SpokEasy

SpokEasy

Author name: CAL

Cycling enthusiast; classical music lover; experimenter in the kitchen!

Blank Again

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Blank Again 😐 I was blank again today, trying to think of a blog topic. As blank as an un-started journal! It makes me feel so scatterbrained! So, I had to do something else. RAGBRAI planning was good as anything; and that meant two things. First, I ordered a second duffel bag. When I actually fly up to RAGBRAI, one will be my check-in bag; the other will be my carry-on. I began lists for what I’ll pack in each bag. Second, I ordered a few more things. A spork, for example. I have a spoon and fork set of recycled materials that my sister-in-law gave me; but I’m not sure  it’s sturdy enough for the rigors of a week-long bicycle tour. I’d rather not find out in the middle of RAGBRAI; and if I can avoid using throw-away plastic flatware, that’s all to the good. I’m kind of blank again about my riding for the rest of the week. An old friend who moved away is in town for a while; I ran into them by sheer chance this afternoon. We want to meet for breakfast one morning; and I’m also considering when to go to Lowe’s; go for a bicycle re-fit (a good idea before a week-long tour, I think); and a possible visit the thrift store. Stormy Start ⛈️ We had a stormy start to the week, with a severe T-storm watch this morning. It’s a good thing it happened today, when I was thinking about taking the day off from riding anyhow. Otherwise I would have been twisting my brain into a pretzel, figuring out how to get some exercise. Tomorrow looks good for riding, except for fog. I’m glad I found ARCHXX Anti-Fog Lens Wipes. When I use them, my lenses do get wet; but at least I can still see through them. A foggy morning isn’t necessarily better than a stormy start; in its own way, fog is worse than a downpour. Now I have a weapon to fight it! But what shall I do for tomorrow’s ride? Work on force? Or practice increasing my pace? Oh, dear; I’m blank again!    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 Blank Again March 24, 2025 Scatterbrained? March 23, 2025 Three H Club March 20, 2025 What Is This? March 20, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

Blank Again Read More »

Scatterbrained?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Scatterbrained? 😶‍🌫️  I hope I’m not too scatterbrained; but sometimes I fear that I am! This morning, as the miles racked up, I began to wish I’d brought along a third energy bar. I usually take along two bars for a ride of 29-32 miles, and I usually finish with a few pieces of bar left. Today, however, I wanted to push for 40 miles. I had thought that two bars ought to suffice; but in the end, I let it go at 37.5 miles because I was out of food. I had already had to fill out the menu with two energy gels. For a good 10 miles I was working against a headwind; and that didn’t help. Our weather seems scatterbrained, too. The forecast is for scattered T-storms tomorrow; and who can say exactly when and where those storms will pop up? It’s been getting more and more cloudy since morning; so rain wouldn’t surprise me.  Surprise! 😮  But sometimes the weather pulls off a surprise. A stormy forecast doesn’t come true; and I might end up sitting at home all day, wishing I were out riding. At such times, I have too much pent-up energy! Of course, as we all know, there’s the reverse kind of surprise: it’s sunny and calm; we go out for a ride; and run into an unexpected downpour. That kind of thing is part of being a cyclist; but knowing that is not much comfort when I’m getting half-drowned, and uneasily awaiting the outbreak of lightning. I hope the weather lets me ride to the supermarket tomorrow; and I’m writing a shopping list in case I can go. I’m too scatterbrained to remember everything that I want; especially when I’m not quite awake yet. 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 Scatterbrained? March 23, 2025 Three H Club March 20, 2025 What Is This? March 20, 2025 More or Longer? March 19, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

Scatterbrained? Read More »

