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Algeria

Algeria Algeria makes me think first and foremost of Rossini. But how about bicycle touring there? If you stay near the coast, roads can be hilly; but not especially hard to manage. Traffic can be heavy near the capital city of Algiers. Want mountain biking? You can tour the Atlas Mountains by bicycle. This mountain range crosses Morocco and Tunisia as well as Algeria; and it sounds like you can expect some stiff climbing! If you’d like to see something of the Sahara, there’s a loop through Ghardaia, Ouargla, Touggourt and Biskra. It isn’t the easiest route; but it’s doable. Actually riding into the Sahara is serious business; and potentially life-threatening. Better to rove the desert in a four-wheel drive; or on camelback. No, I don’t mean the hydration system! Even a full Camel-Bak won’t get you very far in that place. Be sure to take an ample supply of food and water, whatever your transportation method. See here for more info about bicycle touring in this African country. Tours are on offer in all regions in the continent; primarily self-contained small groups. The people of Algeria are generally quite welcoming; honest; and helpful. However, this country is morally conservative; and women on bicycles need to be especially cautious, even in groups. And of course, check up on travel advisories before heading there. Me? I think I’ll stick with that Rossini overture! 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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Nice Change

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors / CAL

It was a nice change to have a tailwind on the way home during my weekly long ride. I still wasn’t fast; I did very little of pushing the pace. But I did, however, hit a max speed of over 22 mph when passing another cyclist! For once, I didn’t get home exhausted. The general weather today is also a nice change. It was in the low 70s when I started out, and about 80 when I got back home. That’s a welcome relief from the conditions of just a few weeks ago. Then, it was usually at least 80 degrees at 5 am! This morning it was cool enough for arm warmers. Unfortunately they kept slipping down, leaving a gap between arm warmers and the edges of my sleeves. I fear I’ll have pink bands around my biceps! That will look weird, won’t it? Today I tried two new foods: the RXBar Banana Chocolate Walnut; and the RXBar Coconut Chocolate. The Coconut Chocolate is better, I think. I also took along a Clif Bar; but I’m going to phase them out. Now that I have pre-diabetes and must watch carbs, I’m paying more attention to ingredient lists and the carbohydrate content of what I eat. Several days ago, I checked the ingredient lists for several flavors of Clif Bar. Every one shows brown rice syrup first! Clif Bars are also low in protein. The nutritionist says, look for at least 12 grams of protein in any bar that I want to use as ride food; and she says that RXBars are a good choice. Oh, and I almost forgot: I saw three roseate spoonbills in flight! Such sights make even the most grueling ride worth the effort.

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Myanmar

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Myanmar You can get a break from all the high-tech gadgets that surround us all the time; and which most of us (including me, I’ll confess) take for granted. It’s refreshing to read about children who can have fun without electronic toys and games; and about a people who are poor, yet kind and generous. Myanmar’s annual rainfall is about 98 inches. That makes New Orleans look downright arid! If cycle touring in the rain isn’t for you, try to avoid the months of May through October. Average annual temperatures hang between 72 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. If you feel the cold easily, a lightweight jacket might be wise for those low-70s days. The wildlife lover will find many species in Myanmar. Parrots and other birds; deer; tigers and leopards. I, for one, will be happy to steer clear of the reptiles. Turtles, OK; pythons and cobras, no, thank you very much. Myanmar is primarily Buddhist, and there are many temples to visit. Be sure to keep shoulders and knees covered should you visit a temple; and don’t forget to remove your shoes before entering. Unfortunately, as of September, 2023, Myanmar is under a Level 4 travel advisory; aka Do Not Go There. What a pity; Burma sounds like a beautiful place! 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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The Northern Plains

