SpokEasy

January 2024

Whoo?

BACK ISSUES, equipment, Outdoors /

Whoo? 🦉 Whoo was doing all that hooting around last night? I though it might be a barred owl; but I checked some owl-sound videos. It may have been a great horned owl! For some reason I didn’t think we had them around here; but maybe we do. Birds can produce quite a variety of sounds; so now I wonder which owl I actually heard. It was an owl; that’s beyond doubt. A few times, when I was still riding before daylight, I heard an owl. It was a thrill, every time. Some people think owls sound spooky; but to me hearing them is relaxing. Maybe it’s because those birds’ calls sounds like out in the country — where, I hope, I’d be away from the constant traffic noise of urban dwelling. Whoo-ever that was last night, there was no chance of hearing any “hooters” this morning. I finally took my panniers and rode to the regular supermarket, for the first time since my foot surgery. That meant a certain amount of riding next to traffic; and I guess all that noise keeps owls away. My big hint for grocery runs is, go early if you aren’t comfortable riding alongside heavy motor traffic. Maybe I shouldn’t preach about using lights, as I forgot my tail light this morning! 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 Whoo? January 31, 2024 Bicycle Face January 30, 2024 Cozy January 28, 2024 Riding in the Fog January 27, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Bicycle Face

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Bicycle Face 😬 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 hope my bicycle face doesn’t look like this! Speaking of face, a helmet with a good , full-face visor helps keep blowing dust out of your eyes. Back when bicycles were a fairly recent invention, some folks feared that too much riding would result in “bicycle face”: a permanent grimace and forever-bulged eyes, wrought by the “struggle” to maintain one’s balance. We know much better nowadays, don’t we? It’s true that you might look like that while getting the hang of handling a two-wheeler; but once you’ve got that down pat, balance becomes no problem. You and your face can relax and enjoy the ride. Of course, if you’re climbing Mont Ventoux while endeavoring to hold on to that maillot jaune, it’s a very different story!  As to climbing, will I never learn to do it well? The few humps that I must surmount most days are no training whatsoever for real climbing. If I really want to tackle RAGBRAI, I need honest-to-goodness HILL training. Riding in a very hard gear is better practice than nothing; but when I do such work, it’s too easy for me to shift back into an easier gear when the going gets tough. Riding across Iowa, I might have to get off and walk; and get rid of my — uh — bicycle face. 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 Bicycle Face January 30, 2024 Cozy January 28, 2024 Riding in the Fog January 27, 2024 Weather Wary January 26, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Cozy

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Cozy ☕️ It would be nice if I could stay cozy during a chilly-day ride. Jackets and other cold-weather clothing go only so far. This morning the temperature was about 53 degrees; and the wind was about 8 mph. It was from the NW; and that meant a headwind at times, and a sidewind at others. Rarely did I have a tailwind.🙁  So it wasn’t all that cold; but the humidity level is still high. Damp air makes it feel colder; and of course my nose acted up! How to dress for a ride on a day like today? Vest and jacket; leg warmers; and full-fingered gloves, of course. I didn’t need hand warmers today; but if I lived where it got really frigid, Rabbitroom Rechargeable Gloves would be high on my wish list! After I got back home, I needed to keep cozy indoors. Lately I’ve developed the habit of keeping my leg warmers on after I complete a ride. I don’t have central heating; and when my electric heater isn’t putting out hot air, I can get rather chilly. Leg warmers help me keep cozy! 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 Cozy January 28, 2024 Riding in the Fog January 27, 2024 Weather Wary January 26, 2024 Riding in the Rain January 25, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Riding in the Fog

