SpokEasy

SpokEasy

Author name: Cecile Levert

Hurricanes

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Hurricanes 🌀 Hurricanes. That’s almost a dirty word around here. Anyone who remembers Katrina would agree, I suppose. We’ve been almost too lucky for several years; and that can lead to complacency. And I don’t think that anyone really wants to drop everything and flee when hurricanes threaten the city. But what else is there to do? I’ve often thought that evacuation might not be so bad if I could make a bicycle trip out of it. And now that I don’t have to worry about a job, time for such an evacuation shouldn’t be an issue. What is an issue, is a bicycle route out of town. I’m not going to fight 18-wheelers on the interstate! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER

Hurricanes Read More »

Hottest Days

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Hottest Days 🥵 Here come the hottest days. It’s the same old thing every year; and my apologies if you’re tired of hearing about it. Keeping cool is almost impossible during these dog days. It’s when we all start longing for a good, stiff cold front; but cool weather usually doesn’t arrive before October. The hottest days are also when we have to keep a wary eye on the tropics. The 2026 seaason is off to a slow start; but for all anybody knows, activity might suddenly go into high gear. Speaking of high gear, I think I need to low gear for a while. Not so much my legs as my hands and wrists! They need a break from constant keyboard use! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER

Hottest Days Read More »

GPS

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors /

GPS ➡️  Today’s Featured Product! ☄️ COOLSTEELANDBEYOND Bike Chain Bracelet New!! Danish Endurance Cycling Socks For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! GPS is quite popular nowadays; but so far I’ve never gotten interested in it. In fact, I’m not sure I can trust it! Once, while biking on the levee (where I usually ride), there was someone driving a car up there! They said their GPS had directed them there; and that tells me not to rely solely on any such “positioning” system. I think I”d rather have a printed cue sheet! Familar Territory 🏞️ Of course, it helps that I’m nearly always in familiar territory. If I really did plan to go for a bicycle tour of, say, the Loire Valley, GPS might be warranted. I suppose there was a time when paper maps were distrusted — just as I have reservations about global positioning systems. Before print, people found their way by other means, including the  stars. Somewhere in Kon-Tiki, the author mentions that it was “incredibly easy” to steer by the stars. Alas, between light pollution and air pollution, it’s getting hard to see the stars at all. But if I’m able to spot a familiar constellation, there’s a chance that I’ll have my GPS! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

GPS Read More »

Can I See?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors /

Can I See? 😳 Today’s Featured Product! 💥 Kryptonite Kryptoflex 1018 New!! LARABAR Variety Pack For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Can I see; or can’t I? I’m trying to get used to wearing my glasses while using the computer, but  it’s a bit of a headache. Lately I can’t seem to see text on the screen very well without visiual correction; but the glasses make things look weird, too! I guess it’s the astigmatism correction. No matter how I tilt my head, I have a hard time getting a clear view. Whatever the cause of these visual “kinks”, it makes wonder, can I see? Line of Sight 👀 Thank goodnes my line of sight is OK when I’m on the bike. The trouble there is that my spectacles have a most annoying way of sliding down my nose! Then there’s the problem if having the sun in my eyes as I’m riding back home. I’m not sure even a Tontron would help; because at that hour, the sun is still rather low in the sky. I have reservations about such a brim for another reason: I suspect that it catches a LOT of wind! So I wouldn’t wear one in a hurricane! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

Can I See? Read More »

Linus?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, equipment /

Linus? 🤓 Today’s Featured Product! 🌍 Planet Bike Seat Leash New!! F Prolon Fasting Bars For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I’m often reminded of the Peanuts character Linus these days. In some of the comics, Linus wears glasses. In one such strip, he complains — understandably — that the wost part of glasses is keeping them clean. He says that he’s seen factory windows that were cleaner. So he holds his glasses out towards Snoopy, who licks the lenses. When Linus puts his glasses back on, he comments that now things are even worse. Snoopy is gagging, and thinking, “They didn’t taste very good, either!” My glasses frequetly get smudged with sunblock; so I”m always cleaning them. Smudges make it hard to see my computer screen! In Between ↔️ I’m in a maddening in-between phase with my glasses. I got a new prescription fairly recently, and I guess I’m still adjusting. In fact, I hadn’t been using glasses while working on my laptop; but lately I noticed that it’s gotten hard to see the text without them. But it’s also hard to see WITH my glasses. What a tug-of-war! Bifocal problems, I suppose. I’m glad I don’t have that problem on the bike, or I’d be in big trouble! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

Linus? Read More »

Multi-Purpose

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, equipment /

Multi-Purpose 🛠️ Today’s Featured Product! 🚀 LARABAR Cashew Cookie New!! Milkadamia For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I like multi-purpose things. It’s better to have one tool that can do two or three jobs; than to have three tools! For instance, if a 2-quart pot can serve as a mixing bowl; why get the bowl? Space is precious, after all; and I like to have some elbow room. Despite that, things keep piling up! Today I went into multi-purpose mode while sewing. After an error, I needed to take out some stitches. The lighting in here isn’t the best; and my eyes are like the old gray mare: they ain’t what they used to be. Ergo I was having a hard time seeing the stitches. Digging for Treasure? 🪎 So I went digging for treasure in my box of RAGBRAI equipment. I knew I had a headlamp in there somewhere; so I fished it out and put it on. It worked pretty well for the purpose; and now I know I don’t need to buy a standing lamp. It would be just another thing that needs space; and it would be much too hot under such a light, anyow. It would be interesting if I could make my bicycle multi-purpose; but so far I haven’t come up with any ideas. 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

Multi-Purpose Read More »

Below 80!

