SpokEasy

November 2020

Perestroika?

BACK ISSUES /

\”Perestroika\” is a term I remember from the former Soviet Union under Gorbachev. Its meaning was given as \”new beginning\”. That\’s certainly me when I\’ve blown my diet big time the previous evening. Perestroika as in try, try again. I don\’t know what was going on, but last night I totally lost control. I devoured as much candy in a few hours as I had in the previous week; and maybe more. Possibly I was plain old hungry without realizing it. Could it have been stress? Yesterday morning I had to go downtown for a doctor\’s appointment; and after that, I had to go to work. That wore me out. On days when I don\’t work from home, I have much less time for preparing and eating breakfast. On top of that, I have to drag along lunch and snacks. I never seem to be sure exactly how much food I need to bring with me; and if what I bring isn\’t enough, I end up eating junk food. On the other hand, I don\’t want to bring too much, and end up throwing it away. We as cyclists also seem to be making new beginnings, over and over. If a big event is on the calendar, we work out a training plan: what aspect of my riding most needs improvement? Pace? Climbing? And we take it from there. When the calendar is chock-full of events, after one event is past, it\’s time to recover a while; and then begin working towards the next thing. I\’m glad that I don\’t have that kind of stress. My primary reason for cycling is the pleasure in movement. But when Tour de Cure is over? Start something new!

Perestroika? Read More »

Gloom & Doom

BACK ISSUES /

Doom & gloom seems to be all we hear about lately. It\’s no wonder some of us are freaking out big time. The latest outbreaks of COVID-19 are the first doom & gloom that will occur to most of us. Cases are increasing just about everywhere in the United States, and I\’d say that plenty of folks are very worried about that. Probably I should be more concerned than I am. Not that I go to restaurants, theaters, and the like; but I do still go to stores. I work on a college camps, and a considerable increase in COVID-19 cases among the students was just reported. For a long time I\’ve had the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop, and have been half-expecting another shut-down, similar to the one in March. Maybe this outbreak will be the tipping point. I\’m getting pessimistic about Tour de Cure. After months of working to improve my force, I\’ve been missing too much riding. Too often, I oversleep and either must cut my ride short; or even miss it entirely. All this food logging is a bit of a drag, and meal planning/prep does take time. Not to mention cleaning up afterwards. The fatigue factor means I\’m more likely to fall off the wagon during evenings, and turn to sweets. Hurricane season has been wild this year. It seems like it will never end, and that\’s another stressor. At present it seems that we in N.O. can stop worrying about Eta; but there\’s a new system in the Caribbean that might develop into something. I\’d better go clean up the kitchen, and set up the hybrid in the trainer. I\’ll get in at least a little pedaling. Tomorrow I work from home, so it won\’t hurt if I don\’t get back from riding until 7:00. All the same, I hope I don\’t oversleep again!

Gloom & Doom Read More »

Safecracking

BACK ISSUES /

Safecracking seems easy sometimes. I can\’t help thinking about it when I start to open a pull-top can; and the pull-ring breaks off before I\’ve even started pulling the top away from the can. It happed to me recently as I was preparing a meal. What to do? I was hungry! First, I tried using the can opener. It didn\’t very work well. A few sections of the can\’s lid did get opened, but it wasn\’t enough. I tried wiggling the handles of various utensils through those openings, using them as levers to pry up the lid. Still not much luck. I finally had to go to my tool box and fetch the pliers. Even with the pliers I wasn\’t able to completely separate the lid from the can. The Jaws of Life would have come in handy, or at least a crowbar. And all that work just to get some black beans to eat! No wonder safecracking seems so easy. Is that why the Pirates of Penzance considered switching to \”burglaree\”?

Safecracking Read More »

Listen!

