SpokEasy

Author name: CAL

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

On the Fence

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

On the Fence 🤔 We all know the feeling of being on the fence; and it can make you feel out of “CTRL“. For example, I’m preparing for RAGBRAI LII; and am on the fence about bike locks. Should I bring one; or not? Some people say, don’t worry; you don’t need a lock. Others say, it’s better to have a lock; especially if you want to ride into the overnight town and will be away from your camp site. I have a cable lock; but it’s quite heavy. If I bring it along, maybe I can let it stay in my luggage; then I’ll have it if I need it at the camp site. And it won’t be weighing down my Camel-Bak all day long. Oh, and what about getting my electronic devices locked in at a charging station? Locked In? 🔐 Here is another subject on which I’m on the fence. PBV service includes a charging trailer, with locking compartments. Some videos I’ve watched say, bring a padlock. I immediately though of a standard padlock; the kind you might use for a school locker. Then I watched another video; and that one mentioned the small kind of padlock that you’d use for luggage. Wouldn’t you know, I can’t find that video again. Which kind of lock do I need? No wonder I feel like I’m on the fence! Of course I’ll want to get my devices locked in at night; and my list of RAGBRAI questions includes this issue. Are PBV users assigned a charging cubby, just as they’re assigned a tent number? If not, how will I easily find the cubby that I’ve chosen for my headlight, etc? I soon thought of putting a small piggy charm (such as you’d carry on a keychain) in the cubby. While I was considering where to look for such a thing, I remembered that I didn’t need to buy one; I already had one! I think it’s supposed to be a baby peccary; but that’s close enough. I was able to find it easily; and now it’s with the stuff I’m accumulating 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 ✍🏻 On the Fence February 21, 2025 Lab Rat February 20, 2025 More Winter February 19, 2025 Another Round February 18, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Lab Rat

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Lab Rat 🐀 I’ve got to be a lab rat for a while. After viewing many a video about RAGBRAI, I can see that I might need to change my fueling strategy; and that means starting to experiment now. For years, my long-ride fueling strategy has been to eat a banana and some peanut butter before starting; and then eat a bite of an energy bar every 15 minutes. During RAGBRAI that might not be possible. I might need to eat more, less often, depending on how far apart food sources are. So, how will I do if I fuel that way? I won’t know unless I make myself a lab rat. That includes considering RAGBRAI breakfasts. RAGBRAI Breakfasts 🥞 I’m weighing my options for RAGBRAI breakfasts. Depending on how early in the day I want to begin riding, there might not be a way to buy any food first. I also might not feel secure riding one-handed if there are a lot of other riders near to me; and if so, my usual eat-on-the-bike strategy won’t be practical. But what to eat? I’m afraid that my usual protein bars won’t do. I suspect that the PBV trailer truck is not climate-controlled; and those bars — many of which have chocolate coating — will be an absolute mess! Will a packet of peanut butter and a GU-Gel get me to the breakfast town? Or how about packets of nuts and chocolate (in the form of M&Ms)? I’ll want to try Chris Cakes at least once; and that looks like a big meal! Or can I get a “short stack”, and eat less; so my gut won’t  be too uncomfortable when I resume pedaling? Of course RAGBRAI breakfasts will be only part of the day’s food. There will be ice cream; corn on the cob; home-made pie; and more! Being a lab rat for a while should help my stomach learn to adjust. I just hope I don’t gain 10 pounds in the process! 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 ✍🏻 Lab Rat February 20, 2025 More Winter February 19, 2025 Another Round February 18, 2025 Roll Over February 17, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

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More Winter

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

More Winter ❄️ We’ve got more Winter coming. There are cold-weather warnings posted for the next two nights; and early tomorrow the chill factor will be well below freezing! It’s good I’ve got some cold-weather clothing; but when it’s that cold, nothing seems warm enough. Leg warmers help; but even with an additional base layer, my legs get cold. A long-sleeved blouse with three layers over it doesn’t keep out the chill.  Would these AmFIB Lobster Gel Gloves keep my hands warmer? Even with hand warmers inside of my gloves, my hands can get pretty cold. Frigid wind on my head gets painful, even when I’m wearing a skull cap. My feet get cold, even with heavy socks. More Winter for us doesn’t often mean sub-freezing temperatures; and when they occur, it’s apt to mean a training disruption for me. Training Disruption 😞 Cold weather doesn’t have to mean a training disruption; it’s possible to “ride” inside. If only such exercise weren’t so tedious! I got enough of it during the recent cold snap; and now I need to resume it. And we’ve got more Winter. It’s not the end of February yet; but I hope it stops dropping down to freezing. This city isn’t made for it; and I don’t blame anybody for not wanting to buy a lot of polar-rated clothing that they’ll need only a few days per season. Hence a training disruption can easily occur when the mercury drops like a stone. 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 Winter February 19, 2025 Another Round February 18, 2025 Roll Over February 17, 2025 Law of Averages February 16, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Another Round

