u/Splunge-

I moved back to the Commonwealth a couple months ago. When I lived here before, it was in another part of the state. I have to say that this is one of the most helpful “local” subs I’ve ever been part of. From restaurant and food truck recommendations to places to get a haircut to apartment hunting, y’all are fabulous. Thanks!

And, a question: Has anyone concatenated all the restaurant recommendations into a single file for an FAQ. I was digging back looking for what I swear was a recent recommendation for phô, and couldn’t find it. My solution was simply to try a new place each week, but it set me wondering about a list. Restaurants certainly are a common topic.

I've been riding Trek for 30 years, and got my Marlin 5 in 2019. Then I started adventure racing, and progressed to Nationals-level competition. Biking has been my weakest discipline (of trekking, paddling, and biking) so I haven't thought much about bikes in general. My Marlin did well. But my riding has gotten more technical, and harder on the bike. Last month I demolished the rear cassette and chain, and two weeks ago (after getting it fixed) demolished the derailleur and hanger. Possibly the frame got slightly bent as well, I'm waiting to find out. It was a sad day, because I absolutely loved that bike.

It's clear that it's time to upgrade to something sturdier. I do enough road riding that a hardtail wouldn't be good. But I don't know enough about bikes to know if I should look beyond Treks, or stay there and get something like the Procal 9.5, a Roscoe, or something else. I'd guess about 80% of my mileage is on the road. And when I'm on trails, it ranges from curated packed-dirt trails to sugar sand to baby-head rocks and very technical rocks-and-roots.

Opinions.

I've blown out the derailleur and hanger on my Marlin, three weeks after blowing out a chain and rear sprocket set. I use the Marlin for adventure racing, and it's not enough bike for how hard I'm riding.

I've been riding Trek bikes since the mid 1990s, and my Marlin was highly customized. I don't know that I want to switch types. So I need a new Trek. I'd guess about 80% of my mileage is on the road. And when I'm on trails, it ranges from curated packed-dirt trails to sugar sand to baby-head rocks and technical rocks-and-roots.

I'm trying to decide between the Roscoe and the Procal. One the one hand, I do a lot of road riding. It's how I do endurance training. So I need a bike that I can ride on the road, a lot. A hardtail is probably best. On the other hand, when I'm racing the terrain can be pretty hard on the bike. So I need something sturdy.

Happy to get some advice.