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Featherheaded

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Featherheaded sure is what I feel like today. I didn\’t get out on the road bike this morning until about 9:30. Yesterday morning I was so tired that I didn\’t try doing a grocery run. Then, today, I made a trip to Whole Foods. Some things that I use, such as whey protein powder, are unlikely to show up in the salvage store. Even though I still have about a third of a large canister left, I wanted to get more before I ran out. I also wanted jojoba oil for the next time I make hand cream. When I was finally ready to ride with \”Scottie\”, I turned on the Garmin. Only then did I realize that I hadn\’t put on my heart rate monitor! Yesterday I took it to the bike shop for a new battery, and forgot to take it out of the bike trunk when I got home. Thus it wasn\’t where I normally keep it. Since I didn\’t see it, well, \”out of sight, out of mind\”. I decided to skip the HR monitor. Even had I gone back to put it on, it would have taken several miles of riding for it to warm up and start recording. It\’s funny that way. I\’m getting featherheaded with composing posts, too. All that work on Products in my Shop means that I forget to click Save Draft, and instead click Publish before I mean to. I\’m afraid I\’m confusing my readers. Sorry about that.

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Same Old Thing

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It\’s the same old thing every year. As Fall sets in, then Winter, we\’re inundated with advice about riding in the wind. We hear about riding into the wind on the way out, and relaxing with a tailwind on the way home. How I wish I could do that! Unfortunately I can\’t do anything to change the prevailing winds, so most of the time I\’m stuck with a headwind on the way back home. The evening before a ride I usually check the weather forecast for temperature; wind speed and direction; and chances of rain. If it looks like conditions will be bad, the trainer is always an alternative, but I don\’t enjoy prolonged pedaling indoors, no matter how bad the weather is. Wind is the reason I got a compass for my road bike. If I know, for instance, that the wind is from the ENE, I can check the compass when a bend in the bike path is coming up; and know whether I\’m going to have the wind on my nose. Now that we\’re getting some chilly weather, wind is much less fun than when the weather is hot. It\’s time to layer up; reach down to ride on the drops; and make myself as aero as I can — it\’s the same old thing.

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Rolling through South America

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Rolling Through South America   Rolling through South America would be quite the adventure; but there’s an awful lot of ground to cover! If you’d prefer to focus your efforts on a particular country, Brazil offers quite a variety.     For city touring, try São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. If nature is your thing, Chapada Diamantina is great for mountain biking; and Cananéia to Paranaguá, Sao Paulo and Parana is reputed to be one of the best routes of all. Of course there’s more to South America than Brazil. Bolivia offers a number of bicycle tours. Some are at very high altitude; and/or involve some very stiff climbing! There’s an annual event in cities throughout Bolivia called Día del Peatón (Day of the Pedestrian). Motorized vehicles are forbidden from driving until sunset. Local cyclists can enjoy cruising around the empty city streets. It sounds like fun! The 2019 Tour de France certainly got Colombia onto the world cycling stage. For the first time, a rider from Colombia took the yellow jersey. Not that cycling is anything new in that South American nation. How about a cycling tour there? There are terrific climbs for those who have the legs (and the lungs!); coffee country for the caffeine lover; and – did you say non-distracted drivers? What a welcome change! But do take along some filter masks, as air quality in the cities is poor. Try some panela! Oh, and the ciclovia! Wouldn’t it be just wonderful if cities in the USA observed it! Thinking about rolling through South America might get your adventurous spirit up. Me? If I began serious training right now, I might be fit enough in, oh, ten years or so. 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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Pedaling ’round the Philippines

