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Pedals not Petticoats

Pedals not Petticoats! Cycling around Portugal is about pedals; not petticoats! This small country offers a lot for the touring cyclist. How about the Rota Vicentina? It’s great if you enjoy ocean views; and includes segments that are suited to all fitness levels. The 40-mile long Guadiana Grande Randonnée lets you zigzag along Portugal’s southern border; and the Escopista do Dão is one of the nation’s easiest cycling routes. Its 31 miles of beauty make it a great ride for the whole family! What season is best for a bicycle tour of Portugal? It sounds as though almost any time of year is good; although Summers can be hot. And naturally, the climate can vary according to which part of the country you visit. Depending on your tolerance for cooler temperatures, you might want to keep jackets and leg warmers on hand; or maybe some embrocation cream. But whatever you wear, it’s about pedals, not petticoats! 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 Too Cold to Ride January 16, 2024 How’s the Pressure? January 15, 2024 Icicle on Wheels? January 14, 2024 Turning the Tables January 13, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Too Cold to Ride

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors / CAL

Too Cold to Ride? Is it ever too cold to ride? My inclination is to say, YES!! Here it is, nearly half-past noon; and the temperature is still below freezing. The chill factor is below 20 degrees; and the wind especially is enough to discourage me from riding outdoors. I sure don’t need cold packs right now! At least the threat of freezing rain seems to be past; and the barometric pressure is up. By the way, my little homemade barometer works! But back to the issue of riding in cold weather. According to one social media platform, kids in Finland ride to school in sub-freezing weather; and think nothing of it. I wonder, though, is Finland as humid as New Orleans? One reason that cold weather here seems so miserably cold is the humid climate! So OK, it’s too cold to ride; and that means it’s time to set up the trainer. Tomorrow will be even colder than today; so I need to make a way to get some 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 Too Cold to Ride January 16, 2024 How’s the Pressure? January 15, 2024 Icicle on Wheels? January 14, 2024 Turning the Tables January 13, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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How’s the Pressure?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors / CAL

How’s the Pressure? “How’s the pressure?” isn’t only about the psi in your bicycle tires. It’s also about the barometer reading. If that reading is falling, better pack along the rain gear! I got the idea for the “barometer” pictured above from a YouTube, How to Harvest Oats Like an Edwardian. They discuss how important it is to have cooperative weather in order to have a good harvest; and about 14 minutes into the video, they start talking about barometers. They even show how to make a cheap barometer, as most Edwardian-era farmers — especially small-scale ones — likely couldn’t afford a fancy instrument. So I decided to try making one. Luckily I had just finished both a jar of kalamata olives, and a bottle of soy sauce. So I had the materials; and all I needed to buy was red food coloring. I made my barometer about two days ago, and have been watching it. I’m trying to see whether the fluid level in the bottle neck is going up or down; and today it looks it might be lower than it was yesterday. I checked NOAA; and sure enough, right now the barometric pressure is 29-something. Yesterday it was 30-something. Of course I still have to pay attention to how’s the pressure in my bikes’ tires; not that I’m likely to get to ride outdoors tomorrow morning. The forecast has changed from a low of 34 to a low of 27 degrees; and on top of that, freezing rain is likely! Even in the afternoon, it will still be below 40 degrees; and wind gusts might reach 35 mph. So how’s the pressure to get out there and ride, anyway? Fortunately, it’s very low! 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 How’s the Pressure? January 15, 2024 Icicle on Wheels? January 14, 2024 Turning the Tables January 13, 2024 Summer in January January 12, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Icicle on Wheels?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

