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Convalescent

Convalescent I’m in the convalescent stage now. Day before yesterday I had CMC arthroplasty; and ever since have been learning how to manage with one hand. Luckily my left hand is the one affected; and I’m right-handed. That makes things a little easier; but it’s still tricky. I quickly learned how to get lids off of jars — at least, jars that have been previously opened. Clasp the jar, as near upright as possible, between my thighs, right above the knees. Then I need only my right hand to twist the lid. I figured out how to shower without getting that splint wet: pull a plastic bag over it; and secure the open end with 3-inch wide painter’s tape. Even so, I hold that hand above my head, and as far out from the shower as possible. Keeping the surgical site elevated is very hard. I couldn’t tolerate lying on my back all day, just to hold my hand high. It’s also a problem keeping the hand iced; and it needs it. My fingers are still swollen. Of course I can’t ride in my current state. Being a convalescent is a drag! I’m working to gain access to indoor bikes; and I hope to try one tomorrow. I did consider setting up one of my bicycles in the trainer prior to surgery; but decided that it might well be impossible to climb aboard with my splinted hand. There are also sutures to think about. I hope there’s a way to pump up the tires one-handed! They’ll need it even if I’m not riding. On the other hand, my tires were OK after several weeks of enforced neglect following Ida. Tonight it’s going to get much cooler; so if I simply didn’t want to ride in the cold, I’ve got a reasonable excuse to stay in! 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 Your Little Foot November 11, 2024 Gray and Warm November 10, 2024 Park Mode November 9, 2024 Woman Is Fickle? November 8, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Time-Crunched Cyclist

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Time-Crunched Cyclist Time-Crunched Cyclist describes so many of us! What with a full-time job; for some, a second job; a family; and so on, time to ride can easily fall by the wayside. I myself never worried too much about it. If time to ride meant letting housework slide, I just let it slide! I don’t care about everything being spotlessly clean, anyhow. There are more important things in life! But if you happen to be a time-crunched cyclist; and are frustrated by your limited opportunities to train; this publication helps you get the most out of what riding time that you do have. Elite coach Chris Carmichael shows the way. Am I time-crunched? Not really; not now that I’m a retiree. When I was still working, I went riding at 5:15 or even 5:00 in the morning; because it was the best way to be sure I got to ride. I’m not into racing; but if I were, I think I would want a copy of this title. Also available in kindle.

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2023

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

2023! It’s 2023! Happy New Year! As always, I can’t believe the new year is here already. Time sure flies; and I wish I could “fly” like that on my bicycle! I went out for a ride this morning. It was foggy; and there were large patches of debris from firecrackers on the cycling path. It happens every year; and it sure annoys me! I believe fireworks are illegal here; but plenty of folks have them, anyway. 2023 will be a big year for me: I’m going to retire! It will be great to have more time to ride, and to work on this website. But first, I’ve got CMC arthroplasty coming up! I’m not sure how much time I’ll have to take off from the bicycle; but it’s going to be hard not being able to ride. Maybe I’ll be able to “ride” in the trainer. That will give my legs a little action. Lunges will help, too. And I can go for walks; but I’d better keep plastic bags handy in case it rains. My hand will be in a splint for a while; and that splint will have to be kept dry. I’ve been cooking stuff to freeze so I have meals while my hand is laid up; and I stocked up on paper plates and paper bowls. That will minimize one-handed dishwashing. There are two rainy days coming up; and the temperatures have risen to the 70s. Just think, a week ago we were freezing! It’s absolutely crazy. We have a dense fog advisory for tonight, too. Day after tomorrow it’s back to work. What a drag that will be; but I comfort myself with the thought that it’s only for a few days. Then I’ll be retired!