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

The Northern Plains Let’s head for the Northern Plains! Sparely populated North Dakota, aka the Peace Garden State, seems to have ample room for cyclists. The state maintains a number of trails; both off-road and paved. Mongoose Malus Fat Tire MTB Is mountain biking your thing? MTB trails vary widely in length. The Hillman Trail in Icelandic State Park is three-quarters of a mile long; the Maah Daah Hey trail system totals 144 miles. Each of the MDH’s nine segments has its own unique character. It looks to me like MDH would make a complete vacation; take a day or two to explore each part. The trail system includes eleven campgrounds. Maybe pack along a tent, and stay on the trail until you’ve ridden all of it? Tommaso Sentiero For we roadies who prefer to ride on paved surfaces, there are four parks offering such trails. All are short, ranging from 2.1 miles to 13 miles. Missouri Valley Millennium Legacy Trail leads to interesting historical, cultural, and recreational points along the Missouri River. I think I’d enjoy that one. It would be great to have a look at the USA’s longest river. The Cavlandic Trail is 13 miles out-and-back. It connects the city of Cavalier to Icelandic State Park. Perhaps you could enjoy the park, then pedal to Cavalier for dinner? North Dakota has some of the most varied weather in the United States. June through August is the best time for outdoor activities. Winters can get very cold; well below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Too cold for me! On second thought, I think I might do well to avoid the Northern Plains. 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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Lei’d Back Riding?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Lei’d Back Riding? Want some lei’d back riding? How about heading for the Aloha State? Yes, there are mountain bike tours; but as far as I’m concerned, lei’d back riding means — as usual — flat ground. It looks as if not all road bike tours in Hawaii are on flat ground, though. Here’s where an ebike might come in handy! The Kona Coffee Tours are great for the lover of “joe”. The Hawiian Vanilla Co. tour might be for you if you love vanilla. If you want to mix it up a bit, there’s the Big Island Multi-Adventure Tour. In addition to cycling, you can paddle a kayak or an outrigger canoe; and you can go snorkeling or hiking. Hawaii has its share of mountainous areas; including, of course, volcanoes. The Multi-Adventure tour includes a view of Kilauea. The volcano erupted as recently as 2024; but I hadn’t known that the lava flows had buried the black sand beach. If you don’t already live in Hawaii, of course there’s the problem of getting there; and transporting your bicycle if you prefer not to rent one. There are cases that allow you to put your bike in an airliner’s luggage hold. These reduce the chances that your bicycle will get damaged in transit. If I visited Hawaii, what would I want to see and do, aside from challenging my legs with some of those cycling tours? Visit Diamond Head, Oahu, maybe. Learn how to dance the hula? Or even learn how to make poi! Whatever you do in Hawaii, have a good, old, lei’d back 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.” 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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Justin Morgan?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Justin Morgan? Justin Morgan Had a Horse is another of the books I enjoyed as a kid. Justin Morgan was a real person, and his horse became the founder of the Morgan breed. He lived in Vermont; so if we go riding there, maybe we can follow in his tracks. Or should I say, hoof prints? As Vermont is the Green Mountain State, I naturally think of it as being all mountainous. I imagine one steep, grueling climb after another; with summits at altitudes that have me gasping for breath. Vermont, then, sounds like a great place for mountain biking. Whether by MTB or road bike, I often wish I could visit the state in Fall, and see that famous Autumn foliage. There are various state parks to explore; and I sure would want to ship home a supply of maple syrup! For the roadie, Vermont offers various inn-to-inn tours that let you explore the lower Champlain Valley by bicycle. Ride over rolling hills, and visit the small villages. Luggage is transported, but otherwise these tours are self-guided. If you include Lake Champlain on your route, you might even see Champy! For the MTB enthusiast, there are inn-to-inn tours in the Green Mountains. Test your mettle! Ride over a variety of unpaved surfaces. Most of these trails are beginner to intermediate in difficulty. Even so, I suspect that I’d soon learn that I’m made of aluminum foil; not titanium. Whoa, there! All those trails followed, and we still haven’t seen Justin Morgan? There are horseback trails in Vermont, too. Saddle up and trot away! 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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Remember the Maine?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Remember the Maine? “Remember the Maine!” was a rallying cry during the Spanish-American war. We don’t have to remember the Maine while on a bicycle tour; but if we’re going to explore New England on two wheels, why not begin in Maine? It’s as good a starting point as anywhere else in New England, right? There are many trails to explore! You can start with the St. John River Valley, with distance options from 25 to 100 miles.You’ll get some terrific views of the St. John River and Long Lake. There’s Cycling Acadia; in a national park on Mount Desert Island. Six routes are available; and there are a number of inns and wonderful restaurants. Then there’s the East Coast Greenway, if you’re feeling really ambitious. This route of 2600 miles reaches from Calais, Maine, to Key West, Florida! Maine in the Summer is warm, and can be humid. Winters are long and cold; and likely to bring plenty of snow. Sounds good if you like to ski! 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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Spice up the Peloton!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Spice up the Peloton! Mention of Hungary makes me think of this runaway-tempo polka. If I were working on sprints, playing it through my head might help me to keep my legs going. If I go bicycle touring through Hungary, of course I won’t need to ride that fast. Good thing, too; I don’t want to miss the scenery! Or wear myself out in ten minutes. It’s a tour, after all; not a race. Good, that’s settled. Now, which route do I want to tackle? There are so many that it’s hard to choose. Here’s one list. The Danube Cycle Path Passau-Budapest sounds interesting: Baroque towns; orchards; and, of course, many views of the Danube. EuroVelo 13, the “Iron Curtain Trail“, follows the former Iron Curtain. The trail stretches for 4,750 miles; and covers 20 countries. That’s one very long ride! For a challenge, there’s the Hafen von Fonyód ride, with over 700 feet of climbing. That’s one way to spice up the peloton. There are some good reasons to explore Hungary by bicycle. Scenery; the people; the cuisine. There’s the excitement of visiting someplace new. And of course, fun! 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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On the Equator