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Riding in the Fog 🌫️ I was riding in the fog today; especially on the way home from the salvage store. When I left home it was still raining; but often fog is worse than rain. I don’t have a pair of these anti-fog goggles; and regular glasses quickly become so wet and misty that I’m riding blind. Of course I could get some anti-fog spray; but I took the lazy way out and didn’t wear my glasses (although I did take them with me). Fortunately it wasn’t raining as hard as I feared; although it apparently poured last night. I wore my poncho, partly for warmth; and for a change, there was hardly any wind. While I was pedaling back home, the rain had stopped; but I saw that the fog had increased a good deal. What do you do when riding in the fog? For me, the first rule is to slow down; especially if it’s dark. Light up your ride, too. A headlight atop your helmet is better than one mounted on the handlebars, because you can point it in any direction by turning your head. Stay alert! That’s a good rule at any time; but especially during inclement weather. People and things can emerge from the mist all of a sudden!   I won’t be riding in the fog tomorrow; but it’s going to be cold again! And windy. I wish it would stay either warm or cold; not change every few days!   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 Weather Wary January 26, 2024 Riding in the Rain January 25, 2024 Augusta? January 24, 2024 Bumpy Ride January 23, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Weather Wary

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Weather Wary ⚡️ I’m getting tired of staying weather wary. The forecasts for several days have been for showers/T-storms likely; and it’s wearisome to be left dangling. How do I plan rides when I can’t be sure when (or even whether) the lightning might start cracking overhead? This morning I took a chance and went for a ride on the hybrid. I took along a pannier, so I could go to the grocery store before returning home; then went to the park to ride a few laps. It was misty; but at least the rain held off. On the way ro the park, I was dismayed to see that my Cateye wasn’t recording. I got new tires three days ago; and apparently the sensor wasn’t lined up properly afterwards. Somehow I didn’t notice it on the way home from the bike shop; and after that I didn’t use the hybrid again until today. I stopped several times to tinker with that sensor; but still didn’t get it right. I hope to get it lined up correctly tonight; because tomorrow I want to ride to the salvage store. IF I can; I still have to be weather wary. The forecast says, 80% chance of showers and T-storms; and if it were only rain, I wouldn’t be as worried. But if there’s lightning? It’s not fun to be riding with my skin crawling because I feel like a lightning rod! 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 Weather Wary January 26, 2024 Riding in the Rain January 25, 2024 Augusta? January 24, 2024 Bumpy Ride January 23, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Riding in the Rain

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Riding in the Rain ☔️ Riding in the rain is rather a mixed bag. On the one hand, it can be exhilarating to be out there for a spirited ride during a downpour: “Take that, Mother Nature!” But on the other hand, a rainy ride can be a frustrating, dis-spiriting slog. I’ve been out there on the road bike when it started raining hard; and the wind got nasty. Wind makes the rain seem even harder that it is; and a headwind makes visibility in rain worse — especially if you wear glasses. If you’ve got a strong sidewind, bike control is more difficult; especially when you must ride one-handed while getting a drink of water. More than once I’ve had to stop entirely to get that drink, because the wind was simply too much. All tbat is before we consider the temperature while riding in the rain. Even in hot weather, it can get quite cold in rainy conditions; and in cold weather, it’s downright miserable. My torso might stay somewhat warm, thanks to a cycling jacket and my own physical effort. If I have warming packs, my hands can stay reasonably warm. But the rest of me? Even if I’m wearing a poncho, I get plenty wet; and my leg warmers, socks, and everything else get drenched. I keep saying I ought to try a rain suit; but I’ve never gotten around to buying one. And if there’s lightning? Better stay home, and pedal in the trainer. 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 Riding in the Rain January 25, 2024 Augusta? January 24, 2024 Bumpy Ride January 23, 2024 Wet Week January 22, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Augusta?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Augusta? Not Augusta as in the capital city of Maine. I mean, “augusta” wind forced me to get off my bicycle and walk! Maybe it’s lucky I wasn’t on a “fixie“. A single-speed bicycle might not have let me keep going against that wind as far as I did; which really wasn’t all that far. Maybe it was 3.5 miles; but during the final mile, the wind was directly against me. It started blowing so hard that I could barely make 5 mph. Riding in the drops might have helped; but when the breeze gets that strong, I don’t feel confident in the drops. With about a half-mile still to before I could get down off the levee, I was getting very tired; and my arms were wearing out. It’s a good thing I had turned for home when I did! I might have gone a mile or two farther, but the clouds in a westerly direction looked like they were building up; and they looked stormy. Mindful of the forecast for heavy rain, I decided not to push my luck.  I brought along a poncho in case it began to pour before I could get back home. I’m glad it didn’t; that old poncho that I have flaps like crazy in the wind; and it’s even harder to make any headway under such circumstances. Now that I’m home, I don’t care if augusta wind comes along, as long as it doesn’t down the power lines! 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 Elementor #160030 January 24, 2024 Bumpy Ride January 23, 2024 Wet Week January 22, 2024 Watching the barometer January 21, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Bumpy Ride