BACK ISSUES /

Listen! How often we\’ve heard that command! From our parents, when we were children; and from our schoolteachers. We also need to do it while cycling. Be alert to your surroundings. If you must use a busy street, don\’t daydream; and don\’t use a headset or earbuds. If your ride is more rural, it will be more fun if you can hear the birds singing. Listen to your body, too, they say. I think mine has been trying to tell me something, but I\’m not sure what. The carb-watching doesn\’t seem to be going quite right. I don\’t think I\’m eating quite enough, which could explain why I\’m so tired lately. The nutritionist said something about focusing more on eating complex carbs, and worrying less about how many grams of carbs I\’m getting. I like that idea. For supper last Friday I ate fat-free refried pinto beans with avocado; and it seemed the most satisfying thing I had eaten in days. I think my body is saying, Feed Me! During the last two weeks, I often fall back asleep after my alarm clock goes off. The result is a much shortened ride, or no ride at all. This happens even when I\’ve gone to bed before 10 pm the previous night! My body seems to be saying, Get More Sleep. That\’s much easier said than done. There are many other signals that our body sends. Among them are warnings that we\’re pushing too hard a gear, thus possibly risking knee injury; and the dreaded, vapory feeling that means Feed Me NOW, I\’m Bonking! There are times, no doubt, when we wish our bodies would shut up for a while. But we have to pay attention, or we might pay a high price.

Listen! Read More »

Granny!

BACK ISSUES /

Granny! If “granny” rides a bicycle, there’s a gear just for her! Granny, to be honest, sounds to me first and foremost like a cartoon character. I couldn’t help thinking of her this morning while I was out doing my weekly long ride. I had a strong headwind on the way back home, and had to keep shifting down into my “granny gear“. The wind was blowing at 15 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph. My overall pace was that of a snail; but I was trying not to worry about that. I concentrated on my spin instead. It took me over four hours’ roll time to complete 40.5 miles. I hope wind conditions are more favorable on November 23! I’ll be putting in 62 miles that day. It’s lucky, after all, that TdC as a group ride was sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic. My pace won’t be nearly as big a concern. Right now I could use a grandma to cook for me. After a long ride I often don’t feel like cooking; and even less do I feel like cleaning up the kitchen afterwards! But what else can I do? I have to eat. After all, I burned 1201 calories during today’s ride. My pre-ride, ride, and post-ride food intake totaled 1474 calories. That left me with quite an empty tank! For lunch I had steamed cauliflower over buckwheat, with cheddar cheese and chopped scallion on top. I must remember that; it was pretty good. There’s half a large green avocado in the fridge: guacamole for supper. Incidentally, I wonder whether my grandmother ever used avocados!  

Granny! Read More »

Worth a Thousand Words

BACK ISSUES /

A picture is worth a thousand words, they say. The above image depicts the outcome of today’s trip to the salvage store. I’m glad I took the trailer, because this was one of those times when I see a lot of things that I use often. My “Get It While I Can” instinct could run wild. I stocked up on canned goods: tuna, chicken, refried black beans, and so on. I had hoped to find hummus, which is the main reason I used the trailer. Taking home hummus means hauling along the cooler, and that thing is a space hog. I found the hummus, and got two boxes of it. For the salvage store it was pricy, but hey! It’s hummus! I hope Eta doesn’t decide to pay us a visit, and knock out the power like Zeta did. That outage forced me to discard the hummus supply I had. Today the grab bag bins were well stocked with beef jerky-type snacks. I got the “chew” candy bar to try, and cut it into 8 pieces. I’m carb-watching, after all! Getting that load home wasn’t easy. I had a headwind, and one of the hybrid’s fenders is dragging against the tire; I heard it all the way. It probably made the going harder than it would have been otherwise, and that full trailer seems to increase the fender drag! Unfortunately I don’t have a pic of the fender problem. If I did, I could post it because, you know, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Worth a Thousand Words Read More »

Hot or Cold?

BACK ISSUES /

Hot or Cold? Hot, or cold? Chocolate, that is! Cooling temperatures bring thoughts of hot chocolate, especially after a long, cold ride. Maybe I should say, lukewarm chocolate, though. I’m not the type who can gulp down scalding hot food or beverages. I don’t know how anybody can. And of course there’s cold chocolate! There are many examples. When I go for a long ride, and take along food, sometimes I opt for RXBar Chocolate Sea Salt. I like Kind bars; and now that the weather is cooler, maybe I can take them along on rides. During hot weather that chocolate coating gets terribly messy. One of my favorite GU flavors is Chocolate Outrage. For some truly cold chocolate, how about ice cream? Say, chocolate chip cookie dough? Mint chocolate chip? Or my favorite, Cherry Garcia®? It’s the ice-cream version of cherry cordial chocolates. But I’m trying to avoid ice cream now. Pre-diabetes has me working to curb the sweets.  Getting back to hot chocolate, I’ve found hot-chocolate tablets in the salvage store. If my taste buds are in the mood for the flavor, but not the temperature, I split up a tablet and munch on a piece. (Each tablet is four servings). So which shall it be: hot, or cold? Maybe chocoholics don’t even care — it’s chocolate, isn’t it?

