SpokEasy

SpokEasy

bicycling

Relearning

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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?

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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

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

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

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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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Think Ten Times!

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Think Ten Times! 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 believe now I’d better think ten times before planning to tackle RAGBRAI — whether I think outside of the box or not. Last night I watched this video; and it’s quite enough to tone down anybody’s excitement over the event. Will my road bike’s 50/34 compact crankset enable me to manage the hills on the route; or do I need a triple? Will the road bike I have do; or should I invest in one that weighs less than 22 pounds? Preparing for the mileage of RAGBRAI is not a task to be undertaken lightly; and some people’s bodies respond to training more quickly than others’. If I were to aim for next year’s event, the time to start training is NOW. Unfortunately, I can’t ride hard, or much at all, until my foot is completely recovered. That might not be for at least a month. Rain? I should be accustomed to rain, living as I do in New Orleans; and an Alpha Cycle Gear rain suit shouldn’t flap around like the ancient poncho that I’m still using. My biggest worry about riding in the rain isn’t rain itself as much as lightning. Heat? Pack along at least one cooling neck gaiter! This past July and August we had many days with afternoon heat indices over 100 degrees; and I wasn’t out there riding! It was miserable enough indoors. Headwinds? I’ve dealt with them often enough; but how strong is the wind in Iowa? Hills? That’s another huge sticking point for me. It’s flat, flat, flat where I live; and that makes it hard to learn how to climb.  Lack of sleep? That would be a tough one. I often don’t sleep very well as it is; and trying to get my shut-eye in a crowded (and probably noisy!) campground won’t help. I’m not keen on the idea of paying eight bucks for a shower; much less standing in a long line just to get that shower. But the alternative — well — that’s best left to the imagination. All that, and we still haven’t gotten around to mentioning proper fueling and hydration! So yes; I’d better think ten times!

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Going Farther Afield

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Going Farther Afield 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’m  going farther afield! Today I rode a bit more. The distance still took me only about six-tenths of a mile from home; but it feels good to be getting back in the saddle! Maybe tomorrow I’ll ride about half a mile on the bike path; and make a detour to the drug store before going home. However, I have to be careful about certain things. When I start, I push off using my left foot; and that’s the one that had the surgery. I have to focus on keeping my weight back on the heel. I hope that big toe is back to comfortable flexing before long!  If I coast to go over a rough spot in the road, my usual technique is to roll over it with my feet level. My left foot is forward, which for some reason feels more natural to me. Unfortunately the jolt caused by a bump bothers my foot. The swelling isn’t quite gone yet, so the foot is still a little tender. Obviously it will be a while before I’m ready for any real distance riding; but hey, I’ve made a beginning! I don’t think I’m even ready to ride to the salvage store; and that’s a round trip of under 11 miles. Bit by bit I can work up to it, by going father afield each day. I’ll be glad when I can do my usual riding again! The weather for Sunday isn’t going to be the best for riding; especially as I’m coming back from foot surgery. The forecast says, wind 20 mph; with gusts up to 35 mph! For me that means quite a fight.   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 Going Farther Afield December 8, 2023 Mini-Ride! December 7, 2023 I Still Can’t Ride! December 6, 2023 Unseamed December 5, 2023 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Mini-Ride!

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Mini-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.” I did a mini-ride this morning! It was a very short ride; I only went to the drug store about 1/4 mile from home. And I used the hybrid, because strapless toe clips are quick and easy to get out of. I do have to be careful how I put down my foot when stopping — heel down, instead of flat foot. Then I can put the sole down.  Today is the first time since the lapiplasty that a regular sneaker didn’t hurt. It’s still a little too snug to be truly comfortable; but it was great to be able to start pedaling again! I hope it’s not long before I can go for a real ride. But I have to remember to start out short and easy! To celebrate my freedom, I walked to the neighborhood Chinese restaurant and got take-out for lunch. I didn’t ride, because the bike trunk I have now is a little too narrow for a take-out box; but the food is good, and worth the trip. At present, I have some hoisin sauce at home; and it’s great with an egg roll? That take-out meal actually gave me two meals; and what I didn’t eat for lunch today can fuel another mini-ride tomorrow morning. I think I’ll try to go a bit farther; maybe to the nearest supermarket (about 0.6 miles each way). It shouldn’t be too cold; and rain isn’t predicted before Saturday afternoon. It looks like I’m getting back on track!   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 Elementor #154888 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

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