SpokEasy

SpokEasy

BACK ISSUES

I Still Can’t Ride!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

I Still Can’t 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.” I still can’t ride!? Although I can get my foot into a sneaker now, such a shoe is still too snug; and puts pressure on my scar. Yesterday I hoped I could do a mini-ride on my hybrid today; but I had to give up that hope. Walking with the normal flex-toes gait still is uncomfortable because the swelling isn’t all gone. The podiatrist says it’s OK to walk; but to stop if it hurts. My foot is telling me to take it easy; and I think I’d better listen! But sitting around at home so much is maddening. Oh, to get going on a bicycle again! Start with a short distance that my foot can tolerate. See how things progress from day to day; and if my foot hurts, back off. It will be similar to coming back after an injury; and in effect, that’s exactly what I’m doing. After all, you can call a surgical incision an injury, can’t you? While I’m at home so much, I’m trying to get some cooking done. Nothing like Feed Zone Table, though. Today I made another of my garbage soups; and incorporated leftover chicken from Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I’m running out of food storage boxes! But I still can’t ride, no matter what I do in the kitchen. Worse, lack of exercise is making it hard for me to control my appetite. Time to pull out Ride Your Way Lean, I guess!  

I Still Can’t Ride! Read More »

Unseamed

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Unseamed!  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 finally got unseamed today! The podiatrist took out the sutures from my lapiplasty. The “pod” says everything looks great; and even told me I may try riding a bicycle this afternoon! Unfortunately a regular sneaker still feels a bit too snug; and rubs on the scar. But maybe I’ll try a mini-ride to the drug store tomorrow. “Unseamed”, by the way, reminds me of Shakespeare. I don’t remember which play it is; but one character turns on another, “and unseamed him nave to chops”. For some reason, we kids got a kick out of that line. Once I see how I do with a very short ride, I’ll try going a bit farther. Depending on how well my foot tolerates pedaling, I might be able to ride to the salvage store Saturday! I can hang the panniers on the rack and go! The weather might not be the most conducive; there’s a slight chance of showers. Around here, “slight chance of showers” might mean a heavy downpour! But after all, what have I got a poncho for?   

Unseamed Read More »

A Stitch in Time

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

A Stitch in Time 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 stitch in time may save nine; but now I’m looking forward to getting rid of stitches. Tomorrow I see the podiatrist to get my sutures out; and will I ever be glad when it’s done! Then the question will be, how soon may I ride? A hybrid, such as the Royce Union RMX, will better starting point than my road bike. My foot might remain swollen for a while — normal surgical insult; but very annoying. It might be a while before I can get that foot into a cycling shoe again! How to start back? Slowly; which is hard for me. I’ve always been in a hurry! In fact, the muscles of my left leg need a bit of time to readjust to normal walking. I’ve been shuffling around for nearly two weeks, unable to flex my big toe. As a result, I’m feeling the strain in my calf. Real walking can’t commence too soon, I say. I’m starting (again!) with food logging; and a prediabetes diet. When I’m back at regular riding, I ought to be good to go with my usual ride food. When I am actually doing a long ride! Some of those bars are good enough that I’m tempted to grab one anytime I want it. But most of them are high in carbs; and it’s better to save them for long rides when I need the energy. While I’m waiting for the green light to ride, I ought to set up my sewing machine to do some mending. After all a stitch in time saves nine! 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 Lapiplasty Limp December 3, 2023 We Got It December 2, 2023 All or Nothing December 1, 2023 Another Step Forward November 30, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

A Stitch in Time Read More »

Lapiplasty Limp

BACK ISSUES /

Lapiplasty Limp 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’m still doing the lapiplasty limp; but I hope it can be phased out soon. Today I half-walked/half-limped to the drug store; and the main thing now is not to flex the surgical area. That still hurts! But now I’m walking around indoors without the surgical shoe; and that’s another step forward. Last night I tried on a regular sneaker; and I can get my foot into it now. But it still hurts; so I suppose I have more time before I can ride🙁 Day after tomorrow I get the stitches out; and then we’ll see. When I can ride again, I’ll start with the hybrid. My cycling shoes are going to be too snug for a while; that I know, because they’re tighter-fitting than my sneakers. I’ll probably need a few weeks’ riding to get my legs back into condition, too. I hope I can manage longer Sunday rides by New Year’s. Well, at least 10 miles, anyway. It depends on what my foot can tolerate; but my body needs the exercise! At the VERY least, I hope I’m riding to the salvage store very soon. I miss the raids on the grab-bag bins; and I want to hunt for ride food, too. It will be great when the lapiplasty limp, er, limps off into the past; and I’m back to normal activities! 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 Storms Love Weekends? March 28, 2025 No End? March 27, 2025 Preppie? March 26, 2025 Team RWB March 25, 2025 Load More TRANSLATOR

