SpokEasy

Author name: CAL

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

Momentum

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Momentum 🚴🏿 Whether on a swing or a bicycle, you’ve got to get the momentum going. Maybe these Whole Mayocoba Beans will give you the energy you need for it! I’m working to keep the momentum going for my bicycle rides. Winter Wheelers is still in progress; and my end-of-year mileage goal is within sight. Just under 78 miles to go; or slightly less than nine miles per day. And Christmas won’t be Christmas without a ride! 2025 🎆 It’s hard to believe that 2025 is almost here; and I hope I can keep the cycling momentum going into the New Year. The Cyclist’s Training Diary is one way to track your ride data; but I use a plain old spiral notebook. Whichever course you take, it’s good to have it all written down in one place.  I need to get busy looking for a way to get to Iowa if I hope to do RAGBRAI 2025. And I need to start switching my rides from merely piling up the miles to doing some real intensity work once or twice a week. I think you can say that I’ve done my base mileage; and that’s what you need as the foundation for working to develop better force and speed. I’ll ride the hybrid tomorrow. I want to hit the supermarket; and besides, my left shoe keeps coming unclipped by itself as I ride the road bike. Worn cleat, I guess. Always something! 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 ✍🏻 Momentum December 22, 2024 I Prefer Overcast December 21, 2024 This Is Friday? December 20, 2024 Head Start December 19, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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I Prefer Overcast

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

I Prefer Overcast ☁︎ I prefer overcast to the conditions I got today! Because of the season, the sun is lower in the sky; and while I was riding home from the salvage store, it was shining directly in my eyes much of the way. Not even the best sunglasses can help with that! On top of the sunlight, the cold wind made my eyes sting and water; and the combination meant that I was almost riding blind. I had a strong headwind, too. That meant a lot of rapid pedaling in my lowest gear; and I wonder what that did to my heart rate. The wind has died down a good bit; and it shouldn’t be as bad tomorrow. We’ll have another clear day, though — with the glaring sunshine in my eyes. I prefer overcast! Christmas Week 🎄 It’s hard to believe that Christmas week begins tomorrow. Where did 2024 go? If you still have presents to wrap, this Road Bike Gift Wrap makes for colorful gift-giving! Unless something comes up at the last moment, I’m done wrapping and shipping gifts; and my mind is on finishing up my cycling year with a strong showing. Ten more days left to put in miles; and I’d better try to get in a bit extra tomorrow.  A friend who moved away a year or so ago, will be visiting in town; and we’re going to get together at a coffee shop Monday. That might mean doing a shorter ride; or going out much earlier than usual. I’ll want to get in some miles, after all. By Tuesday night the weather might turn rainy; and there’s a chance for rain on Christmas Day — even T-storms! I hope to get in a few miles even on Christmas; but I’m going to visit old friends of the family. Depending on what time my ride will arrive, there might not be time for much riding. Christmas week can be a busy time! I guess Santa will be busy handing out kids’ bikes. That means that the bicycle path in the park will be plenty busy on Wednesday morning! 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 Prefer Overcast December 21, 2024 This Is Friday? December 20, 2024 Head Start December 19, 2024 Spares December 18, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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This Is Friday?

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This Is Friday? 🍳 This is Friday? And no, I’m not talking about frying an egg. This morning I went to Whole Foods; something I usually don’t do during the week. As a result, I keep thinking that today is Saturday! But I found a new kind of bar to try; and despite forgetting to bring along my shopping list, I remembered everything but peanut butter. Now I have to keep reminding myself that this is Friday, so I don’t forget to go to the salvage store tomorrow. It’ll be a chilly ride; the forecast says is will drop below 40 degrees tonight! But after all, it’s December. Double Dose 💊 So I might want a mug of hot chocolate when I get back from the store. It’s going to be windy as well as cold; and a Northeast wind, wouldn’t you know. That means the only-too-usual headwind on the way home! I’m glad the wind wasn’t too bad today. I got a double dose of riding — two laps around the park added to my trip to Whole Foods was under eleven miles; so after I got home, I went out on the road bike and did 12.6 more. I needed that double dose to fill in my mileage! 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 ✍🏻 This Is Friday? December 20, 2024 Head Start December 19, 2024 Spares December 18, 2024 Mistical Mornings? December 17, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Head Start

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

Head Start 🔫 I’ve gotten a head start on Christmas 2025; and I do mean I jumped the gun big time. Today I bought greeting cards for next year! They would have cost less if I had waited to buy them until December 26; but I figured there wouldn’t be much left by then. And now that I have the cards, I don’t need to worry about finding them in the stores when Christmas rolls around next year. It’s often good to get a head start on things. It sure beats frenzied, last-minute preparations! Especially for major undertakings, when a snowball effect is common. You know how each additional thing that you think of, makes you think of at least one further thing!  Like a helmet cover to add to your rain gear. Sometimes I wish I  had one; but then I remember, I use a helmet-mounted headlight. I’m afraid the heat of the light would melt the helmet cover! Winding up the Year 🎄 It’s time to be winding up the year. I’ve recorded my rides regularly, as I’ve done almost since the very start. With only 12 more days left of 2024, I’ll want to get in some good miles. It won’t give me a head start on 2025, though. How about tomorrow? I’m thinking of using the hybrid to ride laps around the park, so I can make a trip to Whole Foods. Might as well kill two birds with one stone, as they say, and do my ride on a bicycle that lets me carry loads. If I do a ride on the road bike first, I might get home and then decide to stay put! There’s a chance of rain and even T-storms on Christmas Day! I hope that doesn’t persist too long. I don’t want to be winding up the year with a dismal mileage showing. 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 ✍🏻 Head Start December 19, 2024 Spares December 18, 2024 Mistical Mornings? December 17, 2024 Spring in December? December 16, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Spares

