SpokEasy

Author name: CAL

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

One Last Lick

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

One Last Lick 😋 Today I just had to get in one last lick before Cycle September ends. A 20-mile ride was a good way to end the month; and I’m delighted that I didn’t miss a single day! This ride was actually almost 0.75 miles longer than I  had intended. On the way home, I had to take a detour because a train was blocking my usual crossing; and I wasn’t going to wait for it to start moving. If I had, I might still be standing there! I tried some “fake hills” during my ride. That means, get into the hardest gear my bike offers; and pedal against that resistance for one minute at a time. I took two-minute breaks of riding an easy gear between efforts. I did three “hills”; and after a 10-minute break of easy pedaling I did another set. Caution: don’t try this if you’re new to cycling. Pushing too hard a gear, too soon, is too hard on the knees; and can even result in injury. Scream? 😱 Speaking of one last lick, I’m getting into the mood for ice cream. Remember, “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream”? But I don’t think the drug store carries Rebel. And, the trouble with bringing home a pint of any kind of ice cream, is keeping myself from demolishing it all in one sitting! I’d need to go out and ride another 20 miles or so to burn it off. 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 One Last Lick September 30, 2024 No Leg Warmers Yet September 29, 2024 Nervous Breakdown September 28, 2024 Hit and a Miss September 27, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

One Last Lick Read More »

No Leg Warmers Yet

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

No Leg Warmers Yet🦵🏼 No leg warmers yet, even though it’s the end of September. Although the weather is a bit cooler, it doesn’t really feel like Fall. That might not happen for several weeks; and even when it does, the heat might make a fierce comeback! As a matter of fact, we’re expecting highs in the 80s for the next few days! So that means, no leg warmers yet; and still lots of sunblock. Aside from relief from the heat, we could do with a cold front to push tropical activity away. Lacking that, we’ve got to keep our eyes on that new system. If it keeps its current drift towards the NW, we’re not in its direct path; but until I know what it’s expected to do, I guess I have to stick to cramming; and get in my miles before another round of severe weather! Fall Plans 🗓️ What about Fall plans, especially once the threat of hurricanes is past? I don’t  have to worry about going back to school, thank goodness; but the days are ticking away towards the year’s end. I’m still working at making 70K miles (long-term) by December 31; and RAGBRAI is still on my mind. Today I extended my Sunday ride to 24 miles; and this week I want to do some simulated hill work. I sure need that if I want to ride across Iowa!  How do I manage fake hills? Get into a gear that feel really hard; and push it for a while. Start with short efforts; there’s no point in ruining my knees! Bit by bit, make the efforts longer. The hardest part, I think, will be easing up enough between efforts!   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 Leg Warmers Yet September 29, 2024 Nervous Breakdown September 28, 2024 Hit and a Miss September 27, 2024 Flashback? September 26, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

No Leg Warmers Yet Read More »

Nervous Breakdown

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Nervous Breakdown? 😳 All this tropical activity is enough to give us a nervous breakdown! Maybe we can work off those nerves as long as we keep our legs pumping! Joking aside, there’s another tropical system developing right where Hurricane Helene was born. It’s too soon to say how much/fast further development will be; nor where Kirk-to-be might go. Of course I hope New Orleans isn’t in this new storm’s path; but I certainly don’t wish it on Florida. All this watchfulness is enough to give anyone a nervous breakdown! Have I got enough bottled water? And enough canned food? Even worse, will I have to evaacuate? Stay away Kirk! 🌀 So, stay away Kirk! Better yet, disintegrate! Most of all, leave poor Florida alone. We should also think of the islands in the Caribbean that are getting hammered. Here I go again, considering cramming. If that new tropical system strengthens into a serious storm; and heads our way; I might have to miss several days of riding. I’d like to get in some extra miles in case it does come to that. Missing a few days shouldn’t affect my readiness to do RAGBRAI (if I can get to Iowa for the event); but I guess I’ve got an OCD streak. I’m rather hung up on getting my long-term mileage total to 70K by December 31!  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 Facebook Twitter Youtube Bike Bus October 1, 2024 One Last Lick September 30, 2024 No Leg Warmers Yet September 29, 2024 Nervous Breakdown September 28, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Nervous Breakdown Read More »

Hit and a Miss

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Hit and a Miss 🏏 Today was a hit and a miss; and I don’t mean slinging kettlebell weights around. The hit was pleasant temperatures for riding this morning. It was barely 70 degrees; and the wind wasn’t as bad as the forecast last night indicated. For a change, I had a tailwind on the way home. On the way out, I did a little practice riding in the drops. This is a useful skill; and helpful when you have to buck a headwind. I need more practice at it, so I can reach for a water bottle while in the drops. It also takes practice to get comfortable riding in the drops for prolonged periods. I personally wouldn’t try it during a large group ride, however. It keeps my hands farther from the brakes than I like; and for me it makes quick steering much harder. Last Gasp? 😧 So much for the hit. The miss is that we weren’t impacted by Helene. Those poor folks in Florida weren’t so lucky; and neither were many people who live farther inland. There’s Hurricane Isaac out there, too; but he seems to be heading nowhere. Let’s hope that hurricane season is in it’s last gasp. So yes, it’s possible to get a hit and a miss at the same time. Maybe Quest Chocolate Caramel Pecan bars will be a hit on your next long ride? 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 Hit and a Miss September 27, 2024 Flashback? September 26, 2024 Get Corny September 25, 2024 Still Nervous September 24, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Hit and a Miss Read More »

