SpokEasy

November 2023

Holes in My Head?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Holes in My Head? 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.” Do I have holes in my head? Lately I often forget to start my Garmin when I begin a ride. Sometimes I’m a quarter-mile from home before I remember to turn the thing on. What an aggravation that is! After I’m recovered from my bunion surgery, I hope I can get back into riding quickly — and I hope I don’t keep forgetting to start the Garmin when I go out. But I might have to stick with the hybrid for a while so I can wear sneakers, because bike shoes might be too snug for my scar. This morning it was cool enough for a helmet liner; holes in my head or not. The temperature was in the low 50s, so I used the heavier one. This ride was about just keeping moving. My legs felt tired; and sometimes slow and steady is what you need, anyway. Here and there I coasted a bit while I did some on-bike stretching. This was a very simple move (or un-move) — straighten one leg and stretch the heel downwards for a few seconds. This is helpful when your legs are getting very tired, and you’ve still got 10 more miles to go. Probably I need more off-bike stretching than I’m doing. I was doing flexibility exercises twice a week; but for a long time, I let off-bike exercises slide while I was re-building this website. Now I’m trying to get back into them. I can tell how much fitness I’ve lost! I hope this YouTube will be OK for me to do after my foot surgery. It might keep my legs strong, even if I do have holes in my head. 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 Holes in My Head? November 19, 2023 Not the Dessert November 18, 2023 I’m Trying November 17, 2023 The Small Stuff November 16, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Not the Dessert

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Not the Dessert 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.” It’s not the dessert; even though balaclava makes me think of baklava. We’re getting to the time of year when I might wish for a balaclava, though. Next Wednesday night, the low is predicted to be 49 degrees; and the wind, 15 mph. That’s going to feel cold! Not that I’ll be riding. My lapiplasty is scheduled for Wednesday morning; and of course I won’t be able to ride for a while after that. I’ll sure miss the pedaling, though! So I hope to get in good rides tomorrow and Monday.   Despite the upcoming hiatus from riding, I looked for ride food at the salvage store this morning. And found some, too; including four A.M. RXBars in the grab-bag bins. They’ll keep until I can ride again. Incidentally, how would baklava do as ride food? Not that I really have to ask that question; I know how sticky it is. So not the dessert on the bike! I’ll stick with protein bars.   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 I’m Trying November 17, 2023 The Small Stuff November 16, 2023 Endorphins November 15, 2023 Hurry Up and Rain November 14, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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I’m Trying

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

I’m Trying I’m trying to get faster — sort of. My efforts are really rather too sporadic for me to make good progress. Today I worked at cadence rather than aiming for a specific speed. For one minute at a time, I pushed for at least 80 rpm; and I liked the mental change from trying to stay at, let’s say, 15 mph or over. The wind of the last few days has largely died down; and it was a welcome change to be out on the levee, riding my road bike. Pedaling laps around the park gets quite dull. The sky is still overcast; and the temperature is in the upper 60s. The forecast says, “mostly sunny”; but it doesn’t look like it it yet! I’m trying to get things squared away before next Wednesday’s foot surgery; and that includes a trip to the salvage store — with the trailer. I haven’t used it for months; partly because of recovering from the hand surgery; and partly because I had too much stuff at home. But now is the time to get a little extra! 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 The Small Stuff November 16, 2023 Endorphins November 15, 2023 Hurry Up and Rain November 14, 2023 Ride Inside or Outside? November 13, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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The Small Stuff

