June 2025 - SpokEasy

Falling Behind

Falling Behind 😰 Oh dear, I’m falling behind in my RAGBRAI training now. And someone tell that cow that it’s not a laughing matter! Training is important; and I’ve missed more than I like in the last fortnight. I had been doing fine. Then came the week of dire-sounding weather forecasts day after day; and I kept cutting rides short to avoid getting caught out in a T-storm. Then I got a cold; and for several days I had to ride short and easy because I wasn’t feeling so great. Maybe I don’t need to be alarmed; my weekly mileage totals are still pretty much in line with the recommended training plan. It’s getting too late to push for much more in the way of increased fitness; and if I do try, I’m apt to get to the big event already tired. Here is where fitness maintenance comes in. Maintenance 🔨🔧 I feel like I’m falling behind in my training; but now is the time for fitness maintenance. I have some hard efforts in mind for next week, but not too many; and after that, it’s time for the taper. I’ll be doing the taper on the hybrid, too; in just over a week, I’m going to be shipping the road bike off to RAGBRAI. In a way, maybe fitness maintenance will be easier on the hybrid. It’s heavier than the road bike; and X amount of effort on the hybrid is more like (X + 25% of X) effort on the road bike for any given speed. The important thing is that I get in some riding! 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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To Be a Farmer

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors / CAL

To Be a Farmer 🧑‍🌾 Do I want to be a farmer? I’d love to have the senses that medieval farmers did! I think this video is fascinating. My father would have loved it, I’ll bet. If I had the highly-developed weather senses of those farmers, it would be easier to plan my rides with less worry about the weather! Last night, the forecast made today look rainy/stormy. And what happens? It’s a beautiful morning. It would have been great for a ride; but I had already decided to take today off because I expected rain and T-storms. Never being certain of the weather makes me hesitate to wish to be a farmer — forever keeping an eye on the temperature; clouds; and so on. Eye on the Temperature 🌡️ I’m keeping an eye on the temperature; not only here, but in Iowa. I want to know what I might expect during RAGBRAI. Today, at 7:30 am, the local temperature was 78 degrees. In Iowa, it was some 15 degrees cooler; almost cool enough to warrant some cold-weather gear. At least one video that I watched mentioned that nights can get cold during RAGBRAI; so I have a sleeping bag. I’ll also pack things such as leg warmers, just in case. My phone has a weather app, so each evening I can check the next day’s weather. I can keep an eye on the temperature; rain chances; and so on. Oh, yeah, that’s what it means to be a farmer, right? 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Dry Up Already!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

Dry Up Already! 🌵 “Dry up already!” is what I want to tell our weather. Although we actually need some rain, constant rain and T-storms make real riding difficult. It does look like the rain chances will be greatest in the afternoons, except for tomorrow. That’s a good thing; RAGBRAI is less than three weeks away; and I need to keep training. If the weather won’t dry up already, I must drag out the trainer. It looks like there might be a weather window between 9:00 am and 11:00 am tomorrow; but I can’t count on it. Weather Window 🪟 Even a weather window might not mean it’s a good idea to go out. Who knows how fast stormy conditions might return? If I take the chance on it, I might find myself wishing for a boot dryer! I think I’d better not do intense work this coming week. The climbs on RAGBRAI aren’t worrying me as much as they did. That will let me have the following week for force work; I do still need to keep up some of it. The week after that, it’s time to taper. I hope I get a daily weather window for my riding! And in Iowa, I hope I won’t be saying, Dry up already! 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Discouraging Word

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

Discouraging Word 🗣️ Never is heard a discouraging word? Maybe that’s true on the range; but the weather forecast for the coming days is a discouraging word, all right! Maybe more than one word. Showers! T-storms! When will it change for the better? I definitely do not need to curtail my riding for the next week or so; the final week before I head to RAGBRAI is the time to taper. I don’t need to lose a lot of fitness because the weather forces me not to ride. Today, at least, I got in a few hard efforts; each two minutes long. The last one felt tough! I got another break from the wind this morning, which helped a lot. Taper ⌲ By all I’ve read, you need to taper during the last week before a big event; whether it’s a race or a long recreational ride. The trick, they say, is reducing mileage while maintaining some intensity. Of couse, don’t go out the day before your event and do a workout packed with lots of hard intervals; but a few short, hard bursts keep your muscles sharp. I’ve even read that it’s better to be slightly undertrained than to be overtrained. The latter is apt to mean you go into your event tired; and that means you probably can’t give your best performance. So don’t forget to taper. And the weather for event day? I just hope your forecast isn’t a discouraging word. 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Trial to Avoid Error

