SpokEasy

August 2019

How Do Cyclists Race?

BACK ISSUES /

Exactly how do cyclists race? From all I\’ve ever found out about bicycle races, it\’s not all about speed. Common sense told me long ago that skill is even more important. You can have a casual cruising speed fit to put a top Tour de France sprinter\’s peak velocity to shame; but what happens if you don\’t have the skill to control and use that speed? Disaster, probably sooner rather than later. Bicycle racing has been referred to as \”chess on wheels\”, so reading  all about bicycle racing tactics is, I\’m sure, a good place to begin. Watch bicycle races, either live or online/on TV; if possible, with a companion who can tell you what\’s going on, and why the riders do what they do. But it\’s only the beginning, I\’ve no doubt. I could read an entire library full of books on bicycle racing, watch 100 races, and still be clueless if you thrust me into the peloton. After reading about how-to-race-bicycles umpteen times, and doing a few races, things I\’d read would probably start to come back to me as I was rolling along. Before even signing up for that first race, I\’d want to pick the brains of experienced bicycle racers. And read a lot more, of course; to find out how cyclists race.

How Do Cyclists Race? Read More »

Just In Case

BACK ISSUES /

Just in case Hurricane Dorian heads this way, I\’m getting ready. At present he\’s expected to curve a bit to the North, and head for the Florida/Georgia border. But his current track is westwards; and if that doesn\’t change, we\’d better be on the lookout! Dorian is a very strong storm. Even though his forward movement is only 8 mph, his wind force might be enough to let him cross Florida into the Gulf; and still have steam left over. Who knows what he might do then. With this possibility in mind, I hitched up the trailer this morning and headed for the salvage store. I already had a fair stock of canned goods, but wanted to get more things. I got some cans of soup and come canned beans. I already had plenty of tuna fish, so I didn\’t look for it today. When a hurricane threat is keeping me home, for some crazy reason I want pudding cups! I have no idea why; we didn\’t have them when I was a kid. So I got a 4-pack of snack puddings. Sometimes the salvage store has them for less than a dollar! And of course I hit the make-your-own-grab bag bins.  I found a few new things to try as ride food. Aside from that, I have so much stuff at home from that grab-bag deal that it might actually be wise not to get any more for a month or so! Just now, however, I need plenty of supplies on hand, just in case.  

Just In Case Read More »

Cycling in Italy

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Cycling in Italy This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” If I were to take a bicycle tour of Italy, which part would I want to see? What tour would I undertake? For riders looking for a leisurely tour, Cycling for Softies offers a number of routes. Tuscany? Yes, there are rolling hills; but e-bikes are available to make them easier. Roll past vineyards; olive groves; and medieval villages. The Puglia tour explores the “bootheel” of Italy. This lesser-known area of the country offers terrific views of the sea; and is rich in history. Delicious local cuisine, too! For more of a challenge, how about MTB tours of Sardinia? Incidentally, are the fish named for the island? It sounds like Sardinia would be too rugged and tough for me to ride. Want to cycle the Eternal City? You can do that, too! They say that, even if Italian drivers are aggressive, they certainly don’t want to mar the finish of their cars; and of course they don’t want to hit you. But if you’re super-duper gung-ho, you might want to tackle the Giro! ABOUT ME I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story. I live in New Orleans; and  retired in January 2023. More time for cycling! Website designed by Cecile Levert © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL Sunblock Day January 2, 2024 2024! January 1, 2024 Out with a Bang December 31, 2023 Seven-Up December 30, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Cycling in Italy Read More »

Bon Voyage!

