SpokEasy

March 2024

On Strike

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

On Strike? 🪧 Did my hybrid go on strike because I didn’t ride it for a few days? This morning I had a 9:15 doctor’s appointment; and I though I’d ride the hybrid there, then do a few easy laps around the park. This plan was thwarted when I went to pump up the hybrid’s tires; and discovered that the rear tire was thoroughly flat. I know what to do to change a tube; but problems with my hands make the job difficult at best. I had to walk to my apppointment; and when I got back home, I rolled the bike over to the shop. On the way, the tire came off the rim; and the tube somehow got all tangled up in the cassette and derailer! Then the wheel couldn’t roll. Holding up the rear of a bicycle is much harder work than holding the front wheel off the ground; but it was the only way I could keep going. Not the Foal 🐴 It looks like I might not get to compensate for today’s lack of mileage tomorrow. The forecast is stormy again (and not the foal); especially for tonight and tomorrow morning. A fine time my bike picked to go on strike! Incidentally, I still have my little counter-top barometer. I think I’ll leave it be — I’d like to see what it does if a hurricane comes snooping around! 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 On Strike March 21, 2024 RAGBRAI Ready? March 20, 2024 Nip and Tuck March 19, 2024 Winter’s Coming Back! March 18, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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RAGBRAI Ready?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

RAGBRAI Ready? 🥧 Am I RAGBRAI ready? Not at this point! This event is seven days long; and the average daily distance is some 70 miles. Am I equal to that? If my riding so far this week is any indication, I’ve got a “fur piece” to go; both literally and figuratively. RAGBRAI is a  Sunday-Saturday week; but I’ve been using the Monday-Sunday format. So, my mileage total this week is 53-54 miles over three days. Stacked against RAGBRAI, that’s not much; and I’m not sure I could be RAGBRAI ready by July. If they aren’t already full now!   Dry Line? 🧺 Being RAGBRAI ready isn’t only about developing the muscular endurance required. You’ve got to be prepared for possible rain; and also for the heat! By numerous accounts, Iowa in July is hot and humid. I should be used to heat and humidity; but I’m not accustomed to riding for hours in the heat of afternoon. As for rain, how much can you really tell by the clouds? This morning, there was cloud cover (altocumulus?) for a while; and it had an oddly definite border. I wonder, could that have been a dry line? We aren’t expecting rain before tomorrow evening. Dry line sounds like a place to hang laundry, anyway! 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 RAGBRAI Ready March 20, 2024 Nip and Tuck March 19, 2024 Winter’s Coming Back! March 18, 2024 Erin Go Bragh! March 17, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Nip and Tuck

