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Linus?

Linus? 🤓 Today’s Featured Product! 🌍 Planet Bike Seat Leash New!! F Prolon Fasting Bars For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I’m often reminded of the Peanuts character Linus these days. In some of the comics, Linus wears glasses. In one such strip, he complains — understandably — that the wost part of glasses is keeping them clean. He says that he’s seen factory windows that were cleaner. So he holds his glasses out towards Snoopy, who licks the lenses. When Linus puts his glasses back on, he comments that now things are even worse. Snoopy is gagging, and thinking, “They didn’t taste very good, either!” My glasses frequetly get smudged with sunblock; so I”m always cleaning them. Smudges make it hard to see my computer screen! In Between ↔️ I’m in a maddening in-between phase with my glasses. I got a new prescription fairly recently, and I guess I’m still adjusting. In fact, I hadn’t been using glasses while working on my laptop; but lately I noticed that it’s gotten hard to see the text without them. But it’s also hard to see WITH my glasses. What a tug-of-war! Bifocal problems, I suppose. I’m glad I don’t have that problem on the bike, or I’d be in big trouble! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Multi-Purpose

Multi-Purpose 🛠️ Today’s Featured Product! 🚀 LARABAR Cashew Cookie New!! Milkadamia For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I like multi-purpose things. It’s better to have one tool that can do two or three jobs; than to have three tools! For instance, if a 2-quart pot can serve as a mixing bowl; why get the bowl? Space is precious, after all; and I like to have some elbow room. Despite that, things keep piling up! Today I went into multi-purpose mode while sewing. After an error, I needed to take out some stitches. The lighting in here isn’t the best; and my eyes are like the old gray mare: they ain’t what they used to be. Ergo I was having a hard time seeing the stitches. Digging for Treasure? 🪎 So I went digging for treasure in my box of RAGBRAI equipment. I knew I had a headlamp in there somewhere; so I fished it out and put it on. It worked pretty well for the purpose; and now I know I don’t need to buy a standing lamp. It would be just another thing that needs space; and it would be much too hot under such a light, anyow. It would be interesting if I could make my bicycle multi-purpose; but so far I haven’t come up with any ideas. 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Who Needs a Grill?

Who Needs a Grill? 🍳 Today’s Featured Product! 🎆 Kraft Slow-Simmered BBQ    New!! adidas Five Ten Freerider For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Who needs a grill in their personal space now? The heat index this afternoon is 106 degrees; and that’s already more than hot enough! I’d rather be eating pickle ice pops than sizzling meat. It’s gotten so that I’d rather cook with the microwave than turn on the stove; but some things need stovetop use. As for baking in a conventional oven — that’s going to generate far too much heat! Who needs a grill in addition to all that? Broken Record 💿 I sound like a broken record here — ride early! Especially if you don’t have a shady trail to follow! Does the Natchez Trace qualify? It’s gotten so that I use my Camel-Bak for the ride to the salvage store. Even for that short ride, plain water doesn’t seem to suffice when the weather is so hot; and I want electrolyte drink as well as water.  That means I need to use a bottle for the electrolyte drink; and with only two bottle cages, I have to do something else if I’m to bring along enough water! Wednesday night and Thursday, we might have T-storms; and that might cool us off a few degrees. But it will still be hot. 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Product Comparison

Product Comparison ⚖️ Today’s Featured Product! 👍 Kryptonite Incite XR New!! Mongoose Argus Trail For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Let’s get into some product comparison here: wearable fan versus cooling rag. I got to juggle exactly those two choices in recent days. With the prospect of a possible power outage, I charged up the fan. The fan helps to cool me; but I don’t enjoy the sound of it so close to my ears. And of course the fan can run for only so long. The cooling rag doesn’t have to be charged up; and it’s much easier to pack along if I don’t need it right away. It looks like product comparison doesn’t need to go very far! Choose One 1️⃣ I’ll certainly need to choose one for the upcoming days; and no, I don’t mean the protein bars. The long-range forecast shows a lot of heat from tomorrow through next Tuesday; and I’m going to need a way to beat that heat. How did people manage in the days before wearable fans; air conditioning; and cool rags? Not that I need to ask.They built their daily lives around it; and in addition, they were accustomed to it. Thinking about it makes me realize how spoiled I am. I can grab that cool rag any time; and drape it around the back of my neck when I need to go out in the heat. Which reminds me, I wonder how RAGBRAI is going? 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Tire Saver

Tire Saver 🛞 Today’s Featured Product! 👍 Schrader Bike Tire Liner New!! Venzo Multi-Use Pedals For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! A tire liner is a tire saver, I can tell you. I’m  so glad I have them for both tires! For the past week or so, every ride has been accompanied by a steady bump, bump, bump as I rolled along. It seemed to be coming from my front tire; but I couldn’t find anything in that tire. Today I finally wheeled my bicycle over to the bike shop; and why didn’t I look at the rear tire? (For one thing, it’s hard to hold the back end of that bike in the air!) The rear tire was badly worn in two spots; and only the tire liner had prevented a flat. So a tire liner sure is a tire saver! Heat Coming 🥵 I believe I already mentioned that we’ve got heat coming. I for sure won’t want hot curry! The predicted heat is why I rode to the store today. I want get in some miles extra early while this heat wave lasts; and it looks like it will hang around for at least three days.  I have to go somewhere tomorrow; and I’m not sure I”ll get to ride first. I’ll need to head out for the appointment by 8:30; and I don’t want to get up at 4:00 am! Time to head to the park for some slow laps, where I might have some shade. 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ Click here