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Bumpy Ride🐫 My hybrid has been giving me a rough, bumpy ride the last week or two. There’s been an endless bump-bump-bump as I pedaled along. Today I went to ride some laps around the park; and I finally stopped to look at the tires. They hadn’t seemed to be leaking; but something just wasn’t right. I spotted what looked like a little green spot on the rear tire; and I didn’t dare try to remove it, lest I cause a flat. At that point, I was only halfway through Lap 1; but I decided it was wiser to cut the bumpy ride short and head for the bike shop. It’s a good thing I did! I got there without mishap; and told them what was going on. It turned out the rear tire was quite badly worn; and they said I’d have had a flat for sure if not for the tire liners. I guess it was time for new tires in any case; the ones I had were about 16 month old. While I was at the shop, I got a new tail light. I don’t remember when I got the one that I already had; but I know it’s  old. Even after an overnight charge-up, it doesn’t stay on for long at all. Tomorrow I might get a rough ride because of the weather. There’s a 50% chance of T-storms; and even without that, riding in the rain can get very unpleasant. For one thing, heavy rain wreaks havoc on visibility. Eyeglasses don’t have windshield wipers! 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 Bumpy Ride January 23, 2024 Wet Week January 22, 2024 Watching the barometer January 21, 2024 Torpor January 20, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Wet Week

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Wet Week💧 We’ve got a wet week coming, with showers and even T-storms through Saturday. It will be warmer this coming week than it was over the weekend; and that’s going to make it a little easier to poncho up and brave the elements. But I hope a wet week doesn’t become an interminable wet month or two. Constantly getting caught in the rain gets very tiresome, and very quickly. And T-storms in January seems quite odd. I hope it’s not a harbinger of a bad hurricane season! I was a bit concerned over rain this morning; and I didn’t feel like fighting the wind up there on the levee. Although the temperature was about 54 — much warmer than yesterday — the wind was still rather strong; and it had an unpleasant bite to it. Such a wind makes me sniffly; and if I had ridden on the levee, I’d have had it in my face for about 5 miles coming back home. So I chowed down an A.M. RXBar, and headed for the park to ride laps. Even there I could get in some practice riding in the drops; and a bit of pedaling out of the saddle. It’s been a while since I could do that, because for some time after the lapiplasty, the underside of that toe was too sensitive to pressure. But it feels a lot better now!🙂  Despite the wet week, I hope I can ride a lot over the next few days. 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 Wet Week January 22, 2024 Watching the barometer January 21, 2024 Torpor January 20, 2024 Here It Comes Again January 19, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Watching the barometer

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Watching the Barometer I’m watching the barometer, as well as the sky. Over the last few hours it’s become overcast; and who knows when it might start to rain. According to NOAA, the barometric pressure is still high; and rain isn’t expected before tomorrow night. But as I already said who knows? After a lifetime here, I still can’t tell! If it is going to rain, I don’t want to be out in it. Here it is, half-past noon; and the temperature is still below 40 degrees. The chill factor is still sub-freezing; and as is only too common, going for a ride on the levee would mean a headwind on the way back home. Maybe in a few hours it will be warmer; and then I can ride. But should I use the road bike; or would the hybrid be a better choice? With the road bike, I can get down in the drops, making riding into the wind a little less uncomfortable. On the other hand, if I use the hybrid I can have the trunk; and bring along the poncho without having a backpack along for the ride. Then, if it does start to rain, I’ll be prepared. I’ll just keep watching the barometer, and see how it goes. Incidentally, how do I get down in the drops? Most often, I slide one hand and then the other along the handlebars until I’m holding the drops. That way I maintain contact, minimizing the risk that I’ll lose control. I still haven’t gotten around to leaning how to manage a bidon while in the drops; and a rainy ride is no time to try.   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 Elementor #159754 January 21, 2024 Torpor January 20, 2024 Here It Comes Again January 19, 2024 IS This Winter? January 18, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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