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Pedaling ’round the Philippines Pedaling ’round the Philippines, except for busy urban areas such as Manila, is said to be pretty good. The nation has many natural beauties, and options range from mountainous to beachside to wildlife sanctuaries. Maybe try it on a Schwinn Twinn Tandem? Would you like to skip from island to island? After all, there are 7000+ to chose from! Just roll your bicycle onto a ferry; sail to another island; and roll back off again. When is the best time to visit? Many people suggest going between December and May. Road quality is variable, but for the most part OK unless you’re on a skinny-tired racing bike. If you stay in Manila, it’s not hard to ride out to see natural attractions. You might see a  jeepney or two on the roads. These public-transit vehicles were first built from military jeeps that were left over from the Second World War.  Apparently they have no opening doors; passengers get in and out through the back. Great news for cyclists who are concerned about getting “doored”. The Filipino people are said to be welcoming; and the country is budget-friendly. However, in poor rural areas it can actually be hard to get food. Pack up those  MET-Rx Bars and get ready go go pedaling ’round the Philippines. 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 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 Doggie in the Window? July 8, 2026 Sweet Sixteen? July 7, 2026 Uber Alles? July 6, 2026 Practice Packing July 4, 2026 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Don’t Bonk Like This!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Don’t Bonk Like This! 🇨🇳 Don’t bonk like this! Who wants to feel like they’ve just hit this famous barrier? The Bonk is something dreaded by cyclists. Also called “hitting the wall“, we try to avoid it by on-bike eating. But how about bicycling along the Great Wall of China?  Or even a tour through the country? To tour the entirety of China by bicycle would take a long time; the country is 3.7 million square miles. That’s nearly as big as the USA!   The terrain is very diverse. Some areas are mountainous; others are flat. Not surprisingly for such a large nation, the climate, too, is quite diverse. So, if I were to take a bicycle tour of China, which part would I visit? There’s much more to China than the Great Wall! I would have to be prepared for culture shock, I’m sure. The language barrier wouldn’t be one tenth of it! The only Chinese words I know are “ming” ( bright) and “ma”; and “ma” can mean one of four things, depending on the inflection. The food eaten day-to-day by the Chinese people, I hear, is quite different from what we in the USA know as Chinese food.  Of course there’s the matter of safety. And lodgings; visas; courtesies; you name it. So I’d spring for a guided tour. If I tried to go solo, I’d run into numerous barriers as hard as the Great Wall! No, I don’t want to bonk like this.   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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Biking Bangladesh

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Biking Bangladesh Biking Bangladesh is something that I never thought of. Cycling is, however, quite popular among the people of this Asian nation. The Bangladesh Eco Adventure is suited to all ages. It lasts eight days and seven nights; and lets you see natural and cultural sites.  There are many other cycling routes to choose from. Most are flat or downhill; and that would suit me just fine! So far, I’ve never become much of a climber! The Trimohoni route looks good for a short, casual ride. At less than 10 miles long, it might serve as a warm-up to a longer route! The Chattogram to Dhaka spans 152+ miles; and is well suited to a city bike. Or, since this route is paved, would a road bike do as well? The climate of Bangladesh is warm and humid. Sounds just like home! December through February are the drier months; so it may be a good idea to cycle Bangladesh during that season. Of course, be mindful of local customs and courtesies. Pay attention to safety advice when planning your trip. Aside from bicycle touring, Bangladesh has a lot of natural beauty to offer: rivers; tropical rain forests; and a beach. Something for everyone! 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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Vietnam

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Vietnam Vietnam might not be the first country that springs to mind when bicycle touring abroad is mentioned. In fact, the nation’s very name has unfortunate connotations for some of us. Vietnam, however, can be a wonderful place for a bicycle tour. Of course there are some downsides, as is true of anywhere; but the people are said to be very friendly, and in general things aren’t very expensive. Vietnam also seems to have a reputation for being safe for tourists, which is more than can be said for many places. What is there to see there? If beaches are your thing, perhaps you’ll want to head for Phu Quoc island. There are Buddhist temples. See the rice paddies. Only about one-fifth of the country is flat. The rest of the country is densely forested highlands, or hills, or tropical lowlands. The climate is part temperate; part tropical; and the monsoons must be taken into account. The humidity tends to be high. Spring and Fall are said to be the best times to visit. If you do go there during the rainy season, be sure to take along a poncho. In fact, if Vietnam is anything like New Orleans, it can rain at any time; so remember Gene Kelly! 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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onion garlic cook