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Out At Last

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Out At Last! I got out at last today! By afternoon the temperature had warmed up to the low 50s. I was tired of being cooped up indoors; and decided to go for a short ride. It was sunny and clear; and almost no wind. I would have liked for it to be 10 degrees warmer; but low 50s is a lot better than barely above freezing! I didn’t try any interval work, nor did I push for speed; I just rode. For two days I hadn’t even put in any time on the trainer; so it was enough to just be riding. It looks like our Arctic blast is on the way out at last. Some poor folks are still buried in snow; and I hope they get relief soon. We didn’t get a single flake here; when it does get cold enough for snow, it’s usually because a cold front blasted all the clouds away. That’s certainly been the case this time! Now I must think of my 2023 riding plans. Early in the year, I’m having CMC arthroplasty; and following the procedure, I’ll have to be off the bicycle for at least a few weeks. Maybe I can set up the bike in the trainer; but I must discuss that with my surgeon. Once recovered from the surgery, I hope to get in some good mileage. I’ll be retired, so I don’t have to worry about getting to work; and I can start putting in extra distance. Maybe I can even dream of doing another century!

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Saris Fluid 2

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

Saris Fluid 2 The Saris Fluid 2 trainer is useful when the weather makes outdoor riding difficult or impossible. Some parts of the country are presently buried under several feet of snow; and others have problems with icy surfaces. We just had a cold snap, with temperatures dropping well below freezing; and chill factors in the teens. For New Orleans, that’s phenomenal. It rarely gets that cold at all; much less stays that way for several days. As a result, I don’t have polar riding gear. If I want to ride outside during such a cold spell, I need to wear two pairs of pants over leg warmers and cycling shorts. That makes my legs feel too bound up; getting on and off the road bike is awkward. I need three or four layers on my chest; and with a wind, even that isn’t enough! Thanks to our humidity, a cold wind cuts through any number of layers. Keeping hands and feet warm? So far I haven’t found a way to do that when it gets so cold. Warming packs help keep my hands warm; but my poor fingers still freeze. Double socks — including thermal socks — don’t keep my feet warm. Even with a helmet liner, my head quickly gets too cold. So, going out on a bicycle in such conditions is risking hypothermia. I’ve got enough problems without that. It’s been so cold in here, anyway, that all I want to do is park in front of the electric heater. Getting “kitted up” to do a stint in the trainer took a lot of willpower! So, tedious as it is, I did some stints in the trainer. I don’t actually have a Saris Fluid 2; but my old Cycle Ops is close enough. I didn’t worry about speed, cadence, and so on; I just pedaled half an hour to try to keep my leg muscles from atrophying! This trainer is Zwift compatible. $179.97 Fluid 2 trainer $239.95 Smart version Expert assembly $89 per unit

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Frigid Holidays

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Frigid Holidays! We’re in for some frigid holidays! At present the temperature is 57 degrees; but overnight it’s going to plunge to the mid-20s. For us, that’s VERY cold. The wind is expected to pick up, too; and from midnight there’s a wind chill advisory. I’m ever so glad I don’t have to go to work tomorrow! I’m not going to try to ride outdoors tomorrow; that’s certain! Judging by past experience, I’m not sure the most sophisticated thermal socks will keep my feet warm; and multiple layers on my legs make pedaling a chore. When it’s so cold and windy, it seems impossible to put on enough layers to keep my upper body warm; and even with a helmet liner, my head aches from the cold. There’s the oft-mentioned nuisance of a runny nose; and in the kind of conditions predicted for tomorrow, my nose would be “flowing like the River Shannon“, as some people might say. This extreme cold is going to last a few days; but no snow for us. When it gets cold enough to snow, it’s usually because a cold front has swept the sky clear of clouds. In a way that’s good. Sunshine might help keep my place a bit warmer. Even so, it will be frigid holidays. As to riding, I plan to hook the bicycle into the trainer and pedal a bit. That might keep me warm — unfortunately, only as long as I keep pedaling. I must remember to leave a faucet running overnight; and I did the laundry this afternoon. If the pipes do happen to freeze, at least that’s one thing I won’t have to worry about! I have several gallon jugs of drinking water; and plenty of canned food. I might as well be hunkering down for a hurricane!

