SpokEasy

SpokEasy

bicycling

Venezuela

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Venezuela   So, is the place bicycle-friendly? During the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country was facing chronic shortages of fuel; so the citizenry took more to bicycles out of sheer necessity. What about bicycle touring? Check out these possibilities. Among others there are flat, long, and downhill routes. But there’s a catch. It’s one thing that there are possibilities for cycle touring in the country; however, be sure to check out travel advisories before you dust off that passport. As of late September, 2023, things don’t look good. Health-care infrastructure is said to be poor in Venezuela. That alone is a good reason for me to hesitate about traveling there. But if I could go there, what would I see and do? A bicycle tour, of course; but I think it would be fantastic to visit Angel Falls. There are many other things to see and do as well, from zoos to beaches to (yes) shopping malls. I personally don’t care about the shopping malls; but when I visit other cities I enjoy going through the local zoos. It’s a good way to get to see some of the area’s native wildlife. Beaches? I’m ambivalent about the shores. Maybe beach-cruising on a fat-tire bicycle, early in the day? It sounds like fun to make the first tracks in the sand! 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

Venezuela Read More »

Just Don’t Chew Gum

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Just Don’t Chew Gum 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.” Singapore has its share of cycling routes. Hop aboard a bike — perhaps a Tommaso Sentiero — and take  off!  Changi Bay Park sounds nice, with beautiful views of the water. I suppose it can get quite windy, though. The Mandai Loop, with its easy climbs, is a good choice for beginning MTB riders. Or try a coast-to-coast ride. Start at Jurong Lake Gardens, and head for Coney Island. Roll through nature reserves and parks. The Kranji Marshes Loop is one for wildlife lovers. This is home to numerous species of dragonflies, birds, and butterflies. Singapore isn’t only about bicycle touring; this small nation offers numerous types of tours. The climate is warm year-round, and rain is possible at any time. Take along a poncho! Try the local food. Seafood is big here, and I wonder what stingray tastes like. Sometimes I think it’s a pity that I’m not a big fan of crabs, shrimp, and so on.   Singapore is also very clean. I would find that a welcome change from my home city, where I see litter; cigarette butts; etc. everywhere I look! Honestly, it’s downright depressing. Whether it’s a cycling; walking; or bus tour, enjoy your time in Singapore — but remember, just don’t chew gum! 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 Joyeux Noël! December 21, 2023 Fröhliche Weihnachten! December 20, 2023 Christmas Past December 20, 2023 Relearning December 19, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Just Don’t Chew Gum Read More »

One L or Two?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

One L or Two?   Think again. Llamas have been used as pack animals for many centuries. But apparently they’re poorly suited as riding animals, except perhaps for very small children; and I, for one, am not a very small child. So it’s back to the old touring bicycle. Or, how about riding a mountain bike; and having a llama accompany you, carrying your stuff? As long as you’re not hurtling downhill at 60 mph, a llama should be able to keep up. Do you love a really challenging bike trip? Try Peru’s Great Divide. This six-day route includes over 29,000 feet of climbing; and is mostly unpaved. On a difficulty scale of 1-10, it’s rated 8. If you don’t live at high altitude already, I guess a hypoxic mask is a must while preparing for this adventure; and don’t forget the warm clothing! Naturally the Great Divide isn’t the only two-wheeled adventure to be found in Peru. Many of the routes involve a lot of climbing; but happily for non-climbers, there are some more or less flat routes. Aside from llamas and the Andes, Peru makes me think of Callao; the harbor from which the Kon-Tiki expedition set sail. I think it would be interesting to see that. Back to cycling adventures in the Land of the Llama. Get some cold-weather gear for those high altitudes; insect repellent for lower elevations; and maybe inquire about hiring a lama … llama … one L, or two? 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.”

One L or Two? Read More »

Montana

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Montana Montana, aka the Big Sky State, is home to Adventure Cycling! I think it would be fun to stop by their headquarters; pick up some of their route maps; and take off for some, you know, adventures. So many paths to choose from! They’re sprawled all over the map of the USA, with one even extending into Canada. As far as I can remember, I’ve never spoken with anybody who has ridden any of these routes. I certainly have a lot of questions: Why did you choose any one particular route? For “scenic value”? Because you have friends or relatives in a location along the way, and you wanted to visit them? Were there some great national parks to see? Was your preferred route fairly flat; or did you want a trip with a lot of challenging climbs? How much time did you need to allow for your trip? What kind of pace did you use? Casual; or pushing it? Did you need to take along camping equipment? Did you cook your meals every day? Were you able to find fresh foods easily? How about doing laundry along the way? I suspect that certain routes are better tackled at certain times of year. For example, I don’t want to think of taking a cycling tour across an arid region during the hot season! If you want to stay in Montana, there’s Glacier National Park. You can bike on your own; or take a guided tour. Explore other parts of the state; either as a roadie or on a MTB. Whatever you choose to do, may you have smooth roads and plenty of Big Sky overhead.  

