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bicycling

Wet Fourth

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Wet Fourth It looks like we’ve got a wet Fourth of July in store. The forecast for the next few days is for showers and T-storms. We need rain; but why does it have to arrive for Independence Day? A lot of people will want to have barbecues; picnics; and other outdoor activities. It looks like the bad weather won’t start tomorrow before late morning; so I’m debating whether to ride or not. If I do ride, I want to go very early! Today I went out at 5:00 am to see the full moon; and it was a welcome relief to not have the sun beating down on me.  Maybe I should keep it up for the Summer; and as far as tomorrow goes, I want to be back indoors before people start lobbing firecrackers around!  Maybe a wet Fourth wouldn’t be all bad. It might cool us off a little. The heat index is over 100 degrees again today; and it’s getting very tiresome. When I was a kid, it didn’t start to get really hot until after the first week of July. For many years now, we can get 100+ heat indices in MARCH! Today I had to go downtown for an early afternoon appointment; and it’s not fun using public transit in the middle of the day during hot weather. The streetcar isn’t air conditioned; but at least I didn’t have to wait long for a car to come along. Sometimes it takes 20 minutes!

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Ranch Eggs

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Ranch Eggs? This morning I had ranch eggs — sort of. I had some blackney beanpot that needed to be used up; so I put the beans in a bowl; topped them with an egg; and microwaved the stuff for two minutes. Then, I put some ranch dressing on top! I think this would have tasted better with a bit of red bell pepper; but I was short of time for chopping things. Our weather is still very hot; and that’s one reason I want to get going early for the ride to the salvage store. Another reason for going early is, I want to avoid traffic. For about two blocks of my route, I have to take to a traffic lane; and the earlier I go, the fewer the cars! I still have to be careful not to buy too much canned stuff; but today I got three 10 oz cans of chicken. I’ve been watching for that for several weeks; so I was glad to find it. Then, the ride back home. Fortunately there was little wind today; but I still got plenty hot. It was about 9:30 am when I got back home; and the heat index was already around 105 degrees! Tomorrow will be another hot day; but there’s a chance of late-afternoon T-storms. I hope we get one; then maybe things will cool off. We need rain, anyway. What shall I take along for ride food tomorrow? Ranch eggs won’t do, that’s for sure! No matter what I take, it’s sure to get half-melted; sticky; and messy. I need to browse through Feed Zone Portables for ideas!    

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Hitting the Bottle

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Hitting the Bottle? ? 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 often feel like I’m hitting the bottle when I’m out for a bicycle ride. I reach for a drink every few minutes; especially in hot weather such as this. When I first started on the road bike, keeping hydrated was quite a problem. My road bike doesn’t have a handlebar-mounted bottle cage; and that means reaching for a bidon on the down tube. Having Gunga Din would have been helpful; but he wasn’t around. In the early stages of road-bike riding, I didn’t need the weight of a Camel-Bak on me; so I needed to figure out the bidon business. And it sure is awkward at the beginning! The first step was to reach down and touch the bottle; and get used to how it felt when I did so. Of course I need to lower my body in order to reach the thing; and when you still aren’t quite sure of your ability to control the bicycle, that’s a bit unnerving. After I practiced that move for a while, I began to pull the bidon part-way out of its cage; then push it back in. At last, I pulled it all the way out; and got myself a drink. After that, the hardest part: putting that bidon back into its cage. Any number of times, I dropped the bidon; and had to stop and pick it up. Or, I’d have to hold the bidon’s nozzle in my teeth while I stopped; and then I could put the bidon back. Even now, after 10+ years of road biking, I still sometimes have days when it’s very difficult to put the bidon back in the holder. It can be especially tricky when there’s a strong wind; especially if it’s a sidewind! I tried once to make a YouTube of this process; but it didn’t work out. I had my camera mounted on a “chesty” ( sort of harness that holds the camera); and all I saw were my pedaling legs! So I’ll have to be content with this blog post on hitting the bottle!

