SpokEasy

SpokEasy

BACK ISSUES

Why Get Faster?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Why Get Faster? ⏩ Why get faster? That question may well have as many answers as there are people who ride bicycles! Maybe you commute to work by bike; and want to spend less time doing it. Or you want to get your errands done faster. Perhaps you’re an aspiring bicycle racer! I want to get faster partly for the heck of it; and partly because I’m doing longer and longer rides. I don’t remember where I read this; but as you increase your distance, riding will eat up more and more of your day unless you improve your pace. And no matter how much we love to ride, we have other things that we must do. The Why and Wherefore ?️ The why and wherefore of increasing my pace is, my interest in long-distance rides. This interest goes back many years; and it doesn’t seem to be waning. With thoughts of RAGBRAI nudging at my brain, I’ve watched many a YouTube about the event. It isn’t a race; but some riders do take it fast. One video showed the rider’s handlebar cyclecomputer; and it read 21+ mph! If I do RAGBRAI, I don’t think I’d want to take it as fast as that. They say, don’t miss things along the way, from scrumptious food to chatting with the local folks. All the same, I’d want to maintain a decent pace. In fact, if I’m able to ride faster, I’ll get to stop-over towns sooner; and be able to spend a little more time taking a breather. I could enjoy some ice cream, and munch on some corn. And, naturally, eat some pie! So why get faster? Looks like there are some good reasons! 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 Why Get Faster? April 15, 2024 Big Five-Oh April 14, 2024 I Feel Stuffed! April 13, 2024 Reconnaissance April 12, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Why Get Faster? Read More »

Big Five-Oh

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Big Five-Oh ? Today was Big Five-Oh day; and I don’t mean birthday #50. I rode fifty miles! It’s the longest ride I’ve done since before my hand surgery last year; and it sure felt good to ride way out there again. My average speed was half a hair’s breadth over 11 mph; and once, while passing a slower rider, I hit nearly 19.5 mph for a second. My average speed still needs improvement; but today’s performance wasn’t too bad. I started out in leg warmers; a helmet liner; and a jacket. About halfway through, I needed to remove the leg warmers and the helmet liner. Before the end, I wished I could pull off the jacket, too; but my Camel-Bak’s pockets were already stuffed. Intensity ? If you want to get fast, how do you go about it? The book shown at left is packed full of advice. But to put it simply, you’ve got to ride fast! After today’s half-century, I think it’s wise that I do an easy ride tomorrow; and the next day, I want to pedal over to the farmer’s market. After that, though, I can start to add more intensity to my weekly riding schedule. OK, so what’s intensity? For me, it can mean working to ride faster than is comfortable, no matter what gear I’m using. Or, I’ll work to increase my cadence while in a hard gear. I don’t do this exercise for prolonged periods; but maybe it’s time to start trying for 40 seconds, instead of 10-30. Maybe bicycle racers in training do this for mile after mile; but I’m not trying to make a racer of myself. Approach this with caution, though, I’d say. If you have knee problems, consult a health professional first. Mashing too hard a gear puts a lot of strain on those knees! 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 Big Five-Oh April 14, 2024 I Feel Stuffed! April 13, 2024 Reconnaissance April 12, 2024 Getting Shortchanged April 11, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Big Five-Oh Read More »

