bicycling Archives - Page 21 of 123

Teeth into It

Teeth into It 🦷 We say, put your teeth into it, when faced with a difficult task. “Teeth” sounds like bicycle gears; and when I can ride again, I’ll have to put my teeth into it; both in terms of gears, and effort on my part. I’ve put my teeth into it in another way, too. After the accident, it was difficult to clean between my teeth for a month or more. The swelling in my left arm wouldn’t let me get my hand up to my face to use dental floss; and I wasn’t sure those gum-pick things alone were doing an adequate job. I was concerned about developing cavities as a result; not what I need with a tooth extraction coming up. So I scheduled an extra cleaning at the dentist’s. If my insurance won’t cover it, I figure it still costs less than expensive work farther down the road — and fortunately there were no cavities! 😀 This week I decided to send off Christmas gifts. I’m not about to wait until a week before the big day! It’s too hectic by then. Send Off 📦 I like to do the send off early; then I can be sure the Christmas gifts will reach their destinations well before December 25. Besides, as the holiday gets closer, FedEx; post offices; and other such businesses, will get more and more crowded. I can easily imagine folks who waited until the eleventh hour to ship things, getting all riled up because their packages won’t arrive in time for Christmas. I won’t be able to get my teeth into it this holiday — I’ve got oral surgery scheduled for December 23. But I got some cranberry sauce, which doesn’t require much chewing; and I’ll have my own “Christmas dinner” before surgery day. The hard part will be deciding what to get! 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

Teeth into It Read More »

Want for Christmas?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Want for Christmas? 🎄 It’s already time to think of what we want for Christmas. In fact, by today’s standards, it’s getting late for that. 🙄 I suppose that’s especially true if you’re shopping for kids. I don’t need to worry about my two front teeth; but what I want for Christmas is to be able to ride again. Using an exercise bike is better than nothing; but it’s not real riding! I have most or all of my shopping done; and in fact, I keep an eye peeled for gift ideas year round. Now I’ve got to get things shipped; and it’s irritating to see that the cost of shipping usually exceeds the cost of the gifts! But if I want Christmas presents get from here to there, that’s my only option. Here to There 🛣️ Shipping is how I get things from here to there. Even if I were going visiting for Christmas, I’d ship the gifts ahead. Frankly, I’m glad that I’m not trying to get myself from here to there for December 25. Both of my siblings live out of state. And not only out of state; they both live where it snows. If the weather three weeks from now will be the same as it was recently, travel will be a nail-biter, to put it mildly. Not to mention all the tumult going on with airlines. So I guess I’ll stay here; and how nice if I’ll be able to go for a 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.” 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

Want for Christmas? Read More »

Lightbulb Moments

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Lightbulb Moments 💡 We can all use lightbulb moments; especially when it seems impossible to figure out things. Like the logistics for going on a multi-day ride that takes place in another state; or figuring out how to pack for such a tour. Then, when those lightbulb moments finally occur, we wonder why we didn’t “get it” before; because now it seems so obvious! It Takes Years 📅 But it takes years, sometimes, for those lightbulb moments to strike. It could be the sudden realization that exerting some pull with your arms is a great help for climbing; I had been riding for many years before that dawned on me. This action means that my full weight isn’t on the saddle (although I maintain contact with it); and I can exert more push on the pedals. It’s also helpful when I want to work at pushing the pace. It takes years to develop cycling technique; or anyway, it took me years. I can’t afford a personal trainer; so I gleaned various bits of advice from reading. I’m still waiting to hear when I may ride again. The workouts I’m getting really aren’t sufficient; I’m just trying to keep my body from becoming totally flabby. 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

Lightbulb Moments Read More »

