SpokEasy

SpokEasy

BACK ISSUES

I Bee’d Lucky

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

I Bee’d Lucky 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.” I bee’d lucky yesterday! I had gone outdoors briefly; and wasn’t wearing any kind of head covering. Suddenly something landed on top of my head. I picked it off, expecting it to be a small twig; but it was a honeybee! I’m fortunate it didn’t sting me. Maybe the weather was chilly enough that the bee was sluggish; and slow to react. Between taking my damaged sunglasses to an optical shop; and waiting for my landlady to come by and pick up the rent; I didn’t get out to ride until 3 pm. I guess I bee’d lucky there, too. Chances for rain are increasing; but while I was riding, all the clouds were of the high, thin, white variety. By 10 pm it was raining; and this morning it was still drizzling. So I bee’d less fortunate as far as today’s ride goes! About noon the sun started to come out. I wanted a few groceries??; but didn’t want to ride to the store during the lunch-hour craziness. I waited until about 2 pm. I wore my Hoka shoes; and they’re somewhat of a problem. They’re bigger than my old sneakers; and getting them into my toe clips is awkward. I feel like I’m wearing huge clodhoppers! But my left foot needed the extra toe space prior to surgery.  I hope I’ll soon be riding 10-12 miles a day; still focusing on not pressing down too much with my feet. Maybe even riding to the salvage store Saturday!

I Bee’d Lucky Read More »

Sunblock Day

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Sunblock Day  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.” Today is a sunblock day; or at least, it was. As of 12:15 pm, it seems to be clouding up; and in fact, rain is likely tonight and tomorrow. While I’m talking about sunblock, let’s not forget about lip care. After all, lips are skin, right? Rough, chapped, cracked lips can make eating uncomfortable; and who enjoys that? Worst is when the corners of my mouth get chapped, because they get sawn up when I try to floss my teeth. Ouch. Today I’m late going for a ride. I had to hike over to a local optical shop to see whether they can mend my sunglasses. They’d have to send them somewhere; and it would cost about $80! But I had the case that came with my sunglasses; and of course it has the brand name on it. The shop says, I can send the glasses to the manufacturer; and it will cost only the shipping fee! You can probably guess which course I chose. Until I can get that taken care of, I have some cheap “toy” sunglasses to use. Now I’m waiting for my landlady to come by to pick up the month’s rent; and after that’s taken care of, I hope to get out for a ride. My foot now lets me ride about nine miles; and I hope to be riding farther soon. Maybe even to the salvage store! That’s one of my questions for the podiatrist when I see him day after tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’ll keep focusing on engaging my quads when riding. I think I was using more foot pressure than I realized. Actually, both foot-push and quad-lift are parts of the pedal stroke; but for now quad-lift will be better for me. However I pedal, don’t let me forget that this is a sunblock day.

Sunblock Day Read More »

2024!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

2024! 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.” Happy 2024! I’m glad it wasn’t raining this morning. There were plenty of clouds, though; and there’s still a 30% chance of showers. I decided to ride in the park; and my worries about rowdy, hung-over revelers proved unfounded. Today I focused on using my quads; and this is where toe clips come in handy. They mean you don’t have to push down with your feet quite as much as you do with plain platform pedals. It was about 50 degrees when I went out; and no wind.? My plan was to ride three laps around the park; and then head home. During lap #3, my thighs began to feel tired; and it also felt like the wind was starting to kick up. Which, in fact, it was. Today’s ride was a shade longer than yesterday’s; so I’m making progress. I was glad the sunshine wasn’t all that strong, because yesterday my sunglasses broke! The mini-peg holding the left lens to the nosepiece pulled through the edge of the lens. I’ll ask the nearby optical shop whether they can mend it. I hope so, because these are costly prescription sunglasses! I can hardly believe it’s 2024 already. Seems like 2023 had barely gotten underway. Speaking of New Year’s, I’ve heard of a superstition that you shouldn’t eat chicken on January 1, lest you go backwards all year. You’re supposed to eat pork (or  ham). You see, a chicken scratches backwards when hunting for food; whereas a pig roots forwards! Happy Riding in 2024!

