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Smorgasbord

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Smorgasbord ? ? ? We cyclists nowadays have quite a smorgasbord of on-bike food available. It’s great to have so many things to try; from cookbook recipes to salvage-store finds. As to the latter, I’ve got to use up my overstock! For some years, my cycling smorgasbord has consisted of various protein/energy bars and GU-Gels. I’ve used Clif Bars; RXBars; and many others. Now, however, I’m getting interested in expanding the menu. At least one video about  RAGBRAI mentioned frijoles and tortillas; and now I’m eager to try it. For the first experiment, I’ll make it only part of my ride food. I don’t really expect it to cause stomach issues; but it’s better to ease into a new food regimen.  I’m also considering fruit pouches. GoGo squeeZ comes in handy, recloseable pouches; and that’s handy when you don’t want to eat an entire serving at once. Taste of RAGBRAI? ? Did I get a taste of RAGBRAI this afternoon? And I don’t mean electrolyte drink. It was at least 2:00 pm when I decided to head out to a bicycle shop — not my usual one, which is within a mile of home. This one is more like 2.5 miles away; and I was riding in the blazing sunshine. The temperature was a relatively cool 75 degrees; and even that felt quite hot. If that was a taste of RAGBRAI, I’ve got a long way to go before I’m ready! Why did I go out on a bicycle at that hour? I’m looking for a pair of light-ish Winter cycling gloves; something lighter than Giro Candela 2.0 Gloves. Last time I was at my usual bike shop, they didn’t have any; and neither did the shop I visited today. I may not need them until Fall; but I figured they might be on sale now. Then I’d have a few bucks to save towards doing RAGBRAI!   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 Smorgasbord April 5, 2024 The Power of Suggestion April 4, 2024 Bare Legs April 3, 2024 Fuel Supply April 2, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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The Power of Suggestion

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

The Power of Suggestion ? Is anyone immune to the power of suggestion? I’m certainly not! Taking refried beans along as ride food never occurred to me; but after watching this video (17:13), I decided that I’ll give it a try. Think outside of the box, they say! I do think, however, that I’ll have to wait for refried beans and tortilla chips until I’m taking a break from pedaling; and I hope I can devise a leak-proof way to package the beans. The packets shown are quite large (15.2 oz each); and my road bike‘s top tube pouch isn’t big enough for one. And how do I transport tortilla chips (or corn chips) so that they don’t get crushed? I hope I can find some power of suggestion that will suggest a solution! Still Lingering ? With thoughts of a future RAGBRAI still lingering in my mind, I’m looking for on-bike fuel besides bars. I’ll need foods that don’t require refrigeration; and preferably in packs small enough that I don’t end up discarding half of the package! Camp cooking on RAGBRAI? Not likely, at least for me; and buying all my food all week might get very costly. Now is the time to try things like refried beans and squeeze-packs of fruit (e.g. applesauce) to be sure they won’t cause GI issues. If I’m considering RAGBRAI 2025, I’ve got plenty of time to work out these things; and to continue training up. Actually, so far, my weekly mileages are keeping pace; but I’m not sure my “hill practice” is! I wouldn’t want to go into RAGBRAI with the thought still lingering: I should’ve trained better! 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 #166521 April 4, 2024 Bare Legs April 3, 2024 Fuel Supply April 2, 2024 How Corny! April 1, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Bare Legs

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Bare Legs ?? Yesterday I thought the season for bare legs had arrived. I thought I could ride from now on without needing to use embrocation cream; or to wear leg warmers. After all, at 7:00 am yesterday the temperature was already 74 degrees! Mother Nature sure can fool you. Last night there was quite a change; and this morning it was some 20 degrees cooler than it was yesterday. On top of that, it was windy; and I decided to ride in the park. I did a rather long ride yesterday; and wanted to go shorter and easier today. But no bare legs! It’s not warm enough for that if the temperature isn’t at least 70 degrees; and if there’s a wind, that makes it colder. Then I have to pull out those leg warmers! Spring? ? So is it Spring? Maybe we can determine that by watching for kids on scooters; but our Spring season is usually fleeting. All too often, we seem to plunge directly  from Winter into miserably hot and humid Summer! I  often wish I lived where there are four distinct seasons. Increasingly long rides should let me enjoy Spring while we have it; and I wish the return to hot weather were more gradual. It would give me a little more time to adjust to it while I push for longer and longer rides.  Tonight it’s going to fall below 50 degrees; so no bare legs tomorrow. That sure doesn’t feel like Spring! 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 Bare Legs April 3, 2024 Fuel Supply April 2, 2024 How Corny! April 1, 2024 Hoppy Ride? March 31, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Fuel Supply

