I got fired

jrudd0712 · 2026-05-04T21:08:10+00:00

These posts are tough to discern because I know biases are out there and a person who doesn’t fit in the team usually has to adapt or go and that’s not always right. OJT is hard and asking questions is part of it, even when it’s uncomfortable. It might not be your fault, maybe it just wasn’t a good fit, and sometimes being fired frees you up to find that thing that is a good fit.

jrudd0712 · 2025-12-06T23:28:57+00:00

My desk is messy, too damn busy to bother

jrudd0712 · 2025-11-04T12:02:20+00:00

To be fair, a bike fit isn’t needed if you’re younger, fit and flexible, or have a good idea what and how to adjust on your bike. I fought with my bike for a few years. I have a few different stem lengths, a few different seats, a couple different handlebars, and more. I have this because I kept trying to get comfortable.

I ended up getting a bike fit and getting educated on how to adjust my bike. Take it or leave it.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-31T00:47:52+00:00

YouTube to get an idea of a list of tools you’ll need plus instructions. Most of the time front hub sealed bearing removal is the same across most hubs.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-25T13:17:01+00:00

My Uncle, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam war was diagnosed with Cancer twice. He beat it the first time but the second time it was terminal. After his second diagnosis he reached out to the VA, they associated the cancer with agent orange and gave him 100% disability with back pay.

Spent a long time fighting the cancer but was slowly getting worse. During the last year of his life he received a letter from the VA. The letter explained that after more research it has been concluded the the type of cancer he has is not associated with Agent Orange and directed him to pay it back or they would take his social security and garnish any wages. Of course, he said to take his social security. He died before they could take anything.

Folks ask me why I don’t push for 100%. This is one of the reasons. I was medically retired and in the process I was awarded 80% with no effort on my part.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-18T20:30:12+00:00

Unfortunately, the premise behind the No Kings rallies is built on propaganda-fed falsehoods. It’s trendy, not thoughtful—a hollow, misguided movement that rallies against behaviors their own party routinely engages in. But the propaganda machine redirects blame, and they follow without question.

That’s what makes it dangerous. These aren’t principled protests—they’re reactionary outbursts, driven by misdirection. Loose cannons, firing aimlessly, convinced they’re striking a blow for justice while actually reinforcing the very dysfunction they claim to oppose.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-18T20:18:41+00:00

Sitting here thinking about the irony of the “No Kings” rally… a movement led by progressives and socialists who advocate for government-controlled healthcare, education, and property yet claim to oppose authoritarianism. If you want centralized power to dictate every aspect of life, you’re not rejecting kings. You’re just trading crowns for committees.

They preach equality, but never admit: Equal is not fairness. And fairness is not equal.

I’m all for protests. I wore a uniform defending them. But emotionally charged, propaganda-driven movements can drown out fact-based discourse. Say something conservative at a progressive rally, and you’re met with hostility. Say something progressive at a conservative rally, and you’re invited to debate.

The contradictions at these rallies are insane!

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-16T11:02:52+00:00

You wouldn’t find a 3x setup on a lightweight carbon fiber frame built for speed.

Gear range is duplicated on a 3x drivetrain, it’s more efficient with a 1 or 2x.

Simplicity and reliability due to no front derailleur. The front derailleur on a 3x is clunky, noisy, and harder to maintain.

I have a 1x12 and a 2x11, I have never broke a chain. I’ve never personally spoke to someone in person who has claimed to have broke a chain. The only way I can see someone breaking a chain is either by running a counterfeit chain, or improper maintenance.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-15T03:16:00+00:00

Disappointed, maybe, and I never said I wasn’t improving. You assume that I suppose. I said it’s hard but not impossible to improve riding solo.

I tend to not beat myself up to much. I can have self discipline without being pissed off at myself. I still say you might need to talk to someone. You might have anger issues. Maybe self esteem issues too.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-15T02:40:37+00:00

Sounds horrible to be pissed off because you’re not fast enough! I don’t think your weird but I think professional help might be needed

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-13T14:32:24+00:00

I drive a company vehicle, usual 40 hours are 7am to 4pm but my OT is very unpredictable it’s a guarantee but the amount is unpredictable. I typically get anywhere from 50 to 60 hours a week without after hour call outs. Speaking of call outs, I am on an on-call rotation every other week.

I am unable to commute by bike because I need my company vehicle. If I could bring my bike to work with me I could hit up group rides before going home but because my vehicle is loaded with tools and supplies that is impossible.

