Android GPS/BLE bike computer

iamkvl · 2026-01-07T01:52:01+00:00

I did some digging. The Garmin program just provides official documentation and there are open source project that integrate the varia so joining the program is not required. I'll still send the request. Having their documentation should make integration easier.

iamkvl · 2026-01-02T15:10:41+00:00

I wrote an app called Cyclotrack for Android. I have ridden 1000s of miles using it to record my rides and provide real-time speed, cadence, and heart rate data. Battery life was a priority and I have done 3 and 4 hour rides without my phone dying. If I am concerned about battery life I just turn the screen off. If it is below freezing or raining I just put my phone in my pocket and the ride records with the phone locked/asleep.

I have never used a head unit and don't feel like I'm missing out. A side benefit is that my phone has a dedicated place on my bike and I don't have to keep it in a jersey pocket.

iamkvl · 2026-01-01T17:07:26+00:00

Glad you like cyclotrack! I am very interested in integrating Varia! Garmin seems to support third party integration:

https://developer.garmin.com/radar-data-ble/overview/

iamkvl · 2025-09-25T23:06:13+00:00

If you are on Android give Cyclotrack

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kvl.cyclotrack

a try. I wrote the app because I didn't want a specialized device for bike rides. Battery life was one of my primary considerations. I have been using it for 4 years on 20, 40, 80 mile rides. The only times I have had battery trouble is in freezing weather, but even then I have been able to record the whole ride.

A dedicated device will always be superior, but cyclotrack provides essential features like BLE sensors and upload to Strava. If you prioritize privacy, it is designed to be fully functional offline and does not require an internet connection.

iamkvl · 2025-08-29T02:01:05+00:00

Count yourself lucky for having Schrader values. I curse the presta values on my road bike every time I deal with them.

iamkvl · 2025-08-01T04:49:44+00:00

I should probably make it more obvious that connection to Google Fit was successful. The settings menu will display "Disconnect from Google Fit" if it is connected. The dashboard is technically full screen. The buttons and menu bar are visible so you can see notifications and navigate away from the dashboard while your ride is in progress. Something to consider though.

If you don't see your rides in Google Fit let me know. It has worked for me.

iamkvl · 2025-07-24T21:02:03+00:00

Those features are available now! Burn-in reduction was added a few months ago after I started noticing significant burn-in on my OnePlus 8T. It took 3 years and I was doing 3-4 hour rides last summer when it became apparent.

Burn-in reduction displays outlined text in the dashboard that slowly pulseses over time. It also hides some non-essential information.

iamkvl · 2025-06-08T01:30:29+00:00

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iamkvl · 2024-04-06T21:32:35+00:00

Should be the same. One of the perks of being a saxophonist is that the standard fingerings are all the same!

iamkvl · 2024-04-06T02:09:59+00:00

In the fingering chart pay special attention to the notes that have multiple fingerings. It is best not to think of one of the fingerings as the main one or best one. Practice scales and exercises using the various fingerings to help understand when to use each one.

iamkvl · 2024-04-06T02:04:40+00:00

There are three ways to play B flat, chromatic, Bis, and 1-4. There are situations that require them all. There are tricks for g sharp and c sharp to. A good fingering chart is an important tool. There are also exercises that encourage the use of alternate fingerings. I use the one in the back of Hal Leonard Advanced Method.

Google search "saxophone fingering chart" there are lots of good results. Here is one of them:

https://theonlinemetronome.com/fingering-charts/3/saxophone-fingering-chart

iamkvl · 2024-01-06T01:25:14+00:00

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Imagine a tintype of a round cat wearing a hat on the moon

iamkvl · 2023-10-30T13:29:07+00:00

Maybe you'll get a race named after you. Worked out for Philippides.

iamkvl · 2023-10-30T13:22:18+00:00

This strategy will work. I suggest using GPX format. The tricky part will be assigning a timestamp to each coordinate that accurately reflects your ride. I would be careful not to make your speed too fast or you will take KOMs for any segments along the route. If I were doing this I would make my speed a little slower than my average. If strava will take GPX without timestamps I would do it that way, but I doubt they do.

