BACK ISSUES Archives - Page 81 of 295

Striking a Balance

Striking a Balance ? Cycling is about striking a balance in more ways than one; even if you aren’t on a unicycle. There’s striking a balance between riding and the other things in life: family; work; and so on. So many of us don’t have nearly as much time as we would like for riding; and that was the case with me before I retired. Now I can ride nearly two hours a day if I want; and I intend to work towards extending that time in the saddle. For the beginning cyclist, of course there’s getting the hang of balance; and getting used to the fact that it’s easier to stay balanced when you’ve got a bit of speed going! It sounds contradictory; but it’s true. Feast or Famine? ? ?️ As to on-bike fueling, does it matter whether you choose feast or famine? Actually, neither is good. You needn’t stuff yourself with protein bars — or anything else, for that matter — but it’s unwise to go for long rides without eating. This is about striking a balance between eating enough to keep your energy up; but not so much that you start to feel queasy. If you’re doing a long, organized ride, don’t spend too much time at rest stops; and don’t stuff yourself while you’re there! When you start riding again, your stomach is apt to feel like you’ve been eating bricks. Experiment with this during training rides. As I discovered while preparing for my first century, what tastes good early in a ride might not be appealing later on; and prolonged hard effort makes me lose my appetite. But I’ve still got to eat — or bonk! 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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Superfit

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Superfit? ?? You don’t have to be superfit to enjoy cycling. I you did, who would have the gumption to even try? Superfitness isn’t needed even for long, multi-day events. That’s lucky for me, as lifting weights isn’t my thing. And I detest gyms. “Not superfit”, however, doesn’t mean you don’t need to be fit if you want to ride a century; or tackle RAGBRAI. You do. You just don’t need to be of pro tour caliber. Getting Fit ?‍♀️ Getting fit can take time; so don’t wait to start working on it until your event is next week. Over the years, I’ve read many a website and book about century prep; or indeed, just getting started on a bike. If you’ve never sat on a bicycle saddle before, the advice is (naturally) to start slow and easy. Take short rides of a few miles; and gradually increase your distance. What about speed? As I discovered when I was riding the trike, speed takes care of itself up to a certain point; but eventually you’ll plateau. That’s when it’s time to start intensity work; namely, short, hard efforts. Start with 10 seconds if that’s all you can manage; and work up. It’s normal to feel stiff/sore “in the back” when you first start on two wheels; but this discomfort fades away with regular riding. Sore leg muscles in those early days are normal, too; but listen to your body. If something actually hurts, back off for a day or two. The Big One ? How long does it take to get in shape for a 100-miler? It’s rather difficult for me to say. Last year I lost considerable riding time because of medical issues; and it’s only in the past few weeks that I’m getting fit again; that is, back to normal mileage. It’s late March now; can I be ready for a century by early June? Training plans such as this one can help you prepare; but I’m always falling short on the hard-effort rides! You need some high-intensity work to prepare you to fight against headwinds on the day of the big 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 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 #165784 March 25, 2024 Bite the Bullet March 24, 2024 Wear Out Your Gears March 23, 2024 Tardy! March 22, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Bite the Bullet

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Bite the Bullet ? Bite the bullet; not donuts! Although I must say, a donut is much easier to bite than a bullet; and it also tastes much better! I decided that it was time for me to bite the bullet, and start doing longer Sunday rides. If I’m cranking out 19-22 miles several times during the week, I ought to be able to manage a 30-miler on Sundays; and today I went for it. As usual, I took along some ride food; and electrolyte drink. I fell a little short of my 30-mile goal at 29.6 miles; and total time, including breaks, was just under three hours. Overall average speed was 10.59 mph. The wind wasn’t as bad as it was yesterday; but it still slowed me down considerably. It’s a good thing I did that ride today, though; there’s a wind advisory out for tomorrow! Fast Enough? ⏩ At such times, I’m very glad I have a compact crankset. At the time I bought my road bike, I wasn’t even aware of compact vs standard cranksets; but apparently I made a lucky choice. Fine; but is 10.59 mph fast enough for RAGBRAI? At that pace, it would take me nearly seven hours to cover 71 miles; an average day’s distance on RAGBRAI. And that’s pedaling time; it doesn’t take into account stops for food, and the fun stuff along the way. Not to mention the necessary KYBO breaks! Fast enough? If not, I’ve got a lot of training up to do. 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 Bite the Bullet March 24, 2024 Wear Out Your Gears March 23, 2024 Tardy! March 22, 2024 On Strike March 21, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Wear Out Your Gears

