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Readjustment

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Readjustment 🔄 Today’s Featured Product! 🎇 Car Free Living New!! Welwoos  For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Now I’m in that maddening readjustment phase; whem I’m just back from visiting a cooler, less-humid locale. I sure could use some ice cream right now!  The climate isn’t the only readjustment; my legs need to get used to exercise again. Yesterday’s ride didn’t seem to bother me at the time; but today my legs muscles felt sore. I don’t know why. I didn’t ride hard yesterday; and I didn’t ride long. This morning I did  short ride, because I needed to walk somewhere; and tomorrow I’ll try pushing for 12 miles or so. Poco a poco is the way to go! Heat Advisories 🥵 All these heat advisories sound almost like it’s the heat that’s dishing out the advice! We don’t need anyone to tell us that the heat will persist; that’s a given in August. So we must keep the hydration pack and cool rag handy; and do our best to hold out for cooler weather. I’m not holding my breath, though; this heat is liable to stick around until at least October. It will be nice when the weather is cooler, and I can go riding a bit later. Getting up at 6:00 am is rather wearisome!   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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Heimkehr

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Uncategorized /

Add Your Heading Text Here Heimkehr 🚪 I know; today isn’t Xmas. But hey — it’s a house! Today’s Featured Product! 💥 365 Vegan Smoothiets New!! Swiftwick For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Yesterday was Heimkehr — I’m back from a visit to my sister. While there, I took a break from pretty much everything. I gave my legs a break from the bike; and I gave my hands a break from the keyboard. But now that Heimkehr is past, I’m ready to get back to riding. Early in the day, of course; extreme heat warnings are posted for the next three or four days. 🥵 A trip to the salvage store — not quite 11 miles round trip — was a nice way to get started cycling again. I decided to go today, because it looks like it might be raining Saturday. And do we need it! What about the Tropics? 🌀 OK, but what about the tropics? Inland Washington State doesn’t have hurricanes; but my last few days there, I began to watch the NHC site again. I’m glad to say, the tropics are quiet for now. Everyone hopes they stay that way! After about a week, I must begin doing hard efforts again. I don’t want to push intense woek too much, too soon; but it’s not as though I were off the bike for several months. 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Hurricanes

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Hurricanes 🌀 Hurricanes. That’s almost a dirty word around here. Anyone who remembers Katrina would agree, I suppose. We’ve been almost too lucky for several years; and that can lead to complacency. And I don’t think that anyone really wants to drop everything and flee when hurricanes threaten the city. But what else is there to do? I’ve often thought that evacuation might not be so bad if I could make a bicycle trip out of it. And now that I don’t have to worry about a job, time for such an evacuation shouldn’t be an issue. What is an issue, is a bicycle route out of town. I’m not going to fight 18-wheelers on the interstate! 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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Hottest Days

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Hottest Days 🥵 Here come the hottest days. It’s the same old thing every year; and my apologies if you’re tired of hearing about it. Keeping cool is almost impossible during these dog days. It’s when we all start longing for a good, stiff cold front; but cool weather usually doesn’t arrive before October. The hottest days are also when we have to keep a wary eye on the tropics. The 2026 seaason is off to a slow start; but for all anybody knows, activity might suddenly go into high gear. Speaking of high gear, I think I need to low gear for a while. Not so much my legs as my hands and wrists! They need a break from constant keyboard use! 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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GPS

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors /

GPS ➡️  Today’s Featured Product! ☄️ COOLSTEELANDBEYOND Bike Chain Bracelet New!! Danish Endurance Cycling Socks For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! GPS is quite popular nowadays; but so far I’ve never gotten interested in it. In fact, I’m not sure I can trust it! Once, while biking on the levee (where I usually ride), there was someone driving a car up there! They said their GPS had directed them there; and that tells me not to rely solely on any such “positioning” system. I think I”d rather have a printed cue sheet! Familar Territory 🏞️ Of course, it helps that I’m nearly always in familiar territory. If I really did plan to go for a bicycle tour of, say, the Loire Valley, GPS might be warranted. I suppose there was a time when paper maps were distrusted — just as I have reservations about global positioning systems. Before print, people found their way by other means, including the  stars. Somewhere in Kon-Tiki, the author mentions that it was “incredibly easy” to steer by the stars. Alas, between light pollution and air pollution, it’s getting hard to see the stars at all. But if I’m able to spot a familiar constellation, there’s a chance that I’ll have my GPS! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Can I See?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors /

Can I See? 😳 Today’s Featured Product! 💥 Kryptonite Kryptoflex 1018 New!! LARABAR Variety Pack For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Can I see; or can’t I? I’m trying to get used to wearing my glasses while using the computer, but  it’s a bit of a headache. Lately I can’t seem to see text on the screen very well without visiual correction; but the glasses make things look weird, too! I guess it’s the astigmatism correction. No matter how I tilt my head, I have a hard time getting a clear view. Whatever the cause of these visual “kinks”, it makes wonder, can I see? Line of Sight 👀 Thank goodnes my line of sight is OK when I’m on the bike. The trouble there is that my spectacles have a most annoying way of sliding down my nose! Then there’s the problem if having the sun in my eyes as I’m riding back home. I’m not sure even a Tontron would help; because at that hour, the sun is still rather low in the sky. I have reservations about such a brim for another reason: I suspect that it catches a LOT of wind! So I wouldn’t wear one in a hurricane! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Below 80!