BACK ISSUES, equipment, Training / CAL

Trial to Avoid Error ⚖️ It’s time for some trial to avoid error. We all know that 1 + 1 ≠ 3; and I didn’t want to discover halfway through RAGBRAI that a 3-oz bottle of body wash wasn’t enough. Or that a similar amount of shampoo wouldn’t last a week. So I tried out a travel-size bottle filled with body wash to see if it would last a week; and it checked out. I did the same thing for shampoo. It helps that I have short hair! The same applies to, say, electrolyte drinks. I’ve been using Gatorade Zero quite a lot; or Nuun tablets. Day before yesterday someone suggested LMNT; and I got a sample pack to try. LMNT is higher in sodium than many electrolyte drinks. I mixed one packet with a pint of water; and the first sip told me that LMNT will take some getting used to! It was too strong; and I diluted it with another half-pint of water. I still find that too strong. I’m not going to try LMNT on the bike until I can see how my body handles it at home. It’s trial to avoid error; I’m worried that an unaccustomed, salty, and strongly-flavored drink during rides might trigger GI issues! Time Is Short ⌛️ Time is short now for RAGBRAI prep. I can’t believe it’s getting so close! I hope there’s still time for training to help; I’m just easing back into the miles following a cold. I need to fit in at least one ride of 50 miles or more; and I hope the weather cooperates! Tomorrow I plan to do a short, intense ride; and the next day it’s time for a ride to the salvage store. Maybe I can push for 50 miles on Sunday; but I’ll have to ride early. We’ve got another forecast for T-storms from early afternoon. I hope I have everything I need. I’ve already done some practice packing; when time is short, it’s no time to be frantically trying to get things sorted out. It’s the old “trial to avoid error”! I’ve got two duffle bags; one for camping things and items that I can’t take onto a plane; and one for my other stuff. I admit that it will be good to get them packed, so I can free up the floor space! But I don’t think it will be good for my sleeping bag to be crammed into a compression stuff sack for several weeks! 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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First Time Jitters

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Training / CAL

First Time Jitters 😰 I”m getting first time jitters as a new RAGBRAI rider. Much of it centers around registrations and deadlines. I guess these first time jitters are normal. All the questions: Have I done everything I need to, in order to ship my bicycle via Bikeflights? Did I miss paying for something vital? Am I training enough? That last is quite a worry at present. Last week, forecasts for early-afternoon T-storms had me curtailing my rides; and last Thursday, I came down with a cold! For three days I had to ride short and easy; and I still feel a little dragged down. I really noticed it during today’s ride. I tried out my new handlebar bag. The phone and memo pad fit just fine; but there’s always something more. Always Something More! 🍴 Every time I think I’ve thought of everything, there’s always something more! Tale the handlebar bag I got for the road bike. I figured it would do for carrying my cell phone; a small memo pad; and two pens. Today I remembered that I want to keep a spork handy for those roadside foods. I hope I don’t remember anything else that I want to keep easily accessible; that handlebar bag is pretty crammed with the spork added to it. Maybe I don’t really need to keep the spork in the padded bag that came with it. For that matter, I haven’t quite decided how I’ll keep track of my keys. More first time jitters, I guess! My merino tees don’t have pockets; so I’ll have to keep keys elsewhere. Maybe in the Travelon? There’s always something more! 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Tryouts

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

Tryouts ⚖️ I’m still doing tryouts, figuring out what will work best for RAGBRAI. Ride food is part of it, of course; but I’m also working out how I’ll manage the stuff I’ll want while on the bike. I’m sure to want to take pictures; and I’ll use my cell phone for that. Normally I carry my phone in a Camel-Bak pocket; but that means taking the Camel-Bak off every time I want the phone. What a nuisance! Therefore tryouts means looking for alternatives. So I decided to get a handlebar bag. The one that I got isn’t very big; and I don’t want it to be. Too much weight on the handlebars has an adverse effect on steering capability. But the bag that I got has enough room for my cell phone; a small memo pad; and a few ballpoint pens. That should suffice. There’s also the question of managing my cash cache! Cash Cache 🤑 For my cash cache during RAGBRAI, I plan to use a Travelon pouch. Tryouts have shown that this pouch fits closely to the body; is lightweight; and goes easily under a Camel-Bak. I won’t need to take it off when I must visit a KYBO. This, I think, will be a safer way to carry money than putting it in a handlebar bag. Call me paranoid if you like; but it makes sense to keep my money close by me. I can also carry the day’s medications in this pouch. OK, handlebar bag; cash cache; now, what else? Oh yeah, the aforementioned Camel-Bak. I plan to carry my medication supply in the Camel-Bak; along with Chamois Butt’r and toilet paper. There’s no guarantee that every KYBO will be supplied with it; and when you need that stuff, you need it! 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Rare Day

