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Cold Weather Woes

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Cold Weather Woes A polar bear I am not! Cold weather woes are abundant for me. To begin with, I’m not a polar bear. Even this one looks like it might not be too happy about the cold weather! I’m the type who gets cold easily; and the older I get, the more sensitive my head is to cold. I sure do need my helmet liner!   I’ve had wardrobe issues ever since it got cool enough for me to want leg warmers. Last February I weighed at least 20 pounds more than I do now; and my cycling clothes got too stretched out. As a result, the silicone bands now can’t grip well enough. Thus my shorts’ legs slip up as I ride; and the leg warmers‘ top bands slide downwards. I have to stop way too often to pull things back into place; and it’s most annoying. If I’m using the road bike, there’s the added hassle of keeping the bike from falling over while I’m adjusting my clothing. I need four hands! I live in a humid climate. Humidity is notorious for making hot weather seem hotter; and it also makes cold weather seem even colder. Add wind, and you’ve got a penetrating, bone-numbing chill. No amount of clothing seems adequate against it. My heaviest gloves don’t keep my hands warm enough. Double socks don’t keep my feet warm. Even with several layers on them, my arms feel cold. This morning, as of 6 am, it’s 41 degrees; and the chill factor is 35. Humidity, 74%. I’m debating whether to make a trip to the supermarket in about half an hour. On the one hand, if I go now I won’t have to go on Saturday. On the other, I’d freeze out there. Oh, these cold weather woes!

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By Camel-Bak?

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By Camel-Bak? 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.” “This is a paid link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” For me, mention of Arabia conjures up images of endless, sandy desert. In one Bugs Bunny cartoon, Bugs ends up in Arabia (I suppose it’s Arabia) while trying to get to Miami Beach; and I guess I’ve seen it too many times. The UAE has its share of cycling possibilities; check out Dubai! Or, try the Seih Al-Salam. This is a desert trail; so I got that one right, anyway! Other trails are located in parks; and Nad Al Sheba is a converted camel racecourse. It includes several loops of varying lengths, and a children’s course as well. Naturally there’s more to the UAE than Dubai. See here for more ideas. You’ll find Quick Rides, Long Tours, and more! The UAE even has a cycling event especially for women: the Dubai Women’s Cycling Challenge. This event is open to female riders of all abilities, from novices to racing cyclists.  I don’t think want to cycle the UAE in July or August. Temperatures during the Summer can reach well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and that’s too hot for me! Bring on the cooling vest; and don’t forget the sunblock! Winters are warm, with minimum temperatures of 50-57 degrees Fahrenheit. For me, that’s not “warm”; it’s cool enough for cold-weather gear. Bring out the leg warmers; or try some embrocation cream. Arabic is the UAE’s official language, although English is often spoken there. Even so, learning some frequently used expressions in Arabic is helpful. Some of these etiquette tips sound familiar; it’s a small world, isn’t it?    

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Foxy?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors /

Foxy? ? How do “foxy” and cycling come together? I, for one, have never seen a fox while out riding; although I’ve seen coyotes. “Foxy”, however, is the word that comes to mind when I think of Raynaud’s; “renard” being the French word for the animal. I’ve certainly got symptoms of Raynaud’s. My right-hand ring finger is especially susceptible. It can go entirely bloodless; and it can take five minutes for it to return to normal. They say the best thing to do for Raynaud’s is keep your hands and feet warm. That’s not so easy! On a cold day, even the heaviest gloves I own don’t keep my hands warm. Maybe I should ask Santa_Claus to bring me a pair of lobster gloves for Christmas! Incidentally, double socks often aren’t sufficient to keep my feet warm.   Trying to Keep Warm ♨️ I hope my symptoms aren’t indicative of an underlying vascular disorder. I’ve got problems enough already! This also had better not mean I’ll be forced to restrict myself to indoor riding in cold weather. Or move to a place I really can’t afford so I can have central heating. Trying to keep warm applies to indoors as well as outdoors! I thought that wearing my lightweight full-fingered gloves under heavy gloves might help. This morning I decided to try it; and it was another idea that didn’t quite pan out. First I put on the lightweight gloves; then I tried to pull the heavy “wombat” gloves over them. I was able to get the wombat glove onto my right hand, but then said hand was too clumsy to pull the other wombat glove onto my left hand. So I had to give up on the idea. I didn’t make me feel very foxy.  Fortunately there wasn’t a wind this morning, although it was very humid. That helped me to stay a bit warmer — including my hands. 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; and I hope I can provide a bit of inspiration.   Along the way, I got into blogging; presenting my kitchen experiments; and even setting up a store. You can visit my Facebook page here; or check into my Twitter (aka X) page, Cyclo_Pathy. 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 ✍? Facebook Twitter Youtube Take the Cake October 16, 2024 Easy 100? October 15, 2024 Fitness Freak? October 14, 2024 Smog? October 13, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Evening Doldrums?