Three H Club

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Three H Club? ☘️ Three H club? Aren’t there supposed to be four? It’s a little different when it comes to RAGBRAI. There’s the distance, to begin with; and this event’s three H’s, so they say, are: heat 🥵; hills 😬; and humidity ♨️. Everyone can learn to ride; but there’s just riding around the neighborhood; and there’s doing RAGBRAI. In addition to the miles, we’ll all be in the Three H Club for a week. How will I fare? Well, I’ve got two of those H’s right here. Am I ahead of the game, then? Ahead of the Game? 🎲 Am I ahead of the game? It’s been unusually dry lately, but typically I have humidity, all year long; and I expect it won’t be long before the heat sets in. We’ve gotten heat advisories in March before now! Maybe I’d better get my cooling equipment ready. The hardest part of the Three H Club, for me, is going to be hills, as I’ve said so often. I hope my “hill training” is on the right track. In fact, I hope it has me ahead of the game! As I check the training schedule for RAGBRAI 2025, I see that I’m well ahead of the game as far as mileage goes. But I don’t need to let myself become complacent! If I do, it’s sure to catch up with me; and I’ll arrive at the big event underprepared. That’s not the way to approach RAGBRAI!  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 Three H Club March 20, 2025 What Is This? March 20, 2025 More or Longer? March 19, 2025 Switched My Plans? March 18, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

Three H Club Read More »

What Is This?

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

What Is This? 😮 “What is this?!” was the startled thought that went through my mind at one moment during yesterday’s ride. Life may be a beautiful ride; but it can spring surprises on you; the kind of things that make you ask, WHAT is this? This moment came as I was starting up again after a stop. I was in my lowest gear, which was usual; but as I pushed off, the pedal seemed to offer no resistance! It caused me to veer; and I had to stop and start up again. That was something new; and it occurred to me that perhaps my force efforts are starting to pay off.🤑 It didn’t feel much like it this morning, though. Out-bound, I had a stiff headwind; and at times was getting blown sideways! Am I a sidewinder? Sidewinder? 🐍 I don’t think I want to be a sidewinder; nor any other kind of snake. If I were, I’d have no legs; and then I couldn’t ride a bicycle! But back to the problem of wind. A stiff sidewind is, in its own way, as bad as a headwind of equal strength. If it’s from my right, it persistently blows the mesh cover of my top tube-pouch back over the opening of the pouch; and it’s hard to get out a bite to eat. For a minute, I thought that perhaps I should get a zipper-closure Speedfil; but if I get a new top-tube pouch, I want one big enough for my cell phone as well as my ride food. The Speedfil isn’t quite that large. I think we all have those days when we go out to ride; and the wind hits us; and we think, WHAT IS THIS? Today I was tempted to switch things around, and do “just ride” today; then work on pace tomorrow. After all, they say a training  plan should be “etched in clay” so you can mold it as needed; not “chiseled in stone” so you can beat yourself up with it. All the same, I had to remind myself that I needed this fight-the-wind practice for RAGBRAI! 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 What Is This? March 20, 2025 More or Longer? March 19, 2025 Switched My Plans? March 18, 2025 I Need a Detective! March 17, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

What Is This? Read More »

More or Longer?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

More or Longer? 🤔 Should I make my force-development intervals more; or longer? Or both? I’m now constantly mindful of the hills on RAGBRAI; and I have no idea how long and steep they might be. I hope the organizers come out with more information soon. Week before last, I extended my force intervals to 45 seconds; and did two sets of three efforts. Last week I took a break from such intense work; then today I did intervals 45 seconds long; and two sets of four efforts. But I expect that the hills on the RAGBRAI route will take more than 45 seconds to climb; so I need to do s’more of those hard efforts! But more; or longer? I’m glad I still have about four months left to train! Four Months 🗓️ This much is sure: with four months to go, there’s no time for pussyfooting around. I’ve got to get out there and ride! For the most part, the weather has cooperated; and I hope it continues to do so. Aside from pondering whether my force efforts should be more or longer, I think I can stick to my usual riding schedule. I want to increase my Sunday long ride by a few miles each week; and make the Monday ride about equal in length. Over four months, that will let me work up to 60-mile rides well before RAGBRAI. One YouTube that I watched suggested working up to rides equal to the average daily distance on RAGBRAI; this year, that’s 58 miles. And you don’t really need to do rides that long every day. Who’s got time like that? 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 More or Longer? March 19, 2025 Switched My Plans? March 18, 2025 I Need a Detective! March 17, 2025 Inching Forward March 16, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