Montana Read More »

D.C.

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

D.C. 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.”   Love monuments? And do you prefer to get to look at them, instead of watching where you’re pedaling? Monuments by Moonlight might fit the bill. Many, many years ago, just before I entered high school, we visited Washington, D.C. We had heard how bad the smog could be there; but during our visit there wasn’t much of it. The Capitol Building was beautiful at night, when all the electrical illumination made it glow. If you still want to ride a bicycle for your tour, try the D.C. Sites at Night tour. It’s only four miles long, and graded as Easy. The entire family can join this four-mile long guided tour to the National Mall and other major points. Don’t like being rushed through things on a “schedule”? D.C. also has self-guided tours. I like that idea. If I want to give one stop on the tour merely perfunctory attention, that’s fine. I can move on to something else. If I want to linger for hours, that’s fine, too. When is the best time to visit Washington, D.C.? For cherry-blossom lovers, Spring is a good time; and in Fall, leaf peepers can enjoy the changing foliage. Summers in D.C. are typically hot and humid. I don’t need to travel to find that; I get plenty of it at home! But whatever season you go there, remember to bring sunblock! A hat is a good idea, too. So head off for the United States capital — and have a capital time!   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

D.C. Read More »

Alabama

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Alabama 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.” When I hear mention of Alabama, I think of red dirt. And kudzu vine, aka mile-a-night. During the Summer when I was twelve, we planned a road trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. Our route there went through Alabama; and we kids flew ahead to Birmingham, where an aunt of ours lived. That was when we first saw kudzu, nicknamed mile-a-night because it grows so fast. We were fascinated by the sight of orangish dirt. It’s also hilly around Birmingham. Time to haul out that mountain bike and hit some trails, wouldn’t you think? The Vulcan Trail is an easy route with views of the city. Trail users can walk; jog; bicycle; skate; and even walk the dog. But is that too tame for a hard-core MTB enthusiast? Black Creek Park features a Rails to Trails route; smooth and level. That’s a good one for me; but again, the MTB fan might find it overly easy. Ruffner Mountain? Are we finally getting somewhere? This one sounds like it has possibilities for MTB fans. Unfortunately, it looks as though mountain-biking is forbidden there. I guess they don’t want MTB riders tearing up the switchbacks; and I really can’t blame them. Ruffner Mountain is, after all, a nature preserve. How about heading for Anniston? There are a number of MTB trails to choose from. These range in skill level from Easy to Difficult. Something for everyone! Alabama has more to offer than MTB trails, of course. There are beaches; and there are museums, such as the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. In Birmingham you can take a Civil Rights Tour. Whatever your tastes, the “Heart of Dixie” has plenty to offer!   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 Mini-Ride! December 7, 2023 I Still Can’t Ride! December 6, 2023 Unseamed December 5, 2023 A Stitch in Time December 4, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Alabama Read More »

algeria blog post globetrotting page

Algeria

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Algeria 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.” Algeria makes me think first and foremost of Rossini. But how about bicycle touring there? If you stay near the coast, roads can be hilly; but not especially hard to manage. Traffic can be heavy near the  capital city of Algiers. Want mountain biking? You can tour the Atlas Mountains by bicycle. This mountain range crosses Morocco and Tunisia as well as Algeria; and it sounds like you can expect some stiff climbing! If you’d like to see something of the Sahara, there’s a loop through Ghardaia, Ouargla, Touggourt and Biskra. It isn’t the easiest route; but it’s doable. Actually riding into the Sahara is serious business; and potentially life-threatening. Better to rove the desert in a four-wheel drive; or on camelback. No, I don’t mean the hydration system! Even a full Camel-Bak won’t get you very far in that place. Be sure to take an ample supply of food and water, whatever  your transportation method. See here for more info about bicycle touring in this African country. Tours are on offer in all regions in the continent; primarily self-contained small groups. The people of Algeria are generally quite welcoming; honest; and helpful. However, this country is morally conservative; and women on bicycles need to be especially cautious, even in groups. And of course, check up on travel advisories before heading there. Me? I think I’ll stick with that Rossini overture! 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

