SpokEasy

Author name: CAL

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

FOMO Strikes Again!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

FOMO Strikes Again ☹️ FOMO strikes again! Fear of missing out has reached epidemic proportions, from what I can gather. Not even young children are immune. I’ve read a number of online articles about over-scheduled kids; they hardly have time to just be kids. (Do they even have time to enjoy riding their bicycles?) I’m glad I grew up before all that fear of missing out began! Even so, I suffer from my own brand of FOMO. When the weather forecasts are less than favorable, I worry that I won’t be able to ride; and I really miss the miles when bad weather keeps me indoors. It might help if I had the set-up that would let me enjoy virtual rides; but heck, I don’t even have a television! I skipped the trip to the salvage store yesterday because the forecast was a stormy one; and whenever that happens, I worry that I’ve missed some great bargains. FOMO strikes again! Racking Up Some Miles 😮‍💨 I’m racking up some miles; namely, I’m adding a little more distance. I keep track of distance; time; and other data with my Garmin; and last week I began to notice that a ride of 19 miles or so suddenly seemed easier than it used to be. I decided that it’s time to add another mile or two once a week; and as time goes on, I’ll lengthen more of my rides. Racking up some miles will help me reach my current goal: to have my long-term distance total reach 70K by the end of the year. I’ll need to average about 103-104 miles per week to succeed; so I hope we don’t get any hurricanes that will thwart my plans! 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 Cold Turkey? November 22, 2024 Thermal Shock November 21, 2024 Cold Shock November 20, 2024 Front? November 19, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Another Missed Call

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food, Outdoors /

Another Missed Call 📞 I think today was another missed call; and I don’t mean a malfunctioning cell phone.  The forecast looked chancy; so I didn’t ride to the salvage store. It looks like I could have gone there, after all! This isn’t the first time I didn’t ride to the store because storms seemed likely; and then those storms didn’t materialize. I don’t think it’s rained here; although it’s hard to tell when I’m indoors. And, as I say so often, you never know what conditions are like just a few miles away! My concerns over the weather led me to go ride some laps around the local park; then head for a nearby grocery store. The sky occupied a certain past of my attention the entire time; but it didn’t rain. It has me thinking that I made another missed call. Time will tell, though. We’re under flood watch until 7 pm. Back to the Kitchen 🥄 It’s time I got back to the kitchen. My stock of frozen stuff is running low. Fortunately cooking doesn’t depend on the weather; unless, that is, we get a power outage. I sure miss having a gas stove! I’ve got two Hoppin’ John variations in mind; one with yellow split peas/lentils and brown rice; and one with pinto/kidney beans and quinoa. Now I have to think of names for them! We’ve got yet another rainy forecast for tomorrow. I hope there isn’t lightning.⚡️It’s actually good training to ride in the rain now and then; but if lightning is cracking overhead, it’ not a wise time to head out for a ride. Also, the road bike doesn’t have fenders; and riding in wet/rainy conditions means my poor bicycle gets splattered with muck and grit. A rainy day is a good time to get back to the kitchen; but at the same time, I want to finish my weekly 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 Another Missed Call August 31, 2024 In the Nick August 30, 2024 Hard to Plan August 29, 2024 Kitchen Antics August 28, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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In the Nick

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

In the Nick ⏱️ I got home in the nick of time this morning! Last night’s forecast showed more rain and T-storms. It wasn’t raining when I got up; but who knew when it might start pouring. When things are iffy like that, I prefer to ride the hybrid; use the trunk so I can carry a poncho; and  ride laps around the local park. I want to be fairly close to home if bad weather breaks out. As I was nearing completion of Round 4, I saw a dark cloud towards the South. It seemed to be getting bigger; and I decided it was the better part of wisdom to head home. It’s a good thing I did; I was just in the nick of time. In fact, it began to rain when I still had about a half-block to go. Barely an hour later, a flash flood warning was issued; and it will be in effect for several more hours! Keep It Up 🏃🏽 “Keep it up” sounds like continuing to ride regularly. That’s not so easy when it finally rains after a long dry spell; and the weather decides to keep it up. The weather doesn’t care that you want to get out there and ride! So, what to do? The least complicated thing is to just ride even if it means getting soaked, but in cold weather that’s probably not the wisest idea; and it certainly isn’t comfortable. Naturally it’s not a good idea if the lightning is cracking overhead! If weather conditions include torrentnial rain and/or strong wind, an indoor ride lets you do some pedaling. Ride Inside shows you how to make the most of these sessions; including mental aspects and shifting patterns.  I don’t have the space to keep an indoor trainer set up; and I can’t afford those fancy things that let you simulate an outdoor ride. They sound like fun, though. I guess I need to win a mega-lottery! 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 In the Nick August 30, 2024 Hard to Plan August 29, 2024 Kitchen Antics August 28, 2024 Getting More Frequent August 27, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Hard to Plan

