SpokEasy

SpokEasy

Author name: CAL

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

Take a Break

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

Take a Break 😴 I decided to take a break from riding today. For one thing, I was a little concerned over the weather; and for another, my head felt all stuffed up. But why does the weather have to get so iffy just when it’s time to push for rides of 60 miles? RAGBRAI is looming ever closer; and I don’t need to let my training lapse now. Even when the forecast says T-storms are most likely from early afternoon, I feel uneasy about them — even when I ride at 7:00 am! I wish I could take a break from bad weather. Weekend Rides 🚲 I hope I won’t have to resort to a chair workout for my weekend rides. Or the trainer; or other off-bike fitness measures, either. For a workout, there’s nothing like an outdoor ride! It looks like tomorrow’s ride to the salvage store will be OK; and perhaps Sunday’s long ride. If storms prevent my doing a long ride on Sunday, I can do it another day. It’s still hard for me to break away from the pre-retirement mindset of doing the week’s long ride on Sunday! I can move weekend rides to mid-week rides if I have to. That’s a huge perk of not having to go to work. It makes me wonder how I managed in my pre-retirement days. 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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Better Fitness?

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Better Fitness? ❤️ Is this better fitness? Or am I stuck in the same place? Yesterday I did a ride of 19.9 miles; averaged 10.61 miles per hour overall (that includes the warm-up early section of the ride; and the last half mile or so on the way home); and my heart rate ranged from 128 to 148 beats per minute. I looked back over my notes; and just under a year ago, I did a comparable ride: 19.7 miles; average speed, 10.04 mph; and heart rate range 141/141. So, do I have better fitness now? All I can do is to keep at it. I still haven’t gotten much faster; but I see that my average heart rate was lower during yesterday’s ride, even though I was riding at a slightly faster speed. Maybe that answers my question? Keep at It 🚲 I’ll keep at it. I’m not gaining speed the way I wish I would; but any improvement is better than none, even if it’s not as much progress as I’d like. And I tend to hold to a moderate pace on most rides. Maybe I worry too much that I’ll burn myself out when I’m miles from home. Better fitness includes improved ability to hold a prone plank. At first, three seconds was hard; now I can manage 15 seconds. I’ll keep at it, so I can hold the position for longer. Core strength is very important for cycling! 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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Watch Those Liners!

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Watch Those Liners! 🛞 It would be easier to watch those liners if they weren’t hiding inside the tires. A worn tire liner proved to be the cause of my recent flat; and I’d better replace the front tire liner before I head for RAGBRAI. I can’t watch those liners, or the tires, if it’s raining. Yesterday we got some heavy downpour for a while; and this evening we might get more of the same. I’m glad the weather didn’t ruin my plans for today’s ride; but it looks like the rest of the week will be rainy. Plans 📝 Any plans I had for moon viewing probably would not have worked out. The forecast said it would be overcast; and I was too tired to get up at 4:30 am, anyhow. I decided to work on my pace this morning: seven minutes of pushing for 13-15 mph; three minutes of riding easily; then another hard effort. On the way out, I did about five of these efforts. The final effort didn’t work out too well; I kept slowing down.  Coming back home, I had a bit of a headwind; and I shortened my efforts to two minutes. It makes me feel like a wimp; but how do I know for sure when I’m really overdoing it? Maybe I’d better not think about it too much; or I might become a basket case! 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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Short Again

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Short Again 😞 My ride got cut short again today. Yesterday the heat was starting to get to me, so I stopped early; and this morning it began to look like bad weather was about to move in. So I went home early, cutting my ride short again. I planned to ride 25 miles. In order to finish the distance, I bypassed home and went to the park to ride a couple of laps. I hadn’t gone a quarter of the way around the park when I thought I heard thunder. With a screaming leaf blower nearby, I wasn’t quite sure; but soon afterwards I heard thunder again. The western sky looked quite stormy; and I decided to go home. Rain is one thing; lightning is another. Incidentally, how does a Brooks saddle do in the rain? I’ve never tried one; but the leather covering does need special care. I think that’s why I never got a Brooks; I like easy-care things. Out of Mind 🧠 Out of sight sure can mean out of mind. I intended to wear my cooling rag; and after I got it ready, I set it in the dish drainer until I was ready to ride. And forgot it. It wasn’t in the same place as my Camel-Bak; so it was out of sight, out of mind. I was a good quarter-mile from home before I noticed that I didn’t have the cooling rag; and I decided to ride without it. Good thing it wasn’t quite a as hot as yesterday; and there was a lot of cloud cover. I actually came pretty close to 25 miles; so making the distance short again wasn’t quite such a big deal.     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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Upended