Stand-Ins

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Stand-ins aren’t necessarily inferior. Chicken Tikka Masala, from The Feed Zone Cookbook,  is a favorite of mine. But do I make it exactly as the recipe says? Not at all. I use some stand-ins! First, I don’t bother with the two pounds of chicken breasts.  I don’t like handling raw poultry. My stand-in is a 12-oz package of fully-cooked chicken sausages. One of the ingredients is a cup of tomato sauce. If I don’t have any, one possible stand-in is a cup of chopped canned tomatoes with the juice. Another time I when found I that had no tomato sauce, I used a cup of condensed tomato soup. Curry powder is another ingredient. What can I do if I want to make Chicken Tikka Masala, and don’t have curry powder? I could check “curry powder” online, to see what spice blend it is; then see which of those spices I have at home. As to onions, no type is specified. I’ve tried red onions; sweet Vidalia onions; yellow-skin onions; and scallions. I like red onions best. Scallions are very strong so next time I use them I’ll reduce the amount by half. Sometimes I add some minced garlic, even though the recipe doesn’t mention garlic. For a vegetarian version, skip the chicken and use several cups  of cooked legumes: garbonzos, black beans, etc. The way I make this recipe, I end up with extra sauce. No problem. I put some of it aside for other uses. It’s good over toast; pasta; rice; or potatoes. I’ve even tried it as a salad dressing, and it wasn’t bad. The bottom line is, don’t be afraid to experiment with recipes. You might even come up with your own recipe that becomes a favorite!

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Another Kind of Training?

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Another Kind of Training is what I call it when my route is blocked by, well, a train. It has me grumbling about \”I-hate-trains\”. On the way home from the salvage store, my usual crossing was blocked by a train that was simply sitting there. If only it had moved forward by the length of six cars, the crossing would have been clear. There was no telling when the train might start moving again, and I had some things that needed to be gotten into the fridge. On top of that, the breeze was chilly, and I didn\’t want to stand around in it. I was forced to take a detour to get home. At least I can be glad it wasn\’t raining. But I did get to the salvage store. I didn\’t use the trailer this time; my legs aren\’t ready for it quite yet. I still got a decent haul using the trunk and panniers. Of course I hit the store\’s make-your-own-grab-bag bins. I managed to fit 38 items into a large bag. All those snacks for five bucks! That boils down to a little over 13 cents per item, and some of them normally cost $1.29 or more. The store\’s lack of produce didn\’t matter this time; I still have bananas and carrots and apples from last week\’s trip to a regular supermarket. I found some things that I hope will make good ride food. I\’m so glad I found that store. But it sure wasn\’t fun riding home against the wind! I ought to think of it as another kind of training.

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Setbacks

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Setbacks are something we normally see as negative. After months of working so hard to improve, our progress suddenly stalls. At that point, training even harder might be instinctive; but counterproductive. We even seem to regress, and it\’s very frustrating. Maybe we have to learn to accept setbacks? Sometimes we have to back off for a while; even take some time off. I, for one, don\’t like to lose ride time. My legs love to move! But at least I\’m not in training for important competitive events, so losing a little conditioning wouldn\’t be a disaster. Turning the clocks back an hour when Daylight Saving ends is one setback that I welcome. Yes, it means that it gets dark earlier, but I prefer that to the start of Daylight Saving time in the Spring. It stays light too late for me! It looks earlier than it is, making it difficult for me to start getting ready for bed on time. Losing that hour makes me feel jet-lagged for at least a few days, and who needs that? In addition, Daylight Time begins just when it\’s starting to look like morning at 6 am. Then it goes back to being still dark when I get back from my jaunt on the road bike. So I\’m looking forward to setting those clocks back tomorrow night.  

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