More or Longer? Read More »

Switched My Plans?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Should Have Switched? 🎛️ Maybe I should have switched my plans around. I had decided to take today off of bikes; and work on force development tomorrow. As it turned out, the wind this morning was calm; and tomorrow it will be blowing 10-11 mph. Gusts might be as strong as 25 mph. If I have the wind against me, I can practice riding hard against the wind; and not shift into an ultra-hard gear. But I’m not fond of headwinds at any time! When this happens, I think I should have switched my schedule. I’ll just have to see how it goes tomorrow. I do know I intend to do a shorter ride, since I plan to work on intensity. And sometimes I wish I had a power meter, so I can gauge my progress! Gauge My Progress 📏 With no power meter, I need another way to gauge my progress. I keep regular notes of my ride data: distance; time; and so on. If I want to know whether I’m improving, I should be able to get some idea of how I’m doing — if only I go back over my notes! My average speed, for instance, seems to be stuck at the same place. But can I really gauge my progress by that? Speed is dependent on a variety of factors, such as wind. I also notice that my heart rate is lower for what seems to be the same effort level. Am I really becoming fitter; or am I not putting out enough effort? RAGBRAI is on the horizon; so if I’m making training errors, I’ve got to fix things. Is it time I’ve switched my plans? 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 Switched My Plans? March 18, 2025 I Need a Detective! March 17, 2025 Inching Forward March 16, 2025 Windy City March 3, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

Switched My Plans? Read More »

I Need a Detective!

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

I Need a Detective!🕵🏻 I need a detective! Where’s Sherlock Holmes when you need him? What happened to thirteen days worth of blogs? Where do I look for  them? I’ve tried several things, without success. Did I do something wrong during my recent upgrade? I need to get into my hosting website; and the login page simply sits there. What’s going on? Are they down for Spring cleaning? Sometimes I think I need a detective to scout out road closures. Today the bike path was blocked by utility work vehicles; and it would have been nice to know that it was coming. I had to take a detour over some very bumpy streets! I’m not sure my road bike liked it! It probably doesn’t help that I still feel like I have jet lag from the change to Daylight time. It typically takes at least a week for me to get adjusted. Jet Lag ✈️ So here I am with jet lag, even though I haven’t crossed multiple time zones. I feel like I could sleep all day, like this kitty; and if I did, I could try out my sleeping bag. Yes, I got a sleeping bag to use during RAGBRAI! Nights can get cold, so they suggest a bag rated for 40 degrees (Fahrenheit). But I’m still waiting for my sleeping pad to arrive. When it does, I can give my equipment a test run by sleeping on the floor for one night. I hope I won’t feel like jet lag the next morning, though! Tomorrow is an off-bikes day. Yesterday and today, my rides ranged from almost 29 miles to over 33 miles. Day after tomorrow, I’ll work on force, so I can develop better strength for climbing. I need a detective to scout out those Iowa hills! 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 I Need a Detective! March 17, 2025 Inching Forward March 16, 2025 Windy City March 3, 2025 Tropical Storms in March? March 2, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

I Need a Detective! Read More »