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Nip and Tuck 🚂 The final mile of this morning’s ride felt like nip and tuck. There was a freight train rolling along in the same direction that I was traveling! The contest was looking rather unequal, too. Although I was gaining on the train, those locomotives were approaching my crossing too fast for me to catch up; and the train was a long one. I figured I’d have a wait before I could get home. Then, wonder of wonders, the train halted short of the crossing! So it wasn’t so nip and tuck, after all. That was good; the saying is, “If it’s a tie, you lose!” My ears were also spared the blaring of a train’s horn. Shooting the Breeze? 💨 This morning I felt like shooting the breeze; that is, if there’s any firearm that can bring down the wind! Maybe I was a bit tired after yesterday’s 20 miles; and I did some short, hard efforts this morning: 25 seconds of pushing in a hard gear; then a minute or so of riding easily so I could recover for the next effort. Naturally that made me more tired; and of course the headwind was worst on the way home! I had to resort to the only way I can go about shooting the breeze: riding in the drops! It got cold last night; and “cat ears” plus a helmet liner kept wind noise down. But I made today’s ride rather short; and I’m glad I was able to beat that train, after all! 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 Nip and Tuck March 19, 2024 Winter’s Coming Back! March 18, 2024 Erin Go Bragh! March 17, 2024 Miles in the Bank March 16, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Winter’s Coming Back!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Winter’s Coming Back! 🥶 Winter’s coming back! Can  you believe it? After days of un-March-like temperatures, tonight it’s going to drop to 41. I might want hand warmers for tomorrow’s ride! The wind chill could be as low as 34 degrees; with a wind from the NE. That means a headwind on the way home, unless I go ride laps around the park. It’s not 4:30 pm yet; and it’s getting colder already. The wind has be strengthening all afternoon; but it’s not cold enough for a heater to keep working. It is, however, cool enough for me to wish for something to warm me up! Time to haul out the hot chocolate, maybe? Swiss Miss Keurig doesn’t really need a Keurig machine, I’ve found. That means I there’s one less thing to clutter up my kitchen! Simply empty a pod into a mug; add hot water; and stir. Incidentally, would almond milk work for this? How to Dress? 👕 Now that Winter’s coming back, I’m glad I haven’t packed away my cold-weather gear. It’s true what folks here say: you never know how to dress. One day it’s over 80 degrees; the next, well, down to the low 40s. It might be more bearable if the changes were more gradual; not this crazy see-sawing between cold and hot. I’m glad I got in a 20-miler this morning. The wind was already quite crazy at 7:30 am, and it was difficult to ride a straight line; especially when I needed to ride one-handed. But sometimes I had to; this ride was long enough to require on-bike fuel. Maybe I need a lot more work to strengthen my core. I’ve been quite lazy about off-bike work; and it’s long past high time I got back to it. Meanwhile, how to dress for tomorrow’s ride?    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 Winter’s Coming Back! March 18, 2024 Erin Go Bragh! March 17, 2024 Miles in the Bank March 16, 2024 Undercover March 15, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Erin Go Bragh!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Erin Go Bragh! ☘️ I’m not Irish; but let’s say, Erin Go Bragh! I know I’m nowhere near ready to paddle around the Emerald Isle; I don’t have — and probably never will have — the arm/upper body strength. But maybe I could pedal all around Ireland! It looks like Ireland is quite chilly. I happen to know that 15º Celcius equals 59º Fahrenheit. This Pearl Izumi Ultra Barrier jacket would be on my packing list! Plus a helmet liner; leg warmers; and, quite likely, hand warmers! They say Erin Go Bragh; but leaving Ireland aside for the moment, today is not favorable for outdoor activities. It’s raining; and the thunder is grumbling. It’s not close; but storms can move fast! Here It Comes ⚡️ Yep; here it comes. The thunder is getting louder. Earlier this morning, I considered donning the poncho and doing a few laps around the park; but my head feels stuffy; and I’m tired anyway. I decided it was better to stay put.I guess it’s a good thing I did. The rain is getting heavier. That makes it harder to see where I’m riding. One of these days, I must try these goggles. For now, I’ll just stay indoors and keep 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.” 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 Erin Go Bragh! March 17, 2024 Miles in the Bank March 16, 2024 Undercover March 15, 2024 On Tenterhooks Again! March 14, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Miles in the Bank

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Miles in the Bank 🚴🏿 Today I decided I needed to put some miles in the bank. I’m considering aiming for 100 miles per week; and for the current Monday-Sunday time period, I’m still about 9 miles short. Not that I’m planning a bicycle tour. I’m don’t feel quite back in shape after last year’s reduced mileage. Between hand surgery and bunion surgery, I lost a lot of time! This morning I did the usual Saturday-morning routine, and rode to the salvage store. Normally that’s all the riding I do on Saturdays; but for several days, the forecast has predicted possibly heavy rain for tomorrow. I got home from the store; had a snack; and went out on the road bike so I could put some miles in the bank. But I rode less than 10 miles. (To be honest, I was tired). If the weather lets me ride tomorrow, so much the better! Maybe Next Year? 🗓️ Maybe next year for a tour? I don’t own a touring bike; and as for RAGBRAI, can I prep for the hills? When I attempt hill simulation by riding in a hard gear, it’s too easy to let up too soon when it feels too hard!  Here is the suggested training schedule for this year’s event. So far, I’m hitting the weekly mileage totals; but they’re about to get away from me! Riding 19-22 miles per day isn’t enough preparation for pedaling an average of 70+ miles per day, for a week straight. When you’re planning a big tour — or even a big one-day ride — you need to put those miles in the bank. 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 Miles in the Bank March 16, 2024 Undercover March 15, 2024 On Tenterhooks Again! March 14, 2024 Ramping It Up March 13, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Undercover

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Undercover ☔️ I’m undercover this afternoon; or, rather, under cover. Would this Fischer Barometer let me know exactly when things will let loose? Today I rode an hour or so earlier than usual; and that turned out to be a good thing. It was already overcast before 7 am; and it was an incredible 75 degrees! The sun was trying to come out an hour or so later; but it was still very cloudy. Once I reached home, I didn’t want to go anywhere else at first, because I knew there was the chance of rain. I finally decided to risk hiking to the ATM; and then, detouring to a local pizza restaurant to get a takeout lunch. You know those days when you can’t stomach the thought of cooking! It was about noon when I got home; and it’s good I was undercover — I mean, under cover. Bring It On! ⛈️ Around 20 minutes after I got home, I checked NOAA. They had issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch at noon; and it lasts until 7 pm. As of 2:25 pm, all we’ve gotten is a little rain; but who knows what might happen in 15 minutes. I don’t expect I’ll need an Emergency Crank Weather Radio today; but if I have to go out, I’ll make sure I’ve got my rain gear handy! However, with nasty weather possible, it’s better to stay undercover — oh, there I go again. I mean under cover. So, bad weather out there? Bring it on! 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 Undercover March 15, 2024 On Tenterhooks Again! March 14, 2024 Ramping It Up March 13, 2024 Re-View March 12, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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On Tenterhooks Again!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