I Feel Stuffed!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

I Feel Stuffed! 🥙🌭🍧 I feel stuffed when I view YouTubes about RAGBRAI, and they talk about all the can’t-miss-it foods along the route. Sweet corn dipped in melted butter. Huge pork chops. Ice cream; and pie, pie, and more pie! (I keep saying, maybe that ride ought to be called RAGpie!) To be sure, cyclists need ample food during long rides; but we have to find a way to eat enough, yet not overdo it. An overloaded belly can make a ride miserable. When you’re pedaling, your body’s circulation sends your blood to your legs; and that means less blood to work at digestion. The more intensely you ride, the more true that is. Many a video about RAGBRAI tells of the hills; and that means some intense riding. Or, it sure would for me! For years, I’ve practiced on-bike eating when I do rides over 15 miles; and with the rolling hills of Iowa in mind, maybe it’s time to start working at eating a little more. But here’s the catch: I don’t want to eat so much that I gain weight! I feel stuffed thinking about it. Time for a 50 ½ I think it’s time for a fifty-miler; that is to say a 1/2 century. Today would have been a great time for it, as the wind is calm. Unfortunately I was a bit tired this morning; and anyway I was planning to do the ride tomorrow. So, what shall I take along as ride food? I still haven’t gotten around to trying to make rice cakes; and I’m getting rather tired of energy/protein bars. I’m going to try some Clif Bloks; but for the rest of it, I’m stuck with those bars! 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 Pushing Gears May 4, 2026 Oil on the Winds? May 2, 2026 M’aider? May 1, 2026 Beat the Rain April 30, 2026 Load More TRANSLATOR

I Feel Stuffed! Read More »

Reconnaissance

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Reconnaissance ? It’s time to start some reconnaissance! If I want to do a 100-miler, I need to find out where I can stop for a restroom break; and buy more snacks if I need them. There’s that pocket park about 15 miles from here; but I need more potential pit stops. So this morning I made my hybrid a spy bike! Along my route, there are places where neighborhood streets dead-end at the levee; and at one of them I rolled my bike down to street level. Less than half a mile away, there’s a filling station. It’s annoying to have to go out of my way like that; but what else can I do? By late May/early June, it will be too hot for me to take it easy with liquid intake. A little reconnaissance now might pay off big time in a couple of months! Half Measures ? Maybe it’s time for  some half measures, too. I don’t think I’m ready for a full century yet; but I might be able to knock out 50 miles in a day. My weekly long ride is up to 25-30 miles; and they say a cyclist can manage a one-day distance equal to twice the longest ride in a week. The long-range forecast doesn’t look bad; but I’m watching for a day when the wind won’t be too strong. How tired I get of wind! Naturally I have to plan what food to take with me; and no half measures with hydration! Even when the temperature is still in the 60s, I notice how quickly I can start to feel parched; and dehydration is no joke. A cooling beanie sounds like a good idea, too; but first I think I’ll see how my lightweight helmet liner works. I’ve got it; so why not use 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 Reconnaissance April 12, 2024 Getting Shortchanged April 11, 2024 Paraphrase April 10, 2024 Hotheaded April 9, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Reconnaissance Read More »

Getting Shortchanged

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Getting Shortchanged? ? Am I getting shortchanged? It feels like it when I have to replace a pair of cycling shorts. After all, they aren’t cheap; but at the same time, I must admit that they’re worth it. With their built-in padding, cycling shorts are much more comfortable than regular shorts for anything more than a very short ride. That’s especially true if those regular shorts have a zipper up the front; I don’t have to say why! Cycling shorts also help support your leg muscles; and they typically have silicone grippers around the bottoms of the legs. Those grippers help keep your shorts’ legs from sliding upwards as you ride. Over time, however, those grippers stop gripping; and the fabric of the shorts gets overly stretched out. Then it’s time for a new pair. Then there are days when I feel like I’ve getting shortchanged on my mileage. That’s frustrating when you’re trying to work up to a big ride! Am I Merely Lazy? ? Sometimes I wonder, am I merely lazy? Do I just want to stay in the sack all day? I especially think about that on days when I cut my intended mileage, for whatever reason. This morning I had a strong wind — on the way out, for a change! — and I planned to ride 10 miles or so before turning for home. As I approached the 9.5-mile point, the wind suddenly seemed to get much stronger; and I decided to turn around and head for home. It was glorious having a strong tailwind; and for a while I was doing 17+ mph. On the way out, I averaged only about 9.9 mph; quite pokey. On the other hand, the wind was as as strong as 21 mph. Time was when that would have slowed me to a plodding 6 mph! Today I didn’t feel like working hard agains the wind; even though that’s a good way to improve strength; and to get fast. It’s also good as simulated climbing; and I need that.  So was I tierd? Or am I merely lazy? 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 Paraphrase April 10, 2024 Hotheaded April 9, 2024 Shady Dealings Again April 8, 2024 Blockage April 7, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Getting Shortchanged Read More »