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Practice Packing

Practice Packing 🧳 Today’s Featured Product! 🎆 Magicshine New!! Clif Bar Minis For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Why am I talking about practice packing? I’m not going to RAGBRAI this year; and next year’s event is rather far off for planning. However, I got to thinking about last year’s RAGBRAI; and if I’m to do it again, I need to plan my luggage better! Last year’s practice packing came up short. Two 40-liter duffle bags were barely big enough when I tried packing them before the trip; and after I got to Iowa, I discovered that I hadn’t allowed space in my bags for my sneakers! My cycling shoes had fit; but the sneakers are a lot bulkier. It looks like Pork Belly is less concerned about the size of your bags than their weight; so a 60-liter duffle bag should be OK. I’ll think about it next year! Double-Duty Day 2️⃣ It’s a double-duty day today: Fourth of July; and the Tour de France begins! Rebel Ice Cream would be quite suitable for today — remember the Rebels of 1775-1783. But I had already bought a pint of Cherry Garcia®; my favorite ice cream! I did a short ride today; I’m having a hard time getting myself to ride back and forth over a stretch of less than two miles (danged road closure!) So I came home; and had a bologna sandwich and some ice cream. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!    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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Finally Got Out

Finally Got Out! 🚲 Today’s Featured Product! 🔥 Pro Bike Tool Inflator New!! Fuel Your Body For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I finally got out for a ride this morning; albeit a short one. It felt good to be pedaling after sitting around all day yesterday! I didn’t try any efforts at riding fast. The park isn’t the place for it; but I wanted to stay rather close to  home in case a T-storm started to move in. It makes me wish for clear skies and an open road; although I can do without climbing mountains! Memorial Day 🌼 🇺🇸 It looks like our Memorial Day holiday will be a wet one; and I don’t envy people who have picnics and barbecues planned. But BBQ really isn’t my thing; so at least I’m not worried about outdoor cooking plans being thwarted. I hope I can ride tomorrow; I need the exercise. But it looks like the entire week will be stormy! I finally got out to the grocery store this afternoon. Yesterday morning I started over there, because I skipped the salvage store; but grumbling thunder made me change my mind. I hope no such rumbling derails tomorrow’s ride plans! 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as CAL. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ Add Your Heading Text Here Today’s Featured Product! New!! For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. 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 © 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 ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as CAL. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Cycling Moms

Cycling Moms 👩 Today’s Featured Product! ✨ Allen Deluxe Trailer & Stroller New!! Blue Quartz Hydration Backpack For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! To cycling moms — and all mothers — Happy Mothers’ Day! There are quite a few ways to being along youngsters on a ride; from trailer/strollers for very young children, to trailercycles that let an older kid ride along without fear of separation. Never having had children, I can’t vouch for how well these things really work; but I’m sure there are plenty of parents who have tried them out; cycling moms and cycling dads as well. Twenty at Last! 🚧 Today my mileage hit 20 at last; for a change, there was no virtual road block in the form of bad weather. I had a frustrating three days of cutting rides short; and I was glad to get in some real distance. I saw rabbits again today! A ride of 20 miles gives me quite a lot of time to watch for wildlife; and to listen for bird calls.  And watch the sky. It looks like this week won’t be as stormy as last week; so I can keep on putting in the miles. And cycling moms are probably glad of it, too. The little ones won’t need a raincoat! Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as CAL. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Shorts Circuit

Shorts Circuit 🩳 Today’s Featured Product! VELMIA Spoke  Reflectors   New!! Biosteel Zero Mix For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! My shorts circuit has been interrupted. For a long time, I’ve had five pairs that I use in rotation. Today, I noticed that the pair of shorts I was wearing had holes in it! Thank the velcro on my reflective vest for that! It’s heavy-duty; and tears at whatever it snags. Now that my shorts circuit has been broken, I need another pair of shorts. Crazy Weather 🌥️ We’ve got crazy weather again.  At around 8:00 am, it was cloudy; and I knew the forecast said there might be T-storms. So I was a bit uneasy about going for a ride. I decided to go do laps around the park. For a while, it seemed that the sun would come out; but during Lap 2, I noticed that the clouds seemed to be getting darker. I went home; and soon discovered that there was a Special Marine Warning for the lake not far away. The weather system was heading this way, too. Not much later, I began to hear grumbles of thunder;  and I expected all fury to break out. But it didn’t. This crazy weather is driving me crazy! Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as CAL. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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Hang Eleven?

Hang Eleven? 🏄 Today’s Featured Product! MOPHOTO Adult Mountain Tricycle New!! Bikewa Men’s Rain Jacket For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Hang eleven sounds almost like a surfing term; only they hang ten. I had a surfing-crazy spell when I was about twelve; but I don’t know how I got that idea. There wasn’t an ocean anywhere near our neighborhood! This morning I tried to hang to 11 mph; with only middling success. I kept forgetting to keep an eye on my Cateye; and kept slowing down. Thus I didn’t hang eleven very well. Don’t Speed! ⏩ Don”t speed in fog, they say; especially if you’re driving a motor vehicle. Some years ago, there was a horrible chain collision one very foggy morning; and I think they said that speed was a factor. Riding in dense fog is a bit of a nail-biter; especially if I’m doing hard efforts. Now that I have anti-fog wipes for my glasses, I can at least see better when it’s misty. My plan for tomorrow is a 22-mile ride; but I think I’ll omit hard efforts. If I happen to hang eleven, fine. If I don’t, no big deal. The ride is the main thing! 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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