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

Spares 🛞 Spares have an important role to play. What happens when you’re on a long ride; and a tire goes flat? Or your bike falls, and the rear derailer hanger takes the brunt? My road bike’s rear derailer hanger seems to be a very vulnerable part! So it wise to keep spares on hand. An under saddle pack lets you carry a spare tube and tools for changing a flat; and has room for a tube of sunblock plus a snack or two. And I now carry a replcement rear derailer with me. As my road bike is over eleven years old, it’s getting harder to find parts for it. Spare Tire? 🥋 A spare tire for a bicycle or a car is fine; and I use tough Gatorskin tires for my road bike to reduce the risk of flats. But a “spare tire” around the belt line is something nobody wants. I don’t mean to be insulting to anyone who’s carrying around excess weight; that’s no laughing matter. It’s possible to shed the extra pounds by cycling; and  Ride Your Way Lean tells how to go about it. Several weight loss plans are included, from a program for losing up to 50 pounds or more; to one that helps you lose 15-35 pounds; and “Shed the stubborn spare tire”, for losing 5-15 pounds. This title is also available in Spanish. I’m not really following any of these plans; but I’m counting the calories, and watching carbs and saturated fat. And continuing to ride, of course. I’m not as lean as I would like to be; but riding can do a lot to prevent the build-up of that spare tire! 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 ✍🏻 Spares December 18, 2024 Mistical Mornings? December 17, 2024 Spring in December? December 16, 2024 What Fog? December 15, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Mistical Mornings?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

MISTical Mornings? 🌫️ We’ve been getting mistical mornings, you could say. Two days ago, I was wondering where the fog was; but yesterday there was a little more mist; and today yet more. There’s another dense fog advisory in effect; and tomorrow’s forecast shows fog until mid-morning. It will be cool enough for leg warmers and a lightweight jacket; and I’ll want my skull cap, too. With a mistical morning predicted, I’m glad I can wait until a little later to ride. Going out at 5 am in dense fog is a bit of a nail-biter!   Get Seasonal! 🗓️ Sometimes I feel like telling the weather to get seasonal; and I might soon get my wish. Tomorrow night it’s supposed to start getting cooler; and that will mean switching to full-fingered gloves.  That makes on-bike eating rather awkward; and I wonder how things would go if I were wearing heated gloves! Many of the protein bars I use have chocolate coating; would heated gloves melt that coating before I could get a bite to my mouth? During a ride on a mistical morning, I don’t see as much; and I remember one VERY foggy morning, years ago, when it was still dark as well as very foggy. I was riding on top of the levee; and couldn’t even see the trees on the riverbank! 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 ✍🏻 Mistical Mornings? December 17, 2024 Spring in December? December 16, 2024 What Fog? December 15, 2024 Doesn’t Look Good December 14, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Spring in December?

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Spring in December? 🌷 We seem to be getting Spring in December. It got up to the mid-70s today! I bet I’d appreciate it if I were still working; and commuting by bicycle. It’s a big nuisance to have to bundle up for the ride to work; find a way to stow all those layers once you get to work; then re-dress when it’s time to go home. But Spring in December isn’t natural, even for New Orleans. I hope these unusually warm temperatures aren’t a harbinger of severe weather to come. After all, there was a time when unseasonably warm weather was called a “weather breeder“! For all I know, that bit of wisdom was spot on. Enjoy It While I Can 🚴🏿 Whether this weather is natural or not, I might as well enjoy it while I can. When it’s warmer, my nose doesn’t run nearly as much; and my hands and feet don’t get cold. Riding against the wind is more tiring on cold days; and full-fingered gloves make on-bike eating awkward. Regardless of the temperature, I’d love some Alter Eco SuperDark Chocolate Truffles! They’re 80% cacao; and although I personally don’t care whether they’re gluten free, many people have to avoid gluten. Alter Eco SuperDark Chocolate Truffles have compostable wrappers, too. Tomorrow will be another mild day; and I’d better enjoy it while I can! One of these days we’ll get a frigid blast; and then I’ll be wishing for the heat to return 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 ✍🏻 Spring in December? December 16, 2024 What Fog? December 15, 2024 Doesn’t Look Good December 14, 2024 Christmas Moon December 13, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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What Fog?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