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Fuel Supply ⛽️ What’s your favorite fuel supply for long rides? I like Gatorade Whey Protein Bars; but the catch with them is, the chocolate coating can get very messy! If I can’t lick it all off my fingers, I end up wiping my fingers all over my shorts. A good fuel supply is very important. From what I’ve read, once you attain a certain fitness level, you can pedal pretty much endlessly as long as you’ve got a steady supply of fuel.  What fitness level does that mean; and how do  you know when you’ve reached it? If you’ll be doing a multi-day event, what kind of fuel will you find along the way? RAGBRAI Fuel ? How about RAGBRAI fuel? The videos I’ve watched about the event report on the food along the way. Mr. Pork Chop shows up often in these videos. I don’t know how big those pork chops are; and would that chop sit too heavily in my stomach if I ate the whole thing? Maybe I could take along plastic sandwich bags; and save part of my pork chop for later? If I did that, would the leftovers keep? I don’t need to get food poisoning if they don’t! Of course there’s corn on the cob; Iowa is famous for corn. They talk about all the home-made pie; ice cream; beer (I’ll skip that part!); pancakes; and more! I think I’d do much better eating a bite every 15 minutes than riding for an hour; eating a lot; then starting to ride again. What I’ve read about one-day century rides actually cautions against that! And doing it for seven days straight? I think I’d rather have my RAGBRAI fuel slow and steady. 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 Fuel Supply April 2, 2024 How Corny! April 1, 2024 Hoppy Ride? March 31, 2024 Overstock March 30, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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How Corny!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

How Corny! ? How corny can I get? I ate corn on the cob for breakfast today! For some reason I’ve had a hankering after it; and this morning I rode to the supermarket and got some. But I didn’t get peppercorns! Today I’m trying to take it easy. I think this week I need to pull back a little; or at least omit the force-development work. Everything I’ve read about training says, take every fourth week off from intense work for riders under 40 years of age; and every third week if you’re older. Which, alas, I am.? As a matter of fact, I seem to have overdone something yesterday. My right calf is prone to cramping today; and I’d say it’s time to pull out the foam roller. Not that I did an excessively long ride; jumping up to 50 miles right now is — how corny! Or maybe plain foolish. Bit by Bit ? I’ve just got to take it bit by bit, whether I’m trying to work up to a century; or to get fast. As a matter of fact, I hope that doing some hard efforts once or twice a week (except for “off” weeks, of course) will improve my pace. It would be nice to finish a century in seven hours, instead of almost eight hours! It’s the same with trying to shed extra pounds. Take it bit by bit; and unless it’s medically necessary, don’t throw all your old favorite foods overboard at once. That’s bound to backfire into binges. I know — if I try to cut out all sweets, sooner or later I relapse into devouring all the candy, ice cream, etc. I can get my hands on. Thinking of doing 18-20 miles tomorrow. I hope the wind won’t be too bad; but if it is, I’d better not try to fight it too hard. I’ll get home bit by bit! 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 How Corny! April 1, 2024 Hoppy Ride? March 31, 2024 Overstock March 30, 2024 Good Sprinters? March 29, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Hoppy Ride?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Hoppy Ride? ? A hoppy ride — not! I did, however, see a couple of rabbits; and that’s most suitable, as today is Easter. But I’ve never learned to bunny hop a bicycle; and I don’t think I’d want to try it on this Mongoose Malus Fat Tire bike. At 34+ pounds, that bicycle is quite heavy for me; and it’s also too big for me. Although I didn’t have a hoppy ride, I came up with some interesting numbers. I keep track of distance and time; and this year’s total time on the hybrid reached 36:36:36! Interesting that the readout is three-across-the-board. The road bike is the one with the big numbers: almost 65 hours so far this year. Between the two bikes, I’ve logged over 1000 miles since New Year’s; and I’m looking forward to getting in plenty more miles! It All Adds Up ? Sure, I know. I’m quite low-mileage compared to some other riders; but recreational riders needn’t compare themselves to the pros. I’m quite happy to be able to ride again, after last November’s bunion surgery. Shorter rides aren’t to be sneezed at; it all adds up. It all adds up faster, however, if you happen to be a mileage hog. I’m working up to several rides of about 20 miles during the week, in addition to a long Sunday ride; I need it if I have any idea of doing a century in a few months’ time. I’ve done 100-milers before; so this isn’t uncharted territory for  me. If it’s new to you, a book about long-distance cycling is helpful. Learn about training; nutrition; and so on. Hoppy — I man happy — 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 Hoppy Ride? March 31, 2024 Overstock March 30, 2024 Good Sprinters? March 29, 2024 Gimmie a Break! March 28, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Overstock