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Another Round ↻ We have another round of frigid weather on the way; although they don’t expect snow this time. Tomorrow and the next day, wind gusts could be as strong as 30 mph. Not exactly what I need during a week when I planned to ease up on my efforts. The forecast has already provoked me to alter my riding plans. I was going to take today off; and do a leisurely ride of 12 miles or so tomorrow. When I saw that rain was expected for Wednesday, I decided to do some riding today; then take tomorrow off instead. I can hunker down and be lazy for a day. With another round of strong wind in store, I’ll probably ride laps around the park again. When I have to fight a headwind is when I wish I had a power meter. They say that power is a much more accurate indicator of your progress than speed, because speed is dependent on factors such as wind and terrain. Hunker Down 😵‍💫 I hope my plan to hunker down tomorrow is justified. It will be a good day to cozy up with a mug of hot chocolate! I don’t have a bicycle mug; but that’s OK. As I’ve said, we’ve got another round of strong wind in store; but it looks like things will calm down later in the week. That’s good for the Sunday ride. Incidentally, I still haven’t shed my Sunday-long-ride mentality. Before I retired, the long ride on Sunday was a must; I couldn’t do a long ride during the week because I was working. But now I can do it most any day; so if I must hunker down for the weather one day, I can ride the next. 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 ✍🏻 Another Round February 18, 2025 Roll Over February 17, 2025 Law of Averages February 16, 2025 RAGBRAI Practice? February 15, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Roll Over

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

Roll Over 🛞 “Roll over” sounds like a command you might teach to a dog. A roll over is what might  happen, too, if you’re riding; and drop a water bottle. It happened to me this morning. I was trying to put my bottle of electrolyte drink back into its cage; and dropped it. Then I rode right over it before I could stop. The bottle seems to be OK; but it might take another use or two before I’m sure it isn’t damaged. I hope I don’t drop too many bottles as I roll through the corn in July! Roll through the Corn 🌽 Preparing to roll through the corn (aka ride RAGBRAI) is keeping me busy! I have quite a shopping list; but I’m trying not to buy everything at once. It’s better to spread out the expenses if I can. I did order a duffle (of is it D-U-F-F-E–L?) bag. Better to have the bag first, I think, and then buy stuff that will fit inside the bag. It’s sort of like making the bike fit the rider; not the other way around. Preparing to roll through the corn also means, of course, the physical training required. I’ve begun working on back-to-back long rides; “long” at this point meaning 25-30 miles. I do that once a week. Training advice for over-40 riders says to ease up every third week; so I won’t increase my long-days mileage until the week of March 2. No hard riding this week, either. They say your body doesn’t get stronger if you stress it too hard, too often. You don’t want to reach the roll-over-and-play-dead stage of fatigue! 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 ✍🏻 Roll Over February 17, 2025 Law of Averages February 16, 2025 RAGBRAI Practice? February 15, 2025 Time Warp? February 14, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Law of Averages

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

Law of Averages 📊 The law of averages crops up everywhere, including cycling. What was my average speed? For riders in training for racing, there’s the question of average power output. I’ve got my eye on that law of averages; I’d like to improve my average speed before RAGBRAI rolls around. Today I didn’t seem at all successful, thanks to the wind. Almost all the way outward-bound, I had a headwind that averaged about 18 mph; and gusts were as high as 29 mph! My average speed over 25.9 miles was little more than 9 mph; and I’m surprised I was that fast. On the other hand, it’s true that I wasn’t trying to push the pace; and my heart rate stayed in the middle zone most of the time. Has my fitness improved? Maybe so; and it’s time for me to think of a little do-si-do! Do-si-Do? 🔙 One YouTube I watched about RAGBRAI training recommends back-to-back long rides. Sort of reminds me of do-si-do in square dancing! Here comes the law of averages again. This video says, work up to doing two days in a row each training week of the average daily distance on your upcoming RAGRAI. This year’s RAGBRAI will average about 58 miles per day; so I’ve got a ways to go. Today I had intended to push for 30 miles; but considering the effort I had to put out, I decided to shorten it a little. But I’ve begun to do a Monday ride close to the same distance as the Sunday ride. Tomorrow’s ride will be another tough one, though. The wind will still be quite strong. I’ve read in many a book and website, that riders over the age of 40 should back off every third week: ease up on the intensity; skip the super-hard efforts, and the like. This is a third week; so I won’t be pushing the pace 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 ✍🏻 Law of Averages February 16, 2025 RAGBRAI Practice? February 15, 2025 Time Warp? February 14, 2025 Check Your Pockets February 13, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

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RAGBRAI Practice?

