CAL, Author at SpokEasy - Page 91 of 130

Editor in Chief

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.” I sure feel like Editor in Chief at times; although I certainly don’t plan to deliberately publish fake news. But this website sure keeps me busy editing! In fact, it never ends. Today I focused on the For Kids page. Not to burden you with details, but I ended up creating a product grid; and then editing in the frames so the products are easy to tell apart. I did the same thing for my other product pages, e.g. Grocery. This morning it was still overcast and pretty windy. I decided to use the hybrid because it has fenders; and I rode in the park. Somehow I didn’t feel like fighting the wind on top of the levee. I suspect I’ve got some seasonal allergies going; my head feels stuffy in the mornings. But I can’t let that stop me from playing Editor in Chief. I’ve got too much work to do! I’ve also got to get out my black cat pin for tomorrow. Black cats are good luck in Britain; so I call it my Lucky British Black Cat. The wind should be much less tomorrow, which looks good for a ride. After the ride, back to being Editor in Chief.

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While I Can

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

While I Can I had to ride today while I can. The weather outlook for tomorrow is 90% chance of heavy rain; and the wind as high as 20 mph by afternoon. Gusts could reach 35 mph; and I don’t want to be trying to ride in that! Actually, I felt like taking today off; but I knew what might happen if I did. By tomorrow I’d be getting very antsy from the lack of physical activity; and if I couldn’t get out to ride, I’d go crazy. Today I put in a total of six one-minute efforts at riding 15 mph or more. I’ve got to do that at least once a week; and work to lengthen those intervals. They say, you have to go fast if you want to get fast. It makes sense, really; it’s rather like learning to play a musical instrument. You’ve got to practice if you want to be able to play. This morning I hit a max speed of 17+ mph. It helped that there was almost no wind — unusual for us. But it looks like it’s coming! There’s a weather system in the SW Gulf that they’re watching; and I believe that’s the generator for the wind and rain expected tomorrow. At about 11:30 am I had to go out to run an errand; and the sky was mostly overcast. I’m glad it didn’t rain, because I had my laptop with me. Should I try to go for another, short ride while I can? The hour-by-hour forecast doesn’t show any rain before tonight. On the other hand, I’ve got things to do!

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Fasted Isn’t Fast

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Fasted Isn’t Fast Fasted isn’t fast; because you don’t want to bonk! If you want to lose weight and/or become a better fat burner, the occasional “fasted” ride is recommended. These rides, however, need to be at low intensity; and rather short. Even then, you can get very hungry before the end! Once a week, I take medication for osteoporosis. It must be taken on an empty stomach; and you’re not supposed to eat for at least half an hour afterwards; preferably a full hour. So this morning I took my med; and went for a short, easy ride in the park. I rode little over five miles; and by the time I got home I was feeling bonkish! Therefore fasted isn’t fast. Not that I’m so very fast, anyhow. Even for a fasted ride, take along a GU-Gel or something in case you get too hungry. I think I might need a day off from riding. I’ve been getting to bed rather late; and I still get up quite early to ride. My mind is still stuck in the eighty-degrees-at-six-am mode! I also have been trying to get in as much time as possible editing this website; and I can’t pedal while editing. But tomorrow I probably need to ride anyway. The weather is apt to turn rainy by day after tomorrow!

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Ride Anyway

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Ride Anyway I went for a ride anyway today, even though I didn’t feel much like it. And guess what? It was a pretty good ride! Overnight it got cool enough for me to don leg warmers; arm warmers; vest (actually, a jacket sans sleeves); and skull cap. Leg warmers Arm warmers Jacket Skull cap Not that it was terribly cold temperature-wise; but 64 degrees is a big change when mornings have been 80 degrees for months. Add a 12 mph wind, and it felt quite chilly. I have no idea what the chill factor was; this calculator is for temperatures 50 and below. Today I tried to focus on maintaining a consistent effort by the sensations I was getting from my legs; let my speed be what it may. Indeed, my average speed was below 11 mph; but that’s OK. There’s nothing wrong with “just riding”. My fuel today was a MET-Rx bar; and I brought along BioSteel as an electrolyte drink. I found it cheap in the salvage store? At that low pace and not quite 20 miles, I didn’t eat the entire MET-Rx bar. Cycling can burn plenty of calories; but I’ve go to to watch that I don’t eat more than I burn! So, to sum up — if you don’t feel much in the mood for riding, ride anyway. You might surprise yourself.

