CAL, Author at SpokEasy - Page 118 of 130

more than balance

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Uncategorized / CAL

More Than Balance This More than Balance DVD guides the new rider into many aspects of cycling. Riding a bicycle is also about having a bike that fits your body. It’s about learning how to ride safely in motor traffic; and even basic repairs. I’ve never really learned how to make bicycle repairs. Last December I got a flat when I was 17 miles from home; and fixing that flat bothered my arthritic hands big time. It also took big time! I rarely need to change a tube; and of course I was all thumbs at it. Often I wish I could do things such as adjust derailleurs; and the only way to learn, is to do! But I’m too afraid of ruining my bicycle to try it. Riding next to traffic is another skill I’ve never developed. I don’t have to do it often; and when I do, it makes me very nervous. I never know when someone might fling open a door right in front of me. The result could be catastrophic injury; or even death. As to a bicycle that fits, a professional fitting is well worth the cost; especially if you want to do a lot of miles. It isn’t only the bicycle frame that must fit. A good saddle is also important. Should you get a firm saddle; or a cushier one? By all I’ve ever read, that depends on the kind of riding you want to do. For casual short rides around the neighborhood, a wide, soft saddle might be OK. For longer, faster riding, a narrower and firmer saddle is in order. The main thing is that your saddle supports your sit bones properly. See where we’re going here? Cycling is, indeed, about more than balance!

Taking Chances

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Uncategorized / CAL

Taking Chances It felt like I was taking chances today. I had to go to a doctor’s appointment a good distance away; and on the way home I decided to get Chinese food. It was hot; I was tired; and I didn’t feel like carrying a full takeout box home; so I ate in for a change. The restaurant was perhaps half-full; but even so, I really wasn’t comfortable being in there with so many people. Of course I had to take my mask off while I ate. There were also possible exposures on the bus; and at the doctor’s office. I sometimes feel like I’m taking chances anytime I go outdoors. The news is constantly full of reports of car-jackings; murders; and on and on. But a body’s got to get on with everyday life; and I can’t do that if I stay indoors all day, every day. How could I go riding? I have to go to work; and I have to get groceries. All anyone can do is to stay alert; and hope for the best. Ideally I’d have a few riding companions; but how many people want to ride at 5:00 am? Every day I’m taking chances with the weather. As long as the forecasts include chances of T-storms, I’m a bit on edge; and I admit that I’m rather weary of hauling along rain gear day after day. A poncho is hard to fold or roll so that it’s truly compact; thus it takes up more space than I want it to. This morning it wasn’t raining; but there were too many clouds for me to get a good look at the moon. A brief break in the overcast let me see the moon through thin, high clouds; and that was better than nothing. But how I missed seeing the moonlight on the river!

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Weather Weary

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors / CAL

Weather Weary I’m sure weather weary. Too many forecasts have predicted T-storms, with possibly torrential rain; and then nothing much happens! This morning I rode short and easy; and on the way to the park, I could see that someone in a southerly direction was getting a T-storm. It was far away, but here it was overcast; and I didn’t get to see the full moon. I’ve had a lot of bad luck with that this year. Either the weather conditions keep me from seeing the moon; or it’s full over the weekend, and I just don’t want to get up at 4:30 am! I need a few extra hours’ sleep on Saturdays and Sundays. Tomorrow I have an appointment in a location that means taking two buses; and rain chances are high, especially in the afternoon. The thought of it makes me more weather weary than ever. Who likes standing around in a downpour while waiting for a bus? I guess this is our “monsoon” season. I remember the July, forty years ago now, when there was that terrible Pan-Am crash. We had been getting a lot of T-storms with very heavy rain; and lots of lightning. I guess they didn’t know about micro-bursts then; but I hope those people didn’t die in vain. I’m tired of waiting for it to storm; but getting caught in the rain every ride would be even more irksome. If it’s raining heavily, I can hardly see where I’m riding; and if there’s a sidewind it’s hard to control the bike. Not to mention the concerns about lightning. As usual, I can only wait and see what happens — and keep umbrella and poncho handy!