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Wear Out Your Gears ⛭ Wear out your gears? Why? Well, somewhere I read that, if the terrain where you live isn’t pancake-flat, you should wear out your gears. If you have hills to deal with, of course you’ll be shifting to easier gears for the climbs; and that does wear them out over time. I certainly thought about gear-wearing during today’s trip to and from the salvage store. I was contending with a wind of 16-18 mph; and gusts were as high as 28 mph. Much of the time, it was either a headwind or a sidewind; and when a gust hit me head-on, I had to shift to an easier gear. I spent a lot of this ride on the smallest chain ring; and using the easiest (aka biggest) cog. Better Tomorrow, I Hope ?? It will be better tomorrow, I hope. According to the forecast, the wind will be much calmer; and I can expect temperatures in the 60s. That’s still cool enough for leg warmers; but I think I can get away with half-fingered gloves. That will make on-bike eating much easier! I haven’t decided exactly what I’ll take along to eat; but I’ve got more thought for wind conditions than food. After today’s tussle with the breeze, it will be better tomorrow, I hope. 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 Wear Out Your Gears March 23, 2024 Tardy! March 22, 2024 On Strike March 21, 2024 RAGBRAI Ready? March 20, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Tardy!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Tardy! ? To be tardy is generally frowned upon. When people are late, I want to them to get fast; all the more as I tend to be an early bird. Today, however, I was tardy about my ride! At 7 am, the hour when I usually go out, it was raining; and there was lightning and thunder. It’s not as though I have to ride very early, or not at all; so I waited. It feels funny to be tardy, though. The sunlight is very different at noon; and fueling is different, too. My stomach has enough of a load that I don’t need to eat as much while riding. Scrambled Brains? ? Switching my ride time sure seemed to result in scrambled brains. I forgot to put on my heart-rate monitor strap; and didn’t realize it until I was about to push off. Then I saw that the heart rate reading was absent from my cyclocomputer screen. I was going to ride, anyway; then saw that I had absent-mindedly put on sneakers instead of my riding shoes. Maybe I was too busy filling up the Camel-Bak and cutting up that Built Bar to think straight! These scrambled brains are a bit worrisome — I’m not going demented, am I? But I had a great ride. On the way home, I had a wonderful tailwind for about 7.5 miles — and even hit 22.33 mph for a 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 Tardy! March 22, 2024 On Strike March 21, 2024 RAGBRAI Ready? March 20, 2024 Nip and Tuck March 19, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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On Strike

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

On Strike? ? Did my hybrid go on strike because I didn’t ride it for a few days? This morning I had a 9:15 doctor’s appointment; and I though I’d ride the hybrid there, then do a few easy laps around the park. This plan was thwarted when I went to pump up the hybrid’s tires; and discovered that the rear tire was thoroughly flat. I know what to do to change a tube; but problems with my hands make the job difficult at best. I had to walk to my apppointment; and when I got back home, I rolled the bike over to the shop. On the way, the tire came off the rim; and the tube somehow got all tangled up in the cassette and derailer! Then the wheel couldn’t roll. Holding up the rear of a bicycle is much harder work than holding the front wheel off the ground; but it was the only way I could keep going. Not the Foal ? It looks like I might not get to compensate for today’s lack of mileage tomorrow. The forecast is stormy again (and not the foal); especially for tonight and tomorrow morning. A fine time my bike picked to go on strike! Incidentally, I still have my little counter-top barometer. I think I’ll leave it be — I’d like to see what it does if a hurricane comes snooping around! 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 On Strike March 21, 2024 RAGBRAI Ready? March 20, 2024 Nip and Tuck March 19, 2024 Winter’s Coming Back! March 18, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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RAGBRAI Ready?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

RAGBRAI Ready? 🥧 Am I RAGBRAI ready? Not at this point! This event is seven days long; and the average daily distance is some 70 miles. Am I equal to that? If my riding so far this week is any indication, I’ve got a “fur piece” to go; both literally and figuratively. RAGBRAI is a Sunday-Saturday week; but I’ve been using the Monday-Sunday format. So, my mileage total this week is 53-54 miles over three days. Stacked against RAGBRAI, that’s not much; and I’m not sure I could be RAGBRAI ready by July. If they aren’t already full now! Dry Line? 🧺 Being RAGBRAI ready isn’t only about developing the muscular endurance required. You’ve got to be prepared for possible rain; and also for the heat! By numerous accounts, Iowa in July is hot and humid. I should be used to heat and humidity; but I’m not accustomed to riding for hours in the heat of afternoon. As for rain, how much can you really tell by the clouds? This morning, there was cloud cover (altocumulus?) for a while; and it had an oddly definite border. I wonder, could that have been a dry line? We aren’t expecting rain before tomorrow evening. Dry line sounds like a place to hang laundry, anyway! 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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Nip and Tuck