Icicle on Wheels? Does “icicle on wheels” refer to the bicycle; or to the rider? It could be either; or both. We’ve got a deep freeze on the way. Tuesday night it’s going to drop to the low 20s; and for New Orleans, that’s freakishly cold! I’m not sure I’ll be able to get up the courage to ride Wednesday morning; but if I do, I’ll be an icicle on wheels. It’s not only the low temperature I’ll have to deal with; the wind will be 10-15 mph. That means a chill factor of 12 degrees or lower! I don’t own any super-thermal cycling clothing for riding in super-cold weather; and that means plenty of layers. I’ve got some kind of undershirt around here; and I must dig it out. I’ll want the sleeves from a cycling jacket that I kept when the jacket’s zipper went kaput. My arms get cold easily; and those sleeves are a big help. Hand warmers on such a cold day are a no-brainer; as are heavy gloves. By the time I’m bundled up enough to go out, I might not be able to move! In addition to the low temperatures, rain is likely Monday night. The forecast doesn’t mention sleet; but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. A little sleet shuts down this entire city! It’s so rare that people don’t know how to drive in it; and the overpasses don’t do anything to help in such weather. Low tonight, 47 degrees. I’d better ride tomorrow; and Tuesday, too, if I can. Then come Wednesday, I can stay in if necessary. I don’t want to turn into an icicle on wheels. 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 Icicle on Wheels? January 14, 2024 Turning the Tables January 13, 2024 Summer in January January 12, 2024 Pedal or Walk? January 11, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Turning the Tables

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Turning the Tables That crazy wind went turning the tables on me today; and I don’t mean the Feed Zone. As usual for a Saturday, I headed for the salvage store. The wind was from a westerly direction when I left home; and that meant a headwind on the way to the store. Great! I thought; I’ll have a tailwind on the way home. A wind at my back is welcome any time; but especially when I’ve got a load of stuff. I wish. It was about 7:30 am when I started out for the store; and about 9:00 am when I headed back. Within those 90 minutes, the breeze shifted to an easterly direction. Talk about dirty tricks! Fortunately the breeze was only about 6 mph; but that’s enough for me to notice it. It had me riding in a low gear. Much of the time I was using the smallest chainring and the second largest cog. It makes me feel like a weakling; but sometimes you’ve just got to go “granny“, or close to it. The weather is going to be turning the tables again Monday night. Temperatures will be rather mild through Monday; but come Monday night, we’re in for a drastic drop — down to barely above freezing. I’d want thermal socks; two or three thermal jackets; an extra-heavy helmet liner; double leg warmers; and heated gloves. That’s a bit much; so I thought of turning the tables, and taking Tuesday off from riding instead of Monday. But I checked the forecast again; and Tuesday night it’s down to well below freezing! 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 Turning the Tables January 13, 2024 Summer in January January 12, 2024 Pedal or Walk? January 11, 2024 Swiss Cheese? January 10, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Pedal or Walk?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Pedal or Walk? Shall I pedal; or walk? My recovery from bunion surgery is going well; but I still find riding a bicycle more comfortable than going by foot. If I have only a few blocks to go, I’m fine; but a mile is another story. This morning I had to cut my ride very short. I had a doctor’s appointment at 8:30 am; and simply couldn’t get going in time for a full ride. It was chilly, which makes me feel sluggish; and I’ve gotten spoiled by not having to get up at 4:30 am if I’m to ride. It would have been possible to ride to my appointment, and get in a couple of miles; but I didn’t feel like lugging my helmet around the clinic. And now the wind is kicking up! It’s going to be blowing even harder tomorrow; and possibly raining as well. I have some errands to run tomorrow; so shall I pedal, or walk? My Hoka shoes are awkwardly large for use with my hybrid’s toe clips; and that’s a good argument for walking. On the other hand, I want to put in some more miles; and that says, pedal. When I ride, keep watching that left leg’s behavior! I think I developed that habit years ago, when I strained a muscle in my thigh; and had to use different muscles if I were to ride. See what comes of being a mileage hog? 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 Pedal or Walk? January 11, 2024 Swiss Cheese? January 10, 2024 Bucking the Wind January 9, 2024 Holding My Breath Again! January 8, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Swiss Cheese?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Swiss Cheese? Sometimes I think my head is like Swiss cheese: full of holes. For instance, this morning I forgot to wear my heart-rate monitor chest strap again. Several month ago, the Garmin’s screen began to show a message that the monitor’s battery was low. I didn’t have the tool I needed to remove the battery compartment’s cover; so I stopped using the chest strap. Then came the foot surgery; and that kept me off bikes for two weeks or so. During the recovery phase, I located a jeweler’s store just a block from home; and they were able to replace the battery for me. But during the hiatus from using the chest strap, I got out of the habit of putting it on before a ride. Now it’s too easy to forget about it! And I like to see what my heart rate is doing as I climb the access ramp to the top of the levee. Lip balm is another item that’s easy to forget. I need it, now that we’re getting cold weather; but I usually focus on applying sunblock to my face. Lip balm easily slips to the back of my mind. I hope I don’t start forgetting to ride! For the time being, my focus is on just riding. It won’t do to attempt force development exercises yet. My foot feels much better; but it’s not ready for force work; and my legs need a little more readjustment to cycling. I do try to extend my distance a bit each day. But start training for RAGBRAI? Not yet! Speaking of riding, what shall I take along for on-bike food when I’m ready for long rides again? Swiss cheese? 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 Bucking the Wind January 9, 2024 Holding My Breath Again! January 8, 2024 Bolivia January 7, 2024 Beating the Weather January 7, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Bucking the Wind