On Tenterhooks Again! 🪝 I’m on tenterhooks again, thanks to the forecast. It might be helpful if I had a weather radio to take along while riding! The forecast for the next three days talks about “slight chance” of T-storms in the morning; then T-storms “likely” later in the day. I can’t know when the atmosphere might start to fire up; so going for a ride feels like a gamble. It was overcast when I went out this morning; and I packed along a poncho in case it began to pour. Today I won the gamble; but will it pay off again tomorrow and Saturday? It has me on tenterhooks again; and it gets wearisome! Las Vegas? 🎰 All this talk about gambling makes me ask, am I in Las Vegas? I hope not; there are things in Nevada that I’d far rather see! Besides, who needs a Las Vegas slot machine for gambling? Just try putting your money in the nearest vending machine!😉 It looks like I’m going to have to gamble on the weather tomorrow and Saturday. They’re predicting heavy rain for Sunday; but it looks like Monday will be mostly sunny. If I get in good miles over the next two days, maybe I can take Sunday off. I don’t want to be on tenterhooks again for the whole ride! 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 Ramping It Up March 13, 2024 Re-View March 12, 2024 Looking Ahead March 11, 2024 See-Saw March 10, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Ramping It Up

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Ramping It Up ↗️ I’m ramping it up now; sort of. It can be difficult to determine whether you’re  making progress when you don’t have a power meter; speed can depend on factors besides strength (headwind or tailwind; flat terrain or hills, etc.). Today I rode the hybrid so I could use the trunk and brink along the poncho; but even so, I practiced pushing the pace for 20 seconds at a time. After all, you can do that on any bike; or even a trike! Going out, I had a bit of a tailwind; and at one point touch 16+ mph! I shortened my ride because it looked more and more like stormy clouds were moving in. Power! 💪 It’s time for me me to begin such ramping-it-up-efforts; they help develop strength, aka force. My Cateye doesn’t show force, or heart rate; but it does let me know what my max speed was during a ride. And, of course, time and mileage. Why would I be concerned with ramping it up? Why not? I still haven’t decided whether to aim for a century in a few months; but it’s on my “someday” radar. I know I won’t want to put off “someday” until I’ve aged to the point where I can’t ride! RAGBRAI? That idea is dimming, now that I see how much it can cost.💰 But I’d need to develop much better power + endurance for RAGBRAI. Lots of rolling hills, by all accounts! 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 Re-View March 12, 2024 Looking Ahead March 11, 2024 See-Saw March 10, 2024 Saving Daylight March 9, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Re-View

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Re-View? 👀 You get plenty of re-view when you ride the same route day after day. (Or maybe night after night!) Whether you see it through polarized lenses or not, it often seems like nothing changes from one ride to the next. The same old path. The same trees along the riverbank. For now, at least, I can see something of the river between the trees; but that won’t last long. Soon those trees will be leafing out again! Today’s major re-view was a ship that I believe I saw before; the Pelican State. I was surprised I got as good a look at her as I did. When I first got up on top of the levee, I got intermittent glimpses of the ship between the trees; but she was getting ahead of me. When I reached the first point where there weren’t trees in the way, the ship was too far away for me to see the flag on the stern staff; or the port name on her stern. I simply kept riding; and seemed to have a slight tailwind. I was hanging around 13 mph with little trouble. 😊 Eventually, I could see that I was getting a bit ahead of the ship; and when I stopped at my turnaround point, there she was! Getting Back ⏎ Getting back home was harder than going out. Part of the time there was a little bit of a headwind. Same old story! But at least my legs seem to have gotten stronger. Today I was fueled by Special K Protein Bars; and I experiment with eating a bite every 15; 20; or even every 30 minutes. In part, it depends on how hard I’m going; and in part, it depends how much I ate before starting out. This morning, for instance, I ate a banana and a Built Puff. For some of my longer rides, I experiment with not eating before I set out. Whether I eat before the ride or not, I usually begin on-bike eating after 15 minutes. And don’t forget emergency rations! Even on short rides, I take a couple of gels along — and there have been times when I needed them! 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 Re-View March 12, 2024 Looking Ahead March 11, 2024 See-Saw March 10, 2024 Saving Daylight March 9, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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