consider how much time it has spend idle 😀
I think you might also be able to reverse the position of the bows on the machine and flex them the opposite direction when they begin to take on a set in the original direction. Not 100% sure of this, but it seems like it’s possible.
Plus I think it makes a difference in that a spring-based system like a Bowflex doesn’t have a constant resistance curve. The resistance depends on the flexion of the bow, so you’re only really getting the “310 lbs force” at a certain point in the flex curve. For instance when I do leg presses on the Bowflex, it’s trivially easy at the normal position on the machine, even to do ankle extensions or whatever they’re called. So I put spacers in so I can preload the bows and the exercise is done over a range of the bow that offeres more resistance.
Sounds significantly finicky.
So, my wife has had a bit of first hand experience with this stuff in the boutique fitness side of things. Her soon-to-be-former gym was bought by a group that was used to doing big box fitness, and the differences in business model are pretty extreme.
For big box, new accounts are the gold standard. The marginal equipment wear rate is minimal, but most people forget about a $40/month charge and let it run even when they don’t really use it anymore. In boutique, at the $150/month plus price range, nobody forgets about it and just lets it run. Retention is the key for them.
Equipment costs and life cycle are different, too. Some gyms own their equipment, and we have been the beneficiary of equipment refreshes (there’s a commercial treadmill sitting in our dining room that cost us $20 in “thanks, buddy” money for the guy who hauled it to our house). The equipment in boutique is replaced more often because down time is unacceptable. There are people assigned to each station, and maybe they have an extra station just in case a piece of equipment breaks.
The staff costs are different, too. Big box tend to be entry level type jobs, maybe getting into the low $20s per class for group fitness. The personal trainers are making very little, and the office staff is making piddly crap. At boutique, the trainers are making $25-35 per class. Usually there are minimum and maximum per-week class requirements, often minimum of 6 classes and maximum of 15. Practically, most trainers will teach 10 classes per week. There are also positions like head trainer and studio manager that pay more, but start looking more like a 9 to 5 job. Depending on the company, some will take anybody with any sort of fitness accreditation and an active CPR cert. Some require fitness tests, certain specific accreditations (spin, for example), or other qualifications. Gyms, generally, struggle with retention of employees. It tends to be filled with young single men and women who washed out of some other fitness or health career path, and are often struggling to jump completely out of the nest. The concomitant drama is ever-present.
I have never ever thought about this before. It clearly makes sense and explains a lot of things about subscription based services, and why they are often very likely to offer deep discounts to retain customers who make noise about leaving. This would apply to all kinds of businesses in addition to gyms–SiriusXM, for instance, or in the old days, magazine subscriptions, or online investment tip services.
By having higher prices up front, they load the costs of recruitment (primarily advertising or maybe attending conferences, etc.) on the new customers. If a customer doesn’t make noise afterward, they keep paying the higher cost, or maybe the business will automatically give them a “loyal customer” discount after a year or two, but newer customers are paying for their own recruitment and possibly even subsidizing older customers.
I haven’t ever considered this before, as I said–it’s interesting to me that I had no insight here.
One thing that (and I don’t remember the exact number) absolutely blew my mind when I heard it was that only some small fraction of paying gym members actually use it in a given month. I want to say it was less than 30%.
Yeah, that’s pretty surprising but some people 1) like to have “capabilities” even if they don’t exercise (heh) them frequently, and 2) don’t like to admit they’re giving up–either to themselves or to others.
About 18% of members actually went to the gym consistently. Out of those who actively used their gym membership, 49.9% got to the gym at least twice a week. Another 24.2% made it to the gym at least once a week.
Less than 1 in every 10 paying members go more than weekly.
https://www.glofox.com/blog/10-gym-membership-statistics-you-need-to-know/
Those numbers sound right to me based on some past research I’ve done.
Folks like me that go consistently are not a gym owner’s best friend. The folks that don’t go, and therefore don’t cause wear and tear on the equipment, are.
I seem to recall Penn and Teller’s Bullshit had those stats in one of their episodes.
