SpokEasy

July 2022

Inflation

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INFLATION Inflation sounds like pumping up the bicycle tires. Well, that’s one meaning of the term; but another kind of inflation affects anybody who buys anything. The news media are full of it; with the price of gasoline perhaps the best known example. But even the salvage store is not immune to rising prices. For example, a few months ago I was there, and bought a 6 oz bag of dried cranberries. It cost $1.49. About two weeks ago, at the same store, the same product cost $1.64!  And look what happens when it’s six and a half years since you last purchased a laptop! This one that I have now cost around $1500-1600; and its replacement ran me over $2K! I had to order the laptop, because the store was out of stock; and it might take a week to get the new one. Meanwhile, I hope I don’t get COVID. At work today, I got an email message. It said that their tracking shows I might have been in close contact with someone who tested positive. The message said I should be tested as soon as possible; and I scheduled a test for tomorrow. Two or three days ago, a spot on the right side of my head felt stuffy/achy on and off. The next day, the corresponding spot on the left side of my head did the same thing. I put it down to allergy; and I hope that’s all it was. I don’t need COVID to disrupt my progress towards my Love to Ride mileage goal. This morning I fell short of my usual mileage. You know those days when you can hardly drag  yourself out of bed; and you’re tired a sleepy all day. Salvage store day after tomorrow; and I hope inflation hasn’t been too busy!

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we’re melting

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We’re Melting! We’re melting here! And there’s no beach nearby where we can cool off. The heat index was 103 F by 12:15 pm; and more is in store for tomorrow. After a lifetime here, I ought to expect this kind of thing. I know that such heat can set in as early as March! I don’t remember it ever getting so hot, so soon in the year, when I was a kid. In fact, back then the really hot/humid weather didn’t set in until early July. The heat doesn’t make cycling any easier; and in fact, it makes daily living quite tedious. When I walk places, I carry a piece of cardboard in my hand to use as a fan. Even indoors I need to keep that fan handy, despite the air conditioning. The window unit blows air upwards instead of outwards; and that’s no help! Who ever came up with such a design? Even when I ride before sunup, I get very hot and sweaty; and I’m lucky that I can ride then. Not everybody has that option. I checked the local start times for some Tour de France stages. The first two began at 14:30; or 2:30 pm. It seems pretty crazy to me that Tour de France stages don’t start until the middle of the day, when it’s the hottest. I suppose that’s for the spectators. Not many would want to be up to watch a 6:00 am start. While we’re melting outdoors, the air conditioning at work is often too cold! Then, when we come back outside, the contrast is a bit much. In Winter, the  opposite is true. It’s very hard to get it right. We finally got some rain; but I hope it’s over before morning. I want to ride!

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computers

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Computers! It’s a funny thing about computers. I’m old enough that I hardly heard the word before I was nine or ten. And computers were in cartoons about mad scientists plotting to take over the world. Now I use the things regularly, as does nearly everybody. In a way, computers themselves have taken over the world! When I was a kid, I never dreamed that I’d own one of the things. In fact, I own several. I have my laptop; and the hybrid has its Cateye; and the road bike has its Garmin. I use a desktop model at work. My laptop, alas, seems to be wearing out. Even plugged in, it won’t charge fully; and as I type this, it’s at only 87%. Last night it was at 91%; so something isn’t right! Unfortunately a new one will be very expensive; but if I’m to keep this site up and running, I have to have it. That’s another thing about computers. They can do some marvelous work; but let them shut down, and we’re helpless! I also noticed years ago that using these machines teaches us impatience. We get used to all-but-instantaneous results; and when things are slower, we get aggravated. Or at least I do. Now I turn my thoughts to tomorrow’s forecast. There’s a heat advisory posted for 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. It’s plenty hot right now, with a heat index of 105! I’m glad I can ride early in the day.  