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Hard to Plan 🗓️ It’s hard to plan your rides when the weather outlook is unfavorable. It doesn’t matter whether you’ll be on a gravel bike; a road bike; or an adult trike; if you can expect rain during your ride, extra planning is required. Do you have work materials or schoolbooks that must be kept dry? Thule Shield Panniers are waterproof, and have handy shoulder straps for off-bike carrying. Loops allow you to attach lights. Such bags are also good for trips to the grocery store; rain or shine. Incidentally, it can be hard to plan a trip to the store when there’s a flood advisory in effect; and I’m not sure which streets will still be hard to navigate tomorrow morning. In some areas, water can stand for days after a downpour! I also dislike riding close to traffic; especially when it’s raining. Playing Catch-Up 🏃🏽 Maybe our weather is playing catch-up. It’s been quite dry; and we need rain. It looks like things will be pretty stormy for at least the next three days; and I hope it won’t mean playing catch-up with my mileage goals!   I can get in at least some pedaling if I hitch my road bike into the trainer. As I’ve said so often, it’s tedious to the nth degree; but better than nothing at all. As an alternative, I can don the poncho and go out on the hybrid. The biggest worry about riding in the rain is, it’s still T-storm season! 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 Hard to Plan August 29, 2024 Kitchen Antics August 28, 2024 Getting More Frequent August 27, 2024 Clubs Nobody Wants August 26, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Kitchen Antics

BACK ISSUES, Food, Outdoors /

Kitchen Antics 🤡 🥄  My kitchen antics have been on hold for quite some time. I don’t feel like heating up the kitchen in this hot weather; and the freezer is still too full of stuff that I’ve already cooked. I need to use it up before I make more! When I do get back to cooking, I think I’ll make another tikka masala variation. Or maybe I can use some of my garbage soup as the base for a daring new recipe! Garbage soups have a lot of “scope for imagination”, as Anne of Green Gables would say. When I’m ready ready for more kitchen antics, maybe I’ll hunt for a recipe in the ADA Vegetarian Cookbook. Possibly I’ll devise a variation of it, as I did with Cauliflower Potato Cheddar Mash (p. 87). The original recipe calls for russet (aka baking) potatoes. After I made the recipe according to the book, I made it again; and this time I substituted sweet potatoes. I think the sweet potatoes taste a lot better; and they’re lower in carbs than russet potatoes. Chill Out 🥶 It’s been so hot, though, that I’d far rather chill out than work away in a hot kitchen. A Cool Rag helps with that, both on the bike and off. By 10:00 am today it was already broiling; and I needed to walk to the bike shop. The Cool Rag made it somewhat more bearable. I rode early again, just after 7 am; partly because of the heat; and partly because T-storms were in the forecast from late morning. I tried to work on my pace; but didn’t do as well as I would have liked. Same old story! Once home from riding and running errands, I could chill out. But I’ve got to think about tomorrow’s ride. Maybe go sort of easy? I’ll see how the legs feel. And what the weather is doing! 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 Kitchen Antics August 28, 2024 Getting More Frequent August 27, 2024 Clubs Nobody Wants August 26, 2024 Doohickies August 25, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Getting More Frequent

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food, Personal Care /

Getting More Frequent ⏰ Just ride, to be honest, is what most of my rides turn into! But longer rides are getting more frequent; and that means more preparation sessions! I need to get on-bike food ready, and drinks are a must, too; both electrolytes for the ride, and a post-ride recovery drink if I ride long or hard. Needless to say, I take along water. It means quite a load on my back; but I don’t need to get dehydrated. Doing more rides of 19+ miles means that the need for that Camel-Bak is getting more frequent. And if I’m considering RAGBRAI, I need to be used to riding with a load. They say you really don’t need a hydration system such as a Camel-Bak for RAGBRAI; but I’m not at all sure I can manage reaching for a water bottle on the down tube while battling a steep climb!  All Washed Up? 🫧 Post-ride, I need to get all washed up. Before I even take off my cycling outfit, I need to get two or three layers of sunblock off of my skin. It probably isn’t good to leave it on all day; and besides that, I wind up rubbing sunblock all over everything. I do this outdoors, as  I’d rather not wash all that stuff down the drain. Then I need to get my shorts all washed up. Often I’ll use a jersey for several rides before washing it; but shorts are another story. Going for a ride in unwashed shorts easily leads to irritated skin; or even saddle sores. I hope I don’t get all washed up while taking my bike to the shop. It has a flat; and I’m all thumbs at changing tubes. But there’s a 50% chance of rain; so I’ll take the poncho with me! 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 Getting More Frequent August 27, 2024 Clubs Nobody Wants August 26, 2024 Doohickies August 25, 2024 Wear and Tear August 24, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Clubs Nobody Wants