Skip the Mob

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Skip the Mob 😱 On the day after Thanksgiving, I’m always glad to skip the mob. Anybody who wants to deal wlth the Black Friday crowd is welcome to do so; but I’ve heard too many horror stories about this shopping event. People have been injured or even killed in the crush of bargain-hunting shoppers; so I skip the mob. Besides, why stand outdoors for a prolonged time, trying to be the first one through the door at opening time? How monotonous! I’d rather be riding! Rather be Riding 🚲 I’d rather be riding than shopping, or going to physical therapy sessions. I know that therapy is essential to my regaining the use of my elbow; but all the same, it’s a drag. It’s almost three weeks until I see the orthopedic surgeon again; so I won’t know until then when I may ride again. Maybe. It depends on what X-rays show; and I might not get a definite timetable. When I can climb aboard again, I’ll skip the mob. Usually I’m riding solo, anyhow; and my first rides after a long break are going to be better without my having to watch out for other riders! 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

Skip the Mob Read More »

Chill In?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food, Outdoors / CAL

Chill IN? 🧊 Chill in? Whatever happened to chill out? Well, I expect I won’t spend a lot of time outdoors tomorrow; so I’ll chill in. The overnight low temperature will be below 50 degrees; and the wind will be pretty strong. If I eat ice cream, I’ll do so in front of the heater! I won’t be able to get in any pedaling tomorrow or Friday, as the recreation center will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. I have physical therapy on Friday, though; and my elbow is getting close to being able to straighten all the way! Can I ride soon? Can I Ride Soon? 🚲 I guess I’ll have to ask the orthopedic surgeon, can I ride soon. Unfortunately, it’s over two weeks until my next visit with him. Until then, it’s chill out — or maybe chill in. I think I’ll wait until later in the day to go for a walk, when the wind won’t feel so cold. A runny nose is annoying enough when I’m on foot; and can pull out a tissue. When I’m riding a bicycle, I can’t do that. I’ve got my Thanksgiving feast all planned. There was a cup of cooked, ground turkey in the freezer. I thawed it, and cooked it with tomato sauce; chopped onion; chopped red bell pepper; and some canned mushrooms. It’ll be great over sourdough bread, with a bit of cheese on top. I have whole-berry cranberry sauce; and Halo Top® ice cream. It’s too bad I can’t ride; because after all that indulgence, I’ll need some serious exercise! 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

Chill In? Read More »

Like Yet Unlike

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training / CAL

Like Yet Unlike 😕 Using an indoor bike is like, yet unlike, pedaling a real bicycle. My posture is totally different; and my feet are farther apart than on a real bike. I try not to lean back into the recumbent seat; but that’s rather tricky. In addition, my feet are much farther forward than on a regular bicycle. But at least I can pedal! So it’s like, yet unlike, real riding. Having to walk a mile to reach those “rides”, however, is somewhat tedious. I’m tempted to take tomorrow off; but the recreation center will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Thus I’d better get in my pedaling when I can. I’m dreaming of the feast, too. I have some cooked ground turkey in the freezer; and I’ll move it to the fridge Wednesday morning to thaw. I have a can of whole-berry cranberry sauce; and some ice cream, too. Dreaming of the Feast 🍗 Though I’m dreaming of the feast, I’m glad it won’t mean wearing myself out cooking. I feel ready to try some cooking; but I’m not sure how much my elbow will tolerate. I’ll start by using some stuff from the freezer to make a “garbage soup“; and see how it goes. I shouldn’t have to chop much, as I have pre-chopped onion in the freezer. That will be a big help. Dreaming of the feast, I admit, makes me glad I still have paper plates on hand. I’m drifting away from paper plates and bowls, though — washing dishes is getting easier. Paper plates and bowls are really quite wasteful; and I typically use them only when I can’t wash real dishes. Or when the water is off, as after a hurricane! Oh, and another way riding an indoor bike is like, yet unlike, riding outdoors — although I’m pedaling, I’m not creating any breeze. So I wear my Arctic Air. This morning I stopped my workout early, when the fan kept shutting off; and I started getting too hot. I guess it was out of charge. 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

Like Yet Unlike Read More »