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Monday Muddle

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Uncategorized /

Monday Muddle Today was a Monday muddle, as is only too usual. It makes me feel rather like this gorilla. I didn’t go out on the road bike; but I did ride the hybrid to work. One block from home, I suddenly noticed that I’d forgotten my helmet; and had to go back for it. That was Monday muddle #1. At work, my brain felt like mush; another Monday usual. I brought almonds with chocolate bits as part of my lunch; forgot I had them; and bought M&Ms! There I go again with the Monday muddle. On the way home I watched the clouds. It looked like a T-storm might be developing; but as of 6:00pm, nothing. I had a good tailwind, though! I’m keeping an eye on my commuting progress in Love to Ride. I’m 46% on the way to Super Commuter: ride to work 200 days in the calendar year. If there are 108 work days left in 2022, I just might make it.  But that supposes no vacation days; no sick days; and no hurricane-enforced time off! Last year I missed a lot of time, thanks to Ida. So far this year’s hurricane season is slow; but it might pick up tempo any time. We just hope it doesn’t! I don’t need my Monday muddle to extend into the week; and make me forget my poncho. There’s a chance of T-storms every afternoon for the next 3-4 days; and I might need it. At least the clouds will keep the temperature down a bit. Incidentally, I’m glad I’m not riding in the Tour de France. It’s so hot there, the tarmac is melting!

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break

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Break? Am I finally getting a break from worrying about rain? It looks like rain chances for much of this week will be in the afternoons. Maybe I can plan my morning rides and not have to worry about T-storms! This morning I wasn’t quite sure I’d get such a break. When I set out, I could see thunderheads in several directions. I wish I knew how far away such clouds are when I can see the entire cloud; and which way those clouds are moving! I don’t think I’ll ever get over being nervous about lightning when I’m riding on top of the levee.  But I got lucky. The storms stayed away; and from time to time some clouds moved over the sun. That gave me a bit of a break from the heat. Today it didn’t get quite as hot as some recent days; and that was a major relief. Today I did about 40.8 miles. I’m a little uncertain about the exact distance, because shortly before I got home, I pressed my Garmin’s Pause button instead of the Lap button. That threw things off a bit; but on the way out, I noticed that that particular stretch of road was about 0.3 miles. So I added it to the Garmin’s mileage reading. If I’m off a bit, why worry? With my long-term mileage total, a few tenths of a mile are nothing. When I was still about 10 miles from home, I noticed that my legs felt really tired. Was pushing for 40 miles today too much, after missing last Sunday? Then I remembered: fatigue, and the desire to coast, can signal dehydration. I began drinking more water; and sure enough, I felt better. It’s a good thing I read so much!

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Another Excursion

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Uncategorized /

Another Excursion Good for on-bike fueling; or as a quick meal. This morning I made another excursion to the salvage store. I was a bit uneasy about the weather. On the way there, I could see a big cloud in my rearview mirror; and I forgot to pack the poncho! However, I was lucky. It didn’t rain; and part of the time the sun was behind the clouds. That kept me a little cooler; and as of 3:55 pm it hasn’t rained yet. The salvage store ran out of those Gatorade bars several weeks ago; and I’ve used up the supply that I had.  I was glad to find some other protein meal bars at 50¢ each. I hope the store has a good, long run with them. Today the grab-bag bins were empty. I hope they have something when I go there again. Sometimes I find good stuff there, including ride food. Once home, I put away the things that needed refrigeration. Then I started another excursion to get bananas; celery; and an onion. I want to make Leapin’ Leo; and I needed the vegetables for it. The bananas are for pre-ride snacks. Naturally I’m planning a long ride for tomorrow. It looks like the greatest rain chances are for the afternoon; and I hope that’s accurate! I’ve got a 40-mile trek in mind; and it won’t be fun if it rains and gets my ride food wet. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I have to clean up the kitchen and do my laundry. And get back into my off-bike exercises! I’ve been terribly slack about them for months!

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more than balance

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Uncategorized /

More Than Balance This More than Balance DVD guides the new rider into many aspects of cycling. Riding a bicycle is also about having a bike that fits your body. It’s about  learning how to ride safely in motor traffic; and even basic repairs. I’ve never really learned how to make bicycle repairs. Last December I got a flat when I was 17 miles from home; and fixing that flat bothered my arthritic hands big time. It also took big time! I rarely need to change a tube; and of course I was all thumbs at it. Often I wish I could do things such as adjust derailleurs; and the only way to learn, is to do! But I’m too afraid of ruining my bicycle to try it. Riding next to traffic is another skill I’ve never developed. I don’t have to do it often; and when I do, it makes me very nervous. I never know when someone might fling open a door right in front of me. The result could be catastrophic injury; or even death. As to a bicycle that fits, a professional fitting is well worth the cost; especially if you want to do a lot of miles. It isn’t only the bicycle frame that must fit. A good saddle is also important. Should you get a firm saddle; or a cushier one? By all I’ve ever read, that depends on the kind of riding you want to do. For casual short rides around the  neighborhood, a wide, soft saddle might be OK. For longer, faster riding, a narrower and firmer saddle is in order. The main thing is that your saddle supports your sit bones properly. See where we’re going here? Cycling is, indeed, about more than balance!