I drive by the Penn and Teller billboard ads routinely. Thinking about going in…
The resident shows are Katy Perry and some other shit I don’t care for that much.
But Penn and Teller are cool…
I’ve seen Penn and Teller’s show at the Rio.
It was good.
+1 caught bullet
Via Adam Carolla – looks like Carrot Top has a residence show going on.
Also, Brad Williams (midget dude, pretty funny) is doing a show with Cirque de Soleil later this summer).
I bet there’s similar numbers for streaming channels.
GlibFit.
https://archive.ph/NdfEv
NSFW.
Hurray for NSFW
The single biggest cost is likely to be rent. It is also the most variable cost. We’re talking real estate, so it is all about square footage and location, location, location.
The wife and kids take martial arts and krav maga at a great local place. There’s 3 or 4 locations, and I think the owner is looking at adding gym equipment. More like a Crossfit type gym. They’ve been adding yoga and self defense classes already. Would offer firearms training if they can find a suitable outdoor location. Really a neat place.
We live very rural though so an “all in one” kind of place does better than multiple separate businesses. *Looks at the combined grocery and hardware store down the road*
In other news I finally applied for a position at theIndian casino right up the street. This time I’m coming in recommended for the Maintainence department, and they need people bad.
And yes, Fuck BK!
They wouldn’t let you have it your way?
When I was in Cville, I subscribed to Snap Fitness (very nice little 24 hour franchise) – great local management, good location, nice gear – lots of floor space, etc (individual TVs on each treadmill/elliptical!). They closed down for COVID around the same time I started my new job so didn’t miss them too much. Assume they’ve reopened. (about $40/month)
Base gym is pretty good – when it’s open and when they don’t make you mask…and when they allow contractors/reservists in and not just active duty.
A couple months ago after the last “restrictions” were implemented, I finally signed up with a local 24hr gym. Should have started with them as soon as I got here. Independent, no connections, no mandates in Jan – didn’t check any earlier. Gear is mostly used, but still quite a bit of it even if I have to improvise for some of the exercises since some of their machines are alternates for what I prefer – also different weights on some making it a little complicated to figure out the baseline – once I’ve gotten realigned pretty smooth. Not quite as much floor space or as many benches, etc – but not too bad if I’m on night shift – haven’t yet had time to go in since I switched work shifts last week. I think they just play an amazon music channel – pretty good sometimes but gets a little repetitive some times. Also about $40-50/month
There was a gym down the street that went out of business because the state didn’t deem them essential, so they had to shut down. This did not stop the county for charging them a property tax on every piece of equipment in the gym during the time they were legally prevented from earning any income.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bellingham
Indeed.
He used a 50 caliber pistol!?! How did he not break his wrist?
Black powder, I expect.
“ A subscription was raised for the widow and children of Bellingham, and “their fortune was ten times greater than they could ever have expected in any other circumstances”.”
?
That’s lamppost worthy.
https://geektyrant.com/news/expert-bowler-amusingly-shows-off-some-cool-trick-shots-in-this-1948-short-film
Pretty impressive. Never seen pins jump the lane, but I guess that’s mostly due to placement.
I’m 90 percent the man I used to be.
Still more converting of fat into sweat and carbon dioxide to go.
Rowed the machine or walked the hills every day this week except for Friday.
I can recommend the Jordan Harbinger podcast #547 and 548 with Mickey Royal: Former Pimp. I learned many interesting things about the business side of pimping.
I’m 90 percent the man I used to be.
You lost one-fifth of a testicle?
I’m sitting in the car outside the very local (<2 miles from the house) dive bar, and the hubs is still inside the bar. He thinks he’s In better shape to drive than I am, but that is just his conceit. He’ failed the vision test at the DMV and cannot accept that.
Plus he’s drunk as a skunk so I’m not sure whether to fight this one or let it go.
We are quite close to home after all.
Disclaimer: yea I’ve had 2 glasses of wine but he’s had what adds up to a fifth of rum. Projection is strong with this one.
Whatever. Gonna sit in the Tesla and stream Father Brown mysteries.
good for you
also: two mile Uber rides are super super super cheap
^^^
We are safe at home.
