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On the Loose?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

On the Loose? 😵‍💫 Today’s Featured Product! 🤩 Baleaf Women’s Half-Sleeve Jersey   New!! DYNAMI Unicycle For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Is my bicycle’s headset on the loose? This morning I seemed to have a lot of trouble riding a straight line; and eventually I began to wonder whether the headset needs attention. Of course, the problem might have been a sidewind. Such a breeze can push me all over the place. Next time I ride, if my bike acts like it did today, it’s off to the bike shop. A headset on the loose needs tightening. Core? 🍏 Or is the problem a weak core? I’ve noticed many times that a rapid cadence can make a bicycle harder to control; especially in a low gear. It’s as though my leg action overpowers my upper body. That’s hardest when I need to pull my electrolyte bottle out of its cage; and must briefly ride one-handed. At least once, I had to stop so I could get a good drink of Propel. It looks like the wind will be calm for the next two days; and I think I’ll ride laps around the park. It might give me a better idea as to whether my headset if really on the loose! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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August Cold Snap?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

August Cold Snap? 🧊 Today’s Featured Product! 🌋 KanPas New!! Joystar New Berry For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I think we’ve got an August cold snap! As of mid-afternoon, it was only 79 degrees; much cooler than it’s been the last week or two. I guess nobody needed a cooling vest out there. This morning I didn’t ride because of concerns over T-storms; but by noon I was tired of sitting around indoors. The rain seemed to be over for the time being; and when I saw that I didn’t need to worry about the heat index, I decided to go for a ride. I needed some exercise! Still Gray ☁ But the sky was still gray; and I decided to ride around the park a few times. Then, if the weather turned stormy, I’d be fairly close to home. This August cold snap was making it windy; and I’m glad the forecast for tomorrow is clear and calm. Maybe I can put in 20 miles again!  I need to do some hard efforts; and I want the miles because I might not get to ride on Tuesday. It will be late morning by the time I could ride; and the heat will be back again. Appointments are so tiresome! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Glad I Didn’t

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Glad I Didn’t🙂‍↔️ Today’s Featured Product! 💥 Alvada Thermal Socks New!! Besrey 5 in 1 For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I’m glad I didn’t hurry to visit the sewing store I learned about. I need a new light bulb for my sewing machine; but when I called the store, they said they don’t have these bulbs. It’s very hot to be running errands; and that makes a futile outing all the more frustrating. It’s a good thing I thought to call the store first! In this heat, I’d want electrolyte drink as well as water; and that’s another thing to carry. I need my cool rag, too. This is why I go to the salvage store early: so I can shop; get out; and ride home before 10:00 am. I’m glad I didn’t wait until later. On top of the heat, the wind has been strengthening all day! Blown Away 🌬️ I’ve been watching the forecast for tomorrow; and it looks like I might get blown away if I ride. Wind gusts could reach 20 mph; and if it’s also raining, riding will be a major slog. Add lightning, and I’ll be wishing I were home. I’ve mentioned the heat often enough. We’re stuck with it for at least two months; and I’ve noticed that young lizards have been hatching. There’s a little brown anole in here right now; and thank goodness I’m not the type who freaks out at the sight of one! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Just Call Me Sloth

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Just Call Me Sloth 🦥 Today’s Featured Product! 🎇 SRAM S600 Crankset New!! Olyra Fruit Bars Variety For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Just call me sloth. I was tired again today; and it makes me feel like, well, a sloth. For one thing, I had fasting blood work this morning; and I was hungry before I walked over to the clinic. It’s not easy to hike a mile or so when my stomach has already begun to growl; and I want to eat! It was 9:00 by the time I got home; and by that hour, I’m reluctant to go out on the bike, because it’s been so hot. The heat index was already 98 degrees! Within the next hour, the wind increased to 14 mph. I can get in some miles tomorrow, when I ride to the salvage store. Meanwhile, just call me sloth! Or would some chocolate perk me up?  Eye on the Weekend 🔭 Of course I’ve got my eye on the weekend. Tomorrow is supposed to be mostly sunny; but Sunday there’s a 40% chance of  T-storms; mostly before early afternoon. That doesn’t look so good for a long ride; especially not in the morning. It’s the old waiting game again. I wish I could be sure whether or not it will be storming at 7:00 am; because if the weather will be bad, I won’t set my alarm clock! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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So Sew

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors /

So Sew 🧵 Today’s Featured Product! 💥 Organic Chimichurri   New!! Swedish Candy Viral Mix   For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I want a new blouse — so sew! That is, if I can get my sewing machine going. It’s sat unused for ages; and now it’s very stiff. I’ve oiled it; and I’m letting it sit for a while so the lube can penetrate. But not chain lube! That might ruin the machine. Maybe tomorrow I can get it going; and tell myself, so sew.   Not a New Jersey 👕 I can make a blouse; but not new jersey. How can I find the fabric that jerseys require? I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find that I need a special type of needle; and regular sewing thread, I’m sure, would saw right through jersey fabric. Wouldn’t it be fun if I could hook that sewing machine to my bicycle, and sew by pedal-power? It would be rather like the treadle-powered sewing machines that people had before electricity was common in ordinary households. I could turn a fan on myself and get some exercise indoors, while the heat indices remain over 100 degrees! It got hot enough when I rode this morning, and was home by about nine o’clock! 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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Nature Photographer Wannabe