Flashback?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Flashback? 💥 Ever have a flashback? Maybe our subconscious minds think we need more spice in our lives! I’ve been retired for well over a year; and have very seldom dreamed about being back at work. Then this morning, I shut off the alarm clock; and fell back asleep. The ensuing dream was quite nightmarish! It wasn’t about crashing my bicycle, either. I was trying to clock out at tne end of the day; something we could do at our desks. Suddenly I couldn’t remember how to do it; and my computer screen showed what looked like something out of a Far Side comic. I couldn’t get it to close; and suspected malware. Time was flying; and I just wanted to go home! .Some flashback that was. I’m glad it wasn’t real! Big Difference ◑ What a big difference there is between our weather; and conditions in the northeastern Gulf! Hurricane Helene continues to plow towards Florida; but here it’s a clear day. Maybe I’m suffering a flashback to previous hurricanes, because I’m still a bit apprehensive about Helene! There’s more breeze today than we’ve been getting; and I decided to take the hybrid for some casual laps around the park. Riding easily for a day once a week is good recovery; and I thought it would be better to take it easy today, anyway. Yesterday I had the second part of my radiofrequency ablation, and my leg still feels rather sore. Oh, I forgot — do you want the buzz of coffee before a ride; but don’t have time to enjoy a cup? That’s It Coffee Bars to the rescue! Try Double Espresso (shown); Mocha; Vaniilla; or the Variety Pack. 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 Flashback? September 26, 2024 Get Corny September 25, 2024 Still Nervous September 24, 2024 Not so Belle? September 23, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Flashback? Read More »

Get Corny

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Get Corny! 🌽 I decided to get corny today; and I don’t mean those nasty things that appear on the toes sometimes. Many a video about RAGBRAI mentions corn on the cob; and if I do RAGBRAI, I’ll want to have it at least once. But if I wanted to know how well I’ll tolerate riding on such a food, I had to try it. That meant that I had to get corny; and try eating an ear of corn before this morning’s ride. It went OK; but I admit that I prefer a banana and peanut butter as a pre-ride snack. I also don’t know how big the RAGBRAI “ears” are! The ear that I ate today was six inches long; but I might find something much bigger up there in Iowa! With so much other food along the RAGBRAI route, will I even have enough room for the whole thing? Still Wary 👀 I’m still wary about Hurricane Helene. Hurricanes are nothing to get corny about! The storm’s predicted path hasn’t changed; but I don’t dare relax until she goes ashore. You never know what a hurricane might do! Things are going to be a bit breezy here tomorrow and Friday; and I don’t know whether or not we can thank the hurricane for that. I think I”ll ride in the park tomorrow; and use the hybrid. This afternoon I had the second part of my radiofrequency ablation; and although the doctor gave me the green light to ride, I might not want to fight the wind on top of the levee! 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 Get Corny September 25, 2024 Still Nervous September 24, 2024 Not so Belle? September 23, 2024 Cramming September 22, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR 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 Get Corny September 25, 2024 Still Nervous September 24, 2024 Not so Belle? September 23, 2024 Cramming September 22, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Get Corny Read More »

Still Nervous

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Still Nervous 😟 These hurricanes are giving me headaches! I’m still nervous about Helene. Forecasts continue to show the storm heading for Florida; but there’s time left for it to switch its direction. Maybe some Alter Eco Truffles would calm my jitters. Chocolate is a great comfort food! Another reason for me to be still nervous about that storm, is a medical procedure that I have scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. If Helene goes crazy and begins churning our way, who knows whether I can keep the appointment. I want to get it over with; and get varicose veins off my mind.  My Big Toe 🦶🏻 Once again, I’m dipping my big toe into speed development. I don’t have Fizik shoes; but that doesn’t matter. I tried several 30-second attempts to reach 18 mph; but only the last one succeeded, when I had a tailwind. Why 18 mph? The choice was quite arbitrary; but if you want to be able to cruise at X mph, you need to make regular efforts to go a few mph faster than that. So, if I want a cruising speed of 15 mph, it makes sense to try for 18 mph here and there. I didn’t want to do too many efforts, because I planned to add a few miles to my distance. Next month, I want to get back to on-bike force development exercises. I’ve let them go for quite some time; and it’s none too soon to prepare for RAGBRAI hills. I’m still nervous about that! 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 Still Nervous September 24, 2024 Not so Belle? September 23, 2024 Cramming September 22, 2024 RAGBRAI Menu September 21, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Still Nervous Read More »