Thanks, Elon!!
Huzzah!
It’s a hell of a lot cheaper to drink at home than at a bar.
Right? I haven’t been to a bar in years.
Got three more walks with the dog this weekend. It’s interesting to see So many relatively fresh pine needles on the ground from branches and trunks destroyed by the February ice storm.
And the bikers have been through since last weekend to clear almost everything that fell across the trails.
Chafed!
I’ve heard the rent for Tundra’s garage gym is pretty cheap: $20. Same as downtown. Or that might just be rumor.
It’s basement, but yeah. If any of you want to lift while you are in the Denver area, I got you! And there is a new Tap House a block away, so we can pound the electrolytes after the workout!
Another good week. I got all my lifting and hiking in. It’s so weird how you have these down times, even if you are disciplined.
Yesterday’s hike was an easy 4.4 miles with a 950 foot elevation gain. Met yet another Border Collie that makes me think I should have one.
Kick some ass this week, Glibfitters!
Tundra: are you in Denver or just outside?
Aren’t there a few other Glibs in the area?
I’m in far NW Arvada. Right on the edge of the suburbs.
There are a bunch of Glibs in CO, but most are further away from the shithole.
You get out here much?
I’m usually either on the way to the western slope or on the way back. But, in May, might be staying a night in Denver (probably a Sunday). I’ll be heading west on I70. If you’re interested, I’ll let you know if plans get firmed up.
minnetundra@ those motherfuckers from Mountain View.
Wow, USMNT taking care of business early.
W00t
Almost makes up for the de rigeur painfully slow and flourishy rendition of the national anthem.
I didn’t turn on the TV until after the anthems were over.
I normally do that but I was curious about the ramifications of this match. Which they talk about during the game anyway as I should know by now.
I made it to Brooklyn, and boy is my body feeling it. I did get some good walking in this morning, but I have been lax in my stretching and it shows, so I need to get back on track with that. On the plus side, this hotel doesn’t have an infestation of hooers, though I bet if I asked I could borrow some stretch marks ,as there seemed to be plenty to spare.
I will check out the gym in the basement tomorrow, as I think that’ll be nice.
Garage gym FTW. Mrs. Dean fitted it out, probably $4K, at a guess.
The advantage is there is no excuse for not hitting the gym every day. An advantage I have is a full time live in trainer. Which is nice.
The nice thing about an at home gym is that you can often get components for really freaking cheap if you’re willing to be patient.
culture warriors have got to be the stupidest fucking people ever.
“ So, you’re into tit milk from another species? Brilliant.”
Yup. Stupidest. Fucking. People. Ever.
“And beer is beer. Don’t give me one of those new beers I want the lightest watery American beer you have. ?”
+1 insightful
Real men drink their coffee black, no sugar anyway.
We now all know that you drink your coffee like a commie now.
Far, far less stupid than the people who think that retiring from the culture war, will somehow immunize them from the effects of losing…
As a conscientious objector to the culture/race wars, I have to , respectfully, disagree. The only way to “win” is not to play.
You do seem to get quite worked up about it.
Touché
I cannot seem to improve my cardio. I’ve been running my whole life and could just up and run 5 miles without thinking about it, now I’m lucky to make 2. Not really sure what’s happening but my stamina is completely wrecked. I “look” like I should be able to keep up, but cannot seem to get out of my own way anymore and it’s frustrating the hell out of me. I’m quite sure it’s almost entirely mental too, which just makes it all the more frustrating.
I need to start keeping track of what I’m doing better and go at it with a plan.
Getting old?
Maybe just take it a little slower if its the distance you need.
“Not really sure what’s happening but my stamina is completely wrecked.”
You’re old?
“I’m quite sure it’s almost entirely mental too”
In all seriousness, this is very likely it. I’ve found, for example, that just by counting down the number of pushups I do, rather than just counting them, I can do 2, 3, even 5 more. Stupid brain.
I don’t think it’s age considering I’m mid-30s. Could be.
