CAL, Author at SpokEasy - Page 61 of 162

Frenemies

Frenemies abound in the cycling world. Wind. Hills. Bad riding surfaces. The trick is to find ways to turn something bad to your advantage. I\’ll start with wind, since it\’s the one I know best. It\’s also the one that any cyclist in any location is bound to encounter. We all know the groans of having to turn into a strong headwind; especially on the second half of a long ride. Riding hard into a headwind is way to turn that enemy wind into a training opportunity, i.e. a frenemy. If you need to train for a hilly event, but live where the land is flat, such efforts are one way to get your \”hill training\”. Even if you aren\’t training for hills, this is a way to build better strength. Getting too tired to push hard into the wind? Shift to an easy gear, and work on your spin. Souplesse is worth developing. It\’s satisfying to watch, and allows you to pedal more efficiently. Let\’s move on to hills. Some cyclists love them; some cyclists hate them. Others love to hate them. To complicate matters, there are many different types of grade; length of climb; and I don\’t know what all else. My accustomed riding route has a few humps to get over, as well as the access ramp. Since Easter, my \”climbing\” technique has changed. All of a sudden, while getting over a hump, I was pulling upwards on the handlebars and pushing my feet harder against the pedals. I\’m not actually rising out of the saddle, but you could say that I\’m \”light in the saddle\”; my full weight isn\’t on it. Where did that come from? Bad riding surfaces are all but inevitable. While they aren\’t fun, they can give us a chance to practice our bike handling skills; especially if we\’re into mountain biking and can\’t easily get to the single track to practice. So there you are. Three frenemies of cyclists!

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Under the Northern Lights

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Under the Northern Lights 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.” Go riding under the Northern Lights? Norway makes me think of cold; snow; thermal wear; and the aurora borealis. In these dog days of Summer, such thoughts might help to cool us off! Norway seems to offer a great deal for adventurous cyclists. The country even has its own big event: The Arctic Race! This Scandinavian land is warmest in late July. If I wanted to see Norway without the bitter cold of Winter, I would have to go then. Otherwise I would need to invest in some good polar sports clothing; and maybe a fat-tire bicycle for riding over the snow. Where shall I start? Perhaps not with Rallarvegen! I’d love to see the waterfalls; and I’ve never had the chance to see a fjord. Steep descents, on the other hand, aren’t my cup of tea. If I were an avid mountain biker I might enjoy it! The big allure of the Rallarvegen tour, for me, is that it includes Bergen. I’d like to go there, and visit Troldhaugen. Mid-July through late September is the best time to tackle Rallarvegen; but be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions. Also be ready for some rough stretches of road. There are other options, naturally. These national cycling routes offer a great deal of variety. Some are relatively flat; others are quite rugged. Norway is home to some stunning scenery, as well as plenty of chances for cycling adventure. But roll with a troll? I might want to pass on that! If you want to ride under the Northern Lights, Spring and Autumn are the best times. How marvelous it would be to ride under a starry sky, with the borealis flickering above! 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 Pomp and Circumstance January 4, 2024 I Bee’d Lucky January 3, 2024 Sunblock Day January 2, 2024 2024! January 1, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Thermogenesis

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Thermogenesis is what makes us humans warm-blooded. It\’s how we burn calories, especially when we exercise! It\’s why we don\’t have to park ourselves on sunny rocks to keep warm on chilly days. I\’m quite amused at the designation EAT for exercise-associated thermogenesis. Exercise burns calories, but can also make us hungry. And what do we do then? We EAT! Be careful not to depend on thermogenesis alone to keep you warm in cold weather. Assist it with proper clothing, lest hypothermia set in. Oddly enough, severe hypothermia can make the sufferer feel hot; resulting in possibly fatal shedding of clothing. Just because we\’re still in the dog days, and it\’s swelteringly hot, doesn\’t make it inappropriate to discuss cold-weather cycling gear. In fact, it\’s a good time to start putting together that Winter wardrobe. Then we\’ll be ready for that first cold front a few months from now. An even better time would have been late Winter, when things were likely to be on special sale! What all do we need for our cold-weather cycling wardrobes? That depends on several factors. How cold do Winters get where you live? Is your Winter season typically wet, or dry? Does it snow, and how much? What is your tolerance for cold temperatures? Some cyclists enjoy riding in snow. As long as I live here I\’ll probably never get the chance to try it. In fact, on the rare occasions when it does snow, it\’s too cold for me! For one thing, the humidity makes the cold penetrate right down to my bones. My hands and feet especially feel the cold. Maybe my thermogenesis needs a boost. Or perhaps I just need some good thermal socks!