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October Already

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

October Already?! Gosh, it’s October already? Where did this year go? We don’t get spectacular Fall colors here; so I won’t be going on any leaf-peeping rides. In fact, it still feels very summery! But as it’s October already, it’s time to start considering the Christmas gift list. Got kids? There are options ranging from balance bikes for toddlers; and trailercycles for kids ready to pedal, but not quite ready for independent riding. Older kids may want to take off on their own; and perhaps a Magna Throttle will fit the bill. Naturally there are bikes for adults and seniors, too. For someone who has balance issues, an adult trike is great; or it you don’t need a trike, but need a power boost, an e-bike can be a godsend. Know someone who wants to ride with a partner; but they’re both worried about being unable to stay together? A tandem might make a great joint gift. Then there are accessories, from helmets to pedals to lights. Spider Spoke Lights are more suited to Hallowe’en than Christmas, I would think; but some folks enjoy them any season. A Zukka Bike Handlebar Bag is great for carrying a camera; snacks; and a map when you go out exploring. I can tell it’s October already by how early it gets dark. But it still hasn’t cooled off much. In fact, it’s been so hot and dry that we’ve got a red flag warning! That’s rare for us; and of course it makes me rather uneasy. Not until Sunday night is it expected to get cool — a frigid 58 degrees! Maybe it will finally feel like Fall.

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Laos by Bicycle – Copy

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Laos by Bicycle 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.” Laos by bicycle would let me become acquainted with an entirely unfamiliar country. I know where it is, but little else. At the time I first though about Laos by bicycle, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that travel was out of the question. My home city then had a 10.4% positivity rate; and I was amazed that the town wasn’t entirely shut down. But, there’s always armchair travel. Or rather, armchair cycle touring! I enjoyed reading this account of crossing Laos on two wheels. I’m like the author prior to her journey: nervous about doing such a ride, especially alone; worried that I might not have the stamina to ride miles per day every day; and how I’ll cope with weather. I also have concerns about coping with the terrain. The country is roughly 70% mountainous. For me, that would be one arduous journey! Laos by bicycle will let you see more than you would via other touring modes; and likely more contact with the people who live there. So — I sound like the proverbial broken record here — brush up on your etiquette. Some things on the list apply to other Asian countries, such as avoiding physical contact with monks. The caution about “unexploded ordinances” wouldn’t have occurred to me. That’s why prospective travelers abroad need to do their homework before leaving home! The climate of Laos is tropical. Between October and April the weather is apt to be warm and dry; and the best time to visit. Dry also sounds good for bicycle touring. Be aware that Laos has no trauma center; and in the event of a serious accident, you’ll have find a way to Thailand for treatment. Lao culture, in general, is quite easy-going. If you opt for cycling adventures there, I hope your trip is easy, too! 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 I Traverse Afar? December 18, 2023 I Envy Time December 17, 2023 Holiday Food December 16, 2023 Glad I’m Home December 15, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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The Road Goes On

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Food / CAL

The Road Goes On “The road goes on, and ever on”; or something like that. Tolkien got that part right. During a long ride, our road sure can seem endless! What can we do to make seemingly endless miles more bearable? First, a proper bike fitting. This admittedly can be costly; but it’s well worth it. Then there’s conditioning. Trying to bang out 100 miles in a day with little or no training is unwise; although supposedly some riders have done it. How they got through those miles, I don’t know. Their legs must have given them agony in the following days! So, you’ve gotten a bike fit; and you’ve been working up to longer and longer rides. What else makes long rides more comfortable? Good bike shorts certainly are far more comfortable than regular shorts with underwear beneath them. Cycling shorts are meant to fit smoothly, and to be worn next to the skin. The other option is apt to mean two layers of fabric bunching up under you. That causes nasty chafing; and the last thing you want after a ride is saddle sores! Chamois Butt’r can help prevent skin irritation, so use it pre-ride; and take some to along so you can freshen up as the road goes on. Don’t forget about fueling during your rides. The best bike fitting; the most comfy bike shorts, can take you only so far. For rides of an hour or less, on-bike eating might not be needed; just have a snack before rolling out. For longer rides, there are many options. I like to try different kinds of bars, such as RXBars. And don’t forget hydration! Even when it’s cold, for rides much over one hour, plain water doesn’t make the grade. I need electrolyte drink, too. They say, once you’ve reached a certain fitness level, you can ride infinitely as long as you have an adequate fuel supply. So let the road go on!