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

Bucking the Wind Bucking the wind isn’t fun — even when you don’t bite the dust. It was still blowing pretty hard this morning; so I rode a couple of laps around the park before heading for the grocery store. But what do you do when bucking the wind is a regular thing? Aero bars can help you to stay in a more aerodynamic position, thus reducing drag. I’ll have to take the word of aero bar users for granted; I’ve never tried them. With aero bars, your hands are away from the handlebars; and that might be a major problem if you must do some fast emergency steering. For that reason, I’m wary of trying them; and I remember reading that that is why aero bars are prohibited in the peloton. If you want to get aero without special bars, there’s always riding in the drops. It doesn’t seem to make me faster; but I notice a reduction in wind resistance when I do it. When you’re in the drops, an additional way to reduce drag a bit is to lift your shoulders towards your ears. Just be sure to keep them relaxed; additional tension doesn’t help matters. Tomorrow the wind is expected to be much less than it was today; but oh, the chill! Down to 36 degrees tonight; and even at 8:00 am it will still be only 40 degrees. A pair of Rabbitroom Gloves would be wonderful; but I’ll have to settle for hand warmers. They at least keep the palms of my hands warm; but my fingers can still get cold. Luckily I don’t have to go out and ride at 5:00 am any more. Bucking the wind seems even harder when it’s still dark! 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 Bucking the Wind January 9, 2024 Holding My Breath Again! January 8, 2024 Bolivia January 7, 2024 Beating the Weather January 7, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Holding My Breath Again!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Holding My Breath Again! I’m holding my breath again, thanks to yesterday’s forecast. Where’s that downpour; that lightning; that powerful wind? I could easily have ridden to the closest grocery store — using just one pannier. I wanted only three or four things. But, I’m trying to get back on my regular riding schedule; and for many years, Monday has been my usual day off. Maybe it’s early for the big bad storm; but a check of the local NOAA forecast does show a T-storm at the airport, about 12 miles West of here. But is it moving this way? The wind is from the East; but is that updraft? If so, it might not be pushing the storm farther away from us. I almost want to go for a spin on the hybrid; but the weather isn’t so good now. It’s raining on and off; and the wind is 22 mph. From the East, too; so if I went on the levee, I’d have a very unpleasant headwind on the way home. If there’s one good thing about headwinds, it’s that they’re an opportunity to practice riding on the drops; or even aero. Pushing hard into a wind also helps to develop your strength. But with winds of 25 to 35 mph predicted; and gusts up to 50 mph — I’m not ready for it. But I’m tired of holding my breath again over the weather forecast. 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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Bolivia

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Bolivia Did you ever think of pedaling around Bolivia? This landlocked South American nation is not without its cycling routes! For the beginning bicycle tourist, the Mirador de Aves NorEste is graded as Easy; and the starting point is accessible by public transit. Most of the surfaces on this 23-mile route are paved; but this is a high-altitude route! While the riding might be easy as far as distance and gradient go, the altitude would be tough for me! I see that some of the rides on the list are graded “Moderate”; but they also specify, “Good fitness required”. As always, I wonder exactly what that means! Looking for an expert-level trip? Consider the Laguna Pacajes Loop. This route is 29.3 miles long; and incudes some unpaved segments. In all, there is 3975 feet of climbing; and very good fitness is needed. But if you love uphill riding, this one might be for you. The climate of Bolivia is humid and tropical in many areas. Don’t forget the rain gear! Learn a bit about the country’s culture. Bolivia is, as of July 2026, under a Level 2 travel alert. I’m not sure whether such warnings pertain mainly to urban areas; or anywhere in the country. It’s such a pity; must we be paranoid to go bicycle touring? 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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