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

RAGBRAI Practice? 😬 Think of a strong headwind as RAGBRAI practice! This morning I rode the hybrid to the salvage store; and by the time I headed back home, the wind was 18 mph; gusts were as strong as 25 mph. For the last mile or so in particular, I had a headwind! I was in my granny gear; and my speed had dropped to 6 mph. And believe me, that was slow! I was passed by three joggers who quickly left me far behind! When I had a half-mile or so to go before I could get down from the levee, I was tempted to stop riding and push the bike. I had to remind myself that this was good RAGBRAI practice. Oh, and don’t ride tonight. Don’t even think of it! Don’t Ride Tonight! ⚡️ I say, don’t ride tonight; because the forecast is for severe T-storms. RAGBRAI practice doesn’t have to include deliberately riding out into a storm; and I hope RAGBRAI 2025 doesn’t run into any! As of 3:00 pm, it still isn’t completely overcast; but a wind advisory went into effect at 11:00 am. I’m glad I was home before that happened. Don’t ride tonight, unless perhaps it’s early evening. Storms are expected to start moving in around 10:00 pm. Tomorrow the wind will still be pretty strong, although the rain should be over. To ride; or not to ride? It will be good RAGBRAI practice if I do. 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 ✍🏻 RAGBRAI Practice? February 15, 2025 Time Warp? February 14, 2025 Check Your Pockets February 13, 2025 Under-Trained February 12, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Time Warp?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Personal Care /

Time Warp? 😵‍💫 Am I caught in a time warp? It doesn’t feel like Friday! Maybe it was today’s riding. A friend and former co-worker lives nearby; and we had plans to meet at 9:30 this morning for a walk. I wanted to get in some miles before then, in case it turned rainy in the afternoon. But I didn’t get going until about 7:00; and I needed time to fix and eat breakfast after I got home. Thus I didn’t ride as long as I really wanted to; and got in less than 11 miles. After I was home from walking, I got busy with other things; but by early afternoon I was tired of sitting around. I decided to get on the ball, and went out again, this time on the hybrid; and rode another 9 miles. Two rides in one day upset my sense of time; so no wonder I feel like I’m in a time warp! Get on the Ball! ⚽️  Time warp or not, I’ve got to get on the ball. Not that I’m behind on RAGBRAI training, at least as far as miles go. But I do need to be more diligent about my  off-bike exercises! If all that exercise leaves you with sore muscles, these Massage Balls can provide some relief. Different colors have varying stiffness/spike length. Good for phyio-therapy, relief of plantar fasciitis, aching quads, etc. RAGBRAI, in fact, is why I decided to get these massage balls. I’m bound to have some aching legs; and with these “sea urchins” on hand, I won’t have to stand in line for a massage! At 3 inches in diameter each, they’ll take up far less space than a foam roller. I just have to be careful not to roll myself into a time warp!   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 ✍🏻 Check Your Pockets February 13, 2025 Under-Trained February 12, 2025 Muscle Forgetfulness February 11, 2025 Fog Away! February 10, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Check Your Pockets

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Check Your Pockets 💵 “Check your pockets!” Who hasn’t heard that admonition when laundry day comes around? A tissue forgotten in a pocket makes a dreadful mess; and I hate to think of what might happen if a forgotten GU-Gel goes through an electric dryer! Check your pockets before a ride, too. I wish I’d done it this morning. It was 53 degrees; and the wind was about 16 mph. Such conditions make my nose run like crazy; and I thought I had forgotten my handkerchief. After all, it wasn’t in my reflective vest’s pockets, where I usually carry it for a ride. Back home, I found said handkerchief in the pocket of an under-layer. If only I had known it was there! And What Else? 🔑 And what else might be lurking in those pockets? Keys? Cash? Energy bars? In warmer weather, I tend to wear cycling jerseys; and for long rides, I use the Camel-Bak, which covers up the jersey pockets. Check your pockets? They might as well not be there! For RAGBRAI, I’m thinking of using the Camel-Bak, but only half full. I’ll want a weight allowance for things such as toilet paper and a tube of Chamois Butt’r. I also have several prescriptions which must go with me on the big ride; and I’ll want to keep them on my person at all times. And what else must I carry somehow? I’ll work it out as the months go on. But every morning of RAGBRAI, check your pockets to be sure you aren’t forgetting anything! 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 ✍🏻 Check Your Pockets February 13, 2025 Under-Trained February 12, 2025 Muscle Forgetfulness February 11, 2025 Fog Away! February 10, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Under-Trained

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

UNDER-trained? 🏋🏻 Who wants to arrive at an event under-trained? For your best performance, of course you’ll want to be adequately prepared. Even for a recreational event such as RAGBRAI, training is essential. Not that you’ll need a power meter, unless your aim is to race. But RAGBRAI isn’t a race; and as for being under-trained, I read somewhere that being slightly under-trained is better than being over-trained and exhausted. I’m not about to wait until RAGBRAI is two months away to start pushing it, though. I don’t seem to be one of those lucky people who can build up strength very rapidly. I’ve begun to do short intervals of riding hard against a hard gear. In between these efforts, I ride easily for several minutes. Pushing It 😤 Fortunately I’m not time-crunched; so pushing it doesn’t have to mean pushing it to the max for just a few rides a week. As a matter of fact, I prefer moderate distance and effort most days of the week, with one day of hard riding; and one long day. I enjoy riding, too; so I want to ride most days of the week! I’ll be shipping my road bike to RAGBRAI; and I have to allow about two weeks for that. It’s good that I have the hybrid to ride during that time; or I’ll get too out of condition. Then I’ll really be undertrained! 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 ✍🏻 Under-Trained February 12, 2025 Muscle Forgetfulness February 11, 2025 Fog Away! February 10, 2025 Pedals Wear Out! February 9, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

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