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Route 66

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Route 66 🛣️ Cycling Route 66 sounds like a chance to visit an earlier era. Explore the small towns along the way; enjoy great food; visit the many historical sites. Route 66, in fact, has become an icon. It plays a major role in Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. It even comes into the entertainment scene. Thinking of the Steinbeck novel, of course, makes me think of Oklahoma. There’s that famous song; but there are cycling trails, too, for roadies and MTB enthusiasts alike. Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area is for you if steep hills with hairpin turns are up your alley. For a multi-purpose trail suited to all levels of ability, try out the Lake Hefner Trail. This one is heavily trafficked; so use caution. Enjoy seeing wildflowers along the way. If you happen to be an angler, perhaps you’d like to bring along the fishing pole. For urban exploration, there’s the Museum commemorating the tragic 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City. Tulsa offers many cycling routes. The name Tall Chief Cove catches my eye thanks to my interest in ballet; and the ballerina Maria Tallchief. If I were to go on a bicycle tour in the Sooner State, I’d rather go across open country. I love to see wide-open spaces. I’d better choose my tour time carefully; Oklahoma is part of the notorious Tornado Alley. I would also need to pay attention to the precise route.  Oklahoma is said to be the windiest state of all. Some parts of the state are mountainous! And, unfortunately, passing through the flat portions might mean plenty of oil wells. PHEW! But, I might spot a scissor-tailed flycatcher, and there would be other birds as well. Or bison. Or, maybe I could just, well, be a tourist and stick to Route 66. 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Let’s Go Hellenic

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Let’s Go Hellenic 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.” Let’s go Hellenic, and take a bicycle tour around Greece! If you enjoy island-hopping, try out Kos. It’s reputed to be more bicycle-friendly than most parts of Greece. Flatland-lover? How about Thessaly?  Or head to Thrace for some mountain biking. Like touring anywhere, going Hellenic can be either costly or done on a budget. See here for tips. Is Greece safe? As of this writing, travelers to Greece are advised to follow usual safety precautions. Naturally there are places and situations that should be avoided. If you’re a devotee of the Mediterranean diet, you’re in luck while visiting Greece. This way of eating has been around since the 1980s, and was inspired by the traditonal cuisines of Italy and Greece. Lots of legumes, veggies, non-white pasta, olive oil, fish, and grains. I’ll go with lentils and  brown rice, with a bit of cheese on top. The climate of the country is cold and wet during Winter; and hot and dry during the Summer. If you’re on the eastern coast of Greece during July and August, watch out for the maltemi! It can blow at 11-33 mph, which can mean a very tough headwind. For  mythology lovers, how about a tour through Arcadia? Listen closely, and you may hear Pan playing his pipes. Or even just the birds singing. To quote Ogden Nash, “That’s what the shepherds listened to in Arcadia/Before somebody invented the radia.”   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 Sunblock Day January 2, 2024 2024! January 1, 2024 Out with a Bang December 31, 2023 Seven-Up December 30, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Maylasia

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Malaysia 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.” Maylasia for some reason makes me think of steaming jungles. Indeed, the nation’s climate is humid, with average annual rainfall of 98 inches. That makes New Orleans seem arid by comparison! Bicycle touring there sounds like a sweaty business! But Malaysia’s geography is actually quite diverse. There are mountains and coastal plains. Cycling routes are quite diverse, too. Here is an account of a tour of the Cameron Highlands. I like the riders’ laid-back approach; just having a good time riding. It sounds like a beautiful route, and they had fun meeting local people and enjoying local food. There are other bicycle tours in Maylasia. Visit some of the islands. See Buddhist temples, or ride through a rainforest reserve. What about the customs of this country? It would be hard to remember the should’s and should nots that are so different from one’s own. Never point using your forefinger. That’s something that we in the USA do all the time, without thinking about it. Don’t point your feet towards people?  Does that mean you should stand with your feet turned out, as in ballet? Not discussing politics when in abroad is plain common sense. Getting back to the humid climate, be sure you keep hydrated. Bring along a Camel-Bak for water, and bottles for electrolyte drink. Be sure you have the right bike; are you going for road riding or mountain biking? Whichever it is, enjoy the ride in this diverse country. 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 Relearning December 19, 2023 I Traverse Afar? December 18, 2023 I Envy Time December 17, 2023 Holiday Food December 16, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Out to Pasture?