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Trying to Keep Cool

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

TRYING to Keep Cool! Not for cycling; but it might help you keep cool I’m trying to keep cool, like everybody else here. In fact, I believe that much of the nation is sweltering under unusual heat. Today it was nearly 90 degrees by 9:00 am; and now, in the early afternoon, it’s 92 degrees! The house next door is having work done on the roof; and I feel sorry for the workers who are up there in this blazing sunshine. I bet they’d love to have helmets like this one! The Solar Fan Hard Hat never stops working as long as you’re in the sunlight; and even on an overcast day, the fan runs up to 36 hours. The built-in battery can serve as a portable USB charger; and this hat has Bluetooth answering phone capacity. Can be adjusted to fit different-sized heads. Color: Yellow. $58.89 It would be nice if I could find a bicycle helmet with these characteristics. I sometimes don’t get out to ride until at least 8:00 am; and before I can finish, it’s broiling hot. A fan in my helmet would be great! In conditions like that, plain water doesn’t seem to keep me properly hydrated, even on a rather short ride; and two bottles of water aren’t enough. I have to use my Camel-Bak; and take along electrolyte drink! This morning I put in 15 miles; and if I extend my rides further I’ll have to take along a snack, too. I’m glad I don’t have to go anywhere else today; and so can stay indoors. After all, I’m trying to keep cool!

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Still Broiling

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

Still Broiling! It’s still broiling here. Most days in the last week and a half, we’ve had heat advisories; and today there’s an excessive heat warning. So we have to find a way to beat the heat. One way is to ride early in the day; but now that I’m retired, that’s less easy than it used to be. If I don’t set my alarm clock, I might not even wake up before 8:00 am; and it could be an hour before I get out on the bicycle. By then, the temperature is already well into the  80s! Today I got going around 7:20 am; and five miles or so from home, I got a flat tire. That’s the second one in less than ten days! I don’t know what’s going on; I use tire liners. Do I need new tires? Luckily another rider helped me; and in fact, to be honest, he did all the work. After I got home and stowed the bike, I walked to the bike shop to buy supplies; namely: two new tubes and four CO2 cartridges. I’m left me wondering whether I would have gotten a flat at all, if I had followed my original plan for this morning: a trip to Whole Foods; and only then a ride. But when I saw how hot it already was shortly past seven o’clock, I decided to ride. Even at night, it’s still broiling. Last night it didn’t get below the mid-80s. It’s going to be a long, hot Summer!

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KaZAM Co-Pilot Bike Trailer

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Feature for June 25 A KaZAM Co-Pilot Bike Trailer comes in handy after your child outgrows trailers or over-the-wheel carriers. Your youngster can ride along with you; without worries that the little one will get lost, or be left behind. It has a sturdy, alloy steel frame; and attaches easily to most bicycles that have a seat post. The KaZAM Co-Pilot Bike Trailer has its own saddle; pedals; and handlebars, too. Easy to detach from your bicycle when not needed. Safety flag for improves visibility. Comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Weight: 29 pounds; can be used by riders up to 75 pounds. Color: Green. $325.63  

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Better with Electrolytes

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food /

Better with Electrolytes A ride is better with electrolytes on a hot day — even a short ride! Yesterday I didn’t ride particularly late. I went out about 7:40 am, but I still got very hot; and plain water just wasn’t making the grade. I had the feeling that I would run out of water if I didn’t cut my ride short. The wind was strong enough to be noticeable; but 7 mph isn’t 15 mph! Maybe the blazing sunshine was the problem. I decided that, if I want to extend my weekday morning rides to 15 miles or so, I have to use the Camel-Bak for water; and carry Nuun or Propel. Today, I tried it. I had a doctor’s appointment, and didn’t get out to ride until almost ten o’clock. The temperature and wind speed were comparable to conditions during yesterday morning’s ride; but it was much cloudier. That helped, I’m sure; but this time I had Nuun with me. I felt better than I did during yesterday’s ride; so yes, a jaunt on the bike is better with electrolytes. If I were still riding at 5:15 am, things might be different; but retirement is spoiling me. Without the alarm clock, I might not wake up at all before 7:30 am! Naturally I’m getting out later; but it might be a good idea to try starting at 6:00 am. Then I’ll be home before things really start to heat up. On the other hand, if I have any idea of doing RAGBRAI next year, I must get acclimated to riding in the heat. The only way to get that conditioning is to ride in the heat!? But keep in mind: it’s better with electrolytes!

