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Frumenty

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Food /

Frumenty 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.” Huh? Frumenty? What  kind of a word is that? It harkens back to Tudor times; and I encountered it while watching a YouTube. In those days, Christmas really was a twelve-day celebration; and this tells a lot about it. Including “fromenty“, as I heard it. I decided to have a go at cooking a batch; using oat bran. Googling “fromenty” brought up “frumenty”; and the recipe is quite simple. Naturally, I’m already thinking up variations: adding raisins and/or chopped nuts; putting brown sugar in it; maybe using evaporated milk instead of almond milk. I bet that would make some rich stuff! Prior to my latest escapade in the kitchen, I went out for a short ride. My foot still won’t let me do as much as I would like; although it does seem to be improving.? Alas, it’s still a bit too tender for my cycling shoes. I’m glad I can wait to ride until afternoon if the weather is bad; or if an early-morning appointment means I can’t ride until afternoon. Come Friday I probably won’t want to be out early; the forecast says that some areas might have — are you ready for this? — FROST! Time to haul out those hand warmers for sure! Or maybe stay home and enjoy a bowlful of frumenty hot out of the cooking pot! 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 Frumenty December 27, 2023 Twelve Days December 26, 2023 Season’s Greetings! December 25, 2023 Buon Natale December 24, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Caught Red-Handed?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Caught Red-Handed? 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.” Talk about getting caught red-handed. This morning I went for a short ride; and somehow forgot to put on my left-hand glove! I was almost a half-mile from home by the time I noticed; and I expect I’ll have some red — or, at least, pinkish — skin as a result. Trying to minimize such unfortunate results is one reason why I kept the ride short. I didn’t have any sunblock with me; and for a fact, I don’t like sunblock on my bare hands while riding. It makes them too slippery. Incidentally, if you’ll be doing any holiday riding with children, don’t forget about kids’ sunblock. The weather is very warm for December (mid 70s today!); and if it gets any warmer, I might want a Mission Cooling Neck Gaiter.  I guess we can blame El Niño for that; and possibly also for the rain we’re expecting tonight and tomorrow. We could even get T-storms tomorrow night; so I hope Santa’s sleigh has lightning protection. I skipped the salvage store today; I still have too much stuff on hand. And imagine what riding to and from the store would have done to my unprotected hand! I would have been caught red-handed for sure. 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 Caught Red-Handed? December 23, 2023 ¡Feliz Navidad! December 22, 2023 Joyeux Noël! December 21, 2023 Fröhliche Weihnachten! December 20, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Christmas Past

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Christmas Past 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.” You may be familiar with the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past. It’s fun to go even farther back in time, such as to the Christmas past of Tudor days. They sure did some interesting things back then! But that was long before bicycles; and with no chance for an invigorating ride before Christmas dinner. If you’re going to travel with your bike before that Yuletide spin, an EVOC Bike Travel Bag protects your “ride” on the way. It can accommodate many types of bicycles; and protects with minimal weight. I would rather stick close to home during holiday season. Traveling is such a hassle then; and I’d rather not be far from home. But I remember many a ride of Christmas past. One time it was both cold and raining. One Christmas Day, I tried riding in the local park. Even at 6 am, the place was quite crowded with kids trying out their new bicycles. Naturally they were wavering all over the place! I didn’t want to hit any of them; and thus couldn’t get up a decent pace. I’m still working towards just being able to ride normally. It will be great when my foot will let me do that; and the Lapiplasty Limp is part of Christmas Past.

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Relearning

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Relearning 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.” I’ve got some relearning to do! Not that I’m going back to being a rank beginner; but after several weeks off the road bike, handling the water bottle seems rather awkward. Yes, today I finally tried a bit of riding on the road bike; and I’m certainly out of practice. It seemed hard to get my left foot clipped in once I had pushed off; and as already stated, it felt a bit tricky getting the water bottle back into its cage. The shoes that I wear for road biking aren’t lace-ups, like the model shown; they have velcro closures. I forgot to put bandaids over my scar; and the straps were irritating. I also forgot to put my feet in the road-shock-absorbing position when I rode over a bumpy railroad crossing. So I rode less than three miles; and I’ll wait a few days before I try the road bike again. I just wanted to see how it would go; and I can ride the hybrid tomorrow. Maybe try the road bike again for Christmas? What a gift it would be to be able to ride it again! Incidentally, that day is rushing in upon us.  I hope we’ve gotten all our shopping done: for the kids; for parents; and everybody else on that gift list. I think I’ve finished all my shopping, except for those last-minute little things that always crop up. But I seem to have forgotten some of the lyrics to Christmas carols. Time to do some relearning! 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 I Traverse Afar? December 18, 2023 I Envy Time December 17, 2023 Holiday Food December 16, 2023 Glad I’m Home December 15, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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I Traverse Afar?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

