SpokEasy

SpokEasy

Author name: CAL

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

Dodge the Bullet

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food, Outdoors /

Dodge the Bullet ⁍ It sure feels good to dodge the bullet. We didn’t have any trouble from Beryl; and I’m glad I didn’t make a frantic run out of town. To be honest, I didn’t feel like going anywhere! Who knows what the rest of hurricane season might bring, though. That’s always the big worry; so I’ll be relieved to see hurricane season end. Cyclists, along with everybody who works or exercises outdoors, have to dodge the bullet in another respect. We have to keep dehydration at bay; and Nuun Sport Electrolyte Tablets are one weapon in our arsenal. These tablets provide magnesium; sodium; chloride; and potassium. Available in Tri-Berry (shown); and other refreshing flavors. My Arsenal ?️ My arsenal against dehydration is constantly changing. When I visit the salvage store,  I watch both for old favorites; and new things to try. I’ve used Propel; Gatorade Zero; and others. In this humid climate, powder packets have a big advantage: they keep moisture out until I open a packet just prior to use. A tube of electrolyte tablets can’t do that, once I break the seal. Of course my arsenal includes a Camel-Bak for water; and assorted protein/energy bars. Keeping hydrated is vital; but avoiding the bonk is almost as important. I constantly experiment with different things; and sometimes I wish I had more options than endless energy bars — all the more so, now that I’m doing longer weekday rides! 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 Dodge the Bullet July 9, 2024 Shoo In July 8, 2024 Off the Hook July 7, 2024 RAGBRAI Equipment July 6, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Shoo In

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Shoo In? ? It would be great if every new shoe were a shoo in! But that doesn’t always happen; and we have to work through the tight-new-shoes spell that often comes with new footwear. We hope that this doesn’t result in blisters; but if it does, Orajel 3X helps relieve the pain. I hope that I won’t need any such measures; I’m going to start using the new shoes I bought not long before my bunion surgery. They weren’t exactly a shoo in: when I bought them, the bunion made them painful to wear. I reasoned that I would be able to tolerate the shoes once my foot was fully recovered after the surgery. That sure took a long time! For weeks, I didn’t even try them on.  But today I tried again; and I can wear them without too much discomfort. In the Nick ⏱️ Being able to tolerate those new cycling shoes has come in the nick of time. For about a week, my left foot has been coming unclipped on its own; and today, for the last few miles, I couldn’t get it to clip in at all. I figured I needed new cleats; and I hope the pedals themselves aren’t worn out. They’re about 12 years old; so that’s not impossible. Then I looked at the shoe soles. The left one is starting to come to pieces! That shouldn’t be a surprise, as those cycling shoes must be at least three years old. So I wore the new pair indoors for a while; and they feel much better than they used to. Maybe now they’ll be a shoo in. 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 Shoo In July 8, 2024 Off the Hook July 7, 2024 RAGBRAI Equipment July 6, 2024 RAGBRAI with Diabetes July 5, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Off the Hook

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Off the Hook ? We seem to be off the hook as far as Beryl goes. If only I could read the weather well enough to tell what else might be coming! Our heat wave continues, with afternoon heat indices of 100-plus degrees. I’m glad I can ride early in the day, because this intense heat sets in by 10 am! I hope the heat doesn’t force me to cut back too much on my cycling. I’m working to add a few miles to my daily rides; and would rather keep at it. I’m using my cooling towel; and it certainly helps. I don’t know how I managed without it. But not many weeks ago, the heat wasn’t this bad. Of course there’s the matter of keeping hydrated. The heat means I need to drink more; and unless I’m riding very slowly, it’s almost impossible to breathe through my nose. That only makes me thirsty faster. But Keep Watching ? But let’s keep watching the tropics! Hurricane season is far from over; and we can’t let our guard down. Just because we’re off the hook this time doesn’t mean we’ll get off easy next time! Getting back to the heat, maybe I should try a “brim“? My reservations about this item is, how much wind does it catch? My helmet has a visor, anyway; and I think after all I’ll stick with that. My thought now is, keep riding; but keep watching the heat! 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 Off the Hook July 7, 2024 RAGBRAI Equipment July 6, 2024 RAGBRAI with Diabetes July 5, 2024 Happy Fourth!! July 4, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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RAGBRAI Equipment