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Below 80! 🔽 Today’s Featured Product! 🚀 Yuwell Blood Pressure Monitor New!! LED Clip-On Safety Light For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Wow, the next few nights are predicted to be below 80 degrees! It’s gotten me to thinking of the number in The Mikado, when the character KoKo is wooing Katisha. He asks her whether she thinks she’s old enough to marry: “Won’t you wait until you’re eighty in the shade?” Gilbert’s genius with words aside, I’m glad it will actually be below 80 for a few nights. It won’t help a great deal with the heat, but it’s better than nothing. Drying Up 🌵 We still have to keep cool; and it also seems like we’re drying up. The humidity is 59%; and for us, that’s rather low. Lower humidity means the heat won’t be quite as oppressive; and that’s a help when I’m riding. I’m debating whether to ride at a leisurely pace tomorrow; or work at pushing the pace. Yesterday I did some one-minute efforts on the biggest ring; and somehow that seemed to tire me too much. Or maybe a cup of cherries and 8 oz of nut milk wasn’t enough of a pre-ride meal! That’s why I take along a protein bar on my rides; especially if I’m pushing for 20 miles. I don’t want to bonk! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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On the Loose?

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

On the Loose? 😵‍💫 Today’s Featured Product! 🤩 Baleaf Women’s Half-Sleeve Jersey   New!! DYNAMI Unicycle For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Is my bicycle’s headset on the loose? This morning I seemed to have a lot of trouble riding a straight line; and eventually I began to wonder whether the headset needs attention. Of course, the problem might have been a sidewind. Such a breeze can push me all over the place. Next time I ride, if my bike acts like it did today, it’s off to the bike shop. A headset on the loose needs tightening. Core? 🍏 Or is the problem a weak core? I’ve noticed many times that a rapid cadence can make a bicycle harder to control; especially in a low gear. It’s as though my leg action overpowers my upper body. That’s hardest when I need to pull my electrolyte bottle out of its cage; and must briefly ride one-handed. At least once, I had to stop so I could get a good drink of Propel. It looks like the wind will be calm for the next two days; and I think I’ll ride laps around the park. It might give me a better idea as to whether my headset if really on the loose! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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August Cold Snap?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

August Cold Snap? 🧊 Today’s Featured Product! 🌋 KanPas New!! Joystar New Berry For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I think we’ve got an August cold snap! As of mid-afternoon, it was only 79 degrees; much cooler than it’s been the last week or two. I guess nobody needed a cooling vest out there. This morning I didn’t ride because of concerns over T-storms; but by noon I was tired of sitting around indoors. The rain seemed to be over for the time being; and when I saw that I didn’t need to worry about the heat index, I decided to go for a ride. I needed some exercise! Still Gray ☁ But the sky was still gray; and I decided to ride around the park a few times. Then, if the weather turned stormy, I’d be fairly close to home. This August cold snap was making it windy; and I’m glad the forecast for tomorrow is clear and calm. Maybe I can put in 20 miles again!  I need to do some hard efforts; and I want the miles because I might not get to ride on Tuesday. It will be late morning by the time I could ride; and the heat will be back again. Appointments are so tiresome! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Glad I Didn’t

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Glad I Didn’t🙂‍↔️ Today’s Featured Product! 💥 Alvada Thermal Socks New!! Besrey 5 in 1 For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I’m glad I didn’t hurry to visit the sewing store I learned about. I need a new light bulb for my sewing machine; but when I called the store, they said they don’t have these bulbs. It’s very hot to be running errands; and that makes a futile outing all the more frustrating. It’s a good thing I thought to call the store first! In this heat, I’d want electrolyte drink as well as water; and that’s another thing to carry. I need my cool rag, too. This is why I go to the salvage store early: so I can shop; get out; and ride home before 10:00 am. I’m glad I didn’t wait until later. On top of the heat, the wind has been strengthening all day! Blown Away 🌬️ I’ve been watching the forecast for tomorrow; and it looks like I might get blown away if I ride. Wind gusts could reach 20 mph; and if it’s also raining, riding will be a major slog. Add lightning, and I’ll be wishing I were home. I’ve mentioned the heat often enough. We’re stuck with it for at least two months; and I’ve noticed that young lizards have been hatching. There’s a little brown anole in here right now; and thank goodness I’m not the type who freaks out at the sight of one! 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 Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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