Paraphrase

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Paraphrase ?️ 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.” To paraphrase the Bard, To ride, or not to ride? The weather is nasty this morning, to be sure. At around 7:30 am, my cell phone chimed with a flash flood warning. We’ve also got a wind advisory and a tornado?️ watch! Shortly after 8:00 am, I began to hear thunder. It was already raining; and the rain was getting heavier. Not the best circumstances for going out on a bike; so I’m glad I don’t have to go anywhere. Or think up a paraphrase when I forget my lines! Safe Places ? Speaking of tornadoes and flash floods, I hope we all have safe places. Even if I can’t do an indoor ride, I can keep dry; and I don’t have to worry about getting struck by lightning.  A big problem with “riding” in the trainer is, I can’t use my hybrid. It has bigger tires than the old one did; and every time I’ve tried to hook it into the trainer, I’ve knocked the wheel off the bike! I actually prefer a hybrid for riding in the trainer, because it has a handlebar-mounted bottle cage; and I don’t need to reach past my pedaling leg for the water bottle.  What if you’re out for a ride, and miles from home, when weather like this catches up to you? It can be hard to find safe places then, depending on your habitual route. I feel like all I can do is keep going; and hope for the best. 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 #167093 April 10, 2024 Hotheaded April 9, 2024 Shady Dealings Again April 8, 2024 Blockage April 7, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Paraphrase Read More »

Hotheaded

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Hotheaded ? I got a little hotheaded this morning — literally! When I began my ride, the temperature was in the low 70s; and for me that’s a bit too cool not to use a helmet liner. Well, I have two such liners; one heavyish, and the other one lighter weight. I wanted the lighter skull cap; and couldn’t find it. I didn’t want to delay my ride; so I wore the heavyish liner. Of course I got rather hotheaded; and leg warmers were a bit too warm before I got back home. I wore them because I thought the wind would make me too chilly otherwise. Speaking of wind, I thought the forecast indicated a wind advisory from 10:00 am today; and actually it’s for tomorrow! Pushing It ? I spent some time pushing it today, too. If you want go get fast, you have to work at going fast! It’s not easy, of course. This morning I watched my Garmin’s screen to see how fast I was going; then I worked at pushing for a few mph faster than that. Not for long at a time; only 30-60 seconds. I can lengthen these efforts as time goes on. It really gets my heart rate up; and in fact you need to get into your maximum heart rate range sometimes. Especially if you want to prepare for climbing, and live in pancake-flat territory. As to speed, it doesn’t hurt to get a few mph faster than your desired event pace. You can always slow down once the big ride begins! Another thing I did today was extend my ride by a mile or two. That’s vital if you’ve got, say, RAGBRAI in mind. Many videos that I’ve watched about this event have riders saying their b***s hurt. The more you’re used to riding, the less of a problem that is. So I’ll keep on pushing 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 Elementor #166992 April 9, 2024 Shady Dealings Again April 8, 2024 Blockage April 7, 2024 Be Adaptable April 6, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Hotheaded Read More »