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

The Small Stuff 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.” “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” How often do we hear that? But sometimes it’s the small stuff that makes all the difference. Remember, “For want of a nail“! Going on a bicycle tour? Be sure to pack a multi-tool; and a couple of spare tubes don’t hurt! In fact, reduce the risk of flats by investing in a set of     tire liners. These things help a lot! I’ve used them for years now; and have had few flats. When I do get a flat, it’s a headache: I know what to do to fix a flat; but I’m all thumbs at it! In fact, my hands don’t seem to have the requisite strength for flat-fixing. There’s so much small stuff that I can’t list all of it; and in fact, it’s easy to take these items for granted when you’ve got them around the time. At home, that is. Out on tour, it’s another story. Then there’s the small stuff of training. How do you get faster when preparing for a big event? Start small, of course! Try riding several mph faster than usual for a short way; and gradually increase both intensity and distance. I’ve been falling short on that lately; and I have less than a week before my bunion surgery. Not much time left to ride; so I hope I get in some good miles before next Wednesday. Post-surgery? The small stuff won’t be so small for a while! 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 The Small Stuff November 16, 2023 Endorphins November 15, 2023 Hurry Up and Rain November 14, 2023 Ride Inside or Outside? November 13, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Endorphins

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Endorphins 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.” We hear about endorphins, aka the feel-good hormones, resulting from cycling. It can happen even on a gloomy day! Today I didn’t go out until about 11:00 am. The sky is still dreary gray; and earlier it was raining. But as the morning wore on, I got tired of sitting around; and decided to pull on the poncho and roll on over to the park. The rain had stopped, at least for the time being; and sometimes you have to grab a weather window while you can. Again, I rode the hybrid, because I couldn’t be sure it wasn’t going to start pouring. The weather wasn’t really cold; but the wind was still pretty strong.  So I went to the park; that meant I wasn’t going to have to battle a stiff headwind for 5-6 miles to get home. As I was riding, a fine drizzle began; and after four laps I decided to head home. I wore sunglasses because there was enough daylight for me to need them; but that mist got them badly spotted up! I sure could have used some anti-fog stuff. When I got home, I was glad that I had gone for a ride — endorphins! But shortly afterwards, I began to feel sleepy. That’s weird. All the same, don’t indulge in vigorous exercise too close to bed time; or your body will be too awake for you to sleep. Too much of a good thing? 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 Endorphins November 15, 2023 Hurry Up and Rain November 14, 2023 Ride Inside or Outside? November 13, 2023 Rise and Shine November 12, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Hurry Up and Rain

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Hurry Up and Rain 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.” I wish it would hurry up and rain. The forecast keeps predicting rain; but so far we’ve gotten little but a light drizzle all day. I prefer a good downpour that’s over in a half-hour or so. This persistent drizzle is far more likely to penetrate electrical transformers, and cause an electrical outage. On the other hand, it’s been so dry for so long that the ground probably can’t absorb a sudden large amount of water. This morning I donned the poncho and headed for the park. It wasn’t raining at the time, but the wind was pretty strong; and I wasn’t in the mood to fight it up there on the levee. The temperature was about 63 degrees; and with the wind it felt quite chilly. The poncho gave me some extra warmth! I used the hybrid, partly because it has fenders; and partly so I could bring the trunk. I wanted to get a few things at the drug store; and knew I might not go there if I had to go home first! But now I need a real ride with some hard efforts. There’s a wind advisory in effect for tomorrow. If I have a strong sidewind, bike control isn’t so easy; and if it’s a headwind, well, I’ve got my hard efforts built into my ride. I want it to hurry up and rain; but let’s get the rain done tonight. Rain plus a hard wind makes for miserable riding conditions! 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 Hurry Up and Rain November 14, 2023 Ride Inside or Outside? November 13, 2023 Rise and Shine November 12, 2023 Wet or Dry? November 11, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Ride Inside or Outside?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Ride Inside or Outside?  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.” Ride inside; or outside? That is the question when it’s drizzly and gray; and the wind is as high as 15 mph. The Saris Fluid 2 is useful on those days when you’re rarin’ to ride; but the weather outdoors is too foul. It can accommodate both road bikes and MTBs; and is Zwift compatible. I have an indoor trainer, but reserve its use for days when the weather is at its nastiest; such as when the chill factor is below freezing. We had some days like that last Winter; and riding outdoors was tortuous! On such days, thermal socks over regular socks can’t keep my feet warm; and cold feet are no fun. I wish there were enough room in my cycling shoes for warming packs! So, to ride inside; or outside? This afternoon it really isn’t cold; the temperature is in the mid-60s. But the gray skies; the drizzle; and the wind make it seem more chilly. I went for a ride in the morning; and cut it short when it seemed like rain was imminent.  But why do I do that? It’s not as though I’m riding to work, and have to deal with wet clothes when I get there. If I get poured on during a ride, I’m going home; and I can dry out and warm up.   Or even relax with a mug of hot chocolate! What a luxury that is!  