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Drawing a Blank

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I\’ve been drawing a blank! Don\’t we all know that sinking feeling when we\’re about to begin a long ride; and see that we forgot to recharge the bicycle computer? It happened to me yesterday. As a rule, I recharge my Garmin on Friday night. This past Friday I overslept, and didn\’t go out on the road bike; I wanted to get a few things from Whole Foods. That made it only too easy to forget about the recharging. This morning, while preparing to ride, the thought suddenly struck me: DID I charge up that Garmin? I couldn\’t remember for sure. I found out when I turned the thing on. I had forgotten! I couldn\’t take the time to recharge right then. I wanted to get going early, before the heat got bad; I had a ride of 42 miles in mind. In addition, I knew that T-storms were possible starting from about 11:00 am. The Garmin held out at least to my turnaround point, so I could easily calculate my total distance. Determining time was trickier. I had to check the clock when I got home, and go from there. Starting out at barely 6:00 am turned out to be a wise move. The heat didn\’t begin to be really bothersome until I had only 5 miles left to go. I made it home two hours before the first rain. Speaking of drawing a blank, let\’s be glad it resulted in an under-charged bicycle computer. Suppose I had taken off without my Camel-Bak? That would have been a very short ride; I would have had to return home to get my water supply. How did cyclists manage long rides before the \”CB\” was invented? Somebody will have to tell me that. I\’m drawing a blank.

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Going Teutonic

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Going Teutonic I’m going Teutonic again! Cooking up Kooky Kookaburra; and listening to the Kookaburra song, immediately had me making up a parody. My brain refused to let it go at that. The leaven soon went to work, as the old saying goes, trying to create a version in German! It’s taken more than two weeks, but I think I’ve got it: Kookaburra wohnt in der alten Eiche, Jagt die kleine Fische in dem tiefen Teiche; Singt! Kookaburra; Singt! Kookaburra; Singet schön für mich! I hope I’m not unwittingly pirating somebody else’s version. In English, it means: Kookburra lives in the old oak tree, [And] hunts the little fish in the deep pond; Sing! Kookaburra; Sing! Kookaburra; Sing beautifully for me! To be honest, I suppose most people would not find this bird’s call “beautiful”. I’m sure Wagner would have had no use for that voice. It sounds to me more like monkeys than a bird. I’m afraid I must cut this post short. Going Teutonic sometimes short-circuits my brain.

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Weighty Matters Never Cease

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Weighty matters never cease, do they? Many of us, cyclist or not, are constantly concerned about the numbers we see on that scale. Racing cyclists in training have to keep an eye on making weight. Today I rode over to the salvage store, dragging the trailer along. On the way to the store, I had a headwind of 8-9 mph, making the going feel pretty tough. I got to thinking about how much that trailer weighs. After I was back home, I did the weigh-with-it/weigh-without-it test. That trailer is a 20-pounder! No wonder I feel so slow when I\’m pulling it, on top of pedaling a bike that probably weighs 35 pounds or so. Payoff came on the way back home from the store when, for a change, I had a TAILwind. Clouds were starting to build up, and the sun was dodging in and out; but rain seems to be a way off yet. Curiosity can get the better of me when I\’m in the salvage store. I found a liquid seasoning called Maggi Jugo®; a 3.38 oz bottle for 66¢. I got some to try. The grab-bag bins let me get plenty (read: too many!) candy bars and other snacks. I found colby cheese, a one-pound block for $2.56. Carrots, 50¢ a pound! I got cheap hot dogs to use in tikka masala; and bologna to use in sandwiches. Which reminds me, I have to go wash some dishes. I also must cook brown rice, then wash the pot so I can make the hot dog tikka masala. If weighty matters never cease, neither does kitchen duty!

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Early Hours

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Early hours don\’t always work. Especially when you got to bed an hour late the night before! This morning again, I fell back asleep. It was already 6:00 when I finally woke up. Too late to go out on the road bike? No, and yes. No, because I could have gone riding and still have been back home in time to clock in for work. Yes, because I wanted to take advantage of the 7:00 am to 8:00 am Senior Hour at Whole Foods. They have it Wednesdays and Fridays. I\’m old enough to qualify for that, or at any rate I think I am. Nobody has asked to see an ID so far. There were a few things I wanted that I don\’t remember seeing at other stores; and the plan for tomorrow morning is a salvage store run. By the time I\’m home from that, it will be at least 10:00, and getting beastly hot. The heat index is forecast to climb as high as 106! So this morning I got my fragrance-free shampoo. I bought some almonds from the bulk bins; two tubes of Nuun tablets; a couple of Clif Bars; and bananas. I could put everything but the bananas in my bike trunk. I brought along a pannier especially for those bananas. Here\’s why. One time I let some bananas ride home from the store in the bike trunk. The poor fruits got badly bruised, thanks to some rough riding over the rough streets around here. I\’m not going to transport \”nanners\” that way again if I can avoid it! That\’s one errand out of the way, before the weekend properly began. Whole Foods\’ early hours gave me a head start.