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

Upended 😒 Today’s ride plans sure got upended! It drives me crazy when that happens. I planned to push for about 55 miles. When I went to pump up my road bike’s tires, I discovered that the rear tire was flat! As I hadn’t used the road bike since Thursday, I don’t know exactly when it happened; but I didn’t quite dare just inflate the tire and go riding. I don’t need to get a flat when I’m 10 miles from home. My plan had been to go ride some laps around the park; come home for a pit stop; and go out on the levee. I decided to inflate the flat tire; and use the hybrid to ride the laps in the park. When I got home from that part of today’s ride, I discovered that the road bike tire was deflating, which upended my ride plans completely. So I did the rest of the miles on the hybrid. It wasn’t easy! Outwarard-bound, I had a headwind; and it got as strong as 12 mph at one point. After riding to a spot about 10 miles from home, I stopped to reapply sunblock; then headed home for a second pit stop. Watch the Water 💦 Of course you’ve got to watch the water supply during long rides. At the turnaround stop, I checked the Camel-Bak; and it had maybe half a liter of water left in it. I figured it would get me home; and I also had brought along an extra bottle of water, just in case. Your ride can get upended big time if you run out of water; especially in hot weather! When I got  home, I refilled the Camel-Bak; and added a few fistfuls of ice cubes. Then I fixed more electrolyte drink; this time with chilled water. I knew the liquids wouldn’t stay cold for long; but I got some relief from the heat. Now I didn’t need to watch the water quite so closely; and I headed back to the park to do some more laps. On the way, I saw a bolt of lightning; and was a bit uneasy about continuing the ride. But I didn’t hear any thunder; and proceeded to the park. By now the heat was getting to me (in fact, there was a heat advisory in effect); and I decided to head home after only two laps. Luckily the sun was dodging in and out of clouds all day; and there was a decent amount of shade in the park. That and the wind kept me a tad cooler. I hope it’s a bit cooler tomorrow! 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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Glory Halleluja!!

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Glory Hallelujah!! 🌅 “Glory Hallelujah!!” is what I felt like shouting yesterday evening, when I learned that I had a Pork Belly tent for RAGBRAI. It’s an immense relief to me. Not that I think I can’t learn to set up a tent; but as a first-timer, it will be better if I don’t have the added pressure of having to find a camp site each evening; and then put up a tent when I’m hot and tired and hungry. Having a Pork Belly tent also means that my luggage is taken care of. I won’t have to carry it from the baggage truck to my campsite. “Porkers” are allowed two bags; but since I now don’t need to pack a tent, I just might be able to get away with a single bag! Glory Hallelujah!! Hold On ✋ Oh — no — hold on a minute. I did some practice packing; and even without a tent, I’ll need both my duffle bags. Even when I’ve put my sleeping bag into a compression stuff sack! Ergo my “Glory Hallelujah” re: packing was somewhat premature! As someone at Pork Belly suggested, I can use one bag for camping stuff (sleeping pad, etc.); and one bag for clothes. As I’m flying, I’ll need a way to carry things that aren’t permitted in check-in luggage. It’s time review what can go into a carry-on. I don’t want to hear, hold on, when I’m trying to make it to my flight! 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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We Like Dust!

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

We Like Dust! 🧹 We like dust just now! According to news reports, a huge plume of Saharan dust is, at least for the present, inhibiting tropical storm development. Of course we’re happy that hurricanes aren’t popping up; and we all wish that they won’t! I suppose off-trail riders also say, We like dust. Riders who go for such activities need a good helmet; but that sort of headgear doesn’t look very comfortable to me! I’m also not a big fan of mucking up my bicycle. It looks like that’s what off-trail riding is about, when it isn’t dusty. Wash out the Sky 🌧️ For now, the rain has decided to wash out the sky. We actually needed some rain; but I hope it won’t keep pouring every day for three weeks. Even if we like dust, rain turns dust into mud; and then the mud gets tracked everywhere! Having rain wash out the sky probably helps allergy sufferers. Lately, when I ride on the levee, I see white fuzz blowing around; and I guess it’s from all the willow trees. Or do we also have cottonwoods here? At any rate, I get home after a ride and start sneezing! How much will I get to ride this weekend? Today we had a UV index of 12 (“extreme”). I was back from a ride to Walmart by 10:00 am; and I should be back home from the salvage store at about the same time tomorrow. But Sunday? Either start very early (say, 5 am); or let the long ride wait for Monday. 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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I Broke 20!

