SpokEasy

SpokEasy

Author name: CAL

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

Pakistan

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Pakistan I wonder what cycling in Pakistan is like. It’s so easy to focus on packaged bicycle tours. Then the country’s real cycling culture gets pushed aside. Women in the country, a conservative society, face obstacles when it comes to cycling. But they have to have a way to get places (the market; school; etc.); and suppose the way is too long to make walking practical? And must they miss the joys of cycling because of societal restrictions? They’re just like anyone else: they need exercise; and a way to have fun. On the other hand, this account makes it seem just fine for a woman to be a cyclist in Pakistan. Maybe it makes a difference whether a female on a bicycle is the the city, or the countryside. It might also be different for visitors to the nation. If you want to take a bicycle tour of Pakistan, there are some options. The Deosai tour is great for MTB enthusiasts. The Old Silk Route is a challenging one. It begins to sound like a flatlander like me would have a very hard time cycling in Pakistan! At present, July 2026, the country is at Level 3 Travel Advisory; so I can’t in good conscience suggest going there. It’s a pity; it looks like a beautiful place.  How about the climate? That varies quite a lot according to topography. Some parts of the country are dry and hot; and as you gain in altitude, it gets cooler. Most areas get little rain; so maybe you can leave the poncho 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 © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional. FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER

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Stroopwafels for Riding

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Stroopwafels for Riding Today I tried Stroopwafels for riding. I had the caramel variety; and though they taste good, they’re really too low in protein for ride food. So I took along some other food in case I needed it. Honey Stinger Chews rounded out the menu very nicely. A great advantage to Stroopwafels is that they don’t have a chocolate coating. This means that they’re much neater on a hot day. I do get tired of ride food that leaves smears of chocolate on my fingers! Stroopwafels are also very high in carbs; and not the good kind. When I eat stuff like that on the bike, I need to balance it with foods such as cauliflower. So now I’ve got to chop cauliflower for supper. This morning I put in 42.50 miles; and it was great to  have little or no wind! As I did last Sunday, I watched the clouds building up on the way home. Around 12:15 pm, I began to hear thunder; and I was glad I wasn’t out. Today I think I was flirting with dehydration. My post-long ride weight is usually least a pound more than my pre-long ride weight. This time, I gained only two-tenths of a pound; and I drank about three liters of water during my ride. Plus electrolyte drink! I guess I sweated it all out.  I don’t think I needed to eat more. Taking in 900 calories when I burned off 1180 calories seems reasonable. I’m not like a Tour de France rider, who might burn 5000 calories in a single stage. That reminds me — I haven’t looked at todays TdF pics yet!

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Rainbow at Morning

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Rainbow at Morning Today I saw a rainbow at morning! For a few minutes, it was quite bright; then it faded. But the saying goes, “Rainbow at morning, sailor take warning.” T-storms are predicted for this afternoon; and I’m glad I don’t have any more errands to run. In fact, right about noon, I began to hear thunder. Yesterday some parts of the city got torrential rain; as much as three inches in about 90 minutes. I guess I got lucky! I had to abandon my plan to go to the salvage store. Yesterday I got a call from the management office of this place I rent. They don’t have copies of the door keys (!); and wanted me to get some. Walmart has a key-copying counter; so I went to Walmart. I could have ridden to the salvage store from there; but I needed apples, bananas, and so on. I knew Walmart would have those things; so I got them there. Guess what else I got? Clothespins! They’re great for clipping shut bags of frozen fruit (or whatever); and a pack of 24 cost less than three bucks. They work just as well as those “clip chips” that cost a lot more; clothespins are probably more durable. I rather hope I won’t see a rainbow at morning tomorrow. I want to do a long ride; and T-storms cracking overhead won’t help! The rain would soak my ride food, too. What shall I take along for ride food? Stroopwafels?  Honey Stinger Chews? I’ll figure it out.