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Rise and Shine

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Rise and Shine 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.” Rise and shine? Not today! For one thing, I slept in; and it was already 9 o’clock when I got up. For another thing, it’s overcast. I also needed to do a big load of laundry; so I used the big machine on the premeses instead of my little Nictemaw. The Nictemaw isn’t very practical when I’ve got a set of sheets and several bath towels to wash.  And of course, I’m working at blogging and other website duties. Maybe I can go for a short ride later; and I think I’ll use the hybrid so I can stop at the store before I come back home. It looks like I won’t have much chance to rise and shine for at least three days. The forecast is still full of rain. I hope I get to ride, because after the bunion surgery on the 22nd, I won’t be able to ride for a while. Gosh, that’s only ten more days to enjoy cycling! I’ll have to rise and shine so I can ride. 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 Wet or Dry? November 11, 2023 Back at the Ranch November 10, 2023 Sunday on Thursday November 9, 2023 What’s the Joke? November 8, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Wet or Dry?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Wet or Dry? 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.” Sometimes it’s wet … … and sometimes it’s not Wet  or dry is much on my mind the last couple of days. The current forecast shows daily chances of rain from 20-90% through next Wednesday. So, do I take the poncho along, or not? I had it with me this morning, when I rode to the salvage store; but didn’t need it. Because I thought it might rain, I left the trailer at home. I’m still trying not to bring home big loads, anyway; I’ve got plenty of canned stuff to use up. Hurricane season is winding down, too; so it’s less important to keep a good supply of non-perishables on hand. Will tomorrow be wet or dry? The annoying thing about “20% chance of showers” is, it really doesn’t say whether it will rain. However, there’s a much greater chance of rain on Monday; so tomorrow looks like a better day for riding. As usual, I’ve got ride food on my mind. FitCrunch Bars? RXBars? I might not makeup my mind until tomorrow morning. More important than what I take to eat, is that I can keep it from getting soaked if it does rain. No wonder I’ve got wet or dry on my mind.     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 Elementor #153404 November 11, 2023 Back at the Ranch November 10, 2023 Sunday on Thursday November 9, 2023 What’s the Joke? November 8, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Back at the Ranch

BACK ISSUES, Food /

SpokEasy Welcome! My Story Hardware & Software Today’s Featured Product Bicycle Touring SpokEasy Kitchen Spokeasy Store Blogs YouTube 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.” This Hoppin’ John variation took me back to the ranch, with Ranch Style Beans. Like so many of my Hoppin’ John variations, it uses brown rice. As always, I cooked the rice on the stovetop; but if you have too much to do while the grain cooks, a rice cooker would come in handy. This Aroma Housewares Rice Cooker keeps your cooked rice warm for you, too; and can cook other things as well. I did most of the prep work yesterday afternoon; and today only needed to cook the rice and assemble the final dish. And, of course, wash dishes afterwards! I’m debating whether to ride. It’s overcast; and rain chances are 60%. If I do ride, I’ll use the hybrid, which has fenders. Then, if it does rain, I won’t get all splattered with dirty water; and my bike will stay cleaner. With the hybrid, I can use the trunk; and thus take along the poncho. It’s 74 degrees, which doesn’t feel like November. This might be a good, old-fashioned weather breeder. It’s supposed to cool off slightly over the next few days; but it will still be warm for this time of year. Maybe I’ll head for a short ride in the park. I’m getting tired of sitting around; and I’ll see you back at the ranch. 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 Sunday on Thursday November 9, 2023 What’s the Joke? November 8, 2023 Buoyed Up November 7, 2023 If the Shoe Fits November 6, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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