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I Broke 20! 🚄 I broke 20 mph this morning! That doesn’t happen very often; and I wish I could cruise at 20 mph as a regular thing. Well, maybe someday — but it will take time and hard work. This morning I worked on force intervals, as I call them. I shifted into a hard gear that really slowed my cadence; then worked to push my rpm to 70 for a minute. Then I’d ride easy for two minutes before attempting another hard effort. After three efforts, I rode easily for five minutes, then began another set; for a total of three sets. At some point during these hard efforts, I broke 20 mph. I didn’t stay there for long; but just getting there is an accomplishment. 👏🏻 The Day After 🌅 The day after these hard efforts is typically a ride-easy day. It’s gratifying to see these peak-speed notes in my cycling journal; but I know from reading about training that you shouldn’t do intense efforts day after day.  I had planned to do force work yesterday, and ride easy today. But I already changed things around and rode easy yesterday, because my legs felt tired. So I’ll “just ride” tomorrow, without any structured efforts. Maybe it’s a good thing my plan for day after tomorrow is only the ride to and from the salvage store. I saw a news article that says, people in certain states are warned to stay out of the sun this coming weekend because of an unusually high UV index. Louisiana is one of the states affected. As this warning is in effect between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, I might have to save the “Sunday” long ride for Monday! Either that, or start at five o’clock in the morning.

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Tricks

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Tricks 🤡 The wind was up to its tricks yesterday morning; and that can be startling. I tried working on my pace; and outward-bound, I seemed to be doing fine. What I didn’t realize was that I had a tailwind! It was a bit of a jolt to turn around to head home; and find that I had a headwind. Such tricks are most aggravating. Next ride, pay more attention to wind speed and direction before I set out; lately I’ve paid more attention to temperature and rain chances. Speaking of wind, there’s a huge dust cloud from the Sahara blowing this way. I hope it doesn’t cause too many problems for anyone. Speaking of Wind 🌬️ Speaking of wind, I decided to get an Arctic Air Fan to blow cool (well, cooler) air on me. It’s worth trying one, to see whether it really lets me chill out. So far I’ve used it only indoors; I wanted to do a trial run before using the fan on a bicycle ride. It might get very hot during RAGBRAI; and like everyone else, I’ll want to keep cool. I intend to take a cool rag along; but I want another way to beat the heat. I hope there’s room in my luggage for this wearable fan. It seems like I’m adding to the pile of RAGBRAI stuff every time I turn around. I think need a few tricks for packing! 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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Normal Schedule

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Normal Schedule 🗓️ It’s good to be back on my normal schedule. During Love to Ride challenge months, I try to ride every day. My normal schedule is to take one day off a week; and I admit that not taking those days off becomes difficult as the month goes on. Especially with RAGBRAI getting so close, I don’t need to get burned out; or to develop an overuse injury. So today I ran some errands and (can you believe it?) did some house cleaning instead. Soon I’ll be heading into the final stretch of training. I hope that what I’ve done is sufficient! The event’s organizers are doing the “Route Inspection Ride” this week; and I’m looking out for their reports. After I get that info, I’ll have a better idea of how well-prepared I am. Final Stretch 🥅  Yes, the final stretch of RAGBRAI training will be here before I know it. I’ll be riding the hybrid after July 7; because I must ship my road bike (via Bikeflights) by July 8. In fact, I might ship it a day or two before that, just to give myself some leeway. During the last week before I head to Iowa, the important thing will be to reduce distance; but maintain a certain amount of intensity. They say that’s what you need to do as you taper for an event. Being on my normal schedule of one day off a week will help with that. I hope the weather continues to cooperate! 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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