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Overstock ? An overstock has crept up on me. The shoebox that I use to hold my energy/protein bars is crammed! Should I use a bar chart to help me keep track of my supplies? I came home from the salvage store this morning with 11-12 assorted bars; and I also still have an overstock of canned goods. It doesn’t help that I brought home a few more cans of stuff today. Maybe I’d better plan a jaunt on the road bike for next Saturday; and skip the salvage store. The NOAA forecast doesn’t reach that far ahead, though; so who knows what the weather might do. Use It Up! ? Since I’ve got that overstock, I must find a way to use it up. That might take quite some time, though! It’s not a good idea to eat nothing but protein bars as long as other foods are available. I remember my century rides, when eating and drinking became tedious; but back then I hadn’t yet met many of the protein bars I use now. But I suspect it might be the same with FitCrunch, RXBars, etcetera. I have an oversupply; but I doubt very much that even RAGBRAI would be a good opportunity to use it up. Protein bars all day, every day, for seven days? I don’t think my gut would take very well to such a regimen. How would I even bring all that stuff along? RAGBRAI gets hot; and can I keep those bars from getting half-melted? The catch is, buying your food as you go along the RAGBRAI route can get expensive! 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 Overstock March 30, 2024 Good Sprinters? March 29, 2024 Gimmie a Break! March 28, 2024 Don’t Cross the Border! March 27, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Good Sprinters?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Good Sprinters? ⏩ If you could put Neanderthals on bicycles, would they make good sprinters? According to this video (at about 15:30), the Neanderthals were probably built more for sprinting than for long-distance walking; and they probably had a higher proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers than modern humans. Since the Neanderthals disappeared many millennia ago, there’s no way we can definitely determine whether, as bicycle racers, they’s have made good sprinters. But it sounds to me rather likely.  A-sprintin’ I Will Go? ?‍? A-sprintin’ I will go? I’m not quite sure of that. Maybe I got short-changed on fast-twitch muscle fibers; or maybe I’m not strong enough yet. But working on short, hard efforts (aka sprints) tires me faster than I like. I quickly feel like my leg muscles are turning wobbly. Today I omitted a-sprintin’ I will go. My head felt much better than it did yesterday; and I rode over 21 miles. But I figured I was better off riding at a steady, moderate pace. It’s not a good idea to push yourself hard if you’re feeling under the weather. Joe Friel mentions this in The Cyclist’s Training Bible; and tells of a rider who developed a coxsackievirus infection of the heart after working out while ill. It can take a long time to recover from coxsackie; so let’s avoid it if we can! 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 Good Sprinters? March 29, 2024 Gimmie a Break! March 28, 2024 Don’t Cross the Border! March 27, 2024 Striking a Balance March 26, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Gimmie a Break!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Gimme a Break! ?   “Gimme a break!” isn’t always about a stop for coffee; even though there’s a strong link between cycling and coffee. I’ve never liked coffee; but I sure enjoy cycling! Not today, though. Although my current goal is to ride 100 miles per week, sometimes I have to say, gimme a break! This morning my head was so stuffy that I decided it wasn’t wise to go for a ride; and certainly not a trek of 19-22 miles. Maybe I’m also simply tired of tussling with headwinds. Even without things like an allergy flare, we all need to back off sometimes. Leave the all-hard-all-the-time mentality for military boot camp. For us recreational cyclists, such an approach is apt to result in exhaustion; burnout; and possible overuse injuries. That’s why we need to allow ample time to train up to big events. Mañana ?️ Okay, so I skipped the ride today (unless I go out at 5 pm!) There’s always mañana; and as we all know, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither is good fitness. It looks like tomorrow won’t be bad for a ride; so I don’t think I’ll suffer from having taken a day off. The century I’m starting to dream about isn’t next week; and I’m certainly not planning to ride the length of Sweden! (It sounds like a terrific adventure, though). And even if did have a 100-miler planned for next week, now is the time for me to taper. Longer rides require electrolyte drink, even in cold weather. Last night, with a 20-mile ride in mind, I fixed a bottle Nuun and put it in the fridge to chill (this stuff tastes better cold). But directions for most electrolyte drinks say, use within 24 hours of preparation; so here I am, sipping on Nuun. For mañana? Maybe Propel. It might help me to, um, propel myself along the path! 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 Gimmie a Break! March 28, 2024 Don’t Cross the Border! March 27, 2024 Striking a Balance March 26, 2024 Superfit March 25, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Don’t Cross the Border!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Don’t Cross the Border! ? Don’t cross the border; the border into Bonkland, I mean. Sure, have a South of the Border lunch before your ride if you like; and in fact, that could help fend off that bonk! Don’t start a ride on empty. I think I approached bonking yesterday. I didn’t get to ride until at least 10:30 am; and for fuel I cut up a Built Bar Puff. I didn’t think I needed to carry a lot for this ride; after all, I had eaten breakfast. And then, just before riding, I ate a yogurt. On the Edge ? All the same, I think I wound up on the edge. I had the Built bar; and ate a GU-Gel at my turnaround point. Next time, I’d better take along more to eat; what I had with me was barely enough. Yesterday I did some 5-minute efforts at pushing the pace to 14 mph or more; and that got tough when the path turned and I had a headwind. I did two of these intervals on the way out; and one or two on the way back. My efforts fizzled during the final minute of the last hard effort; and maybe I was already on the edge by then. Hard efforts like that burn up your fuel faster; and with about three miles left to go, my legs suddenly got an odd, weak feeling. All I’ve read about bonking nudged my mind; and luckily I had one piece of bar left. I knew I’d better eat it, even though I didn’t feel hungry. I’m glad I didn’t cross the border! 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 Striking a Balance March 26, 2024 Superfit March 25, 2024 Bite the Bullet March 24, 2024 Wear Out Your Gears March 23, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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