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Slovenia

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Slovenia 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.” Coastal Slovenia, with its Mediterranean climate, is suitable for cycling year-round. Summers are dry; Winters are mild and wet. Elsewhere, Slovenia has varied topography and climate zones. Away from the coast, you’ll find continental or alpine climates. Whatever the climate region, you can choose from among many types of tours: uphill or downhill; flat or hilly; long or short. Spacalova Pot sounds like a nice warm-up; not quite 7.5 miles. There’s a little climbing involved, but the course profile looks like it isn’t very steep. Beautiful Istria? The adjective would attract most anybody; but get your climbing legs ready. This one-day, 72-mile tour means almost 4000 feet of climbs; and one look at the course profile tells me that the grades are far from gentle. MTB enthusiasts might enjoy the Sorgenti del Rio Bianco. This 24.25 mile hilly course tops out at nearly 3000 feet. It sounds like this one is a bit off the beaten path. Great for nature lovers! As usual, be prepared for the weather. Remember those wet winters! Take rain gear with you. An average winter climate that’s at the freezing point is more than “cool” to me; it’s — well — freezing! Be sure to pack cold-weather gear, too. Slovenia sounds like a beautiful place to go for a cycling tour. Although a small country, it has very diverse topography: mountains; flatlands; and coast. There’s sure to be a cycling tour to suit everyone! 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 Roadie Again! January 5, 2024 Pomp and Circumstance January 4, 2024 I Bee’d Lucky January 3, 2024 Sunblock Day January 2, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Kosovo

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Kosovo 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.” Kosovo sounds, to me, like an exotic place; perhaps because I barely know the country’s name. And after reading this, I’m not sure I could withstand a bicycle tour there. A number of routes are rated “expert”. These require very good fitness; and quite a lot of climbing is involved. Luckily there are some routes that are suited to any rider, such as the loop from Kosovska to Mitrovica Sever. Or browse this list to find a tour suited to your ambitions and abilities. As of September 2023, there are 1212 cycling routes available; so there’s likely to be one that’s right for you. Let me see. The Rugova Valley route, among the hilly ones, includes about 3428 feet of climbing. That means means some rather thin air at the top; thin for someone accustomed to sea level, at least. I’d want a hypoxic mask if I were to train for that! Although I didn’t find a note as to grade, the route profile that is provided makes it look quite steep. I’m not sure that even a triple crankset would let me make those grades. I’d be sure to flunk, big time. I think I’ll pass on that; and focus on the flat routes. Gazivod, maybe. Its 63 km means only a bit over 39 miles; a distance that I know I can manage. As always for group rides, I’m concerned about the pace. Would I be able to go fast enough for long enough to hang with the others? Let’s talk a bit about the weather you might expect to encounter. First, the temperatures. July in particular can bring high heat. Be sure to keep properly hydrated; and remember that you aren’t racing up Mont Ventoux! Kosovo gets some 270 days of sunshine per year. Even so, pack some rain gear; you never know. From café culture to gorgeous mountains, this small country has plenty to see and do. 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 Sunblock Day January 2, 2024 2024! January 1, 2024 Out with a Bang December 31, 2023 Seven-Up December 30, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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A Matter of Degree?

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A matter of degree? Sure! Neowise sounds like a newly-minted PhD. I have to remind myself that it\’s a comet. As soon as I read about this comet, I hoped I would be able to see it. Alas, my efforts bore no fruit. The first day I tried was Wednesday, July 15. My alarm clock didn\’t sound, and it was already past 5:30 when I got up. There was far too much daylight to make comet-gazing possible. The next morning I tried again. Unfortunately I didn\’t remember exactly where in the sky to look for the comet. What looking I could do between force intervals had me eyeing the wrong part of the sky. Friday, I thought I remembered reading something about looking close to Venus just before daylight. Still no luck. I checked online again. It said to look near the Big Dipper just past sunset. I tried it; again no success. Saturday at noon, the forecast for the evening said it would be mostly clear. Even so, I decided to skip the comet-chasing. My legs were tired, and I had a long ride planned for Sunday. The forecast for that Sunday night was a stormy one; but then I read online that Neowise will be visible until mid-August. That gave me some hope. Perhaps I\’ll get to see the comet, after all? Sunday, July 19 it was cloudy much of the day. Monday night I decided it would be wise to skip it; I had oral surgery scheduled for the next morning. \”Wise\”, eh? Remember that PhD. It\’s a matter of degree.

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Author name: CAL