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Below 80! 🔽 Today’s Featured Product! 🚀 Yuwell Blood Pressure Monitor New!! LED Clip-On Safety Light For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Wow, the next few nights are predicted to be below 80 degrees! It’s gotten me to thinking of the number in The Mikado, when the character KoKo is wooing Katisha. He asks her whether she thinks she’s old enough to marry: “Won’t you wait until you’re eighty in the shade?” Gilbert’s genius with words aside, I’m glad it will actually be below 80 for a few nights. It won’t help a great deal with the heat, but it’s better than nothing. Drying Up 🌵 We still have to keep cool; and it also seems like we’re drying up. The humidity is 59%; and for us, that’s rather low. Lower humidity means the heat won’t be quite as oppressive; and that’s a help when I’m riding. I’m debating whether to ride at a leisurely pace tomorrow; or work at pushing the pace. Yesterday I did some one-minute efforts on the biggest ring; and somehow that seemed to tire me too much. Or maybe a cup of cherries and 8 oz of nut milk wasn’t enough of a pre-ride meal! That’s why I take along a protein bar on my rides; especially if I’m pushing for 20 miles. I don’t want to bonk! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

Below 80! Read More »

On the Loose?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

On the Loose? 😵‍💫 Today’s Featured Product! 🤩 Baleaf Women’s Half-Sleeve Jersey   New!! DYNAMI Unicycle For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Is my bicycle’s headset on the loose? This morning I seemed to have a lot of trouble riding a straight line; and eventually I began to wonder whether the headset needs attention. Of course, the problem might have been a sidewind. Such a breeze can push me all over the place. Next time I ride, if my bike acts like it did today, it’s off to the bike shop. A headset on the loose needs tightening. Core? 🍏 Or is the problem a weak core? I’ve noticed many times that a rapid cadence can make a bicycle harder to control; especially in a low gear. It’s as though my leg action overpowers my upper body. That’s hardest when I need to pull my electrolyte bottle out of its cage; and must briefly ride one-handed. At least once, I had to stop so I could get a good drink of Propel. It looks like the wind will be calm for the next two days; and I think I’ll ride laps around the park. It might give me a better idea as to whether my headset if really on the loose! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

On the Loose? Read More »

August Cold Snap?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

August Cold Snap? 🧊 Today’s Featured Product! 🌋 KanPas New!! Joystar New Berry For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I think we’ve got an August cold snap! As of mid-afternoon, it was only 79 degrees; much cooler than it’s been the last week or two. I guess nobody needed a cooling vest out there. This morning I didn’t ride because of concerns over T-storms; but by noon I was tired of sitting around indoors. The rain seemed to be over for the time being; and when I saw that I didn’t need to worry about the heat index, I decided to go for a ride. I needed some exercise! Still Gray ☁ But the sky was still gray; and I decided to ride around the park a few times. Then, if the weather turned stormy, I’d be fairly close to home. This August cold snap was making it windy; and I’m glad the forecast for tomorrow is clear and calm. Maybe I can put in 20 miles again!  I need to do some hard efforts; and I want the miles because I might not get to ride on Tuesday. It will be late morning by the time I could ride; and the heat will be back again. Appointments are so tiresome! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

August Cold Snap? Read More »

Glad I Didn’t

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Glad I Didn’t🙂‍↔️ Today’s Featured Product! 💥 Alvada Thermal Socks New!! Besrey 5 in 1 For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I’m glad I didn’t hurry to visit the sewing store I learned about. I need a new light bulb for my sewing machine; but when I called the store, they said they don’t have these bulbs. It’s very hot to be running errands; and that makes a futile outing all the more frustrating. It’s a good thing I thought to call the store first! In this heat, I’d want electrolyte drink as well as water; and that’s another thing to carry. I need my cool rag, too. This is why I go to the salvage store early: so I can shop; get out; and ride home before 10:00 am. I’m glad I didn’t wait until later. On top of the heat, the wind has been strengthening all day! Blown Away 🌬️ I’ve been watching the forecast for tomorrow; and it looks like I might get blown away if I ride. Wind gusts could reach 20 mph; and if it’s also raining, riding will be a major slog. Add lightning, and I’ll be wishing I were home. I’ve mentioned the heat often enough. We’re stuck with it for at least two months; and I’ve noticed that young lizards have been hatching. There’s a little brown anole in here right now; and thank goodness I’m not the type who freaks out at the sight of one! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

Glad I Didn’t Read More »