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors /

RAGBRAI Equipment 🔮 When it comes to RAGBRAI equipment, I wish I had a crystal ball to tell me exactly what I’ll need. Packing too much isn’t good; but neither do you want to omit something that you really need. Take along a tent? That depends. If you use, say, Pork Belly Ventures, you don’t need to lug one along. If I ride RAGBRAI next year, that’s what I plan to do. Especially as a first-timer (“virgin”, as RAGBRAI newbies are called), I don’t want to have the hassle of setting up a camp each night. What other RAGBRAI equipment is there? Plenty, as I’ve been finding out!  Charger blocks, for one thing. There are many available; and I don’t know one from the other. 🙄 Packing Your Bag 🎒 OK, so your’re packing your bag for RAGBRAI. What all to take? Let’s suppose you’re using a charter service, and don’t need to pack a tent. But what else? Some items are easy to forget, because we use them daily without a thought; and they’re always there (for example, shampoo). There are things that are easy to forget because we don’t need them in day-to-day at-home life; and we don’t think about them! That’s why a packing list is so important. And don’t forget to check it twice! Last year’s RAGBARI was unusually hot; but the event a year or two previously saw cooler-than-usual temperatures. Some nights got down into the 50s! So you’ll likely want a sleeping bag. But suppose it does get as hot as RAGBRAI L? A personal fan or cooling towel helps to keep your body temperature down a bit. What else?  There are too many items to list here; but I’d say that keeping comfortable is high on the list. When packing your bag, don’t forget that! L 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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RAGBRAI with Diabetes

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

RAGBRAI with Diabetes ? Can you do RAGBRAI with diabetes? I don’t see why not; although I’m sure it takes some extra planning and effort. Just look at Team Novo Nordisk! They all have Type-1 diabetes; and as pro cyclists, they do serious training. How does the recreational cyclist who has diabetes manage on-bike fueling? Does what you eat, and how much of it, depend on how hard you’re going?  Years of reading have taught me that, during exercise, you burn both fat and carbs; but whether you use a higher ratio of fat or carbs depends on the intensity. In recent weeks, my Garmin’s data show that most of my riding time is spent in my heart-rate zones 3 (steady/tempo) and 4 (brisk/lactate threshold). But must I ride in Zone 5 (max) to burn off lots of carbs? I can’t help but think of all the carbs along the RAGBRAI route; and doing RAGBRAI with diabetes must make eating hard. At every turn, there’s yummy pie; ice cream; pancake breakfasts; and so on. Just Count Calories? ???? If weight loss through cycling is your main goal, focus primarily on burning calories; and worry less about fat vs carbs. Just count calories! For folks who have diabetes, it can be a lot more complicated. According to some accounts, lifestyle changes can reverse Type-2 diabetes; but not all are so lucky. Depending on the severity of the condition, these riders must constantly monitor glucose levels; and be on guard for signs that blood glucose is either rising too high, or dropping too low. I just count calories when it comes to ride food; and aim to finish a ride with a slight calorie deficit. After all, I’ve got 12 or so excess pounds to ride 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 RAGBRAI with Diabetes July 5, 2024 Happy Fourth!! July 4, 2024 Green Light July 3, 2024 Nervous Nellie July 2, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Happy Fourth!!

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HAPPY FOURTH!! 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 Elementor #175471 July 4, 2024 Green Light July 3, 2024 Nervous Nellie July 2, 2024 Cyclist’s Shuffle July 1, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Green Light

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Green Light ? The hand surgeon has given me the green light! I had a follow-up with him today; and he says, go ahead and do whatever I want! I debated whether to go for a ride this afternoon. As of 4:30 pm, it’s still looking rather stormy; and the heat index is still close to 100 degrees.  And what about tomorrow? Chances for rain and T-storms are greatest after noon; so if I go out early I might be OK. Even more than that, I want to be back home before people start lobbing firecrackers. That’s what happens on July 4! Even though they’re not legal, some folks think they have the green light to set the things off. Turned Loose ? Now that I’ve been turned loose (knots untied, so to speak), I can think again of RAGBRAI training — with or without a triangle frame bag. I’m afraid I’ll have to do without it, although I’d love to have one; because my bottle cages would be in the way. My plan for July is to work more on increasing my mileage than improving my pace; and I especially want to ride tomorrow because I skipped it today. But I’ll see what the weather is doing when I get up; and take it from there. When I get turned loose on the bike path, I’m apt to push for 19-20 miles; and for that, I need some ride food. A banana with peanut butter won’t last that long! 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 Elementor #175382 July 3, 2024 Nervous Nellie July 2, 2024 Cyclist’s Shuffle July 1, 2024 Turn Off the Oven! June 30, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Nervous Nellie