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I seem to have evening doldrums. After supper, I too often crave sweets. For a minute I thought that a post-work ride would help, even if it\’s only a mile or two. Then I remembered that I get these evening doldrums when I worked away from home all day; and rode my bicycle home afterwards! So what\’s going on here? Do I need more than 1500-2000 calories per day? It seems unlikely, except for those Sundays when I ride upwards of 30 miles. Maybe I need to eat more earlier in the day. I think that would be easier if I could go back to working remotely full time. When I have to go in to work on-site; and don\’t get home from my morning ride until about 6:30; I don\’t have time for a large, leisurely breakfast. That\’s all the more true if I haven\’t prepared a breakfast the evening before. Am I trying to restrict the sweets too much? We all know that trying to be too \”good\” can backfire. It might help if I ate a little more candy than a Hershey Kiss® or two during the day. Being chilly much of the time is no help. I\’ve been far too under-active this week; and lack of physical activity makes appetite regulation harder. Let\’s see whether a ride to the salvage store tomorrow helps! Getting back to sweets, I\’m thankful that I don\’t have Diabetes Type I. The Athlete\’s Guide to Diabetes makes it plain that the practice of athletics with Type I is no easy task. There are too many details to list here, so I\’ll just say that it sounds like a veritable minefield. I\’ve got it easy compared to them.

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One BIKE Open Sleigh?

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One BIKE Open Sleigh? A one bike open sleigh? I’m not sure whether I’d rather be the pedaler or the passenger! Now that it’s Christmas season, perhaps Santa would like to take that idea a step or eight farther; and have a sleigh pulled by eight cyclists instead of eight reindeer. Let me think about that one. How much training do eight cyclists need to be able to work together to pull a sleigh? Or, what about four tandems? Is that better than eight individual riders? The riders can live at home until time to get to the North Pole and hitch up; and after Santa has delivered all the toys and filled up all the stockings, they can go back home. Santa loves his reindeer, I’m sure; but let’s face it: don’t those reindeer have to be stabled; fed; groomed, etc. That’s a lot of work! Bicycles don’t need nearly as much care. The riders are able to provide for themselves; and these days not many of us must provide for eight people. Getting back to cyclists pulling that loaded sleigh: I guess they need a wide range of gears; and some have to be super-low gears. They have to get that sleigh up on the housetop, after all! If it snowed here, that one bike open sleigh would be great for my trips to the salvage store; or for rolling through the snow during my weekly long rides. Jingle Bells, anyone?

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Rampage

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Rampage A rampage is what my sweet tooth has been up to! Tuesday I fell off the wagon rather badly; and yesterday I went overboard BIG time with cookies and candy. I don’t know why this happens. Maybe I’m trying to be too stringent, and that can easily backfire. Possibly my body sensed the dropping barometric pressure — there was a severe T-storm warning during mid-afternoon — and reacted by craving sugar. I didn’t actually feel hungry; but I sure wanted to eat. Why didn’t that wait for today? It’s Thanksgiving, after all! This morning I went out on the hybrid to get a few groceries. The first store I went to is closed today; the second wasn’t open yet, and I didn’t want to stand around for 45 minutes. At the third store, I had better luck. Around 10 am I went out on the road bike. It’s warm enough for shorts today, but very humid; that’s no surprise after yesterday afternoon’s torrential downpour. Even at noon, it was still misty. I’m glad I didn’t have to ride at 5 am. But almost no wind at all! Hooray! Now I’m planning a rampage through the kitchen. That is, after I wash the dishes and pots that are already in the sink! I want to cook more stuff to freeze. What about Thanksgiving Dinner? No sweat. I opened a can of chicken white meat; and I mixed a can of pumpkin puree with sweetened condensed milk and some spices. Easy, crust-free pumpkin “pie”!