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Pretty as a Picture

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

Pretty as a Picture! The Tour de France pics are — well — pretty as a picture, now that they’re getting into the mountains. I love mountains; and always have. Maybe that’s because it’s flat as can be where I live; and the sight of mountains is a refreshing change. But I’d better not try a cycling adventure at high altitude, unless I put in some rigorous altitude-simulation training first! If training in the mountains isn’t possible, this mask can help! I remember visits to such places as Rocky Mountain National Park when I was a kid. If you go camping/bike packing there, remember that high altitudes are cold at night! I was always amazed at how much it cooled off after sunset, even in July. Bring plenty of layers; and a warm sleeping bag. The scenery is pretty as a picture; but you won’t be able to enjoy it if you’re freezing. Today’s weather wasn’t pretty; and it probably won’t get better for at least a few more days. There’s a low-pressure system just off the Gulf coast; and it’s generating plenty of rain! I was relieved when it wasn’t raining this morning; and I went for a ride. But I could see that somebody in a northerly direction was getting a T-storm; and I’m glad it was far away. Our weather for the next few days won’t be pretty as a picture; and I’ll be glad when the rain goes elsewhere. The weekend might be OK for riding, because the main chances for T-storms are in the afternoons. I want to ride, and bump up my Love to Ride mileage. I hit 3000 today; 2000 more to go!

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Let’s Go Exploring

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Uncategorized / CAL

Let’s Go Exploring Let’s go exploring! As its name suggests, the Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike is great for cruising around. Take a ride through the neighborhood; and pause for a chat with a friend. Get some panniers to hang on the rack; and bring home the groceries. My hybrid is my transportation to and from work; and I use it to ride to the salvage store. If I had to use public transit to get there, I wouldn’t go nearly as often! Taking the bus is much more time consuming; and I’d rather save the fare. If you’re eager for longer rides, a handlebar bag can hold your snacks and other necessities. Wait. Long rides, with a hybrid bicycle? Yes, you can do long rides on a hybrid! It isn’t as fast as using a road bike; but it’s definitely possible. I’ve sure put some miles on my hybrid; 17,000+ to date. A hybrid will even do for centuries if you don’t [yet] have a road bike. With racks for luggage, I suppose you could even use one for a tour; but if there are lots of climbs in store, be sure you’ve got the right gears! Yesterday, however, I didn’t feel any Let’s go exploring urge. The forecast was for T-storms; and I decided not to ride. Then nothing happened! It really annoys me when I lose the opportunity for a long Sunday ride. The forecast for much of this week is similar to yesterday’s; and I hope my rides don’t get rained out. It hasn’t rained here today — not as of 5:30 pm — but as I was riding home, I saw some big clouds building up; and there’s a 60% chance of T-storms. This isn’t the best time to say, Let’s go exploring!

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Always the Question

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Uncategorized / CAL

Always the Question Ever wonder why; what; etcetera? There’s always the question when I don’t ride: could I have gone for a ride, after all? Today’s forecast was for T-storms, from about 4:00 am onwards; and in fact, I heard rain at about five o’clock. I decided it was better not to go riding; and as of 9:00 am, I was still waiting for the bad weather to set in. Of course, I don’t know what things are like ten miles from here; and as I’ve said before, weather can move really fast. Few things are more unnerving than being caught out when the lightning gets close! Well, there’s always the trainer if I want to do some indoor pedaling. There’s always the question of, will I ever get around to another century? I’m sure not doing any training for it today! It’s hard to do the amount of training that I think I need; and if I were to do a 100-miler in October, I need to be preparing now. Last night I put some Nuun in the fridge to chill, in case I did go for a long ride today. Now I have to drink it up, or pour it down the drain. Nuun is supposed to be used within a certain time frame after you mix it; and it’s not the cheapest stuff around. I find it to be quite tart; so I might be naughty and put some sweetener in it. The sun keeps dodging in and out; so I don’t know whether it’s going to rain or not. I want a few things from the drug store — should I ride over there, or not? That’s always the question!

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Sardines

BACK ISSUES, Food / CAL

Sardines When I see pics of the Tour de France peloton, I think of sardines in a can. That’s how closely packed those riders are! One wrong move, and the result is a big pile-up. This morning I went to the salvage store; and sometimes I see sardines there. I’ve never bought any, though. I remember when an uncle visited us when I was about twelve; and he was eating anchovies. I thought they smelled horrible; and that turned me off to anchovies and sardines! Today I brought home a pretty light load; but even so, I took the trailer so I could bring the cooler along. It’s too hot now to take home things like yogurt without a bit of refrigeration. Can you believe I got only three small cans? I got two cans of Vienna sausages; and one of smoked ham. I want a break from chicken and tuna sometimes; and the sausages went into my box of hurricane supplies. Tomorrow’s forecast isn’t favorable for cycling; and I considered going for a short spin on the road bike today. But after I got home from my trip to the salvage store, I headed for the bike shop to get Chamois Butt’r; and then made a stop at the drug store to get masks. With the talk of another [!] COVID spike, I thought it was a good idea to stock up. As it happens, I chose my time well. The store had a special: buy one pack of masks; get the second pack of the same or a lower price half off! By the time I was home from all those errands, it was 11:00 am; getting rather too hot to be starting a ride; and I was hungry. About noon it got drizzly; so I decided to stay home. As to tomorrow, I’ll have to hope for the best.