I Traverse Afar? 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.” I traverse afar? ? No, not like the Christmas carol. But this morning I rode almost seven miles! Longest ride since my bunion surgery! This morning I tried on my MTB shoe; and there wasn’t much discomfort. All the same, I rode the hybrid. I though I would take two laps around the park, then visit the grocery store; and the hybrid let me take along a pannier. Unfortunately, my foot began to flare up a bit about three-quarters of the way through lap #2. I decided it was better to go home; and not put in the extra mile that going to the grocery store entailed. I went home and lubed both bicycles’ chains; had some breakfast; and took public transit to the store. I don’t think I’m ready to walk that far just yet. At present, cycling is actually more comfortable for my foot than walking! Cycling doesn’t involve much, if any, flexing of the toes; and walking does. I think I’ll try a short spin on the road bike tomorrow, if the shoe feels OK. The weather will be clear again; but when I don’t go out until 8 o’clock, that’s a bit of a problem. This morning I kept getting the sun in my eyes! That’s a bigger problem this time of year, when the sun is lower in the sky; and sunglasses aren’t much help when said sun is shining straight into my face. On the other hand, it doesn’t feel as cold at 8:00 as it does at 5:00! That makes it easier to stay out; and maybe soon I can truly say that I traverse afar.

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Holiday Food

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Holiday Food 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.” It’s time to think about holiday food! Turkey; ham; baked sweet potatoes; cranberries; and, among many other things, chocolate! It seems odd to be talking about food other than ride food; but hey, it’s Christmas time. Speaking of ride, I hope I can get out for a short jaunt later today. Unfortunatey the wind is still pretty strong; and there’s the threat of rain. If I do ride, maybe Alter Eco Truffles are good for pre-ride fueling. Or maybe they’re better as a post-ride pick-me-up. What’s your favorite holiday food? It’s hard for me to choose a favorite. Naturally (and alas!) I love candy; but a dinner of turkey white meat with cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes is good, too. And maybe pumpkin pie for dessert! After that big dinner, I’d need a vigorous bicycle ride (Maybe on a Savadeck Phantom 2.0) to burn off some of those excess calories. Unfortunately I still have to keep rides short and easy because of my foot. This morning I got a lift to the salavage store, and was able to replenish my supply of goodies from the grab-bag bins (including a FitCrunch Bar). I forgot to look for cranberry sauce; but I laid in a supply of paper towels. It felt odd to not be riding there; and I hope I can be back at it before long. 

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Getting Wild

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Getting Wild 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.” It’s getting wild out there. For December, it’s warm this afternoon; a balmy 63 degrees. But the wind has strengthened considerably since morning; and we’re under a wind advisory for the next 48 hours.   A windscreen on my bike might be helpful; but is the Thule Yepp Mini Windscreen big enough? Maybe the windscreen keeps the wind off of the rider; but does it help with fighting headwinds? Now I think about  it, I’m not so sure it does. And how does it affect steering? Apparently this windscreen doesn’t mount on the handlebars; so I guess steering is minimally affected. Maybe one of these days I’ll try one. Not soon, though. Even with sneakers that have ample room for my toes, my left foot is acting up a bit. It could be the weather. Rain is expected by the weekend; and I suppose that means that the barometer is dropping. I hope I can ride, though; even if only a little. But I must keep in mind that it’s getting wild. Wind 15-25 mph tomorrow; and gusts up to 40 mph! That’s enough to blow me right off the levee; and even in the park it will be rough. On second thought, it might be time to take a day off from riding.