2024! Read More »

Out with a Bang

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Uncategorized /

Out with a Bang 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.” A lot of folks like to send the old year out with a bang. I started hearing firecrackers by 3:20 pm; and it was still broad daylight! Cycling-wise I’m not exactly seeing 2023 out with a bang; but I can steadily increase my distance. Today I rode almost 9 miles; and that’s a big improvement from several weeks ago. Back then I couldn’t do more than two or three miles! I need to get back to my usual distances; my legs are turning to mush. I also need to burn off those holiday goodies! I’m not setting up big plans for 2024; my foot has to be my guide for a while yet. But something that I can plan for right now is improving my diet. While I’m not vegan, I know only too well that my eating habits need correcting! I’m working to curb my intake of sweets, which for me is the hardest part. How about a New Year’s ride? The overnight low temperature will be around 50 degrees; and not much wind. That isn’t bad for riding; but there’s a 40% chance of showers. Play it by ear, I guess. Like, maybe, 12th Street Rag?    

Out with a Bang Read More »

Seven-Up

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Seven-Up? 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.” Seven-Up sounds like a soft drink; or, at least like some electrolyte drinks. Today’s ride, however, had me thinking of seven-up. Or, to be more exact, seven and up. Seven miles, that is. Bit by bit, I can ride farther and farther. My foot still tells me to take it easy; but today I rode just over 7.5 miles. I need much more exercise than I’ve been getting; this morning my legs were telling me that I’m getting very out of condition. But I hope that next weekend I’ll be ready to ride to the salvage store I’ll be going there with some friends tomorrow; they had something else to do this morning. I hope things aren’t too crazy in the store; and the roads had better not be a madhouse! Tomorrow is Silvesterabend, after all; but at least the real madness isn’t likely to be underway at 8:00 am! It looks like New Year’s Day might be wet. What a way to start a year! Needing a raincoat is an aggravation on any ride; but on January 1, an even bigger nuisance than bad weather is debris from fireworks on the bike path! Getting back to seven-up, I wish I could say, seven down. Seven cans down, that is. I still have a long way to go before I’ve pared down my stash of canned goods. But between yesterday and today, I did get rid of four of them!

Seven-Up Read More »

Feeling Sheepish?

BACK ISSUES, Technology /

Feeling Sheepish? 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.” Nobody enjoys feeling sheepish; but I thought of the expression while viewing this YouTube. Watch at about 08:07 minutes. A bicycle-powered sheep-shearing machine! I think it would be great to run, say, my blender using pedal power. But how long must I pedal in order to whip up a smoothie? Have I got the mechanical skills to hook up that blender in the first place? As for powering my laptop that way: I say, forget it. The motion of pedaling makes it difficult or impossible for me to look steadily at a computer screen; book; or whatever. It’s not like glancing at a cyclocomputer every few minutes! I expect that a bike such as a Schwinn GTX is better for such purposes than a road bike. Or is that just my own vague notion? Even when you’ve got the bike for the job, there’s the question of having the space to set up your human-powered appliance(s). I’m feeling sheepish to admit it, but I “rode” indoors this morning. It didn’t get quite as cold as predicted; but it was still cold. I needed to get in some pedaling, even if it was only 16 minutes. I skipped it yesterday, because my foot seemed to get a bit too much the day before. But maybe tomorrow!

Feeling Sheepish? Read More »

Here Comes the Chill

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Here Comes the Chill! 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.” Here comes the chill; and I don’t mean the coolness of a Luna Bar Chocolate Peppermint. Tonight it’s supposed to drop to 37 degrees; the coldest weather of the season so far. That’s not cold enough to cause ice on the mud puddles; but it’s plenty cold for me! Tomorrow’s ride will require careful clothing choices; specifically, layering. When it’s that cold, leg warmers alone don’t keep my limbs warm enough; and I need to wear slacks over  them.  My feet get cold easily; and thermal socks are in order. Plus a pair of socks over thermal socks; so I can tuck the slacks’ legs into them. Riding in the cold is hard enough without having pant cuffs getting snagged in my bike’s drivetrain! I’ll need several layers “up above”, as my torso gets cold even more easily than my legs. Long-sleeved blouse; vest; jacket — I get tired of having all that stuff hanging around home! Heavy gloves and hand warmers are on my clothing list; and of course a helmet liner. I’m absolutely miserable when my head is cold! I’m still doing short, easy rides, thanks to my left foot. Riding easily means I don’t warm myself up as much as I do when I can push harder; but I have to go at it little by little. If I do have a hard day, I usually take off the next day. That’s not the best way to tackle a fitness program, though. In fact, I’m debating whether to go out right now. The chill factor is 45; and tonight will be even colder. Here comes the chill! 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 Here Comes the Chill December 28, 2023 Frumenty December 27, 2023 Twelve Days December 26, 2023 Season’s Greetings! December 25, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Here Comes the Chill Read More »