Algeria Read More »

Nice Change

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

It was a nice change to have a tailwind on the way home during my weekly long ride. I still wasn’t fast; I did very little of pushing the pace. But I did, however, hit a max speed of over 22 mph when passing another cyclist! For once, I didn’t get home exhausted. The general weather today is also a nice change. It was in the low 70s when I started out, and about 80 when I got back home. That’s a welcome relief from the conditions of just a few weeks ago. Then, it was usually at least 80 degrees at 5 am! This morning it was cool enough for arm warmers. Unfortunately they kept slipping down, leaving a gap between arm warmers and the edges of my sleeves. I fear I’ll have pink bands around my biceps! That will look weird, won’t it? Today I tried two new foods: the RXBar Banana Chocolate Walnut; and the RXBar Coconut Chocolate. The Coconut Chocolate is better, I think. I also took along a Clif Bar; but I’m going to phase them out. Now that I have pre-diabetes and must watch carbs, I’m paying more attention to ingredient lists and the carbohydrate content of what I eat. Several days ago, I checked the ingredient lists for several flavors of Clif Bar. Every one shows brown rice syrup first! Clif Bars are also low in protein. The nutritionist says, look for at least 12 grams of protein in any bar that I want to use as ride food; and she says that RXBars are a good choice. Oh, and I almost forgot: I saw three roseate spoonbills in flight! Such sights make even the most grueling ride worth the effort.

Nice Change Read More »

Myanmar

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Myanmar 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 can get a break from all the high-tech gadgets that surround us all the time; and which most of us (including me, I’ll confess) take for granted. It’s refreshing to read about children who can have fun without electronic toys and games; and about a people who are poor, yet kind and generous. Myanmar’s annual rainfall is about 98 inches. That makes New Orleans look downright arid! If cycle touring in the rain isn’t for you, try to avoid the months of May through October. Average annual temperatures hang between 72 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. If you feel the cold easily, a lightweight jacket might be wise for those low-70s days. The wildlife lover will find many species in Myanmar. Parrots and other birds; deer; tigers and leopards. I, for one, will be happy to steer clear of the reptiles. Turtles, OK; pythons and cobras, no, thank you very much. Myanmar is primarily Buddhist, and there are many temples to visit. Be sure to keep shoulders and knees covered should you visit a temple; and don’t forget to remove your shoes before entering. Unfortunately, as of September, 2023, Myanmar is under a Level 4 travel advisory; aka Do Not Go There. What a pity; Burma sounds like a beautiful place! 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 Relearning December 19, 2023 I Traverse Afar? December 18, 2023 I Envy Time December 17, 2023 Holiday Food December 16, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

Myanmar Read More »

The Northern Plains

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

The Northern Plains 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.” Let’s head for the Northern Plains! Sparely populated North Dakota, aka the Peace Garden State, seems to have ample room for cyclists. The state maintains a number of trails; both off-road and paved. Mongoose Malus Fat Tire MTB Is mountain biking your thing? MTB trails vary widely in length. The Hillman Trail in Icelandic State Park is three-quarters of a mile long; the Maah Daah Hey trail system totals 144 miles. Each of the MDH’s nine segments has its own unique character. It looks to me like MDH would make a complete vacation; take a day or two to explore each part. The trail system includes eleven campgrounds. Maybe pack along a tent, and stay on the trail until you’ve ridden all of it? Tommaso Sentiero For we roadies who prefer to ride on paved surfaces, there are four parks offering such trails. All are short, ranging from 2.1 miles to 13 miles. Missouri Valley Millennium Legacy Trail leads to interesting historical, cultural, and recreational points along the Missouri River. I think I’d enjoy that one. It would be great to have a look at the USA’s longest river. The Cavlandic Trail is 13 miles out-and-back. It connects the city of Cavalier to Icelandic State Park. Perhaps you could enjoy the park, then pedal to Cavalier for dinner? North Dakota has some of the most varied weather in the United States. June through August is the best time for outdoor activities. Winters can get very cold; well below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Too cold for me! On second thought, I think I might do well to avoid the Northern Plains. 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 Afternoon Ride? December 11, 2023 Think Ten Times! December 9, 2023 Going Farther Afield December 8, 2023 Mini-Ride! December 7, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

The Northern Plains Read More »