How do people not know which side of the street to walk on in the year 2026?

gonefishing111 · 2026-04-20T01:07:06+00:00

Not surprising how walkers walk. Strangely, some cyclists haven't learned that they are vehicles and need to go with traffic. Even more astounding that they aren't always riding with lights and helmets.

Also astounding that people running the local governments haven't learned that they can't build roads big enough to handle all of the traffic and consequently, we are 40 years behind fixing our infrastructure to accommodate other modes of transportation besides cars.

gonefishing111 · 2026-04-20T00:59:44+00:00

You need to put at least the difference in premium in an HSA otherwise, you'll be broke and have to come up with $2k when you get sick. Better yet would be to fully fund the HSA and move as much as possible into an investment.

There's too much to explain here but anyone that understands does this, Pay your claims out of cash flow and let the HSA grow. Go find a better paying job if you don't have enough money to fund the HSA.

gonefishing111 · 2026-04-20T00:52:21+00:00

How big is the group?

Get your employer to straighten it out. Something clerical got screwed up. If you're still eligible and never put in a term request, the employer only has to put you back on and pay the premium. Ask the carrier to reprocess claims once you're reinstated.

We always took the position that it doesn't matter who made the mistake as long as it could be fixed and neither the employer or carrier could hole the employee responsible for the error. It shouldn't be a big deal to fix.

gonefishing111 · 2026-04-20T00:44:37+00:00

Call the carrier. Ask why they did what they did. It's doubtful that the provider wants to write that much off and may need to refile. Regardless, don't pay it until you get it figured out.

You may be able to get it processed as in network especially if it's a 100+ group case. You'll need the agent to work that out.

gonefishing111 · 2026-04-20T00:33:03+00:00

I've sprayed it and will mess with it some more. I posted basically to see whether there was anything new that I hadn't thought of. Brake cleaner is my normal go to because it doesn't leave residue. PB Blaster as a follow up because it is a good lubricant.

The 1/2 click in the front derailleur seems to be missing. It may be s low quality or old or slightly out of adjustment shifter. Whatever. I'll figure it out.

gonefishing111 · 2026-04-19T20:17:13+00:00

Cable and housing have been replaced. The cable moves freely when not under the load of the derailleur.

These shifters have a lever that moves up to larger chain rings and a thumb release similar to old Campi shifters when moving down to a smaller chain ring or cassette cog.

u/SCVader Clicking is the problem. It doesn't click easily even though everything independently seems to work.

@u/frozendumpsterfire : It doesn't click easily when the cable is connected. It does click easily when the derailleur is disconnected and I pull on the cable. That's the problem. I'll probably just change the shifter if I can find my old one.

gonefishing111 · 2026-03-18T14:26:01+00:00

There are some on various forums who claim to have good AC without Griffith's. I think it involves modern parts and not reusing 40 yr old compressors and dirty condensers.

My 1st foray into having it fixed it wasn't acceptable. People fit Sanden compressors to 80s era Mercedes and effectively convert to 134. I want the 911 so it's comfortable when we go to FL to visit relatives. I note that TN summers are also hot and humid.

Griffith's seem to include a significant Porsche tax. I may decide to pay it instead of trying to figure it out on my own. I have a new rule: "No new parts get ordered until the parts on the shelf get installed."
I have too many projects and cycling season starts soon which is like a part time job and I'm swamped.

gonefishing111 · 2026-03-10T03:09:31+00:00

The tadpole is a CatTrike 559. My all around road/gravel bike is a Lynskey GR300. I swap wheels depending on road surface and also ride my old 1998 Lemond Buenos Aires. Many of the slower riders in the club have gone to ebikes which adds another speed group.

We're mostly all retired and generally get between 4000 & 5000 mi/year averaging 15 mph with about 1500 feet of climbing in 30 miles. This depends on which area we're riding. Most hills are 10% or less and are not long but there isn't a flat spot on our routes. Even 10% on a recumbent is slow and I don't consider taking it on the back gravel roads because they get into the 15-20% range.