Inching Forward

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Inching Forward 🪱 I’m inching forward with my mileage. Today I rode 33.2 miles; up a mile and a quarter from last week’s Sunday ride. I’m meeting the weekly mileage totals specified in the RAGBRAI training schedule; and I hope to add a few more miles to next Sunday’s ride. I want to keep inching forward by doing long rides two days in a row; as mentioned here at about 6:57 minutes. So far, rides of about 28-30 miles two days on end don’t seem to be a problem; so I’ll keep increasing them. I’m not sure I’ll try to get in a century ride prior to RAGBRAI. It probably isn’t necessary; especially as I don’t think I’ll try to tackle the Karras Loop. Karras Loop ➰ The Karras Loop is an optional loop — a detour, if you will — on one day of RAGBRAI, that lets riders extend the day’s distance to 100 miles. I think I’d be wise to skip it; as a RAGBRAI “virgin”, completing the regular route ought to be enough. It sounds tempting, though! I’m waiting for info to come out about pass-through towns; gradients; and whatever else I need to know. I guess they’ll soon be letting us know what food vendors will be on the route; and I’m making a list of what I want to try. 😋 I’m also starting to do a new exercise: riding up the bicycle access ramp to the top of the levee in a harder gear than I’ve been using. After all,  I need to inch forward in my ability to climb, as well as extending my mileage. I don’t have a Karras Loop handy; but I can work out an alternate. 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 Inching Forward March 16, 2025 Windy City March 3, 2025 Tropical Storms in March? March 2, 2025 All Kinds at RAGBRAI March 1, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

Inching Forward Read More »

Windy City

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Windy City ? Chicago isn’t the only Windy City on the map. New Orleans is about to become a very windy city! I wonder, does a Thule Yepp Mini Windscreen actually make riding against a headwind any easier? Or does in merely keep the wind from hitting you directly? At the moment, it’s 72 degrees; and it’s blowing at 15 mph. For me, that’s pretty strong. By nine o’clock tomorrow morning, the wind is going to get stronger and stronger. That’s not what Mardi Gras needs; floats and high winds are a bad mix. I believe some parades have been cancelled as a result. This isn’t the first time that high winds have disrupted Carnival. It’s hard on the krewes; parade-goers; and everyone who has worked so hard to prepare for Mardi Gras; but the authorities can’t risk having floats (or, worse, people) gone with the wind. Gone with the Wind ?️ Shall I try to ride outdoors tomorrow? I don’t want to end up gone with the wind (with all due apologies to Margaret Mitchell); but I also want to get my exercise. That won’t be easy while we’re the windy city. According to Weather Underground, conditions tomorrow won’t start to get rough until late morning. Of course, that’s what it says at the moment; but forecasts can, and sometimes do, change rapidly. If I do go for a ride, laps around the park will at least mean that I’m not battling a headwind for miles on the way home. On the other hand, it might be rather crazy there. Tomorrow is Mardi Gras, after all. I’d better be prepared to set up that trainer! I planned to ride easily tomorrow at any rate; and the trainer is good for that. I’ll also be indoors if the weather does get nasty. If New Orleans is to be the windy city tomorrow, I’d rather be at home. 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 Windy City March 3, 2025 Tropical Storms in March? March 2, 2025 All Kinds at RAGBRAI March 1, 2025 Gearing Down February 28, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

Windy City Read More »

Tropical Storms in March?

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

Tropical Storms in March? ? Tropical storms in March? What would Lewis Carroll’s lapine character think of that? We aren’t in for a tropical storm in the usual sense of the word; but high winds are in the forecast for day after tomorrow. Gusts could reach 45 mph; so here I am, thinking of tropical storms in March. All too soon, we’ll have to watch for hurricanes! And what bad timing this wind threat is! Day after tomorrow is Mardi Gras; a major event in New Orleans. I won’t be surprised if parades are rescheduled or even cancelled because of high winds. Those floats are high-profile vehicles; and strong wind is bad news for them. It’s not good news for my rides, either. It might be time to set up the trainer! Set up the Trainer ? I might have to set up the trainer if I’m to do any pedaling on Tuesday. Unfortunately “riding” in the trainer is hot and tedious. A wearable fan would be great if I have to do it often! I think I’ll have to play it by ear. Tomorrow shouldn’t be too bad; and maybe I can work on my pace. Tuesday? I think I’ll wait and see whether I need to set up the trainer. I prefer a real ride outdoors; but with tropical storms in March, I might have to alter my plans! 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 Tropical Storms in March? March 2, 2025 All Kinds at RAGBRAI March 1, 2025 Gearing Down February 28, 2025 Potpourri February 27, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

Tropical Storms in March? Read More »