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Jigsaw

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Jigsaw 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.” Planning a season’s training and racing must feel like a jigsaw puzzle. I’ve read enough about it to know that you have to decide which races to enter; then decide which ones are “A” races (i.e. the most important); which ones are “B” races (important, but not as vital as “A” races); and “C” races (sometimes considered “training races”; and you could miss one or two without upsetting your season’s plans). Then there’s the training: how long before racing should it begin? How do you maintain strong points (e.g. sprinting), while working to improve weak points, such as climbing? What about tapering leading up to a race; especially the most important ones? As if that weren’t enough, there’s the off-bike work to develop and maintain core strength; watching nutrition; and getting adequate sleep. After racing season ends, what do you do to keep from getting entirely out of shape prior to the next season? Of course you need to rest from a season of pushing yourself to the max while racing; but too much time away from the bike might mean having a hard time when the next season of training begins! It all sounds like a lot of trouble; and I’ll happily remain a recreational cyclist. At my age, there’s not much point in trying to get into bicycle racing, anyway; and I don’t think I have the competitive urge necessary. I’m not even very good about keeping on a schedule of work to improve my pace! Off-bike exercises have, for the most part, fallen by the wayside; and I’m really starting to feel it. Sometimes I set up a week’s schedule; but I don’t always stick to it. I guess I’m plain old lazy! Then there are days when I start editing stuff in this website; and that can turn into a jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes I start editing an older blog; and it has a link to another blog that needs editing; and then that second blog has a link to a third blog that needs editing … I might end up with five tabs open. Trying to juggle them all makes my head spin!

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Different Kind of Ride

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Different Kind of Ride I did a different kind of ride today. Instead of putting in the miles on the road bike, I put the bike trunk on the hybrid; packed the camera; and took off for a leisurely jaunt. To be sure, I put in 20 miles, but I took my time; and stopped here and there to take a picture. For some, I used the camera; for others, I used the Photo function on my cell phone. The one selfie I took of myself looked so horrible that I deleted it. I never have been photogenic; and sunblock smeared on my face didn’t help matters. In fact, this wheel looks a lot better than I did! My finger insisted on getting into the picture, though. At left is the view I usually have on the river side of the MRT. It rather annoys me, because I like to see the river! I expect the trees are necessary to minimize erosion; but as of October 2023, erosion is far from everyone’s mind. On the contrary, the big concern is how LOW the river is! Here and there, there’s a gap in the trees. I can’t help wishing there were more of them; and those trees don’t always serve as a wind block! It all depends on the direction of the wind; and the levee bike path often changes directions because the levee follows the twists and turns of the river. And today the wind got really pesky! When I began my ride at around 7:15 am, the wind was NE at 6 mph. Before I got home shortly before 10:00 am, the breeze had strengthened to 13 mph; and it was still from the NE. That, of course, meant a headwind! Not surprisingly, I’m pretty worn out. This different kind of ride was a longer one than I usually do on the hybrid; and maybe it’s why I succumbed to the temptation of pizza for lunch! There’s a pizza restaurant a few blocks away; and they’ll make any kind of their pizzas as a calzone at the customer’s request. So that’s what I did — roasted garlic pizza as calzone. Perhaps a reward for a job well done?

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What’s in My Panniers?

BACK ISSUES, equipment / CAL

What’s in my Panniers? 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.” What’s in my panniers when I get home from the salvage store? It can be quite a lot! Today’s trip was quite productive. As usual, I headed straight for the grab-bag bins; and this morning I hit the jackpot there! I got seven snack-sized packs of smoked roasted almonds; three chocolate-coated toffee bars that normally cost $1.69 apiece; and more. Twenty items for three bucks! Thus the savings on those candy bars alone more than paid for the other items. In fact, sometimes the savings on grab-bag items cover everything else I buy on that trip! More ride food! Elsewhere in the store, I found Zone Perfect bars, in a Salted Caramel Brownie flavor. Lately I haven’t found much at the salvage store that’s suitable on-bike food; so I pounced on those things and got six. I’ll try one for tomorrow’s ride! I also found a few Vital Performance collagen bars; and some Biosteel. Otherwise my haul today was rather mundane. In fact, I’m trying not to bring home too much! During the pandemic I fell into the habit of stocking up as much as I could, while I could. From what I heard in the news, stay-at-home orders might be handed out at any time; and if it came to that, I wanted to have enough supplies to tide me over. Now I’ve got the problem of using up all that stuff! So what’s in my panniers? For now, I’d better try to keep it to a minimum?

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Author name: CAL