Frumenty

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Food /

Frumenty 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.” Huh? Frumenty? What  kind of a word is that? It harkens back to Tudor times; and I encountered it while watching a YouTube. In those days, Christmas really was a twelve-day celebration; and this tells a lot about it. Including “fromenty“, as I heard it. I decided to have a go at cooking a batch; using oat bran. Googling “fromenty” brought up “frumenty”; and the recipe is quite simple. Naturally, I’m already thinking up variations: adding raisins and/or chopped nuts; putting brown sugar in it; maybe using evaporated milk instead of almond milk. I bet that would make some rich stuff! Prior to my latest escapade in the kitchen, I went out for a short ride. My foot still won’t let me do as much as I would like; although it does seem to be improving.? Alas, it’s still a bit too tender for my cycling shoes. I’m glad I can wait to ride until afternoon if the weather is bad; or if an early-morning appointment means I can’t ride until afternoon. Come Friday I probably won’t want to be out early; the forecast says that some areas might have — are you ready for this? — FROST! Time to haul out those hand warmers for sure! Or maybe stay home and enjoy a bowlful of frumenty hot out of the cooking pot! 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 Frumenty December 27, 2023 Twelve Days December 26, 2023 Season’s Greetings! December 25, 2023 Buon Natale December 24, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Frumenty Read More »

Twelve Days

BACK ISSUES /

Twelve Days? 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.” Twelve Days of Christmas sounds like fun. Sort of. I’m not sure I’m equal to twelve days straight of feasting and revelry; but unlike the common folks of Tudor times, I have plenty to eat on a regular basis. Ergo I don’t need nearly two weeks of it at Yuletide. But while I was still working, the Xmas break was a good time to get in some extra riding. It was also nice to not have to get up at 4:30 am if I was to be able to ride! Incidentally, I considered doing that this morning to see the full moon; but the forecast said it would be mostly cloudy. The temperature was predicted to be below 50 degrees; and that means thermal socks. They’re rather thick; and I think they’d still be too uncomfortable for my foot. But back to those dozen days of Xmas in Tudor times. What would we think of a boar’s head as a centerpiece? I’m glad I don’t have to prepare it! In fact, I’m glad I don’t have to do food prep the way they did back then. Just adjusting the fire (see about 07:44 minutes) must have been a big job in itself. Frumenty (about 12:29 minutes) sounds interesting; even like something I might be able to make.  Lighting the oven (about 17:14 minutes), Tudor style? I’m re-e-e-ally glad that’s not needed nowadays. How many unfortunate cooks managed to catch their clothing on fire during the process? All that, and we aren’t even to the feasting yet! In those times, such a banquet happened once a year (about 22:44 minutes) for most people; and I can hardly blame them for making the most of it. As for me, all that feasting spells the need for some real exercise — such as a good bicycle ride! 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 #157017 December 26, 2023 Season’s Greetings! December 25, 2023 Buon Natale December 24, 2023 Caught Red-Handed? December 23, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Twelve Days Read More »

Season’s Greetings!

BACK ISSUES /

Season’s Greetings! 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.” Fröhliche Weihnachten! Joyeux Noël! Feliz Navidad! Buon Natale! Wherever you are, however you say it — Have a wonderful Christmas! ? ? ? ❄️ ? 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 Buon Natale December 24, 2023 Caught Red-Handed? December 23, 2023 ¡Feliz Navidad! December 22, 2023 Joyeux Noël! December 21, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Season’s Greetings! Read More »