I’m quite sure it’s stress. Many years ago I had what felt like a stroke and had a battery of tests done. They didn’t find anything wrong. They said I’m too stressed out. To this day I’ve never felt quite the same, but I’m pretty sure it is stress because I was able to reach my goal of running 5 miles in less than 40 minutes not too long ago…I just can’t hardly breathe while doing it.
I don’t feel particularly stressed but I know that I am. Blood pressure is through the roof pretty much all the time. Gives me migraines sometimes. Just wish I could push past it and run again without feeling like someone has my lungs and heart in a vice.
Chronic high BP can be exhausting.
https://philmaffetone.com
Download the free book and actually follow his plan.
You will freak out.
I’m not saying; I’m just saying.
https://practicalselfreliance.com/clean-gut-squirrel/
Oh lord… I’m eating.
We have blackies in abundance, may as well make a stew with some Taters!
“ Take a sharp knife and slice just above the anus to sever the tailbone.”
The Qaddafi method?
I just realized I haven’t spoken a word all day, it’s very strange.
I think I spoke some words at the supermarket and liquor store today. But yeah, on weekends I don’t talk to anyone. It’s nice.
I get lonely,and still need human contact, weekends are the worst.
Aw 🙁
I guess I’ve always been a bit of a loner. Not that I’m proud of that or anything.
I’m quite the loner, mostly on a professional level, but I like my friends, busy as they may be,
Thanks rhy! you are a good egg
Hmm, this may explain why the hate-birds are so hateful.
If they were domesticated, and then rebelled, that could leave a lot of residual hate. Imagine if this ever happens with chickens.
All chickens have to do is be less tasty and we’ll leave them alone.
I first read the subtitle as “Goyim Economics”.
If the shoe fits….
I finally got out in my garage gym this past week, first time(s) since November. I gave my heavy stuff away to my bee partner who’s also a Glib lurker on occasion. Treadmill and Weider machine. Still cold in the garage and I need to start slowly and build up some stamina. Feels good after not doing anything all winter.
I’m happy to be mobile, still got some issues but they aren’t going away.
Going into the low 20s here tonight, after a couple weeks of spring. What the hell, March?
90% of the lurkers come for The Bro.
Had a great ride up and over the coastal range and down some single track to the Pacific today. Storm was rolling in and by the time I stopped winds were hitting 40mph. It’s beautiful up there even on a cloudy day. Met the wife and kids at the bottom and stuffed our faces at a local taqueria.
https://imgur.com/a/hWHE6R6
Stoked that I got the climbing permit to do Mt Whitney this summer. Gotta keep up the cardio so that trail doesn’t beat me too hard.
Fresh air! Also, these pics look like proof of life photos for your bike.
Heheh. I like my bike. Bought it last year to get back into mountain biking again. For many years I’d just been on the pavement with two wheels.
Good. Getting out of the city helps the mental health. My buddy bought this e bike and I gotta admit it’s a blast to ride. Gets up to 25kph in about 3,4 pedals.
https://ibb.co/GCBbPxM
Nice ride. Congrats on the permit. Whitney is on my bucket list.
Nice!.
I do miss that part of California. Used to drive over to Half Moon Bay from San Leandro & Hayward and then drive up and down the coast. Unfortunately, there was no such thing as mountain bikes back then. Tried the french 10 speed on a fire break once and got just a few yards before I got flat tire.
Thanks guys. Yes it is actually one of the great benefits of living here that some pretty great nature is not far away. For most of my ride today once I got off the main fire road I didn’t see anyone, and this is about a 15 minute drive from the city, really only a few miles as the crow flies to SFO.
I’m still jealous of you in rural Montana though Mikey. If it wasn’t for the family I’d be out of the Bay.
Yep Jaime, I’m stoked. It’s been on my bucket list for a long time and this is my third time applying since they put in the permit system. Got my first choice of date and it’s an overnight so we will be backpacking the first few miles in. Many years ago I tried and failed to climb Shasta, but I think Whitney is easier even though it’s higher. You can also look on the recreation.gov website and at 6am on a day in May (believe its May 1) they release all the unclaimed dates, so you may get lucky that way if you would like to try to get up there this summer.