Extra Workouts

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Extra Workouts 🏋🏻 Going to pedal on an exercise bike feels like getting extra workouts: I have to walk about a mile to reach the recreation center. I’m not doing bodyweight training, though; my elbow isn’t sufficiently healed for that. How much longer will it take? These extra workouts do serve a purpose, though. A doctor once told me to be sure I get sufficient weight-bearing exercise; and I hope my hikes to and from the receation center are enough. How Much Longer? 🕰️ How much longer will it take for me to be back on a real bike? A few more weeks? Two months? My left arm still can’t fully extend itself; and naturally it’s weak from two months of inactivity. I’m glad I can get in some pedaling; and the exercise bikes I’m using let me choose a course. They’re all in France; and I can see some landscape going by. Effort level changes automatically according to the course on the screen; so I’m even getting in a bit of “climbing“. This is somewhat less tedious than pedaling in a trainer with nothing to look at but the walls! 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

Extra Workouts Read More »

Keep My Cool

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

Keep My Cool 🆒 I need a way to keep my cool while pedaling an indoor bike; and the Arctic Air fan does a good job. This wearable fan has three speeds; and is lightweight and portable. One charge provides up to six hours’ operation. Yesterday I forgot to take the Arctic Air with me; and I got hot while exercising, sitting down and not moving forward. Between that, and problems with the left pedal, I stopped the ride early; but today I did 35 minutes. It’s hard to keep my cool when the temperatures outdoors still don’t feel like Fall! It’s 80 degrees as I type this; and it’s going to stay warm for at least a few more days. Rain chances are increasing, though; and even in hot weather, that can mean not-so-warm showers. That’s one way to cool off! Not-so-warm Showers?🌧️ Not meaning to make fun of Warm Showers; but we can get not-so-warm showers on the hottest days. In fact, the rain in a T-storm can feel very cold. That’s one way to keep my cool; but I don’t enjoy getting caught in a T-storm on my bike. I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow while I’m between home and physical therapy. Oh, well. Even if I get caught in some not-so-warm showers, I won’t be wet at work all day! 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

Keep My Cool Read More »

Footloose?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Footloose 🦶🏻 Footloose doesn’t always mean fancy free. Today, in fact, it was quite annoying. I was using a recumbent exercise bike; and couldn’t get the toe strap for the left foot properly adjusted. My foot kept coming out; and I couldn’t figure out why. I tried to pay attention to ankle angle; but that didn’t solve the problem. It was such a nuisance that I gave up after only 23 minutes. I hope I have better success tomorrow. And if this was such a pain in the neck, just think what an “ouch” a footloose skate would be! I remember using roller skates as a kid, back when nobody though of helmets or other protective gear. If you fell, you got skinned knees and elbows; and it was part of the game. I wonder how many kids back then sustained head injuries into the bargain. Bargain 📦 Speaking of bargain, it’s time for me to look for a few. Thanksgiving is almost here; and Christmas will arrive before I know it. I’ve ordered my holiday candy; and I keep an eye peeled for gift possibilities all year round. It’s easier than frantic, last-minute shopping. And don’t forget, I have to allow time for shipping, too! I hope I can be back on the bike by Christmas. The hybrid has toe clips — those cup-like pedal attachments that keep your feet in place and let you pedal witb your quads. When I’m upright on a saddle once more, I don’t think I’ll be footloose any more. 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

Footloose? Read More »

Bent?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training / CAL

Bent? ↪️ I’m not bent out of shape, am I? At the recreation center, I’m using a recumbent style exercise bike. There are only two upright exercise bikes; and I saw no instructions as to how to adjust them. One had recently been used by someone whose legs are far longer than mine. The other one’s saddle was barely low enough; and whoever had last used the bike left the pedals on high tension. Six minutes were enough; it’s possible to develop knee problems if you pedal too much in too hard a gear. So I moved to a bent-style bike. Another reason to keep using the “bent” is, on an upright bike, I automatically reach for the handlebars. My left elbow quickly began to ache; and I still need to avoid straining it. Therapy 🫱🏼 When I went to physical therapy this morning, I asked about the exercise bikes. They agree that the bent is better until my elbow is fully healed. My usual therapist was out today; but I was able to work with someone else. Now that I have access to the recreation center, I can get in an early “ride” on days when I have physical therapy. Other days I can go a little later; but I’d better use sunblock for the walk home! 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

Bent? Read More »