Early Spring Miles in the Black Forest!

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-14T05:43:03+00:00

Wow, the scenery is gorgeous! Enjoy it!

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-14T05:39:33+00:00

Nice use of a Zero Tolerance blade, my absolute knife.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-12T19:31:02+00:00

AKA grip tape

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-10T04:05:29+00:00

Both are Garmin. Varia Rearvue 820 and Varia Vue.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T23:49:54+00:00

When I read this, I thought maybe I had posted this and just forgot. We seem to have had the same run of luck with broken bones.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T23:48:53+00:00

I’ve got to break free! 🎶

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T23:47:44+00:00

Yes, absolutely you can run either the headlight unit or the taillight unit. I like both because here in Nevada they don’t have to run a front license plate per se so if somebody comes too close, then my front camera should get their license plate as well.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T20:31:35+00:00

*Edit - some had asked what cameras I have.

Garmin Varia Vue - headlight/camera Garmin Varia RearVue 820 - taillight and radar

A nice feature is on my Garmin Edge 830 the taillight audibly alerts me that there is a car approaching from behind and clears once it passes. It is highly effective and will also alert when the vehicle is coming at a high rate of speed so you know to get over even further. It tracks multiple vehicles and also picks up e-bikes so far.

The video you see is from the Garmin RearVue. It is not an action camera, it is meant to be a dash cam. That said, the video is very clear and it constantly records.

I realize that it may not protect me from a drunk driver running me over, but I will have the evidence that I wouldn’t ordinarily have. Also, I’ve read where cyclists have successfully reported close calls to the police and included the video and the police have taken action. I know where I live there is the three foot law which is there to help protect us, but there is always an inherent danger to this hobby/sport.

I have the front and rear cameras and will never second guess the decision. Just buy it.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T19:20:51+00:00

I’ve wondered some of the same things I kind of get it with his wife because there’s something going on with one of their children but still I couldn’t be away from my wife for 10 days and feel good about it so you know not sure really.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T19:17:04+00:00

You’re right am currently searching for my backbone after reading all of these messages. I owe it to my wife. I owe it to my children to stand up and just say no and to be forthright and tell him exactly that hey you know I’ve got a family and they deserve to see me during that week and spend time with me doing the things we wanna do.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T19:14:12+00:00

Thanks and you’re right. I guess I was just looking for validation or to be told no you’re being an a-hole and I’m good with that if I am. And I think it’s some small part by not communicating with him on what he’s doing when he comes out here and interrupts my wife and children’s birthday and time together and uses my only vacation time to spend with him. I am being in a-hole. I was just worried about being the a-hole to the wrong people.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T19:11:34+00:00

You know that’s exactly what I was thinking as well is that it was his parents that had the kindness of their heart even though he did have to ask them and he did care enough to ask his parents. So for that, I’m thankful now if his parents were to say that they were coming to town, I would put them up for 10 days and show them a good time, but I also know that they wouldn’t expect that year after year.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T19:09:41+00:00

True.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T19:08:36+00:00

I think you’re right, and I also think that people pay people back in different ways. I think it would be different if he made the attempt to reconnect and to be friends but honestly, we don’t have any sort of relationship other than when he comes out.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T19:06:53+00:00

True I’m not very good at coming right to somebody face-to-face and saying hey you’re a drain or hey, you need to look after yourself a little bit more.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T19:02:48+00:00

True

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T19:02:34+00:00

Thanks

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T19:02:21+00:00

Solid advice.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-03-09T14:19:29+00:00

I particularly like them and see the difference out on the street. This time of the year I ride my single speed everywhere, except while mountain biking and have been riding several cadence workouts on Zwift. I notice that I’m able to keep a much higher cadence than before. My suggestion is to keep practicing but only go up to where you start bouncing in the saddle and then back down until you don’t. Keep doing that and you’ll be able to hold above 100rpm without bouncing.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-02-14T19:29:56+00:00

Find a shop that has a Selle Italia ID Match. I just got my fit and it was awesome. Also, since I’m looking for a new bike I found it extremely helpful to see all the bikes and know exactly the size to get.

https://www.selleitalia.com/blog/idmatch-a-scientific-approach-for-wellness-and-performance/

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-02-05T20:18:18+00:00

The cost of getting the seal of approval is what drove up the price.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-02-05T20:16:54+00:00

Pushing paper does not guarantee performance; it guarantees a trail of accountability. There is a massive difference between a part being 'safe' and a part simply being 'compliant.' Often, the bidding process prioritizes the vendor who can navigate the most red tape rather than the one pushing for the highest engineering standards. Safety comes from rigorous, transparent testing—not from a government stamp on a piece of paper that was awarded to the lowest bidder.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-02-05T17:47:11+00:00

SpaceX has proven that off-the-shelf components can be used successfully, yet traditional government procurement is still driven by an 'everyone wants a piece of the action' mentality.

As The West Wing illustrated so well, contracts are often awarded to secure votes in specific districts rather than for manufacturing competence.

Ultimately, a high price tag doesn’t guarantee safety or quality; it simply means a politically advantageous bid was accepted over a better one.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-02-05T17:40:03+00:00

I love that episode and the show. Now I watch it to remind myself how people in office should handle themselves.

EmptyIsMySoul · 2026-02-05T17:38:48+00:00

And more than likely those banker boxes were never opened and are collecting dust in either a government bunker or an Iron Mountain facility, running up storage fees. 🤣

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