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

On the Equator Want to stand on the equator? Maybe a bicycle ride in Kenya would suit you. But before I began such a trip, I’d like to know this: if I stood on that imaginary dividing line; and looked up at the night sky; would I be able to see both the Little Dipper and the Southern Cross? In theory, at least. I asked my brother-in-law, who is an astronomy buff. He says, yes! Where in Kenya would I like to ride? Coastal Kenya has a tropical climate. For me, the very word “tropical” elicits inward groans. It sounds too much like Summer at home: hot; humid; and oppressive. As you move inland from Kenya’s coast, the climate becomes more arid. I think I’d want an extra-large Camel-Bak if I were to ride there! And there are many routes to ride in Kenya. The Limuru route sounds attractive to me in at least one way: few cars! Not so attractive: in some months it can be foggy. If you wear glasses, take along some anti-fog lens wipes. Visit during the drier months if fog would be too much of a problem. The Diani route lets you visit Kenya’s southern coast. Enjoy riding the village roads and meeting the people there. For Muringato to Nyeri Hill, you’ll probably want a mountain bike. Not all the road is paved; and this short trail includes a steep climb! If mention of Kenya evokes thoughts of Christopher Froome (aka Froomey), you’re not alone. I wonder whether he ever took a ride on the equator. 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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The Buckeye State

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

The Buckeye State We haven’t visited the Buckeye State yet. How about taking a ride there now? We could start with the Ohio River Trail. The ORT has two components: the Ohio River Water Trail, and the proposed Ohio River Greenway Trail. The greenway trail would interconnect already existing trails in Ohio and several surrounding states. Another possibility is the Lake Erie section of the Great Lakes Trail. In 8 days of riding (9 days total), you’ll cycle the 582 miles around the perimeter of this lake. Visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Niagara Falls; and roll through rural Ontario as well as along the Buckeye State shore. If water trips aren’t your thing, don’t despair. Ohio offers other possibilities. The capital city of Columbus alone, for example, has 11 different trails. Surfaces range from asphalt to concrete to gravel. Lots to choose from! 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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