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Thin Skin

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Thin Skin I have thin skin, I think. This morning it was 42 degrees; and the wind was 21 mph! I couldn’t face going for a long ride in that; especially as it would have meant fighting the wind all the way back home! Late in the morning, after it had warmed up a little, I rode over to the drug store. I’m going to try fexofenadine for my stuffy head. It was 2:00 by the time the temperature finally warmed to the high 50s; and the wind had dropped to 10 mph. I went for a short ride with the hybrid. I’m glad I got in a few miles, especially as tomorrow looks iffy for riding. In the morning, there’s a 30% chance of showers; and by afternoon, the chances go up to 70%. Maybe I’ll go ride in the park; and use the hybrid so I can carry my poncho in the trunk. If I think tomorrow will be bad, Thursday night it’s expected to plummet down below freezing! The high temperature Friday won’t be much above freezing. I’m glad I don’t have to go to work Friday, because cold temperatures won’t be the only problem. It’ll be windy, too: gusts up to 35 mph! I’ve got thin skin, for sure. In such temperatures, I’m already freezing, no matter how many clothes I’ve got on; and fierce wind like that goes right through multiple layers of clothing. If I’m to ride, I’ll have to put the road bike in the trainer. I tried putting the new hybrid in my Cycle Ops 2; but it doesn’t fit. Or did I do something wrong? I actually hope that’s the case; and that I can figure out what the problem is. I’d rather not ride outside when the chill factor is sub-freezing — ‘cuz I’ve got thin skin!

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Tricycle Adult Folding Bicycle

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment / CAL

This Week’s Feature The Tricycle Adult Folding Bicycle is a great solution if you want to take kids along; but balance difficulties forbid use of a bicycle with a child seat. This single-speed “ride” has front suspension; 20-inch wheels; and a chromoly steel frame. The rear seat can hold two youngsters. The child seat is equipped with a seatbelt for safety. Baskets let you carry home groceries; the kids’ school needs; or your change of clothing for work. Fenders keep you and the trike cleaner on wet days. For riders up to to 6’1″/180 cm; maximum load 440 lb/200 kg. Trike weighs 77 lb/~35 kg. For both men and women. The Tricycle Adult Folding Bicycle carries a one-year warranty. $497.01

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Cut It Short

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

Cut It Short I had to cut it short today, big time. The forecast was for isolated T-storms by 7:00 am; and scattered T-storms as the morning went on. That, of course, had me a bit on edge. It was just after 8:00 when I finally got going; and the sky looked pretty stormy already. The sun had peeked out a few times, though; so I wore my sunglasses. Of course that made the clouds look all the darker! I had ridden only a half-mile or so when it began to sprinkle; and it looked like I was heading straight for worse weather. Going back home seemed like the wiser course. But it wasn’t really raining yet; and I rode the hybrid to the nearby grocery store. I needed bananas; and this store keeps them right inside the entrance. Hummus and frozen blueberries were on my wish list; but I don’t know where that store keeps them. Concerns over the weather meant I didn’t want to spend a lot of time looking for them; so I’ll have to go without. When I got out of the store, the sky was darker; and I donned my poncho before beginning the ride home. On the way, the wind began to blow in the way it does when it’s about to storm. When I got home, I checked the weather online. There was a T-storm in progress at the airport (about 11-12 miles from here); and heavy rain. So it’s a good thing I cut it short. If I had kept riding, I would have been caught in it! It began to rain here about 9:20 am; and actually, it’s nice to be indoors for it. But speaking of cutting, I’ve got a huge cauliflower that I have to chop up.

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More Fog

BACK ISSUES, bicycling / CAL

MORE Fog! More fog! I’m tired of those ground-hugging clouds! Yesterday morning it was quite foggy when I rode. Luckily there was a clear patch; so I got to see the full moon. But I couldn’t see its reflection on the river because there was too much mist. The farther I rode, the worse it seemed to get; so I went home early. I thought conditions were bad yesterday; but this morning it was worse! I didn’t even try to go on the levee. I rode over to the park; and the fog was so bad, I had to remove my glasses after a half-mile. Things were pretty bad in the park; and it makes me nervous when I can hardly see where I’m riding. On the upside, I heard an owl in the park! But one circuit was enough, given the conditons; and I went home. Naturally I’ve checked the forecast for tomorrow and — more fog. And yet more the next morning! Now is the kind of time when I wish I had some anti-fog spray. Maybe I can ride a bit later tomorrow, because I won’t be going to work. I have an appointment; but not until 9:45 am. It’s time to consult the hand specialist about surgery for that pesky CMC arthritis. Occupational therapy has helped a little; but I still have trouble with pain. Looks like only surgery will get rid of it. Unfortunately, that will mean time off the bike!