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Sooner or Later

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Sooner or Later 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.” I guess every cycling enthusiast is bitten by the touring bug sooner or later. Certainly I’ve wished often enough that I could go a-rovin’ with a group of like-minded riders; and see something new while enjoying the ride. But where? While we’re talking about SOONER or later, maybe Oklahoma (the Sooner State) is as good a place as any.  Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area is great for MTB lovers, with its hairpin turns and steep hills. If you want something tamer, suited to all levels of riders, try out the Lake Hefner Trail. You can enjoy wildflowers along the way; or even go fishing. Be cautious, though; this route is heavily trafficked. Truth to tell, though, I’d be wary of riding across Oklahoma, especially during tornado season. Suppose a twister spins up when I’m in a wide-open area, with nowhere to take shelter? All I could do then is hope to find a ditch to crawl into! In said wide open areas, there ought to be ample opportunities for bird-watching. My father would have loved that. It’s interesting to see feathered fauna other than those that I have around home. OK, we’re off to OK, aka Oklahoma. What do I need to bring? What kind of bicycle? A touring bike makes sense, with a built-in rack for panniers. Will I need to bring a tent? Cooking gear? A sleeping bag? But let’s hold our horses. Even before I get around to equipment, how about the route? Oklahoma has a reputation for being very windy; can I choose a path that will let me have a tailwind much of the time? Speaking of wind, I hope I wouldn’t get assaulted by a tumbleweed! The climate in the State can vary; the eastern part tends to be humid; and the western part is likely to be more arid. I’ve got to be sure to bring that Camel-Bak; because sooner or later, I’ll get really thirsty! 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 Sooner or Later December 13, 2023 Quantum Leap December 12, 2023 Afternoon Ride? December 11, 2023 Think Ten Times! December 9, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Quantum Leap

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Quantum Leap 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.” This morning’s ride seemed like a quantum leap: I rode 5.72 miles! My foot isn’t ready for a road bike shoe yet; but I’m pleased that I can ride farther now. I’m not sure I’ll be up to the trek to the salvage store come Saturday; but I have the offer of a ride from some folks I see there regularly. I seem to be recovering from that lapiplasty faster than I expected. Not that I mind; I think it’s great! All the same, it’s a bit frustrating to think that it might take a few months for me to really be back up to snuff. I’m losing a good deal of strength, that’s for sure. It still hurts to push hard on the pedals; and the doctor says, if it hurts, don’t do it. “No pain, no gain” is to be taken with rather more than a grain of salt. Besides, there’s a difference between muscles tired from hard work; and something that hurts. Gosh, Xmas is coming SO FAST! If you’ll be getting the little ones bikes; and your back isn’t equal to the rigors of holding up a child on a bicycle; this video might help you to talk them through the learning process. Honestly, I wish I’d had someone to tell me this when I switched from an adult trike to a hybrid. That was quite a quantum leap! 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 Quantum Leap December 12, 2023 Afternoon Ride? December 11, 2023 Think Ten Times! December 9, 2023 Going Farther Afield December 8, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Afternoon Ride?

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Afternoon 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.” Shall I go for an afternoon ride? My foot feels better today; and I’m tired of taking it easy. Of course I’ll have to haul out some cold-weather gear. Certainly the helmet liner! Not that the weather is actually so very cold, but 53 degrees is chilly for me; and my head has become very sensitive to cold in recent years. I’ll want vest and jacket, too. The wind isn’t strong; but I won’t be riding hard, so wind will feel colder than when I’m pushing for speed. And of course, gloves. My hands get cold easily. Incidentally, so do my feet. My foot still hasn’t completely recovered from the surgical swelling, so I’ll need to wear sneakers; and that means riding the hybrid. The hybrid is OK; but it’ll be great to be able to get back on the road bike! An afternoon ride always feels sort of weird. I’m very accustomed to morning rides; but today I wanted to go to the supermarket for a few things. After that, I had to do some laundry. But soon I can get outside! I think a casual ride of 1-3 miles is a good way to ease back into my usual cycling; but I’ll have to see how my foot takes it. I still have to be careful how I set that foot down when stopping; and also how I get it into the toe clip when starting! The foot probably isn’t ready yet for hard riding, even though toe clips mean I can use my quads to pedal; and need to push down on the pedals less. I’ll see how it goes; and then I can plan rides for later this week.

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