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors /

Nature Photographer Wannabe 🐞 Today’s Featured Product! 🌝 Luna Bar Chocolate Cupcake   New!! Skout French Toast For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I seem to be a nature photographer wannabe. I’ve often wished I could get a really good shot of the full moon over the river; and this morning I tried it, using my cell phone. The result, shown above, was about what I expected. I don’t think I’d recognize the moon for what it is, if I didn’t know it was the moon. I’m not sure that streak of light on the water is actual moonlight; it didn’t have that appearance when I looked at it! In addition, all the light pollution detracts from the view of the moon. To get a really good picture, I’d probably need special light filters; plus a lens that will show the moon’s size. I don’t want to spend the money required for such equipment; so I guess I’ll have to remain a nature photographer wannabe! Relentless Nature 🐊 We’ve sure got relentless Nature. The heat has been intense and persistent; so riding can be pretty hard! I try to start by 7:00 at latest when I want to put in 20 miles. This afternoon there was a lot of cloud cover; and that takes the edge off the heat. There’s a chance of T-storms in the next few days; and I hope they time themselves around my rides! But I for sure won’t be trying to photograph the lightning!     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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Busy Season

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Busy Season 🌀 Today’s Featured Product! 🌟 Suertree Photochromatic Cycling Glasses New!! Amazing Cycling Facts for Kids For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! It’s a busy season for Pacific hurricanes, that’s certain. Their roster has already reached “G”; and I’m glad we’re not in the path of Hurricane Genevieve. I’m glad I don’t have to have a busy season for riding. I can adjust my rides to how I feel; and fuel in accordance with this. Yes, I do need to push myself into some hard efforts one or two rides per week; but I’m not trying to train up for racing! And am I glad I don’t have to worry about making weight! Perceptions 🥹 Were my perceptions off this morning?  I had a headwind on the way out; and it helped to think that I’d have a tailwind on the way back home. For about three miles, I did. But after that, it seemed that the wind kept switching so that it was in my face. When I checked today’s weather history, it showed a West wind; so I guess my perceptions had gone awry. Or was I simply getting tired? The forecast predicts a West wind again tomorrow; and possible T-storms beginning Thursday afternoon. It looks like this pattern will  hold through the weekend. Not fun! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Who Needs a Grill?

BACK ISSUES, equipment, Outdoors /

Who Needs a Grill? 🍳 Today’s Featured Product! 🎆 Kraft Slow-Simmered BBQ    New!! adidas Five Ten Freerider For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Who needs a grill in their personal space now? The heat index this afternoon is 106 degrees; and that’s already more than hot enough! I’d rather be eating pickle ice pops than sizzling meat. It’s gotten so that I’d rather cook with the microwave than turn on the stove; but some things need stovetop use. As for baking in a conventional oven — that’s going to generate far too much heat! Who needs a grill in addition to all that? Broken Record 💿 I sound like a broken record here — ride early! Especially if you don’t have a shady trail to follow! Does the Natchez Trace qualify? It’s gotten so that I use my Camel-Bak for the ride to the salvage store. Even for that short ride, plain water doesn’t seem to suffice when the weather is so hot; and I want electrolyte drink as well as water.  That means I need to use a bottle for the electrolyte drink; and with only two bottle cages, I have to do something else if I’m to bring along enough water! Wednesday night and Thursday, we might have T-storms; and that might cool us off a few degrees. But it will still be hot. 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Three Week Blink

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Three Week Blink 👁️ Today’s Featured Product! 💥 HaoHakka X-Large Duffle   New!! Eurobike X1 For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I just did a three week blink, I think. You know how they say, blink and you’ll miss it? I’ve hardly paid any attention to the Tour de France; and now it’s almost over! While I enjoy looking at the TdF pics, I still haven’t been able to get interested in participating in racing; and it’s more fun to ride without the pressure that comes with racing. Serious racing means a lot of travel, too; and I don’t have the finances for that. I’ll gladly remain a  homebody-type cyclist, even if I do a three week blink now and then! Four Day Broil 🥵 We’ve got a four-day broil coming. The heat index tomorrow and Monday might touch 109 degrees! The hottest part of the Summer is yet to come; and it makes me think, if only a three week blink would let us bypass it! That means more early rides, which is rather hard on me. I’m no longer accustomed to rising at 4:30am! But I want to finish my rides before the heat gets too intense; and if I want to ride 20 miles, it’s better if I get moving by 6:30! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Product Comparison

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors /

Product Comparison ⚖️ Today’s Featured Product! 👍 Kryptonite Incite XR New!! Mongoose Argus Trail For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Let’s get into some product comparison here: wearable fan versus cooling rag. I got to juggle exactly those two choices in recent days. With the prospect of a possible power outage, I charged up the fan. The fan helps to cool me; but I don’t enjoy the sound of it so close to my ears. And of course the fan can run for only so long. The cooling rag doesn’t have to be charged up; and it’s much easier to pack along if I don’t need it right away. It looks like product comparison doesn’t need to go very far! Choose One 1️⃣ I’ll certainly need to choose one for the upcoming days; and no, I don’t mean the protein bars. The long-range forecast shows a lot of heat from tomorrow through next Tuesday; and I’m going to need a way to beat that heat. How did people manage in the days before wearable fans; air conditioning; and cool rags? Not that I need to ask.They built their daily lives around it; and in addition, they were accustomed to it. Thinking about it makes me realize how spoiled I am. I can grab that cool rag any time; and drape it around the back of my neck when I need to go out in the heat. Which reminds me, I wonder how RAGBRAI is going? 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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