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GEORGIA on My Mind?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Georgia on My Mind? 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.” Why would Georgia be on my mind? A while back, I began using a program called Google Analytics, abbreviated as GA. When I see that, however, the first thing I think of is the postal code for the state of Georgia. We visited Georgia when I was about 12 or 13. I know we were at Stone Mountain. It’s so long ago that I remember very little of it; only that we were there. When I was in high school, there was always a radio blaring on the school bus. That must be where I heard a song that had something in it about Georgia on My Mind. In fact, those words are the only thing I can remember of the song. The reception for the radio on that bus apparently wasn’t the best, because it usually was hard to understand the lyrics of any song. Not to mention that there was also the constant talking of a busload of kids. But how about bicycle rides in Georgia? I’ve heard of the Six Gap Ride. That’s beyond my capabilities, for sure! I don’t even have a mountain bike. Even that shorter Three Gap is more than I can mange, I would guess. Trying to train for such a ride when I live in flat country would mean going out and pushing hard in a very hard gear, working up to doing it for … who knows how long? Ten minutes? Twenty?? Oh, my aching legs! 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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Katy Trail

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Katy Trail 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 Katy Trail first came to my attention in early 2013. A then co-worker, who was originally from Missouri, told me about this route. He had ridden it twice. (I don’t know whether this pic is really the Katy Trail, but it looks nice). It sounded wonderful. There’s an annual organized group bicycle ride that covers the entire length of the trail. The route alternates between East to West one year; and the opposite direction the next. The Katy is one of the Rails to Trails paths, following a former railroad route. I hear that those routes are almost flat, having at most a very slight grade. That’s good news for a spoiled flatlander like me! For the history buff, more than half the Katy follows the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition along the Missouri River. I was considering going for the Katy Trail group ride. Unfortunately this would have meant getting to the trailhead to begin with. I don’t own a car; and transporting a bicycle by air wouldn’t have been so cheap. I was reluctant to bother somebody to drive me up there.   It would’ve meant finding a way to borrow (or — gulp! — buy) camping equipment such as tent and sleeping bag if I don’t want to pay for provided accommodations. If I bought those things, where would I store them? Would I ever use them again? The more I thought about doing the Katy Trail, the more I realized that I could spend several thousand dollars on something that would last about two weeks. That put rather a damper on my enthusiasm; and I decided that I’d be better off spending that money on a road bike. I’ve never regretted the decision; but the Katy Trail is still on my bucket list! 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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If the Bike Fits

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If the Bike Fits How does your bike fit? If the bike fits, ride it! I took the road bike for its initial Specialized Body Geometry fit in November 2015. It’s expensive; but my interest in long-distance riding made me decide that it would be worth the cost.  The fitter first asked about my cycling goals; and how long I had been riding. Next he fastened my bicycle into a stand and took various measurements, such as saddle height. Then I climbed aboard and pedaled; and the fitter watched my pedaling technique. He also checked my reach to the handlebars; and watched the angulation of my forefeet; my hip flexion; and neck flexion. To my surprise, he lowered my saddle a bit. He said that I have good hip flexion; and that lowering the saddle would let me make better use of it. I could feel the difference at first, but quickly adjusted to it. Last November I went for a refit. It was done by the same person who did my initial fitting; and this time he used something called Retul. He stuck little lights on various parts of me and my biking shoes; and filmed me as I pedaled. Somehow I never got the printout of that session’s results; and, as a re-fit is supposed to be done annually, it’s getting close to time for another! But at least my bike fits me; and if the bike fits, ride it!

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Quit Bugging Me!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Quit Bugging Me! Oh, quit bugging me! I want to enjoy my ride! Riding before daylight in temperatures above 68 degrees Fahrenheit presents certain difficulties. Yes, we have overnight lows around 80 degrees for months on end; and even riding at 5:00 am means getting very hot and sweaty. But that isn’t the worst of it. It’s all the flying insects. Sometimes there are swarms of gnats; and other times I ride through clouds of tiny moths. I need to wear my glasses if only to protect my eyes; but now and than a bug gets behind the lenses! That’s when I want to holler, “Quit bugging me!” Another problem with all those bugs in the air, is that I hardly dare to breathe through my mouth. I don’t need to choke on a winged critter; and even if I don’t choke, bugs don’t taste so good. So I wear my glasses; and I breathe through my nose as much as I can. It’s a good thing the bugs aren’t swarming like this when the weather is cold. My nose runs nonstop when it’s cold; and I’m forced to breathe through my mouth. I’d get a lot of insects into my system — which would really bug me.

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