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Out to Pasture? Out to Pasture? 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.” Where do pro cyclists go when they retire from racing? I’m not so sure they’d want to go out to pasture. After so many years of vigorous physical activity, I doubt that they’d want to merely sit around. Maybe to Switzerland? A climbing specialist would probably feel right at home in the Alps. There are also routes suited to beginners and families; so KOM ability isn’t necessary! How about the Bodensee? The path around this lake is well-marked and flat. It’s 166+ miles around; but you don’t have to do the whole thing. You’ll find playgrounds and cafés along the way. The Lakes Route leads from Lake Geneva to Lake Constance; and passes a total of 10 lakes. This route does include some stiff climbing. Use alternate transportation if you legs aren’t up to it (I’ll bet mine aren’t!) Tremola Pass is for the advanced rider. With an elevation gain of almost 7300 feet, it includes cobbles and switchbacks. Want some mountain biking in Switzerland? Head for Zermatt! I, for one, would love to see the Matterhorn “in the rock”, instead of always in pictures. Be sure to take enough layers, as it’s likely to be chilly. Would I like to go out to pasture in Switzerland? I’m not sure. I hear it’s expensive to live there; and it would take quite a while for my lungs to adjust to high altitude. But the country has its share of great cycling routes.    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 Real Saturday January 6, 2024 Roadie Again! January 5, 2024 Pomp and Circumstance January 4, 2024 I Bee’d Lucky January 3, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Far West

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Far West 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.” Far West is what you might say that Guam is. This island territory is as far west as the U.S. gets. Guam has many cycling routes. Hilly or flat, long or short; despite its small size, Guam offers a wide variety. Try the Tour of Guam if you like climbing. Choose your route: 42 km or 105 km (26 and 65.25 miles, respectively). The “figure 8” course takes you through the central and southern parts of the island. Guam also has something for the MTB fan. There’s the Black Jack Loop; although rated as “intermediate”, it looks to me like it’s better avoided when the weather is wet.  How would it be to live on Guam? Like anywhere else, it has its good and bad. It’s quiet there? I would LOVE that! Quiet is hard to find around here. The temperature is warm enough year-round that I might not need a heater. On the downside, Guam is an expensive place to live. It might be more humid than I’m used to; how long will it take a pair of cycling shorts to dry? I might want to keep a poncho handy at all times. Employment can be hard to find. You’ll need plenty of sunblock. And the island is in Typhoon Alley.  It sounds to me like Guam would be a great place to visit: enjoy the cycling trails and the tropical breezes. Enjoy water sports too, if you like. But while I was there in the far west, I’d stay on land! 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 Holiday Food December 16, 2023 Glad I’m Home December 15, 2023 Getting Wild December 14, 2023 Sooner or Later December 13, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Old Faithful?

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Old Faithful? 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.” Old Faithful is a “must see” if you visit Yellowstone.  You can bring your own “old faithful” if you want to bicycle through the park. Road biking season starts once the snow has been cleared from the roads. For a short time in Spring, only non-motorized traffic is allowed on the roads. Repeat in the Fall. Doesn’t that sound marvelous? Enjoy wildlife sightings: coyotes, bison, elk, eagles. Just be sure to give these denizens of the park their space. Maybe wear jingle bells? on your shoes if you want to avoid startling a grizzly bear. Springtime weather in Yellowstone can be fickle, as it can in many places. Wear or carry warm clothing, such as leg warmers. Even after the park’s roads are open to motor traffic, the road cycling can still be pretty good; at least where there are shoulders. You still have to be on guard, of course. (So what else is new?) For a more exciting cycling experience in Yellowstone, try out some mountain biking. Available trails range from easy to intermediate. The Mount Washburn one sounds interesting. Many years ago, we visited Yellowstone. One of the things we did was to take a ranger-guided walk up Mount Washburn to the fire watch tower. We followed a dirt road; I guess what’s called a fire trail. On the way, I kept smelling skunk. Yes, on those road trips of ours we occasionally passed a flattened “stink animal”, as German aptly calls it. I know what skunk smells like. I mentioned several times that I kept smelling skunk. It turned out to be what the ranger told us was skunk flower. I remember it as resembling violets in appearance; but it smelled like skunk! So if you want to see Yellowstone “close up and personal”, dust off your Old Faithful, and bicycle through the park. 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 Quantum Leap December 12, 2023 Afternoon Ride? December 11, 2023 Think Ten Times! December 9, 2023 Going Farther Afield December 8, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Appalachian