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Personal Care /

Clubs Nobody Wants ♣️ There are clubs nobody wants to join; but sometimes we end up in the bunch despite our best efforts to the contrary. We might develop overuse injuries; get sunburned; bonk; or develop saddle sores. I’ve never had saddle sores to the extent that this rider did (see about 32 minutes in); thank the cycling gods for that. Saddle sores are one of those clubs nobody wants to join! I hope that doesn’t happen to me if I do RAGBRAI. Quitting the Club 🚫 But what should you do if saddle sores happen? So far I’ve been quite lucky; but I did have some trouble a few weeks back. After a ride of about 20 miles, I had a spot in each groin that was rubbed raw. I think the problem was old shorts; and I’ve discarded that pair. For about a week, I used antibiotic ointment; and when indoors at home, I hung around with nothing on below the waist. The sores cleared up quickly; but out on a long tour or multi-day race, this would be a much bigger problem. Quitting the club at that point might be difficult or impossible! How do you avoid those clubs nobody wants? Chamois Butt’r helps prevent saddle sores; and I always have it on hand. Even so, sometimes sores happen! Sunblock keeps me out of the sunburned club; and I eat during rides longer than 12 miles or so. That keeps me out of the bonk club! To avoid the overuse injury roster, don’t push hard gears too soon; and don’t try to ramp up the mileage too fast. You don’t want to make cycling such a list of ailments that you’ll be quitting the club, and missing out on riding! 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 Clubs Nobody Wants August 26, 2024 Doohickies August 25, 2024 Wear and Tear August 24, 2024 Start on Empty August 23, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Doohickies

BACK ISSUES, equipment /

Doohickies ⚙️⛭ Oh, the doohickies we can pick up over years of cycling! Some we really do need, such as a multi-tool. With this gadget, you can tighten loose bolts; and perform other minor repairs out on the road. Other doohickies are just for fun and, strictly speaking, aren’t even for cycling: such as a Bananagrams game for long Summer evenings during a bicycle tour. Wish List 📷 🚲 My wish list includes both doohickies and more serious items. A new set of panniers, for one. The ones I have are a good 12 years old; and are definitely showing their age! A new road bike? Not for a long time, I hope. Query: do you know it’s time for a new bicycle after X number of years; or after X miles of riding? Neither one? I want to keep using my road bike as long as it’s rideable! A few days ago I was watching a YouTube; either about RAGBRAI, or some other bicycle tour. Someone had an over-the-rear-wheel rack that could double as a bike stand! It was easy: unload the rack; undo the clamp fastening the rack to the seat post; and swing the rack backwards and under the wheel. Another wish list item that’s starting to tug at the edges of my brain is a drone. If I ever hope to expand my YouTube page, I’ll probably need one. But first, let me earn my pilot’s license! 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 Doohickies August 25, 2024 Wear and Tear August 24, 2024 Start on Empty August 23, 2024 Drone Away August 22, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Wear and Tear

BACK ISSUES, equipment /

Wear and Tear 😟 Wear and tear seems to catch up with everything, sooner or later. Bicycle chains wear out; tires get worn out; and my panniers are definitely showing wear and tear. Some months ago, one of them was coming apart at the seams. Rather than buy new panniers, I decided to make some repairs. That white dental-floss seam looks kind of weird; but at least I’m getting further use out of the bag. Then, this morning, I saw that one of those panniers has some worn spots on the bottom. They’re small; but are sure to get bigger. How long will it be until they wear through? Now the question is, buy new bags right away; or wait? I know this much: I don’t want to delay the purchase until the bottom of that bag gives way during a ride home from the store! Wear It Out 😮‍💨 Use it up; wear it out; make it do. My mother went very much by that credo; and I still find it hard to shake off. However, there are cases when it’s not the best way to go. Take the aforementioned bicycle chain. A worn chain will wear the gears; and then you’ve got an even bigger (and more costly) repair job on your hands. So keep on top of that chain; don’t wear it out. When it comes to bicycles themselves, I wonder how long my road bike will last. I got it in April 2013; and it has 38,000+ miles on it. How long will it be before daily wear and tear catches up with it? 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 Wear and Tear August 24, 2024 Start on Empty August 23, 2024 Drone Away August 22, 2024 Siesta August 21, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Start on Empty

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Start on Empty 🫙 Don’t start on empty, they say, whether you’re talking about a kid heading for school; an adult going to work; or a cyclist starting a long ride. They’re always saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all. When I’m heading out on the bike, I usually don’t start on empty; but now and then I have a morning when I just don’t feel like eating. That’s when on-bike eating becomes more critical. I do not need to try to ride almost 20 miles with nothing to eat! Fuel as You Go ⛽️ I take a fuel as you go approach to rides over 12-15 miles long. It seems to work better than riding without eating for 15-20 miles; then chowing down a whole energy bar in a few seconds before I resume pedaling. When you’re riding long distances, your your heart and legs have first dibs on your blood supply; and that leaves less blood available for digestion. This is especially true if you’ll be riding hard; or if you’re doing an all-day event, such as a century. They say, during such an event, keep rest stops short. Pick out what you want to eat; resume riding; then fuel as you go. If you hang around a rest stop for 15 minutes, eating all the while, you’re only too likely to have a very uncomfortable stomach — or worse — after you resume the ride. I don’t see myself doing a century ride in the near future, but I practice eating while riding. As I extend my daily distance, that’s all the more important!   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 Start on Empty August 23, 2024 Drone Away August 22, 2024 Siesta August 21, 2024 New Meaning August 20, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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