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

Rare Day 🌞 What a rare day this was! When I rode this morning, the wind was calm! I was able to cruise at 12 mph or more for 11-12 miles; and that doesn’t happen very often. I didn’t try for big distance today; I’m still feeling sort of pulled down from having a cold. But I felt pretty good; and tomorrow maybe I can add an extra mile or two. When I first began riding, it was a rare day when I skipped the ride; but now I know that a rest day once a week is actually a good idea. And of course you need to back off your efforts if you’ve got a cold; or otherwise don’t feel so hot. Riding is great; but we don’t need to let it make us sick! Or too tired to cook. Good Idea 🤔 I always thought it was a good idea to train with my loaded Camel-Bak; and today I found out just what a good idea it is! For three days, I rode short and easy; and didn’t have that load on my back. Today I did ride with the load; and could I ever tell the difference! If you’ll be doing an event that requires a lot of hydration, e.g. RAGBRAI, practice riding with that hydration pack on your back. In fact, if possible, find a way to make the load a little heavier than it will be during the event. The wind won’t be so quiet tomorrow, showing just what a rare day today was. But the main thing is that the T-storms wait for afternoon! 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Tired of Bars

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food / CAL

Tired of Bars 🍫 I get tired of bars as ride food. Now that I’ve been using them almost daily for some months, bars have become monotonous. Now that the weather is warm — OK, hot — bars are messy. They melt! But I need to eat during long rides! I’m not sure what to take instead for ride food. Will sandwiches made of bologna or salami be risky in the heat? Even if I make them without mayonnaise? Rice cakes, as presented in Feed Zone Portables? I’ve tried them; and I must be doing something wrong. My rice cakes come out sticky; and they tend to be too soft. The rice also sticks to my teeth; and drives me crazy. So even though I’m tired of bars, I’ll continue to use them until I can figure out something else. Something Else 🤔 “Something else”, unfortunately, has a broad definition. Gels? I don’t want to fuel a ride of several hours on gels alone. I’m not sure my stomach would take to it very well. Sandwiches, as mentioned above? Maybe; if I can find a way to keep them cool. Sandwiches are bulky, too. Feed Zone Portables is about much more than rice cakes; but I don’t have the ingredients needed for, say, their two-bite pies. I also don’t want to turn the kitchen into an oven by making things that require baking. I might have to, though — I’m getting tired of bars! 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Hoping for a Change

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Personal Care / CAL

Hoping for a Change 🌧️ I’m sure hoping for a change; both weather-wise, and for me. I’m really tired! This is the first cold I’ve had in ages; and maybe I simply forgot what having a cold feels like. Unfortunately there’s no rushing the recovery; but I’ll be glad when I can get back to my usual mileage. I think everyone here is hoping for a change in the frequent forecasts for rain and T-storms. Few of us cyclists are eager to get caught in a T-storm; and when such weather is predicted by early afternoon, I prefer to be home ahead of the storms. Alas, that means cutting my rides short. If only I could cruise at 20 mph! Then I could get in my miles before 11:00 am. Neck Check 👔 Incidentally, remember to do the neck check when you don’t feel so hot, but still want to ride; or don’t want to miss out on your training. I believe it was in The Cyclist’s Training Bible that I found the discussion of the neck check. Are your symptoms above the neck? Scratchy throat; stuffy head; but no fever, and no chest discomfort? It’s probably OK to go for a ride; but take it easy until your symptoms abate. But do you have below-the-neck symptoms? Chest congestion? Nausea? Fever? Do. Not. Ride. You’re risking much more serious illness by doing so. I’d sure be hoping for a change, though; and soon! 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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