Hot or Cold? Read More »

Venezuela

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Venezuela   So, is the place bicycle-friendly? During the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country was facing chronic shortages of fuel; so the citizenry took more to bicycles out of sheer necessity. What about bicycle touring? Check out these possibilities. Among others there are flat, long, and downhill routes. But there’s a catch. It’s one thing that there are possibilities for cycle touring in the country; however, be sure to check out travel advisories before you dust off that passport. As of late September, 2023, things don’t look good. Health-care infrastructure is said to be poor in Venezuela. That alone is a good reason for me to hesitate about traveling there. But if I could go there, what would I see and do? A bicycle tour, of course; but I think it would be fantastic to visit Angel Falls. There are many other things to see and do as well, from zoos to beaches to (yes) shopping malls. I personally don’t care about the shopping malls; but when I visit other cities I enjoy going through the local zoos. It’s a good way to get to see some of the area’s native wildlife. Beaches? I’m ambivalent about the shores. Maybe beach-cruising on a fat-tire bicycle, early in the day? It sounds like fun to make the first tracks in the sand! 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.” 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 Holding My Breath Again! January 8, 2024 Bolivia January 7, 2024 Beating the Weather January 7, 2024 Real Saturday January 6, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Venezuela Read More »

Weight Loss Gains

BACK ISSUES /

Weight loss woes are counterbalanced by weight loss gains. One that I didn\’t expect is that it\’s now easier for me to hold a prone plank position. Last night I did a few for the first time in weeks, and I was surprised at how much easier \”planking\” seems now. Maybe that\’s because I don\’t have as much of a gut for my arms to support! I need to continue working at those off-bike resistance exercises for the upper body and core. But after this week, no lower-body off bike work; and no more force intervals until Tour de Cure is over. Yesterday, unfortunately, I missed my ride.😞 I overslept again! I planned to ride after I got home from work, but by that time I was exhausted. On top of that, the kitchen counter and sink were full of dishes to be washed; I had to clean up two pounds of carrots; and I had to prep today\’s lunch. This morning I had to be content with a shorter ride than usual. Again, it was hard to wake up and get going. That\’s all too often the case when the weather gets cool. But at least I got out there and rode! There wasn\’t much wind, and it was a bit warmer than yesterday. Conditions tomorrow are forecast to be similar. So far it doesn\’t look like we\’ll be affected by Eta, knock on wood. It looks like the weekend will be OK, too, so I can go for that long ride. Weight loss gains come into play here, too: I now have some 20 pounds less to carry around on the bike!

Weight Loss Gains Read More »

Just Don’t Chew Gum

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Just Don’t Chew Gum 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.” Singapore has its share of cycling routes. Hop aboard a bike — perhaps a Tommaso Sentiero — and take  off!  Changi Bay Park sounds nice, with beautiful views of the water. I suppose it can get quite windy, though. The Mandai Loop, with its easy climbs, is a good choice for beginning MTB riders. Or try a coast-to-coast ride. Start at Jurong Lake Gardens, and head for Coney Island. Roll through nature reserves and parks. The Kranji Marshes Loop is one for wildlife lovers. This is home to numerous species of dragonflies, birds, and butterflies. Singapore isn’t only about bicycle touring; this small nation offers numerous types of tours. The climate is warm year-round, and rain is possible at any time. Take along a poncho! Try the local food. Seafood is big here, and I wonder what stingray tastes like. Sometimes I think it’s a pity that I’m not a big fan of crabs, shrimp, and so on.   Singapore is also very clean. I would find that a welcome change from my home city, where I see litter; cigarette butts; etc. everywhere I look! Honestly, it’s downright depressing. Whether it’s a cycling; walking; or bus tour, enjoy your time in Singapore — but remember, just don’t chew gum! 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 Joyeux Noël! December 21, 2023 Fröhliche Weihnachten! December 20, 2023 Christmas Past December 20, 2023 Relearning December 19, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Just Don’t Chew Gum Read More »