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Taking Chances

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Taking Chances It felt like I was taking chances today. I had to go to a doctor’s appointment a good distance away; and on the way home I decided to get Chinese food. It was hot; I was tired; and I didn’t feel like carrying a full takeout box home; so I ate in for a change. The restaurant was perhaps half-full; but even so, I really wasn’t comfortable being in there with so many people. Of course I had to take my mask off while I ate. There were also possible exposures on the bus; and at the doctor’s office. I sometimes feel like I’m taking chances anytime I go outdoors. The news is constantly full of reports of car-jackings; murders; and on and on. But a body’s got to get on with  everyday life; and I can’t do that if I stay indoors all day, every day. How could I go riding? I have to go to work; and I have to get groceries. All anyone can do is to stay alert; and hope for the best. Ideally I’d have a few riding companions; but how many people want to ride at 5:00 am? Every day I’m taking chances with the weather. As long as the forecasts include chances of T-storms, I’m a bit on edge; and I admit that I’m rather weary of hauling along rain gear day after day. A poncho is hard to fold or roll so that it’s truly compact; thus it takes up more space than I want it to.  This morning it wasn’t raining; but there were too many clouds for me to get a good look at the moon. A brief break in the overcast let me see the moon through thin, high clouds; and that was better than nothing. But how I missed seeing the moonlight on the river!

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Weather Weary

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors /

Weather Weary I’m sure weather weary. Too many forecasts have predicted T-storms, with possibly torrential rain; and then nothing much happens! This morning I rode short and easy; and on the way to the park, I could see that someone in a southerly direction was getting a T-storm. It was far away, but here it was overcast; and I didn’t get to see the full moon. I’ve had a lot of bad luck with that this year. Either the weather conditions keep me from seeing the moon; or it’s full over the weekend, and I just don’t want to get up at 4:30 am! I need a few extra hours’ sleep on Saturdays and Sundays. Tomorrow I have an appointment in a location that means taking two buses; and rain chances are high, especially in the afternoon. The thought of it makes me more weather weary than ever. Who likes standing around in a downpour while waiting for a bus? I guess this is our “monsoon” season. I remember the July, forty years ago now, when there was that terrible Pan-Am crash. We had been getting a lot of T-storms with very heavy rain; and lots of lightning. I guess they didn’t know about micro-bursts then; but I hope those people didn’t die in vain. I’m tired of waiting for it to storm; but getting caught in the rain every ride would be even more irksome. If it’s raining heavily, I can hardly see where I’m riding; and if there’s a sidewind it’s hard to control the bike. Not to mention the concerns about lightning. As usual, I can only wait and see what happens — and keep umbrella and poncho handy!

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Pretty as a Picture

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Pretty as a Picture! The Tour de France pics are — well — pretty as a picture, now that they’re getting into the mountains. I love mountains; and always have. Maybe that’s because it’s flat as can be where I live; and the sight of mountains is a refreshing change. But I’d better not try a cycling adventure at high altitude, unless I put in some rigorous altitude-simulation training first! If training in the mountains isn’t possible, this mask can help! I remember visits to such places as Rocky Mountain National Park when I was a kid. If you go camping/bike packing there, remember that high altitudes are cold at night! I was always amazed at how much it cooled off after sunset, even in July. Bring plenty of layers; and a warm sleeping bag. The scenery is pretty as a picture; but you won’t be able to enjoy it if you’re freezing. Today’s weather wasn’t pretty; and it probably won’t get better for at least a few more days. There’s a low-pressure system just off the Gulf coast; and it’s generating plenty of rain! I was relieved when it wasn’t raining this morning; and I went for a ride. But I could see that somebody in a northerly direction was getting a T-storm; and I’m glad it was far away. Our weather for the next few days won’t be pretty as a picture; and I’ll be glad when the rain goes elsewhere. The weekend might be OK for riding, because the main chances for T-storms are in the afternoons. I want to ride, and bump up my Love to Ride mileage. I hit 3000 today; 2000 more to go!

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