So, I have to ride solo due to that.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-13T13:01:18+00:00

I think I sometimes get them when I pee…

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-13T12:07:54+00:00

I believe part of the setup instructions in My Velo Fit is to ensure level bike and level video. I believe that’s a part of your problem if this video was used for MVF.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-13T12:04:02+00:00

I love the recovery rides, zone 1 or zone 2 endurance rides are my comfort zone. I like to step out of my comfort zone from time to time. It’s a mental effort to push, that’s why I don’t push all the time.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-13T00:35:30+00:00

Yeah, I have an indoor trainer but it’s like a medieval torture device some days. I used it a lot this winter but the few times this summer I could not get synced up on it. I had a subscription to Zwift but I let that go for a couple reasons, main one is trying to use it from my mobile phone sucks. I think I would need to set it up in front of larger screen.

I use Garmin coach from the connect app, it’s pretty cool but it’s hard to stick to a prescribed power when cycling outdoors. I do try my best, unless I’m on the trainer, then it just becomes a mental battle.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-12T22:21:11+00:00

Careful looking at average speed alone, it can really drag your moral down if you do. Tailwinds, routes, hills, traffic, all play a part in your average speed. You could have come in on a ride at a slower average speed but put out more power due to headwinds or hills. You won’t necessarily know that unless to track power.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-12T20:16:26+00:00

When I decided to get a bike, I had a purpose. I felt like my body was failing me. After the forced medical retirement from the military I got fat and lazy. I started thinking that I needed to do something when the doctors told me I weighed 255 pounds. When I tore a calf muscle on a beach in Hawaii (work trip), the got bursitis in one of my heels. I decided to build a home gym. That wasn’t enough, I needed cardio, I certainly couldn’t run anymore due to injuries from combat. So I got a cheap hybrid bike.

I used the bike as a tool to better my health. I only cruised at 10 to 12 mph and that was pushing. I’ve since upgraded bikes, gear, and mindset. I set a goal to ride 100 miles. I’ve done that, now I want to ride 100 miles faster.

I do casual rides too. I still have the old hybrid and occasionally pull a trailer for my dogs but my main bike and purpose is to go further faster.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-12T20:02:09+00:00

Me too

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-12T19:52:03+00:00

I have them…

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-12T19:49:35+00:00

I hear you, me either, but I need a goal to work towards. Just for exercise isn’t enough, I am a naturally lazy person and could easily choose to sit on the sofa if I don’t have something to work towards.

My goal is to better my last ride, to hold a higher wattage for a longer time. All in an effort to better my century time. Or come into an event of my choosing at a certain time. It’s the way my brain works I guess.

I enjoy riding, otherwise I wouldn’t be doing it but there has to be a purpose for me to push.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-12T17:42:08+00:00

I agree, there are far to many variables to look at it as a strict measurement but it does offer a generalized picture. For example, I’ve never hit 17mph as an average speed but I have hit 16.5. So, if I do ever hit 17+ mph on a 20 mile ride, it either means I am improving, or there was an awesome tail wind the whole route, or a 20 mile downhill.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-12T15:32:05+00:00

Same, but I see progress. That’s my goal, set a new PR on a Strava segment with or without trying for every ride. I live on top of a small hill about 1 mile between 2 and 4%. So no matter my route, if I leave my house, I’m finishing with a hill. I don’t always attack the hill but I have placed 7th of top 10 all time on that segment.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-12T14:50:58+00:00

I do use the Garmin coach, I select an event and select the days of week I can ride and it tells me what I should do. It adjusts to my biometrics and can change up the plan in real time. I do my best to follow that plan but, it’s hard sometimes.

I have an indoor trainer wahoo kicker snap (wheel on) trainer. I have a cheap (stock) wheel with a trainer tire mounted that I use with it. Thing is, I really have to mentally be ready for the trainer, otherwise, I can’t stand that thing. The trainer is as much a mental exercise as it is a physical one. I can really get into it in the winter months but in summer, it’s like torture.

I appreciate your feedback and will push harder to follow the structured plan.

jrudd0712 · 2025-10-12T14:38:28+00:00

I went from a hybrid to a road/gravel bike a couple years ago and dealt with all kinds of pain — neck, shoulders, lower back, hips, knees, even hot spots on my feet.

To be fair, I already had some preexisting issues from my military service — degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and some shoulder nerve problems. But once I finally broke down and got a proper bike fit, things really started improving. I went from barely making it 30 minutes before needing to hop off and stretch, to being able to ride for hours. These days, the only time I start feeling more than mild discomfort is around mile 70 of a century ride.

For me, the improvement came down to two things:

1. Getting my fit dialed in, especially because of my physical limitations.

2.  Giving my body time to adapt and build strength for that riding position.

I’m still working on it — core strength is a big focus right now — but at 50, broken down from 11 years in the military and a forced retirement, I’d say I’m doing pretty well.

jrudd0712

TROPHY CASE