BACK ISSUES /

Bon Voyage! Have a great time on your cycling adventures in parts distant. I\’ve yet to travel with my bicycle in the luggage hold of an airplane. But if I ever do, how can I keep my precious \”ride\” safe from damage? I once heard a horror story about someone who let his saxophone (in its case) go in the luggage hold. At his destination, he discovered that something had punched all the way through case and sax. I wouldn\’t want my bicycle to be ruined like that! One of my cycling books says, don\’t even dream of packing your bicycle in a shipping carton from the bike shop before letting it go into an airplane\’s luggage hold; that that\’s merely asking for trouble. I, for one, would want a hard case. I\’d have to become more comfortable with removing and replacing the wheels on my bicycle. A case that would let me leave the bike fully assembled would be awkward to handle along with my other luggage; and would probably be harder to fit in the luggage hold. For all I know, it might not even be accepted, and then where would I be? Aside from all that, be sure your passport is in order; get visas if necessary; if you\’re going to a destination where the language isn\’t your native tongue, learn some of the local lingo; have some cash in the local currency. Quite a list, isn\’t it? I\’d be tired out before I even got to the airport! The solution to that is to start getting ready well ahead of time. Make a list of everything you\’ll need. Once you\’ve gotten everything packed, it\’s time for the rest of us to wish you Bon Voyage!    

Bon Voyage! Read More »

Look Ma, No …

BACK ISSUES /

Look Ma! No … CRASH!! Oh, please, DO be very careful about riding no-hands. It appears to be so easy. And so much fun. How many kids try it, then, only to end up like this poor teddy bear? I\’ve been hesitant to blog about riding a bicycle no-handed. I can\’t offer any advice from personal experience, as I\’m unable to ride without my hands on those bars. About a month ago I changed my position on my road bike\’s saddle, so that I was sitting several inches farther back than I had been. The new \”sit spot\” changed everything else: reach, steering, pedaling. Long story short, I wound up with a new saddle; and I\’ve been working at being sure that I\’m sitting where my sit bones are supported. That leaves me with more saddle nose to work with, in case I do decide to give no-hands a go. As mentioned in Get Fast! (p. 24), \”You ultimately steer your bike with your hips.\” I guess having that saddle nose would help. But back to the \”look-Ma-no-hands\” business. First step, watch some videos on the subject. Here we are told that riding no-handed isn\’t that difficult. Maybe it doesn\’t seem so hard once you\’ve learned — just as plain old riding doesn\’t seem hard after your body figures it out. Learning, however, takes time and patience. I\’ve seen cyclists riding along no-handed, with their arms dangling at their sides. That looks terribly risky to me. What\’ll they do if they suddenly need their hands on those handlebars? Will I ever be a no-hands rider? Only time will tell, but there\’s no hurry. I don\’t want to end up like that teddy bear.      

Look Ma, No … Read More »

Is the Garmin Right?

BACK ISSUES /

  Is the Garmin right? Recovery, recovery, recovery. We hear that as much as we hear train, train, train. Maybe more. When I get home after a ride, and select Save Ride on my Garmin, it tells me how many hours of recovery I (supposedly) need before riding again. If I\’ve ridden any harder than gently, the Garmin is likely to say I need more than 24 hours\’ recovery. Twelve minutes into a ride, the Garmin automatically shows a Recovery Check screen. Even when it told me the morning before that I needed, let\’s say, 36 hours of recovery time, it almost always says my recovery has been Good. That strikes me as a bit odd. Is the Garmin right? Am I doing something wrong in my \”training\”? Now and then the Garmin will say Fair for Recovery Check. That can happen if I do a very hard effort early in a ride. Sometimes it just happens, and I then I wonder what\’s up. As far as I can remember, only once has the Garmin told me Poor for recovery status. That was when I absentmindedly started a new ride instead of putting the thing on Pause, so I ignored it. Taking a week away from riding, as the article suggests, seems like too much to me, especially now, with Cycle September coming up. I want to be in good condition for it! Maybe over the Christmas break?  

Is the Garmin Right? Read More »

Thinking Ahead

BACK ISSUES /

Thinking ahead is a wise practice. Yes, I know, it\’s still August. It still feels like a combination of blast furnace and sauna where I live. So why am I thinking about cold-weather events now? Thinking ahead! Fall will come eventually, even if it doesn\’t seem like it today. Cycling enthusiasts aren\’t likely to consider hibernation, so let\’s give some thought to cold-weather events. Will you have an outdoor cycling event on a day uncomfortably cool for  bare legs; but don\’t want to bother with leg warmers (or is it a race and, for all I know, leg warmers are against race rules?) Do you need a way to pre-heat  your legs, so you don\’t have to blast out of the gate with cold muscles? Maybe embrocation will help. What type to use? That depends on how cold the day is. There are warm and hot varieties. The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling discusses analgesics on pages 193-194. It mentions that a common ingredient in these products is methyl salicylate, and to be carful with it if you\’re sensitive to aspirin; the two are chemically related. Some riders use analgesic products after a hard ride, to soothe sore muscles. I can\’t say how well they work, never having tried them myself. I haven\’t tried embrocation products, either. Despite the nuisance of having to wash them out, I think I\’ll stick with leg warmers.