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Ever Play a Kazoo

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Ever Play a Kazoo? Did you ever play a kazoo? It’s an odd “horn” — you hum into it, instead of blowing it. I couldn’t help thinking of it when I came across the Kazoo Bicycle Trailercycle. This particular trailer lets a child four to ten years old; and up to 85 pounds, ride along behind you. It tracks very well; and helps the child get the hang of balancing. Frame is lightweight aluminum; and uses Burley‘s patented hitch system. Wheel is 20 inches in diameter; saddle and handlebars can be adjusted to fit the rider. Safety flag included. $379.95 I’m sure that, at some point, a young kid will become impatient with being hauled around in a trailer. But if your young child wants to ride with you, how will s/he keep up? With a product such as this one, you can keep pedaling even after the child tires; and with no worries that you’ll be separated from the child. Maybe this will even be good practice for a future tandem rider? Did you ever play a kazoo? This is one way to do it!    

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Tired of Waiting

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Tired of Waiting I’m tired of waiting for it to rain. The forecasts keep saying 40% chance; even 100% chance of T-storms; and it it’s going to storm, I wish it would do so. Last night, my phone rang with a severe T-storm warning around 10:00 pm; but this morning it didn’t look like it had rained. A neighbor said it did rain early this morning, though. Today there was yet another heat advisory, starting at 11:00m am. I didn’t get out on the bicycle until almost nine o’clock; and I decided to go ride in the park, where I could get some shade. I also wanted to be fairly close to home, in case the weather got bad. I could see that it had rained in the park. It’s a funny thing about rain — one location doesn’t get a drop; and a mile away it rains hard. There were a number of wet spots on the bike path in the park. After three laps, I decided to go back home. Even in the park, there was a sign about the heat advisory; and I needed to get some laundry done, anyway. On top of that, I was starting to feel hollow. So here it is, 2:00 pm; and the storm still hasn’t broken out. I’m tired of waiting.  

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I Love Tailwinds

BACK ISSUES, bicycling /

I Love Tailwinds! I love tailwinds! What cyclist doesn’t? During yesterday’s ride, I got a good breeze behind me on the way home; and for four or five seconds was cruising at 20+ mph! For me, that’s very fast. That’s why I love tailwinds. Today was different. I rode to the salvage store; and the wind was pesky. Tomorrow looks like more of the same; and I’d better ride early in the day. The afternoon heat index might reach 111 degrees! That’s when I’m glad to be indoors, with the air conditioner running; and an icy cola to drink. Gosh, I’m getting soft. I grew up in this hot, humid climate with no A/C; and now I’d be hard-pressed to do without it. My distance this morning was extended by a few miles. Almost two miles into the ride to the salvage store, I remembered that I didn’t have my wallet with me; and I had to go back home to fetch it. What a nuisance that was! In addition, if I had been one minute later, I would have had to wait for a freight train! I was glad that I beat it to the crossing; but I didn’t escape the blast from its horn. Talk about LOUD!!  Back home I ate an early lunch; then after another short errand I could get to editing my website. It still needs a lot of work. In fact, I don’t think it will ever end. If I’ve learned only one thing about keeping a website, it’s that a website is a work in progress. Creating a menu bar, aka nav bar, isn’t complicated in itself; but when I have to create new pages to link to the menu it gets very time-consuming! After several hours of such intense mental focus, I feel like a zombie. I wish there were some kind of tailwind that could speed up the process; but there isn’t. I hope I’ll get a tailwind at least part of the time during tomorrow’s ride. Then I’ll have an energy boost for further editing work when I get home.    

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