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Wet Start

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Wet Start I got a wet start to my weekend. About 45 minutes before I left work, I looked outside; and the sky was full of a looming, black cloud. Oh, great, I thought: will I have to ride home through a downpour? As it turned out, not really. When I left work, it was raining; but not hard. All the same, it was more than a faint drizzle; and I put on the poncho. The thunder wasn’t very close; but it was quite continuous. As I was unlocking my bicycle from the rack, I saw one or two flashes of lightning that were unnervingly bright. Surprisingly, they weren’t especially close. I wanted to take my usual route home, and get in a few miles. Last night I forgot to set my alarm; and I didn’t wake up until too late to go for riding. But the weather as I left work made me decide for the shorter route home. There was no telling how quickly really nasty weather might arrive!  I guess the kind of rain I got was what a bicycle trunk is meant for. When I have to ride through a heavy downpour, those zippers leak. I never know when it might happen; so I put everything in plastic bags.  I hope I don’t get a wet start tomorrow. Running errands isn’t fun when it’s pouring. It looks like T-storms won’t threaten until late morning; so maybe I’ll be OK!

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Inflation

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INFLATION Inflation sounds like pumping up the bicycle tires. Well, that’s one meaning of the term; but another kind of inflation affects anybody who buys anything. The news media are full of it; with the price of gasoline perhaps the best known example. But even the salvage store is not immune to rising prices. For example, a few months ago I was there, and bought a 6 oz bag of dried cranberries. It cost $1.49. About two weeks ago, at the same store, the same product cost $1.64!  And look what happens when it’s six and a half years since you last purchased a laptop! This one that I have now cost around $1500-1600; and its replacement ran me over $2K! I had to order the laptop, because the store was out of stock; and it might take a week to get the new one. Meanwhile, I hope I don’t get COVID. At work today, I got an email message. It said that their tracking shows I might have been in close contact with someone who tested positive. The message said I should be tested as soon as possible; and I scheduled a test for tomorrow. Two or three days ago, a spot on the right side of my head felt stuffy/achy on and off. The next day, the corresponding spot on the left side of my head did the same thing. I put it down to allergy; and I hope that’s all it was. I don’t need COVID to disrupt my progress towards my Love to Ride mileage goal. This morning I fell short of my usual mileage. You know those days when you can hardly drag  yourself out of bed; and you’re tired a sleepy all day. Salvage store day after tomorrow; and I hope inflation hasn’t been too busy!

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we’re melting

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors, Uncategorized /

We’re Melting! We’re melting here! And there’s no beach nearby where we can cool off. The heat index was 103 F by 12:15 pm; and more is in store for tomorrow. After a lifetime here, I ought to expect this kind of thing. I know that such heat can set in as early as March! I don’t remember it ever getting so hot, so soon in the year, when I was a kid. In fact, back then the really hot/humid weather didn’t set in until early July. The heat doesn’t make cycling any easier; and in fact, it makes daily living quite tedious. When I walk places, I carry a piece of cardboard in my hand to use as a fan. Even indoors I need to keep that fan handy, despite the air conditioning. The window unit blows air upwards instead of outwards; and that’s no help! Who ever came up with such a design? Even when I ride before sunup, I get very hot and sweaty; and I’m lucky that I can ride then. Not everybody has that option. I checked the local start times for some Tour de France stages. The first two began at 14:30; or 2:30 pm. It seems pretty crazy to me that Tour de France stages don’t start until the middle of the day, when it’s the hottest. I suppose that’s for the spectators. Not many would want to be up to watch a 6:00 am start. While we’re melting outdoors, the air conditioning at work is often too cold! Then, when we come back outside, the contrast is a bit much. In Winter, the  opposite is true. It’s very hard to get it right. We finally got some rain; but I hope it’s over before morning. I want to ride!

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computers

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Computers! It’s a funny thing about computers. I’m old enough that I hardly heard the word before I was nine or ten. And computers were in cartoons about mad scientists plotting to take over the world. Now I use the things regularly, as does nearly everybody. In a way, computers themselves have taken over the world! When I was a kid, I never dreamed that I’d own one of the things. In fact, I own several. I have my laptop; and the hybrid has its Cateye; and the road bike has its Garmin. I use a desktop model at work. My laptop, alas, seems to be wearing out. Even plugged in, it won’t charge fully; and as I type this, it’s at only 87%. Last night it was at 91%; so something isn’t right! Unfortunately a new one will be very expensive; but if I’m to keep this site up and running, I have to have it. That’s another thing about computers. They can do some marvelous work; but let them shut down, and we’re helpless! I also noticed years ago that using these machines teaches us impatience. We get used to all-but-instantaneous results; and when things are slower, we get aggravated. Or at least I do. Now I turn my thoughts to tomorrow’s forecast. There’s a heat advisory posted for 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. It’s plenty hot right now, with a heat index of 105! I’m glad I can ride early in the day.  