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Nervous Nellie ? I’m a bit of a Nervous Nellie, knowing that there’s a bad hurricane out there. Not that there’s any real reason to get scared about Beryl just yet; but another system is close behind. It’s a good reason to get out there and ride while I can. In this heat, though, I’m using my cool rag a lot. It’s better not to try to push the pace; and I hope it cools off a little soon so I can ride more comfortably! The high temperatures make me a Nervous Nellie in another respect: being sure I take along enough water! This morning I put 2.5 liters of water in my Camel-Bak; and got home after two hours with just a half-liter remaining. It’s amazing how thirsty I got; and probably I should have drunk more before I began riding. I also drank almost a pint of electrolyte drink; and reached home with maybe a tablespoon left. Next time, take more. It was still fairly early when I went out; about 7:15 am. It would be better if I got going at 6:00 am if I want to ride more than 10 miles; but I’ve been very much a sleepyhead of late. Indecision ? Oh, indecision! Should I ride tomorrow, or not? I have a mid-morning appointment; and going for a ride beforehand will mean getting up very early. I’m not sure I want to do that; but it would at least let me ride before the heat of the day builds up. Again, the forecast is for a heat index over 100 degrees! By the time I get back home after my appointment, it will be too hot to ride. When will this end? On the other hand, how else will I get used to riding in the heat? Hence the indecision! 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 Nervous Nellie July 2, 2024 Cyclist’s Shuffle July 1, 2024 Turn Off the Oven! June 30, 2024 Raising Alarms June 29, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Cyclist’s Shuffle

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Cyclist’s Shuffle ? No, cyclist’s shuffle isn’t about fancy footwork on the dance floor. I’ve read about it in connection with pro riders, who tend to develop a shuffling gait when off the bike. I seem to be well on the way to developing cyclist’s shuffle myself; and I’m far from a pro! But my efforts to improve my pace apparently are adding up. My legs have come to like pedaling more than walking; and when I walk, my legs feel tired. So why don’t I get out there and ride right now? Because the heat index is 108! Yes, I need to learn to ride in such heat; but maybe not when my head feels stuffy (allergies, I suppose). The heat isn’t the only weather concern; there’s a big, bad hurricane out  there! Shuffle out of Town? ? I hope we won’t have to shuffle out of town; or, worse, run like heck. At present, it doesn’t look like Beryl will pose a threat to us; but they’re still not sure what that storm might do in a few days. If Beryl starts to take a more northerly turn, we could be in trouble. For the time being, I’ll just sit tight; and ride when I can. This month’s plan is to work at increasing my daily mileage; and let pace work rest. After all, RAGBRAI 2025 is a long way off yet. Unfortunately my hand is still sore; and real work might have to wait a week or two. But hey, any riding is better than none at all. If I do have to shuffle out of town, what about my bicycles? I won’t be able to take them with me. If I did have a car, I’m sure it would have had a bicycle rack long ago; and then I could take them along. And hope to find somewhere to ride, wherever I ended up. 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 Cyclist’s Shuffle July 1, 2024 Turn Off the Oven! June 30, 2024 Raising Alarms June 29, 2024 Glutes and Quads June 28, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Turn Off the Oven!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Turn Off the Oven! ? Hey, turn off the oven! Who left the dratted thing on? We aren’t cooking pizza; or anything else, for that matter. The heat index continues to hover over 100 degrees. It makes cycling harder; and I went out early today. Well, I usually ride early, anyhow; and that’s more important for longer rides in hot weather. Today I did 19+ miles; and I wanted to shout, “Turn off the oven!” It was in the high 80s or even 90 degrees when I got back home shortly before 9 am. By early afternoon, the heat index was 105! They’re predicting more of the same for tomorrow. ? I don’t know what the succeeding days will bring; maybe it’s too soon to tell. But I do hope it cools off just a bit. Calling All Fans! ? Calling all fans! We need all the help we can get to keep cool. The Lasko Oscillating Tower Fan ought to make a good team member. The Lasko is quiet; and includes a remote control. It has three speeds; and quiet operation makes it a good choice for the bedroom. If we’re calling all fans, I have a small, 4-battery fan that I plan to take along if I do RAGBRAI next year. Last year’s event saw unusually hot weather; and the interior of a tent can be sweltering when it’s 80 degrees all night long. I have a larger, 6-battery fan to use in case a hurricane knocks out our power. A cool rag isn’t a fan; but it helps keep the heat at bay. I was glad I had it during this morning’s 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 Turn Off the Oven! June 30, 2024 Raising Alarms June 29, 2024 Glutes and Quads June 28, 2024 I Wanna Ride! June 27, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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