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Nip and Tuck ? The final mile of this morning’s ride felt like nip and tuck. There was a freight train rolling along in the same direction that I was traveling! The contest was looking rather unequal, too. Although I was gaining on the train, those locomotives were approaching my crossing too fast for me to catch up; and the train was a long one. I figured I’d have a wait before I could get home. Then, wonder of wonders, the train halted short of the crossing! So it wasn’t so nip and tuck, after all. That was good; the saying is, “If it’s a tie, you lose!” My ears were also spared the blaring of a train’s horn. Shooting the Breeze? ? This morning I felt like shooting the breeze; that is, if there’s any firearm that can bring down the wind! Maybe I was a bit tired after yesterday’s 20 miles; and I did some short, hard efforts this morning: 25 seconds of pushing in a hard gear; then a minute or so of riding easily so I could recover for the next effort. Naturally that made me more tired; and of course the headwind was worst on the way home! I had to resort to the only way I can go about shooting the breeze: riding in the drops! It got cold last night; and “cat ears” plus a helmet liner kept wind noise down. But I made today’s ride rather short; and I’m glad I was able to beat that train, after all! 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 Nip and Tuck March 19, 2024 Winter’s Coming Back! March 18, 2024 Erin Go Bragh! March 17, 2024 Miles in the Bank March 16, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Winter’s Coming Back!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Winter’s Coming Back! ? Winter’s coming back! Can you believe it? After days of un-March-like temperatures, tonight it’s going to drop to 41. I might want hand warmers for tomorrow’s ride! The wind chill could be as low as 34 degrees; with a wind from the NE. That means a headwind on the way home, unless I go ride laps around the park. It’s not 4:30 pm yet; and it’s getting colder already. The wind has be strengthening all afternoon; but it’s not cold enough for a heater to keep working. It is, however, cool enough for me to wish for something to warm me up! Time to haul out the hot chocolate, maybe? Swiss Miss Keurig doesn’t really need a Keurig machine, I’ve found. That means I there’s one less thing to clutter up my kitchen! Simply empty a pod into a mug; add hot water; and stir. Incidentally, would almond milk work for this? How to Dress? ? Now that Winter’s coming back, I’m glad I haven’t packed away my cold-weather gear. It’s true what folks here say: you never know how to dress. One day it’s over 80 degrees; the next, well, down to the low 40s. It might be more bearable if the changes were more gradual; not this crazy see-sawing between cold and hot. I’m glad I got in a 20-miler this morning. The wind was already quite crazy at 7:30 am, and it was difficult to ride a straight line; especially when I needed to ride one-handed. But sometimes I had to; this ride was long enough to require on-bike fuel. Maybe I need a lot more work to strengthen my core. I’ve been quite lazy about off-bike work; and it’s long past high time I got back to it. Meanwhile, how to dress for tomorrow’s ride? 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 Winter’s Coming Back! March 18, 2024 Erin Go Bragh! March 17, 2024 Miles in the Bank March 16, 2024 Undercover March 15, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Erin Go Bragh!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

Erin Go Bragh! ☘️ I’m not Irish; but let’s say, Erin Go Bragh! I know I’m nowhere near ready to paddle around the Emerald Isle; I don’t have — and probably never will have — the arm/upper body strength. But maybe I could pedal all around Ireland! It looks like Ireland is quite chilly. I happen to know that 15º Celcius equals 59º Fahrenheit. This Pearl Izumi Ultra Barrier jacket would be on my packing list! Plus a helmet liner; leg warmers; and, quite likely, hand warmers! They say Erin Go Bragh; but leaving Ireland aside for the moment, today is not favorable for outdoor activities. It’s raining; and the thunder is grumbling. It’s not close; but storms can move fast! Here It Comes ⚡️ Yep; here it comes. The thunder is getting louder. Earlier this morning, I considered donning the poncho and doing a few laps around the park; but my head feels stuffy; and I’m tired anyway. I decided it was better to stay put.I guess it’s a good thing I did. The rain is getting heavier. That makes it harder to see where I’m riding. One of these days, I must try these goggles. For now, I’ll just stay indoors and keep dry! 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 Erin Go Bragh! March 17, 2024 Miles in the Bank March 16, 2024 Undercover March 15, 2024 On Tenterhooks Again! March 14, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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