Thinking Ahead Read More »

A Chill Ride

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Chill Ride A “chill” ride comparatively speaking, that is. I was a bit nervous about going for a ride today, because last night the forecast said there was a 90% chance of rain and T-storms. In fact, as I was setting out, I saw a huge, black cloud off in a southerly direction. I decided to chance it, but keep it rather short; partly because I didn’t know what the weather might do; and partly because when I’ve done less riding than usual for a week, it’s probably better not to push for 40-50 miles. I ran into some light sprinkle here and there; but no real rain. Then I got to my turnaround point. Two other riders came along, and we chatted for a bit. Naturally we got to talking about the weather, and one of them got out his iPhone (SmartPhone?) to check it. He announced that it was 77 degrees. That’s a lot cooler than it has been. My comment was, “We’re gonna freeze!” I guess the overcast is keeping temperatures down. I also mentioned that I rather wish I could do RAGBRAI. “What’s that?” So I told him a bit about it. On the way out, I averaged 15.44 mph; very good for me. Going back home, I “chilled”, i.e. rode at a more leisurely pace; about 12.6 mph. But for a local collegiate racing team, a “chill” ride is about 18 mph. For me that’s still a hard effort!

A Chill Ride Read More »

Serotta

BACK ISSUES /

Listen to avid cyclists discussing bike fit, and you may hear \”Serotta\”. All this chatter about bicycle fit sounds a bit like dressmaking/tailoring. Actually, I suppose it is.  Sewing is about making a garment to fit the intended wearer properly. A bicycle fit is about getting a bicycle to fit the rider just right. The more you ride, the more important this is, even if you\’re \”only\” a recreational rider. Serotta is one of the oldest fitting systems. To quote Wikipedia: \”The Serotta Fit School, started in 1998, trains retailers, coaches and clinicians in a system that incorporates the rider\’s life, goals, fitness, body, flexibility, motion, experience, injuries, surgeries and physical concerns.\” That sounds pretty comprehensive. Serotta is another of the bike-fit systems discussed in Cutting-Edge Cycling (see p. 160). If I had the funding, and the free time, it might be interesting to try out all the different bicycle fitting systems on my road bike. I notice that all the systems mentioned in Cutting-Edge Cycling mention cleat placement. With my new saddle, I find that I\’m tugging at the pedals so that I\’ve got \”clickety-cleats\”. Do my cleats need to be moved? I guess I\’ll ask the guys at my regular bike shop. My budget can\’t take another fitting just now.      

Serotta Read More »

Aren\’t We Masochistic?

BACK ISSUES /

Are we cyclists masochistic? It might seem like it. Avid cyclists speak of the sufferfest. Pros, and aspiring pros, talk about learning how to love pain. I\’ve done my share (and then some) of complaining that my overall cruising speed does\’t seem to be increasing. There are numerous training plans out there; why don\’t I just pick one and use it? I tried that a couple of years ago, and only seemed to get slower. The plan specified X amount of time in certain heart rate Zones on certain days; HR Zone 2, or whatever. For me, Zone 2 is quite slow unless I\’m in a very hard gear and pedaling very slowly. Yes, I can make 15 mph that way, but such riding wears out my legs too fast; and I know from my reading that it also burns up the body\’s glycogen stores too quickly. Oh, please. Bonk, bonk, stay away! (Carry some GU-Gels if you try that method of pedaling). As an older rider, I also need to be especially careful to guard against injury. Even after almost 10 years\’ total pedaling, I\’m still worried that riding hard before I go to work will wear me out too much. It might help if I had a couple of hours between dragging myself out of bed and climbing aboard the bicycle. I don\’t have that luxury; some days, only 15-20 minutes elapse between rising and riding. Hard efforts are hard enough when you actually feel awake! There I go again with the pity-party. I guess I\’m not enough of a masochist.    

Aren\’t We Masochistic? Read More »