Cherry blossoms are about half bloom. No work for the wife and I. No school for the kid. We’re gonna enjoy the afternoon sitting on a blanket in the park, drinking sake.
Have fun! Cherries are blossoming in town but not at the house yet. Daffodils are up. Rebirth is in the air.
Very nice. Is spring break in Japan as fun as Florida?
Dunno. My kid still has cram school tonight even though the school year is over.
Cramming for an exam when school is out sounds like white supremacy. Should I send you a copy of Anti-Racist Baby?
SOMETHING HAPPENED AT THE OSCARS! SOMETHING ENTERTAINING!
WILL SMITH WENT UP ON STAGE AND PUNCHED CHRIS ROCK.
I saw a clip of it. I saw a couple of other clips which tell me it’s still a leftist lovefest. Can’t wait to see how crappy their viewership numbers are this year.
With all the talk about dropping viewership and it dying, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was staged, to be honest.
Not staged
https://youtu.be/2OmaC6CmC5k
Am I supposed to be outraged that Smith punched Rock after making jokes about his wife?
I haven’t seen anyone outraged one way or the other. It was two black guys so there’s no real angle to play there. I think it’s more just entertaining.
Yes.he said “I am looking forward to seeing Jada in the remake of GI Jane. ”
Will Smith has said much worse himself hundreds of times. It was a pretty solid joke.
Chris rock once joked about 50 cent while hosting “50 cent is here… He has taken more shots to the face than Jenna Jaimison”. And that dude has legit gangster credentials, having convictions for selling cocaine and assault and having been shot 9 times. He laughed.
Will Smith was not even asked to leave.
Imagine attending a show, and someone walks onstage and hits a performer… And the venue does nothing. Can you see that happening?
Even if it is a bar and the band is playing and some drunk dude tries to assault the base player…. They are throwing the guy out at a minimum, and probably calling the cops.
But we are so terrified in this country that they did nothing. Smith sat down and enjoyed the show… Then claimed hero status by claiming God had called him to spread love and to protect people. He apologized to the academy. But not the dude he hit.
Why did that happen? Why did the audience applaud on cue when he said that? Is it because they think it is ok to hit the comedian during a presentation?
Or is it because the rules have gotten so convoluted that they did not know what to do?
I propose that it is the latter. The producers and security had only a moment to consider.. and they were afraid of what it would look like to escort a prominent black star out of the room. You can see Chris Rock look to the wings, presumably to the stage manager like”what are you doing?”. Presumably he got the “keep going” sign. He seemed quite shaken at that point. Certainly if he were at Funny Bones or The Improv they would have removed the guy who assaulted him.
But what does a woke Hollywood crew do? Can’t allow a black performer to be assaulted onstage. But can’t be seen arresting or manhandling a major African American star either.
They were stuck.
But imagine if Chris Hemsworth had stomped up there and smacked Chris Rock… You think they just sit there? Or is he out on his ass, up on charges?
I can tell you this… The press coverage is certainly different.
The US press is covering it with kid gloves. ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox all say variations of “Smith appeared to strike Chris Rock”. ABC called it an “altercation.
NBC was surprisingly the most comprehensive. They said he slapped him.
But go overseas and it is completely different .. BBC News says “will Smith hits Chris Rock onstage”. Had at least quadruple the coverage of the US mainstream. In response to people online questioning their lack of response, the academy tweeted that they do not condone violence. And they wanted everyone to get to receive their adulation for their accomplishments.
Imagine Jussie Smollett’s getting slapped by Kid Rock. Think it goes down this way?
I get Will Smith. Dude has a crazy wife (who has repeatedly been his ex wife) and who apparently has no qualms about cucking him in public. One of the female hosts made a joke about that (saying Jada says it is OK if she takes him in the back and hooks up). Although he laughed it off. I am sure that was burning him up. So she got Chris slapped. Well, that and a few drinks and maybe some steroid use.
But what worries me is the response. The venue did nothing. Security did nothing. And the audience supported him and applauded him, albeit somewhat tepidly.