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Appalachian Bicycling along the Appalachian trail? Yes, indeed! This trail spans more than 2000 miles, running through fourteen states from Maine to Georgia. This is not an adventure to be undertaken lightly; especially if you’re aiming for more than a single day’s riding. Parts of the AT are quite rugged. Hazardous weather is a possibility; Summer can see strong T-storms; and cold weather can bring snow and ice, making riding much more difficult. Packing for this adventure seems to be quite a challenge. You want the right stuff, but don’t need to be weighed down with things you won’t really need. To begin with, how about the bike? Is a touring bicycle best? If you’re going to spend nights along the trail, will you need a tent? A sleeping bag? Bessport Camping Tent Sun Ridge Sleeping Bag We visited Great Smoky Mountains when I was a kid. I remember them as being quite wet; a waterproof tarp to put under your tent wouldn’t be a bad idea. Neither would a poncho. And a first aid kit … there we go, getting overloaded already! Naturally there’s more than the Appalachian Trail to cycling in North Carolina. These routes range from the easy Neuse River Loop from Mini City, to the expert Roadbike Loop from Brevard. So many trails, and so little time to ride them! 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 Look at the Bear! March 30, 2026 Ahead of the Weather March 29, 2026 Let’s Get Shifty! March 28, 2026 I Hung Ten! March 27, 2026 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Mississippi

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Mississippi 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.” How do you spell “Mississippi”? My mother used to put it: “Capital M-I- Hump-back, Hump-back I; Hump-back, Hump-back I; Crooked-letter, Crooked-letter-I.” However you want to spell it, Mississippi is home to the Natchez Trace. From Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, the Trace is 444 miles of beauty. Roll past farms and creeks; forests and interesting historic sites. For the most part, motor traffic is light. The entire Trace, in fact, is a designated bike route. Then there’s Tanglefoot Trail. Despite its name, don’t go getting tangled up in your bicycle chain! “TT” gives  you 43 miles of riding through farmland and small towns, with numerous opportunities to dismount and explore, or have a picnic lunch. Is the history of the Civil War your thing? Visit the Vicksburg National Military Park. This ride is more challenging than the Tanglefoot Trail; but beautiful. Fans of the paranormal might want to visit Windsor Ruins. These remains of an antebellum plantation house are said by locals to behaunted. It’s a hilly 10 miles to get there, so be sure you’ve got your climbing legs! Now how do you spell “Mississippi”, again? 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 Think Ten Times! December 9, 2023 Going Farther Afield December 8, 2023 Mini-Ride! December 7, 2023 I Still Can’t Ride! December 6, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Road Warrior?

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Road Warrior? 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.” The State of Illinois seems to have “road warrior” built into its name! Not that this means that you have to hammer away all day. Why not take your time, and enjoy yourself? And even use an e-bike? For example, there’s the 46-mile Tunnel Hill State Trail. Along the way you’ll find a variety of scenery, trestle bridges, and even ghost towns. The George Rogers Clark Discovery Trail is comparatively new. About four of its nine miles run through Fort Massac State Park. Here the history buff can enjoy re-enactments and living history. Mountain Bike Trails at Touch of Nature includes paths suited to both the beginning rider; and those who are more advanced. These trails are also open to hikers; runners; and walkers. What do you do when all this easy pedaling gets to be too dull? You might want to shake things up a bit and Ride the Fault Line! This week-long event takes you through parts of four states, including Illinois. Learn about the New Madrid earthquakes. Experience Civil War history, and ride along the Mighty Mississippi. Do your tastes lean toward urban riding? The Windy City has plenty to offer. You can ride along the lakefront. Ride the Major Taylor Trail, commemorating the African-American cyclist who both set world records and broke through racial barriers. If you’re daring enough, there’s the June Naked Bike Ride, meant to promote positive body image as well as cycling. Or, it you like, you can always abandon casual riding paths, and be the road warrior. 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 Think Ten Times! December 9, 2023 Going Farther Afield December 8, 2023 Mini-Ride! December 7, 2023 I Still Can’t Ride! December 6, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Hoosier

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Hoosier 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.” What’s a hoosier? It always sounded to me like someone who makes hosiery! I was wrong about that, but nobody seems to know for sure exactly how the word originated. When I hear “Indiana“, I think of the Bugs Bunny cartoon in which Elmer Fudd gets a robot to try to get rid of “that wascal wabbit” Bugs, who is always getting into his “cawwots”. I don’t know for sure whether either Bugs or Elmer ever rode a bicycle; if so, they could tell me what the cycling is like in the Hoosier State. It sounds like much of it would be nice and flat. There’s a two-day tour through Amish country. At rest stops, you can sample local produce; or enjoy baked goods. I, for one, would love to try shoofly pie! There’s a century ride that follows the shore of Lake Michigan; and which benefits the Visiting Nurse Association. SAG stops provide food and drinks. Bloomington is home of the Little 500, a two-day event that is the cyclist’s parallel to the Indy 500. Participation is restricted to full-time undergraduate students at the University of Indiana. There are separate events for men and women. Tickets are sold for the public. Whether you’re a native Hoosier or not, Indiana has a lot to offer cyclists.

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