Shady Dealings Again

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Shady Dealings Again ▓ We’re getting shady dealings again today. I fact, a double dose! First, there’s the eclipse. We’re outside of the path of totality where I live; but they predicted an 82% coverage. But second, it’s overcast; and that does away with any chances of observing the eclipse. Thus we’ve gotten double shady dealings! In fact, we could have T-storms — yes, shady dealings again — but it looks like we’re luckier than some folks. In addition to missing the eclipse, they’re at risk for severe weather. What a day for storms to come through! ? Speaking of Storms ⛈️ Speaking of storms, what’s your coping strategy? Sometimes I think a rain coat would be better than my ancient poncho. The snaps at the sides, meant to keep said poncho from flapping like crazy, long since pulled away from the material. I have to wear my reflective vest over the poncho to keep it halfway in place.  If it’s storming when you have a ride planned, do you ride; or stay in? Here, multiple factors come into play. Is it just raining; or is there lightning? What are the wind conditions? Is there a risk for severe weather? Could you get to shelter quickly if necessary? Are you training up for a major event, such as RAGBRAI? Would skipping a ride upset your training program? If going for a ride outdoors isn’t possible, can you ride inside? At the same time, we need to learn how to cope with riding in the rain! 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 Shady Dealings Again April 8, 2024 Blockage April 7, 2024 Be Adaptable April 6, 2024 Smorgasbord April 5, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Shady Dealings Again Read More »

Blockage

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Blockage ? Who wants a blockage in the bike path? Doesn’t it drive you crazy? It’s enough to make a body resort to virtual rides! I was out riding this morning; and the bike path was closed a couple of miles short of my intended turnaround point. Goodness knows, that’s not as catastrophic as a blockage in the coronary arteries; but it did mean that I had to turn around early; and I couldn’t make the planned pit stop.  As a result, I don’t think I hydrated quite enough. The wind was a problem, too; and I even caught myself thinking: Do I really want to fight headwinds for hours a day, for seven days straight? I might get that if I did RAGBRAI! New Ride Food ?? I tried my new ride food today: Isadora Vegetarian Refried Beans. I didn’t take an entire pouch; that would have been too large and bulky. Instead, I put a serving’s worth into a snack bag; and put that into a larger plastic bag in case of leakage. I also took along half a large wheat-flour tortilla and a plastic spoon. It made a tasty enough snack; but even with a spoon to use, it was rather messy. Refried beans seem to dry my throat, which didn’t help my hydration problem; and with the uncertainty of being able to find a restroom, I didn’t dare drink as much as I really needed. I have a similar problem with pretzels; and it’s actually a long time since I last used them as ride fuel. Maybe I’ll think up a way to make “refritos” moister next time. I don’t have any knee warmers; so I used full-length leg warmers. But my knee felt all right today.? 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 Blockage April 7, 2024 Be Adaptable April 6, 2024 Smorgasbord April 5, 2024 The Power of Suggestion April 4, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Blockage Read More »

Be Adaptable

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Be Adaptable ? We cyclists learn to be adaptable, whether it’s figuring out how to transport a child by bicycle; or adjusting our clothing for capricious weather. We also have to be adaptable when it comes to each ride. This morning my left knee was twinging on the outside edge whenever I rode over a rise in the path. I have no idea what the cause was; but going to and from the salvage store, I needed to stay on the small ring most of the time. I also omitted the usual climb up the vehicular access road to the top of the levee during the ride home!  The knee felt better after four miles of easy riding; but I figured it was wise to keep on taking it easy. These things just happen; and aren’t always anything to be concerned about. It’s part of being a cyclist; and it’s likely to fade away in another day or two. If it doesn’t, of course I can consult the doctor! But What If… ? But what if something like that crops up during a multi-day event? I guess you could pack along some Voltaren Gel, or something similar; just in case. This is why training up is important; it’s not just getting ready for the miles. You need to be adaptable to varying terrain; and unaccustomed climbing can be hard on the knees. Not to mention that it’s tough on your quads! Guess why I’m doing on-bike exercises that simulate hills? Even if I wait until next year to shoot for RAGBRAI, it’s not too early to start training! 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 #166745 April 6, 2024 Smorgasbord April 5, 2024 The Power of Suggestion April 4, 2024 Bare Legs April 3, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

Be Adaptable Read More »