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Diminishing Returns

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Uncategorized / CAL

Diminishing Returns? This week seemed like diminishing returns – every morning I’ve biked fewer miles than the morning before! Today I rode less than five miles, which is next to nothing. I didn’t ride to work, either, because I had to get downtown for an appointment; and I didn’t want to drag my helmet with me. So I rode public transit; and noticed that many passengers were not wearing masks. This, right when the news is reporting another COVID spike! Incidentally, is all this business about vaccination and boosting a case of diminishing returns? Seems like they keep saying that it is; or am I getting it wrong? As cyclists, we have to guard against the diminishing returns of going too hard, too often. Training seems to be a double-edged sword: no structure in your daily rides, and you probably won’t make much progress (if any); but train too hard and you risk burnout; injury; and even loss of interest in cycling! We don’t want that, do we? I’ve been watching the weather, of course. It looks like tomorrow’s chances for T-storms are mainly in after 11:00 am; so I should be able to ride to the salvage store. I just hope it doesn’t turn into an inconvenience store, the way it did one time! Sunday looks like it might be a different story. The forecast says, scattered T-storms; starting at 4:00 am. Not fun.☹ Maybe I can take a Sunday off for a change. Or, if I’m lucky, I can get in some miles on the road bike after I get home from the salvage store tomorrow. I’ll have to play it by ear, I guess.

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Shoo

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

Shoo? “Shoo fly, don’t bother me!” I remember my mother singing part of that song when I was little; but I didn’t know it beyond the first two lines. When we’re cycling, we want a good shoo — I mean, a good shoe. The Fizik R5 is especially designed for road cycling; and has a two-year manufacturer’s warranty. I’m still using MTB shoes on my road bike. That sounds quite ironic; but I don’t feel the need for super-lightweight cycling shoes. I also don’t relish the thought of trying to walk in “roadie” shoes. Once I tried some on in the bike shop; and they are SLICK! MTB shoes typically have recessed cleats; and are much more walkable. That’s helpful when you make stops during long rides; and if I forget to put my heel (not my toes) down first when I stop, I don’t slip. I hope the rain and T-storms will “shoo” during the mornings this weekend. I need to visit the salvage store again; and I especially want some kind of bars I can use for ride food. I’ll have to guard against getting more canned goods, though; and that can be hard to do! It’s especially hard when I bring the trailer; but I need that trailer when I bring a cooler. I want to look for hummus! I don’t want bad weather around Sunday morning, because I want to do a long ride. I think I’ll push for 40 miles; and I hope we get calm winds again. This past week there were several consecutive mornings of little or no wind; and oh, what a luxury that is! But there are plenty of flying insects around. Shoo, fly; don’t bother me!

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Time Trial

BACK ISSUES, Uncategorized / CAL

Time Trial This year’s Tour de France began with a time trial in Copenhagen, Denmark. But I have another kind of time trial on my mind. I hope to retire early next year; and I haven’t ruled out relocation. I wish I could take the advice given to retirees who want to relocate: to give a “new spot” a time trial (aka trial run). As long as I’m still working I can’t take the time for a proper trial run; and I don’t have the means for such experimenting. In effect, relocation for me is grabbing blind. Visiting a place is not the same as living there; and it can take a while before you’re sure whether you really like any location. It might take a full cycle of seasons before you know whether the local climate is a good fit. You might love hot weather; but how long is the hot season in “Newplace”? Is it suffocatingly humid; or so arid that your skin shrivels up? Do you love snow; but hate shoveling it? Even if you don’t mind the shoveling, are you physically capable of doing it throughout your golden years? In New Orleans, we spend at least six months out of the year worrying about hurricanes. I wouldn’t mind being out of their immediate reach; but suppose the Newplace I have in mind is tornado prone? That’s no improvement at all! With hurricanes we have several days’ warning, or even more; but with tornadoes it can be mere minutes. I don’t think a blizzard-prone area is a good fit for me, either. Is my Newplace bicycle friendly? Can I get around easily without a car? Is there a good public transit system? Of course I have to factor in the cost of rent; and the cost of essential goods such as groceries. What about the crime rate? And much more.

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Author name: CAL