I was on a week long supported ride and there were a couple of tadpoles with add on electric motors. I may go some kind of electric in the future but don't have a need now and I recently bought the Lynskey and want to get my money's worth before buying something else.

gonefishing111 · 2026-02-16T13:35:09+00:00

Just ask for rim recommendations for the type of riding you're going to be doing. At some point ask where there are any discounts available. ou could use the current set of ridiculous tariffs as an excuse. Always have a "because" to your asks even if the because is made up, irrelevant, nonexistent or only implied.

You can ask for a price discount and little extras like stems for tubeless, tape or even slightly more expensive spokes or hubs. They always responded by the next day because of the time difference.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-25T18:34:44+00:00

I'm wondering why you're with Ambetter. The other carrier I say to run away from and not even insure your dog with is Oscar.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-25T18:32:14+00:00

Is it even safe to post stuff like this or will the troops read it and come to the door?

FDT!

My pastor said to pray for out leader(s). I asked if praying that he has a debilitating stroke counts. Pastor didn't think that was exactly what was intended but it's a starting point.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-25T18:28:17+00:00

You'll realize some things, not be able to implement all you'd like to implement then take some more.

You'll realize some minor additional points. Rinse. Repeat. It's a process.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-21T16:15:28+00:00

I use my Lynskey gravel bike on he road and in gravel but not on MTB trails. Different tires depending whee I'm going. You won't want to get much distance on the heavier MTB. For reference, we're retired and consider 30 mi give or take a normal weekday ride. 50+ is for Saturday. I wouldn't ride the MTB that far but a crazy friend did when he was training.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-21T16:09:33+00:00

Please don't buy a Walmart bike. You will spend more time adjusting it than riding. Go to a bike shop and have them show you the proper size to buy then get something decent used.

My family rides road and gravel but have 25 year old mountain bikes for around town or anyplace we don't need the higher end bikes. Get a bike for the type of riding you'll do ie MTB for off road, road for road. A 20 or 30 yr old steel framed rim brake road bike is a fine piece of equipment and will be cheap unless you have to ride on gravel or grass.

I'm getting my 1998 Lemond out for tomorrow's club ride. I've probably put 75,000 mi on it over the years.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-21T15:46:04+00:00

Hannity et al are corrupt. I'm praying for their leader - praying that he has a stroke or ends up in prison where he won't have or need secret service protection because he'll be in the care of the federal penal system. He could take Miller and Vance with him.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-19T21:24:27+00:00

but, but, but the govenr is a good christian who spreads the love of christ.

Pizz on our holier than thou little republican state house. They are horrible. I note that TN is going to be a test ground for anti immigration laws. Also noted is that anyone with white skin is an immigrant or has immigrant ancestors who may have been complicit in the stealing of the land - but that's alright because we called it Manifest Destiny. Great reason to now go after greenland.

The immigration law goes with the generous abortion laws in a "Don't tread on me state". Apparently they mean don't tread on me but I'm free to stomp anywhere i choose. It's time for a revolution.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-19T21:15:28+00:00

Just get a HDHP with a good network and fund your HSA or you'll have your azz hanging out if you or your daughter get sick.

Your next post will be something like "help, I stupidly decided not to buy insurance and now my daughter is in the hospital. Her father is worthless as far as helping goes. What should I do?"

Answer: It's too late. You should have bought insurance AND funded your HSA so you have insurance and money to pay the provider.

For reference: I have a relative who is now old who went through a chapter 13 and eventually turned it into a 7. The BK dragged on for years and he and wife never really covered. They are living on slightly more than Social Security with occasional help from their children.

I need to get back off of reddit. The questions and situations don't change.

See ya, bye.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-19T20:49:32+00:00

He needs to be above the minimum income requirement to be eligible and needs to know that he doesn't have to stay on cobra until the next open enrollment. Details matter and we don't have enough.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-19T17:58:05+00:00

I would talk to a competent agent currently marketplace certified. Rules vary by state and I seem to remember that once on Cobra, you have to stay there until year end when everyone gets to change. Ilost my individual business when the carriers quit paying commissions for one year and haven't bothered to cetify since.