Not so Belle?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Not so Belle? 🪞 Oh, dear; now we’ve got not-so-belle Helene to worry about! Maybe if we petition Helen of Troy with these charms, she’ll destroy that storm for us! So far, meteorological models show the most likely landfall to be in Florida; but (it can’t be repeated often enough!) with hurricanes, one never knows. At the moment, New Orleans seems to be in the clear; and I say, Francine was enough for us! But for poor Florida, it looks like not-so-belle Helene will visit later this week. Holding My Breath 🫁 I, for one, am tired of holding my breath about hurricanes. It’s harder than wearing filter masks, which I frankly find rather smothery. At least I can be glad that I don’t live right on the Gulf coast. Rough waves are expected all along that coast; and I don’t envy those who do live there. Even though it looks like we won’t get hit, I’m making preparations; among them, putting containers of water in the freezer to make ice. They’ll help to keep things cooler if we do suffer any impact from Helene; and the power goes out again. I hope I can do some longer-than-usual rides over the next few days. Who know what’s going to happen with that storm? 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 Not so Belle? September 23, 2024 Cramming September 22, 2024 RAGBRAI Menu September 21, 2024 Calm Weekend September 20, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Not so Belle? Read More »

Cramming

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Cramming 📘 Looks like I might need to do some cramming in the next few days. I don’t mean last minute, frantic studying prior to a final exam; nor stuffing myself with food. A new system has developed off of Central America; and it has the potential to affect the northern Gulf coast later this week. Therefore I want to get in all the riding I can, in case I can’t ride after Wednesday or Thursday. Hence my comment about cramming. Not that I need a long ride tomorrow. I actually was planning a short, easy ride after this past week’s mileage. But if a hurricane is a possibility, I want to ride all I can, while I can! What to Do? 🤷‍♀️ So, what to do? I’m just feeling back to normal post-Francine; and have only begun to restock my freezer with home-cooked food. Now we have to worry about getting hit by another hurricane? And possibly the need to evacuate? Again, what to do? I dare not get that freezer too full. That’s cramming that I’d be wise to avoid at this point; I don’t want to lose another seven quarts’ worth of meals. Maybe I should make tomorrow’s ride a trip to the supermarket for crackers? Oh, as to cramming on the  bike — it’s better not to stuff yourself; especially if you’ve got hard efforts coming up. And as always, what should you eat? This video is quite helpful! 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 Cramming September 22, 2024 RAGBRAI Menu September 21, 2024 Calm Weekend September 20, 2024 Restocking September 19, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Cramming Read More »

RAGBRAI Menu

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

RAGBRAI Menu 🥘 🌽 🥓 The RAGBRAI menu is quite expansive. The more YouTubes I watch about the event, the more foods there seem to be! If I do RAGBRAI, I’ll want to try many of them. The  “breakfast town” is often some 10 miles away from the overnight town; so I’d better bring some ride foods with me. I could already be hungry when I get up; and I don’t need to start the day by bonking! A few GU-Gels might be enough to tide me over. But what shall I have for my real breakfast? Something from Casey’s? Videos about RAGBRAI mention Casey’s quite often; and breakfast pizza sounds interesting. Or Chris Cakes? IF I can catch them on my plate!  Farm Kids Breakfast is mentioned many times as well. Gosh, look at all that food. And this is only breakfast! There’s a lot more to come as we eat our way across Iowa. Food, Food, Food! 🌯 🍕 🥧 And the RAGBRAI menu continues with food, food, food. I might not need to bring along, say, MET-Rx Bars. In fact, with so many places to stop and eat along the way, I fear I’ll get too stuffed to ride with my stomach feeling comfortable! Although I’m not a big meat-eater, I think I’d want to try Mr. Pork Chop. I hope I remember to pack along a big square of aluminum foil and a plastic food bag. They say that those chops are huge; and I have serious doubts that I can eat one in a single sitting. Somebody tell me, if I keep part of that pork chop for later in the day, will it still be safe to eat? Ice cream! I’ll want to at least taste it, even if I don’t eat an entire serving. After all, I do have prediabetes; and need to minimize sweets. Or will the calorie burn of doing RAGBRAI balance out that ice cream? Of Course 𝚷 What more is on the RAGBRAI menu? Oh, of course 𝚷 — er, I mean, pie.  The very first video I watched about the event had me thinking that the ride should be called RAG-pie! Some videos mention Amish pie; and I’d love to try shoofly pie. Strawberry-rhubarb pie seems to be popular. Oh, and sweet corn dipped in melted butter — giant dill pickles — walking tacos — watermelon — after RAGBRAI, I might need to pedal all the way home to New Orleans to burn off all those calories! 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 Menu September 21, 2024 Calm Weekend September 20, 2024 Restocking September 19, 2024 Another Lull September 18, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

RAGBRAI Menu Read More »