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Monday Muddle

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Uncategorized /

Monday Muddle Today was a Monday muddle, as is only too usual. It makes me feel rather like this gorilla. I didn’t go out on the road bike; but I did ride the hybrid to work. One block from home, I suddenly noticed that I’d forgotten my helmet; and had to go back for it. That was Monday muddle #1. At work, my brain felt like mush; another Monday usual. I brought almonds with chocolate bits as part of my lunch; forgot I had them; and bought M&Ms! There I go again with the Monday muddle. On the way home I watched the clouds. It looked like a T-storm might be developing; but as of 6:00pm, nothing. I had a good tailwind, though! I’m keeping an eye on my commuting progress in Love to Ride. I’m 46% on the way to Super Commuter: ride to work 200 days in the calendar year. If there are 108 work days left in 2022, I just might make it.  But that supposes no vacation days; no sick days; and no hurricane-enforced time off! Last year I missed a lot of time, thanks to Ida. So far this year’s hurricane season is slow; but it might pick up tempo any time. We just hope it doesn’t! I don’t need my Monday muddle to extend into the week; and make me forget my poncho. There’s a chance of T-storms every afternoon for the next 3-4 days; and I might need it. At least the clouds will keep the temperature down a bit. Incidentally, I’m glad I’m not riding in the Tour de France. It’s so hot there, the tarmac is melting!

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break

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Break? Am I finally getting a break from worrying about rain? It looks like rain chances for much of this week will be in the afternoons. Maybe I can plan my morning rides and not have to worry about T-storms! This morning I wasn’t quite sure I’d get such a break. When I set out, I could see thunderheads in several directions. I wish I knew how far away such clouds are when I can see the entire cloud; and which way those clouds are moving! I don’t think I’ll ever get over being nervous about lightning when I’m riding on top of the levee.  But I got lucky. The storms stayed away; and from time to time some clouds moved over the sun. That gave me a bit of a break from the heat. Today it didn’t get quite as hot as some recent days; and that was a major relief. Today I did about 40.8 miles. I’m a little uncertain about the exact distance, because shortly before I got home, I pressed my Garmin’s Pause button instead of the Lap button. That threw things off a bit; but on the way out, I noticed that that particular stretch of road was about 0.3 miles. So I added it to the Garmin’s mileage reading. If I’m off a bit, why worry? With my long-term mileage total, a few tenths of a mile are nothing. When I was still about 10 miles from home, I noticed that my legs felt really tired. Was pushing for 40 miles today too much, after missing last Sunday? Then I remembered: fatigue, and the desire to coast, can signal dehydration. I began drinking more water; and sure enough, I felt better. It’s a good thing I read so much!

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Another Excursion

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Uncategorized /

Another Excursion Good for on-bike fueling; or as a quick meal. This morning I made another excursion to the salvage store. I was a bit uneasy about the weather. On the way there, I could see a big cloud in my rearview mirror; and I forgot to pack the poncho! However, I was lucky. It didn’t rain; and part of the time the sun was behind the clouds. That kept me a little cooler; and as of 3:55 pm it hasn’t rained yet. The salvage store ran out of those Gatorade bars several weeks ago; and I’ve used up the supply that I had.  I was glad to find some other protein meal bars at 50¢ each. I hope the store has a good, long run with them. Today the grab-bag bins were empty. I hope they have something when I go there again. Sometimes I find good stuff there, including ride food. Once home, I put away the things that needed refrigeration. Then I started another excursion to get bananas; celery; and an onion. I want to make Leapin’ Leo; and I needed the vegetables for it. The bananas are for pre-ride snacks. Naturally I’m planning a long ride for tomorrow. It looks like the greatest rain chances are for the afternoon; and I hope that’s accurate! I’ve got a 40-mile trek in mind; and it won’t be fun if it rains and gets my ride food wet. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I have to clean up the kitchen and do my laundry. And get back into my off-bike exercises! I’ve been terribly slack about them for months!

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