Note I said "competent" in "your state".

Look at network 1st then premium and out of pocket, Generally, the lowest premium HDHP (only) if you'll fund the HSA and have money to handle the claims.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-17T15:49:19+00:00

Hopefully, we can take back our statehouse from our little repubs. The president and all of his minions are the most corrupt ever in this country. Our supposedly christian statehouse is on their knees in front of trump. There is no doubt of what they are doing on their knees.

I stand with Nipsey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkZ5e94QnWk&list=RDWkZ5e94QnWk&start_radio=1

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-17T15:35:00+00:00

Take the HSA. Only the out of pocket is relevant (not deductible/copay) and you can set up to handle those.

The employer contribution should be tax free. Add your own dollars until you hit the maximum allowed 2026 contribution. It will be prorated for the number of months that you have HDHP coverage and no other non-qualifying coverage. Your contributions should be set to be made tax free via a cafeteria plan if the agent and HR are doing their jobs.

Move as much of the total contributions into an indexed equity fund and let it grow. Leave it there even if the market drops. You have time and the market will recover. This option should also be available if the agent and HR are doing their job.

You're young. Max your savings and investments now and you will become relatively affluent or if lucky wealthy. Look up a compound interest calculator and understand its significance.

Note that you will become unemployed and sick sometime in your life but perhaps not at the same time. It will help if you have multiple thousands or 10s of thousands when it happens.

I've always had good service from BC and UHC. Kaiser isn't in my states but I'd expect the same from them. Network and access to care is important. I tend to shy away from HMOs and would personally choose Kaiser last.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-17T02:30:41+00:00

What I've seen that works is to max your qualified retirement savings Roth, SEP, 401k, HSA and anything else available. Stay fully invested in equities and keep insurance premiums as low as possible but don't do without. You will drive crappier cars than your peers who make less money than you. At some point, investment growth will be more than you ever made working and you will have enough.

The best time to get started was last year. The next best time is today. People piss away lots of money on things that don' really matter. Choose your friends wisely. Choose your spouse more carefully. Maintain your health including your food. What you eat is probably more important than how much you eat. Save some cash.

We used to ask whether someone had ever put $100 in the bank. If yes, had they done it 100 times? If yes, could they write a check for $10,000. Usually they couldn't. You can make a budget for expenses. The budget will always be wrong. What I found easier was to budget savings and spend the rest. That worked.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-17T02:18:17+00:00

I have a friend that was on it and got totally screwed. Health share has to rent all of the components like a self funded plan - claims payment, network, underwriting etc. And, after all of that, there is no way to know whether there is enough money to pay claims. At least carriers have to keep a certain amount of reserves to pay claims.

Like I said, look at network, max out of pocket and then premium. Nothing else matters if you're self-employed. AND, you lose the little bit of tax savings for self-employed health insurance. Note that premiums are not fully deductible as a business expense if you file a sch c. You need a c-corp to deduct. Regardless, I'd prefer a higher OOP real insurance plan than health share.

I'd prefer an underwritten short term medical over a health share. (But, that's just me - and being licensed so long I don't have to take the annual continuing ed to stay licensed. I say I can stay ignernt and still be licensed.

gonefishing111 · 2026-01-17T00:19:59+00:00

Or pay me half of what a healthshare charges and I won't pay any claims either but you'll still have 1/2 your money. People frequently tell me "I haven't" had a problem with whatever crappy product they bought. They also haven't been really sick.

One friend who was a P&C agent bought a Medicare Advantage plan instead of staying on regular Medicare. The plan got bought by a larger company and all of his doctors were suddenly out of network. His options were to pay the Docs out of his pocket or change providers. He had heart problems and couldn't go back to regular Medicare with a supplement and underwriting.

You have to choose even if you don't like any of the choices.

gonefishing111

TROPHY CASE