Lapiplasty Limp Read More »

We Got It

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

We Got 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.” We got it overnight! There was heavy rain; and we had a power outage as well! I woke just before 4 am; heard it raining; and then a loud bang that wasn’t thunder. I flipped the bedroom light switch; and nothing happened. I guess a transformer blew. I’m glad I was’t out there riding! I’m also glad the outage didn’t occur while I was using the blender to whip up a post-ride smoothie! Or trying to cook something on the stove. I grew up with a gas range; and having an electric stove is a distinct disadvantage when the electricity goes out. I couldn’t heat anything for breakfast! I was about to make hot chocolate; and then had to say, no, I can’t; because the stove won’t work. I didn’t know how spoiled I was by having a GAS stove all these years! Even if I could ride, I think I would have skipped the trip to the salvage store this morning. Rain; lightning and thunder; and waiting for the power to come back on. We got it at last; but not until almost 11 am. It’s a good thing the weather wasn’t cold, or I might have been miserable. With electrical power restored, I got to work in the kitchen; although not with the The Feed Zone Cookbook. I’m busy thinking of ways to use up the stash of canned goods that I built up during the pandemic. That’s going to take quite a while! When my foot is restored, I first need to ease into cycling with regular, easy rides; and I hope it isn’t long before I can try some more intense work. But I’m afraid I might not be able to begin for a few more weeks. My foot is still too swollen for a sneaker; so forget cycling shoes! 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 We Got It December 2, 2023 All or Nothing December 1, 2023 Another Step Forward November 30, 2023 The Sound of Music November 29, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

We Got It Read More »

All or Nothing

BACK ISSUES, Food /

All or Nothing 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.” Life sometimes seems like all or nothing. Our weather, for example. For a long time it was exceptionally dry; and now, from 6 pm this evening until 6 am tomorrow, we’ve got a flood watch! I’m glad I don’t have to go anywhere tonight. I’d want a Piscifun Rain Suit, for sure! Especially if I were on a bicycle; I can’t ride one-handed for long enough to make it practical to hold an open umbrella while riding. All or nothing isn’t a wise approach to training. How often I’ve read that all hard, all the time does more harm than good! Sooner or later, your body will say NO MORE, in no uncertain terms. You need to be especially careful when returning to riding after illness or injury. I guess I won’t make it to the salvage store tomorrow. It’s quite likely to be raining; and I still have to keep the surgical site clean and dry. And I might get carried away with stocking up on canned goods; something I don’t need. Besides, the salvage store is big; and I don’t seem to be up to much walking yet. Today I walked/limped to the pastry store a block and a half away; and my toe hurt afterwards. Blocks here aren’t long, either — 15 to a mile, I’ve heard. Speaking of cans, I found a way to use up six of them today. But I still have many to go. Maybe it’s time for all or nothing when it comes to canned food; preferably the former. 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 Lapiplasty Limp December 3, 2023 We Got It December 2, 2023 All or Nothing December 1, 2023 Another Step Forward November 30, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

All or Nothing Read More »