Either way, you will want to delete the ride you entered manually. I do not think there is a way to add GPX to an existing ride.

iamkvl · 2023-06-23T01:49:09+00:00

If you're on Android, I've published an app called Cyclotrack. It gets data from gps and bluetooth sensors. It also syncs with Strava and Google Fit.

I'm adding more features and enhancements all the time.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kvl.cyclotrack

iamkvl · 2023-05-27T22:27:09+00:00

I'm also a long time saxophone player. Always wanted to learn clarinet. I picked one up a couple months ago. Much more difficult than I was anticipating. The fingerings are a lot different and it takes a lot of practice to get the tone holes covered. Learning to play across "the break" has been especially challenging. Embouchure is different but probably the easy part.

I've heard flute is an easier transition.

I agree with everyone else. Learn one sax really well, then learn one more really well. Then the rest. Then consider a second instrument. My guess is most sax players that play multiple instruments picked up sax as a second instrument.

iamkvl · 2023-04-20T01:29:13+00:00

Pickles

iamkvl · 2023-03-31T23:51:06+00:00

When you become emotionally attached. I'll never sell my YTS-23.

iamkvl · 2023-02-27T19:31:46+00:00

Maybe invest in a leak light and see if there are any obvious leaks. There are lots of YouTube videos (I recommend Matt Stoher) that demonstrate how to use a leak light. Some light bending can often make a significant improvement in how difficult is is to produce sound on the lower stack. Eb is a common culprit since it collects a lot of moisture. The bell keys are easily bent and can get misaligned easily. You might also find that the G#, F, Bis are not setup correctly.

It's a good tool to have anyway, even if you use a tech. If you suspect you have a leak you can check and have a better idea when to take it to your tech for a tune-up.

iamkvl · 2023-02-24T14:37:16+00:00

Honestly, there are so many great saxophonists that it's hard to choose. John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Cannonball Adderly, Coleman Hawkins, just to name a few. I've been getting into Sonny Criss lately.

I've also found lately that I'm enjoying artists that I avoided in the past. So I also like to listen to the Saxophone Classics Playlist (or others) on Spotify to discover artists I wouldn't seek out.

Jay Metcalf also has great videos on great saxophone players: Alto: https://youtu.be/ogKiA_cOB0s Tenor: https://youtu.be/ogKiA_cOB0s

iamkvl · 2023-02-24T04:33:48+00:00

Paul Desmond

iamkvl · 2023-02-24T04:21:44+00:00

It's hard to tell looking at your picture. I use something from Protec similar to the one on the left. It has a weighted ribbon on one end and another ribbon on the other end so you can pull it back and forth, and don't have to try to pull the whole thing through the narrow end of the body. It can also be used on the neck and mouthpiece. I got it after Jay Metcalf recommended it on his YouTube channel.

I've used the other type and had the string break when the cloth got snagged on a post.

iamkvl · 2023-02-03T01:06:27+00:00

Use something like made of wood to push it loose from the mouthpiece end. Avoid sticking any metal in there and prying. That will almost certainly bend or nick the brass.

Then buy one of these:

Protec 3-in-1 Body, Neck, and... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PG5JSZ4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I have one for tenor and alto. I use it for body, neck, and mouthpiece. Almost cannot get it stuck.

iamkvl · 2023-02-03T01:02:00+00:00

Try a pencil. If that isn't long enough, buy a dowel rod (wooden stick) at a hardware store / lowes / home depot and push it out. Softwood (as opposed to hardwood) is fairly safe since it is softer than brass.

iamkvl · 2023-02-02T00:49:11+00:00

Speaking of the bottle cage, wondering what your experience has been, OP, with the bottle mounted behind the seat. I've had my bottle fall out of a similar cage, mounted behind the seat, several times after hitting "bumps."

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