And the press is flummoxed. They are afraid to say anything that might offend the activists. So they are saying as little as possible.
Nobody held their powder dry when Woody Hayes hit a player…even though he was an old man and the player was in full gear and unlikely to be even marginally hurt. He was out on his ass that day. And everyone excoriated him.
But 40 some odd years later, you have to walk on eggshells if a far left African American does something contemptible, even. If he does it to another far left African American. To the point where they were afraid to send in the bouncers. And that is a worrying symptom of a sick society.
While I’m still not outraged, I can’t disagree with much of that assuming the moment wasn’t staged to garner attention.
This is also kind of the natural end point of treating words like violence. It’s OK to slap the comedian who makes an insensitive joke. Comedy is dead. You aren’t allowed to offend and mean words/beliefs justify violence in response.
No one arrested Buzz Aldrin either. I think in both cases, the assailants exercised poor judgement and the victims weren’t entirely innocent. Into symptoms of a sick society, I’d throw the lack of physical violence particularly bullying in childhood, along with a coarsening of culture where that sort of humor is the norm.
“coarsening of culture where that sort of humor is the norm.”
I blame Don Rickles. The culture’s been pretty course for a long time.
Cyto, that’s a lot to unpack
Thanks for even typing it. I will have to re-read it and force myself to watch the clip later.
Too late; didn’t read. Zzzsszzzzzzzzz
Solid post.
How is morning already?
Isn’t there some rule in the AP Stylebook about ignoring black-on-black violence?
You hit that harder than Will Smith smacked Rock, cyto. I thought a few of the same things when I saw the clip last night. You are right that in no way would they have let a white actor do that to a black actor, but there is also no way they would have let a white actor do that to a white actor.
Found a work around in my busted ass Windows to get my mic activated to record the audio for a new cartoon. BSOD in the middle of edit. The work around Neph gave me didn’t work, so when I have the day off Tuesday it’s a fresh install. Fucking Windows.
I look forward to downvoting the shit out of it.
Thanks for being that gay for me. Much appreciated.
I don’t like’em husky.
I read the thread you guys are laying down. I’m like that family dog watching two human brothers wrestling: “Are they OK? Should I intervene? I love them both—who’s the Bad Boy?”
I’ll just let you tire yourselves out this time.
[imagines HW saying “Who’s a bad dog?” to the dog as if the dog can understand]
I apologize to CPRM. I even like his cartoons.
New cartoon submitted.
Sweet.
Morning.
I’m tired and miserable, and I should have taken my own advice yesterday or the day before.
Eat more steak.
How much money do you think I have?
You have two jobs!
It’s got to be mad duckets.
One of them doesn’t even pay for itself!
What advice did you fail to take?
Not napping after day light savings?
My whole family got sick, I blame DST.
Close. I thought “One of these overnights I should just dose myself with nyquil so I can force-reset my sleep schedule.
But nooo, I had to try to do it without chemical assistance.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VcuzgNZ26BY
?
https://25lists.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/8ba47ed06d071f8a6586d979d67a5132-576×1024.png
https://www.rebelnews.com/calgary_freedom_rally_takes_place_despite_anti_protest_court_injunction
Things still happening in Canada. *shrug*
They don’t meme as well as the Ukrainians. Go tractors!
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2022/03/pa-is-the-only-state-where-local-cops-cant-use-radar-for-speed-enforcement-these-bills-want-to-change-that-today-in-pa.html
Nooooooo.
Welcome to Speedtrapville. Enjoy your stay.
I’ve been paranoid about speed traps ever since high school, when I got caught in one…on my way to pick up my mother from work. ?
Good morning, Sean, Stinky, and U.
My small town is notorious for them unfortunately. At least they leave the locals alone for the most part.
NYC is getting speed cameras everywhere… EVERYWHERE! The Googly Maps is pretty good about chiming when one is near, but there are now so many that it sounds like the ’70s, with grandpa’s radar detector alerting every time we passed an automatic door. The cameras are set to trigger at 10MPH over the posted 25MPH limit; I haven’t travelled faster than 35MPH in months.