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Venezuela

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Venezuela   So, is the place bicycle-friendly? During the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country was facing chronic shortages of fuel; so the citizenry took more to bicycles out of sheer necessity. What about bicycle touring? Check out these possibilities. Among others there are flat, long, and downhill routes. But there’s a catch. It’s one thing that there are possibilities for cycle touring in the country; however, be sure to check out travel advisories before you dust off that passport. As of late September, 2023, things don’t look good. Health-care infrastructure is said to be poor in Venezuela. That alone is a good reason for me to hesitate about traveling there. But if I could go there, what would I see and do? A bicycle tour, of course; but I think it would be fantastic to visit Angel Falls. There are many other things to see and do as well, from zoos to beaches to (yes) shopping malls. I personally don’t care about the shopping malls; but when I visit other cities I enjoy going through the local zoos. It’s a good way to get to see some of the area’s native wildlife. Beaches? I’m ambivalent about the shores. Maybe beach-cruising on a fat-tire bicycle, early in the day? It sounds like fun to make the first tracks in the sand! 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 Holding My Breath Again! January 8, 2024 Bolivia January 7, 2024 Beating the Weather January 7, 2024 Real Saturday January 6, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Just Don’t Chew Gum

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Just Don’t Chew Gum 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.” Singapore has its share of cycling routes. Hop aboard a bike — perhaps a Tommaso Sentiero — and take  off!  Changi Bay Park sounds nice, with beautiful views of the water. I suppose it can get quite windy, though. The Mandai Loop, with its easy climbs, is a good choice for beginning MTB riders. Or try a coast-to-coast ride. Start at Jurong Lake Gardens, and head for Coney Island. Roll through nature reserves and parks. The Kranji Marshes Loop is one for wildlife lovers. This is home to numerous species of dragonflies, birds, and butterflies. Singapore isn’t only about bicycle touring; this small nation offers numerous types of tours. The climate is warm year-round, and rain is possible at any time. Take along a poncho! Try the local food. Seafood is big here, and I wonder what stingray tastes like. Sometimes I think it’s a pity that I’m not a big fan of crabs, shrimp, and so on.   Singapore is also very clean. I would find that a welcome change from my home city, where I see litter; cigarette butts; etc. everywhere I look! Honestly, it’s downright depressing. Whether it’s a cycling; walking; or bus tour, enjoy your time in Singapore — but remember, just don’t chew gum! 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 Joyeux Noël! December 21, 2023 Fröhliche Weihnachten! December 20, 2023 Christmas Past December 20, 2023 Relearning December 19, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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One L or Two?

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One L or Two?   Think again. Llamas have been used as pack animals for many centuries. But apparently they’re poorly suited as riding animals, except perhaps for very small children; and I, for one, am not a very small child. So it’s back to the old touring bicycle. Or, how about riding a mountain bike; and having a llama accompany you, carrying your stuff? As long as you’re not hurtling downhill at 60 mph, a llama should be able to keep up. Do you love a really challenging bike trip? Try Peru’s Great Divide. This six-day route includes over 29,000 feet of climbing; and is mostly unpaved. On a difficulty scale of 1-10, it’s rated 8. If you don’t live at high altitude already, I guess a hypoxic mask is a must while preparing for this adventure; and don’t forget the warm clothing! Naturally the Great Divide isn’t the only two-wheeled adventure to be found in Peru. Many of the routes involve a lot of climbing; but happily for non-climbers, there are some more or less flat routes. Aside from llamas and the Andes, Peru makes me think of Callao; the harbor from which the Kon-Tiki expedition set sail. I think it would be interesting to see that. Back to cycling adventures in the Land of the Llama. Get some cold-weather gear for those high altitudes; insect repellent for lower elevations; and maybe inquire about hiring a lama … llama … one L, or two? 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.”

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Montana

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Montana Montana, aka the Big Sky State, is home to Adventure Cycling! I think it would be fun to stop by their headquarters; pick up some of their route maps; and take off for some, you know, adventures. So many paths to choose from! They’re sprawled all over the map of the USA, with one even extending into Canada. As far as I can remember, I’ve never spoken with anybody who has ridden any of these routes. I certainly have a lot of questions: Why did you choose any one particular route? For “scenic value”? Because you have friends or relatives in a location along the way, and you wanted to visit them? Were there some great national parks to see? Was your preferred route fairly flat; or did you want a trip with a lot of challenging climbs? How much time did you need to allow for your trip? What kind of pace did you use? Casual; or pushing it? Did you need to take along camping equipment? Did you cook your meals every day? Were you able to find fresh foods easily? How about doing laundry along the way? I suspect that certain routes are better tackled at certain times of year. For example, I don’t want to think of taking a cycling tour across an arid region during the hot season! If you want to stay in Montana, there’s Glacier National Park. You can bike on your own; or take a guided tour. Explore other parts of the state; either as a roadie or on a MTB. Whatever you choose to do, may you have smooth roads and plenty of Big Sky overhead.   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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