What Fog? 🤔 This morning I wound up asking, What fog? After the forecast yesterday, I was anticipating pea-soup conditions. I’m glad the mist wasn’t like that, or I would have been wishing for Optix 55. Even so, the humidity was high enough that the screen of my Cateye kept getting a film of moisture on it. There was some mist on the river, too; but the moon was clear enough. But not in a position to be casting its light on the water; I guess it’s because of the tilt of the Earth at this season. All the same, it was nice to be able to say, What fog? I included a trip to the supermarket in today’s ride; and now I don’t need to buy any groceries for a while. Head Start 🎬 I got a head start on Xmas feating today; and enough goodies to last two days in the process. The neighborhood pasty shop had cookies called Chinese Christmas Chocolate Spot, or something like that. I got one; and now I don’t need any more candy for a while! That cookie was big! So I’d better do a good ride tomorrow to help burn it off. Why not now? If I ride right now, I’ll have to re-do this past week’s statistics; and I’m too lazy to want to bother with it. Maybe I can go for a walk later. I’ll see what things are like tomorrow morning before deciding whether ride the hybrid or the road bike. There’s more fog in the forecast; and riding in the fog means my poor bike gets all mucky. On the other hand, my road bike is feeling slighted. This past week I used the hybrid most of the time; and the road bike only twice. 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 Fog? December 15, 2024 Doesn’t Look Good December 14, 2024 Christmas Moon December 13, 2024 What Goes Down December 12, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Doesn’t Look Good

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Doesn’t Look Good 👁️ As of the latest forecast, it doesn’t look good for tomorrow’s moon-viewing ride. Now they’re predicting patchy fog! It won’t be great for flying a drone, either, even if I wanted to! I can still ride if it’s foggy; but the hybrid will be the better choice, because it has fenders. In fact, I’m thinking of going out for 5-6 miles; the doubling back and heading for the supermarket. I went to the salvage store this morning; but didn’t find everything I wanted. With Christmas coming, I want to be sure I have certain items — like garlic-stuffed olives! Speaking of Food 🥑 🍎 🍌 Speaking of food, it doesn’t look good sometimes when I pore over my food log. I’m working to minimize sweets; and to eat only small portions when I have them. I admit, though, that it’s uphill work. But I’ll keep trying! These things take time. Even harder than minimizing sweets, is minimizing saturated fat. It’s very hard to keep “sat fat” from going over 12 grams in a day, and still get enough to eat! Especially as sat fat seems to be everywhere. It’s sneaky stuff! Protein? I’m doing fairly well in that department; but I think I’d better work more legumes into my menus. I’ve been using up stuff that I had in the freezer; and my squashed sauce doesn’t have legumes in it. Legumes provide protein without the sat fat that cheese has — and I usually don’t eat more than a half-ounce of cheese at one go. Incidentally, my food log is nothing sophisticated. I use a regular spiral notebook; opened so that there’s a blank page on either side of the spiral. The left-hand side is for a breakdown of each meal; and the other side is for the totals (calories; carbs; protein; sat fat). I don’t find it at all helpful to see only X calories; Y grams of carbs, etc. for each meal. I need to know, for instance, whether breakfast was a banana and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter; or rolled oats mixed with yogurt and almonds. This method of record-keeping is admittedly somewhat wasteful of paper; and that doesn’t look good. But I’ve got to do what I need to 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 ✍🏻 Doesn’t Look Good December 14, 2024 Christmas Moon December 13, 2024 What Goes Down December 12, 2024 Subsidence December 11, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Christmas Moon

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

Christmas Moon 🌕 Strictly speaking, the upcoming full moon isn’t a Christmas moon — it’s ten days early. But it looks like the weather might be on my side. The forecast says, partly cloudy; and that could mean that I’ll have good viewing. The temperature will probably be around 60 degrees; and that’s quite comfortable for riding. Yes, I’ll want leg warmers; and a jacket; and a helmet liner. But that’s a lot better than riding when it’s 40 degrees!  Even if the moon isn’t visible, I’ll want to ride. Winter Wheelers is on, after all! I’m trying to get in 100 miles or so per week; and after tomorrow’s trip to the salvage store, I should easily reach that goal with Sunday’s ride. The catch with riding so early is that, once I’m heading back home, I’ll have the sun shining directly into my face! But getting to see the Christmas moon will make it worth the nuisance. Real Christmas Ride 🚴🏿 Who know what the real Christmas ride will be like. Temperature down to the low 30s? Or 70 degrees? Clear, or rainy? If the latter, I’ll ride the hybrid, and avoid getting my bike all spattered with mud.   Windy? I hope not. A strong wind will make riding in the park more sensible; but a real Christmas ride in the park means this: even at 6:00 am, the path in the park will be full of kids trying out their new bicycles.  I understand that they’re excited and want to learn to ride; but let’s face it, youngsters wobbling all over the place on bikes can be hazardous! I don’t want to hit them; and I don’t need for them to run into me. That means riding at a snail’s pace! 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 ✍🏻 Christmas Moon December 13, 2024 What Goes Down December 12, 2024 Subsidence December 11, 2024 Gamble Paid Off December 10, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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