Another Step Forward

BACK ISSUES, Food /

Another Step Forward! 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’m another step forward! Today I had my first post-lapiplasty follow-up; and am finally rid of that bulky surgical dressing. That’s a major relief; and next Tuesday I get the stitches out! I’m not yet ready to get my foot into a Fizik, though. The podiatrist says I may try wearing a regular shoe; but I couldn’t get my foot into my sneaker. I think I needed to unlace the shoe more; and I think the foot is still a little swollen, too. But I may walk as tolerated; and I didn’t really need to be limping around on my heel for the past eight days. I did it because I thought I needed to keep stress off of the sutures as much as possible; and better be safe than sorry. In fact, it’s still uncomfortable to walk normally. I suppose it will be until those stitches are gone. I still have to keep the surgical site clean and dry; and I may be stuck indoors for a day or two. The forecast is full of rain; and in fact we got a light sprinkle already today. The sun came out for a while; and I celebrated my new freedom by getting Mediterranean take-out for lunch. Vegetarian-stuffed grape leaves! YUMMY! When it’s more comfortable for me to be on my feet, I think I’ll haul out The Feed Zone Coobook and try some recipes. Or at least choose some to try later, when I use up what’s already in my fridge and freezer. Some new, healthful recipes would be another step forward in getting my diet back on track!   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 Lapiplasty Limp December 3, 2023 We Got It December 2, 2023 All or Nothing December 1, 2023 Another Step Forward November 30, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Another Step Forward Read More »

The Sound of Music

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

The Sound of Music 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.” Do you love the sound of music? With these Bone Conduction Headphones it’s possible to enjoy listening while cycling; running; or even swimming! If I want music while out on a ride, I think the music in my head. Classical music can be very soft one moment; and very loud the next. Just listen to what happens at about 40 seconds into this! So I would have to constantly adjust the volume; and that’s a bother.  It also is something of a safety hazard, especially if I must ride near traffic. I know that some cyclists ride along with a boom box (or radio, or whatever it is) blaring. I don’t want to be that type; and so far, long rides without such accompaniment don’t bore me. But if I don’t ride to the sound of music, what do I ride with? If I’m doing any kind of work for improving strength or speed, I have to concentrate on the timing. My Garmin lets me time these intervals accurately; but I still have to focus on when to start the next hard effort. I don’t keep my eyes glued to the screen, of course — that would be asking for trouble! If I want the sound of music during indoor activities, e.g. cooking, these Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II could come in handy. They need to be used within 30 feet of the connected device; so they wouldn’t suffice for a long ride. Speaking of music, my ears are getting up an appetite for some Saint-Saëns! 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 Like a Gnat November 28, 2023 Cycle Morocco November 27, 2023 Boa? November 26, 2023 Food Coma November 25, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

The Sound of Music Read More »

Like a Gnat

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Like a Gnat! 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.” Thoughts of RAGBRAI keep buzzing in my head like a gnat. Or swarming about like ants whose hill has been kicked over.  Could I ever get ready for this week-long, long-distance event? It sounds like a lot of fun; but let’s face it, at present I’m not in condition to ride an average of 60 miles a day, every day, for a week. I won’t be able to start cycling again for at least two weeks; and after several weeks’ hiatus, it isn’t wise for an amateur like me to plunge into 60-mile jaunts. If I do get the chance to tackle RAGBRAI, do I need a touring bicycle, such as the Windsor Tourist FB? Or will my trusty old road bike do? If any portions of the route are over gravel, can narrow road-bike tires manage the surface? I have zero experience riding gravel; and on a long tour far from home is no time to discover that I can’t do it! As to far from home, how will I get from New Orleans to Iowa? I’m a non-driver; and would need to find another RAGBRAI participant to share transportation. Or go by air; and those travel cases for bikes are not cheap! The more I think about this, the more things I think of; so it’s no wonder the entire idea is like a gnat. It won’t stop buzzing!   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 Like a Gnat November 28, 2023 Cycle Morocco November 27, 2023 Boa? November 26, 2023 Food Coma November 25, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Like a Gnat Read More »

Cycle Morocco

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Cycle Morocco To cycle Morocco sure would be something different! If you like great diversity within a bicycle tour, this tour of the  African nation includes sea coast; snowy mountain peaks; and more! You’ll start and finish in the capital city of Marrakech; and during the 14-day trek you’ll pass through several cities, including Tangier and Fes. Cool off in the Atlas Mountains; and feel the heat in the Sahara Desert. As of June 2026, Morocco carries a Level 2 travel advisory. I take it that means it’s OK to go there; but be extra careful. Oh, and if you undertake this tour, you’ll be supporting Education for All. Which bike is best for this cycle Morocco tour? That depends on your fitness level; and there are some long climbs. You can opt for an e-bike; and a support vehicle is available.  How to dress? Summers can get very hot; and Winters can be quite chilly. Depending on the season, you might need a jacket and leg warmers; or sun sleeves and leg sleeves. And, of course, lots of sunblock! 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

Cycle Morocco Read More »