I’ve been wondering why more municipalities don’t do this. And red light cameras, just everywhere.
Not that I favor it, I’m just surprised. Of course, when they put some in at schools everyone complained that the poor’s and blacks were getting too many tickets. I think they got taken down. Race-whatever that we’re doing in more important than the safety of school children.
Mornin’ Morning Folk! I actually had a nuclear holocaust nightmare for the first time since the mid-80’s yesterday.
I guess I didn’t grow up with the full experience, but at this age I can’t imagine worrying about it. Either I die or I don’t. Gonna die eventually anyway.
Though that does remind me, did trashy finish his story?
As long as we don’t get into a direct shooting war we should be OK. If that happens though, all bets are off.
I have a growing suspicion that the Russian nuclear arsenal will prove to be as well designed and maintained as Soviet/Russian equipment often is. The crews drank all the rocket fuel, the staff officers sold the metal components, and the flag officers/contractors don’t care that what is actually in the silos and launchers is constructed largely of cardboard and straw because they all have fancy new dachas.
Don’t underestimate Soviet Cardboard. One guy in a shed with that stuff nearly beat NASA to the moon.
Sleepy Joe is gonna kill us all.
Most big time international politicians understand that Biden is biding his time, that he is way past his best used by date and ignore him. He’s the crazy uncle that someone helps get dressed up for Thanksgiving and everyone is reminded early to pay no attention to what he says, ’cause that’s just Ol’ Uncle Joe.
I’ve been that guy for years.
Mornin, UCS, Sean and Stinky and all the others.
Another cool day but looks like a little snow tomorrow and winter winds down. I need to find some one to fix my chimney that the snow removed. A one day job but still have to work on a steel roof. Takes a youngster with no fear and an old guy with experience.
Good morning, Festus and Miss Trader
Close enough! (No intention of trading my gender, thankyouverymuch!) Good morning, 4(20)!
It’s not trading, just affirming.
Good morning all.
Good morning, Lack! (And you, too, Fes & l0!)
Oh yeah, In case you didn’t realize, Will Smith is a cunte of the first order. I’ve always disliked his shtick and now he brings it to bear. I don’t find Chris Rock that funny but that was uncalled for.
Imagine Bradley Cooper doing the same thing.
It’s hard to slap someone while skydiving out of a plane with a suitcase full of money.
Better altercations in the Podunkville bar parking lot.
Relevant.
I imagine that he has always carried quite a chip on his shoulder over the fact that while the other rappers are known as hard and gangsta, he is known as the kid-friendly rapper who was safe for MTV and then starred in a treacly sit-com.
What? There’s no need to argue parents just don’t understand won’t get you street cred?
I just surprised Chris Rock is still around and/or relevant. Wasn’t he doing this gig like twenty years ago?
Am I the only one who doesn’t get what’s supposed to be either funny or insulting about what Rock said ( TBH I’ve not actually listened to it but from what I gather it had to do with Smiths wife starring in GI Jane II, and that seems neither funny or insulting,)
Apparently Mrs. Smith suffers from allopecia, so her baldnes was not a fashion choice, and Mr. Smith took it as a dig at her condition.
I got this secondhand from the internet, so make of that what you will.
She did an excellent job of playing a grotesquely nutbar Fish Mooney in Gotham. She was acting, right?
That explains it, I have no idea what Mrs. Smith looks like and never saw GI Jane.
That said I’d lose my C.O.A. card if I didn’t point out that her baldness certainly is a fashion statement, bald ( and not bald) women have been wearing wigs for centuries, and being Hollywood she could easily have sported any hairstyle she wished.
I dunno, but they pushed Ukraine down the top page if my local paper is anything to go by, and that can’t be bad for them.
What’s the next news? The Return of Covid? Have to keep Ukraine off the front page because Biden is ready to pounce and his handlers can’t keep up.
Maybe midterms and why dems need to stay in majority because the challengers are far too dangerous?
Relevant.
He got jiggy wi’ it.
suh’ fam
whats goody
Lulz.