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Glutes and Quads

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Glutes and Quads ? Glutes and quads are important for the cyclist. No, I’m not suggesting that we take up ballet; but it seems to me that these exercises ought to be helpful. Incidentally, if we did start ballet classes, I bet we’d need TONS of hamstring stretches. We hear all the time that cycling causes the hamstrings to shorten and tighten; and that wreaks havoc on extension!  Fit Simplify bands are good for this sort of thing. They come in five different weights, from X-Light to X-Heavy. You can progress from one weight to the next as you strengthen your glutes and quads. Handy storage bag included. Building Back Up ? I’m building back up now; or trying to. Today I used the road bike; and put in 12.4 miles. I did some efforts at pedaling 15 mph or over; but made them much shorter than usual.  When you’re building back up, you need to rein yourself in a little! Unfortunately, I forgot to wear my heart-rate strap. That’s what comes of using the hybrid several days in a row! Also, I don’t have a FitBit; so I can’t be sure exactly what my heart rate was. How did my hand do? I could hold the handlebar on the hoods without aggravating it; but using the brifter is still uncomfortable. It’s a good thing I wasn’t shifting gears all the time. 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 Glutes and Quads June 28, 2024 I Wanna Ride! June 27, 2024 Tired of Sitting June 26, 2024 Big Uneasy June 25, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Tired of Sitting

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Personal Care /

Tired of Sitting ? I sure got tired of sitting today; and I don’t mean on a bicycle saddle! I had some appointments this morning; and wasn’t sure about the bicycle parking situation there. So I decided to use public transit; and I was sitting on the bus; and sitting in waiting rooms. Then, when I got home around 10:30 am, there was more sitting on a chair! By then it was about 93 degrees; and a heat advisory was in effect. I also felt tired; and thought I’d skip riding again today. ?  Would I get tired of sitting if I did a long bicycle tour? Who knows; maybe I would, especially if I developed saddle sores. I use Chamois Butt’r; (also available in Her’); but I expect problems could arise if you ride for seven days — literally! — on end. Nobody wants saddle sores to ruin a ride; so here are some tips. So far I’ve been lucky, and had only one sore; developed when I took a ride on my then brand-new road bike. It still had the stock saddle on; and that saddle was both too flat and very hard! Had to Get Out ➡️ It rained for a while about 3 pm; and then the upstairs neighbor started practicing drums! Again, I was tired of sitting; and with that percussion going on, I had to get out for a while. The rain had cooled things off a bit; and I decided to go ride around the park a few times. The sun was dodging in and out; and while it was out, I saw some intensely black clouds around. That made me a bit uneasy. Getting to my route meant riding over railroad tracks; and as I approached the crossing, I heard the rumble of a locomotive.  I was unable to get a break in the traffic; and had to wait for that train to clear the crossing. My route ran alongside the tracks for almost a mile; and wouldn’t you know, that dratted train stopped and blocked the way! I would have waited longer for it to move on, but it started to thunder; so I went back home. I wanted to fix a sandwich; but the drumming hadn’t stopped yet. And it was right over my kitchen! So I had to get out. ? 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 Elementor #174729 June 26, 2024 Big Uneasy June 25, 2024 When You’re Broiling June 24, 2024 Camel Or Not? June 23, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Big Uneasy

BACK ISSUES, equipment /

BIG UNEASY 🌀 New Orleans is the Big UNeasy this time of year. With hurricane season in progress, we’re on tenterhooks! Who know when a bad storm might head our way? In case one does, an Emergency Crank Weather Radio is a good tool to have; especially if you stay in town. It would be great if you could charge it up by hooking it to a bicycle! For less  powerful hurricanes, staying put means avoiding the crush of evacuating; although an electricity outage is all but certain . No using laptops and cell phones except in an emergency; and probably no getting out to ride for at least a few days. How tedious! But we don’t always know until quite late how bad a storm might be. To go, or to stay? No wonder we’re the Big Uneasy! On top of that, fleeing for every hurricane that comes near can lead to evacuation fatigue. Scram 🏃🏽 For a storm above Category 2, it’s probably better to get out; aka scram. I’m tempted to think that it would be fun to make the evacuation a bicycle tour; but I’d have to leave town at least a week prior to expected landfall. Plus, I don’t know of a safe way to do it. Riding a bicycle along a busy interstate highway is suicidal! And I don’t have a touring bicycle such as the SixThreeZero, either; but the hybrid that I already have ought to suffice. The SixThreeZero does have seven speeds, and a built-in rack. But that soft foam saddle? I’d want something firmer, especially if I needed to trek several hundred miles. If only there were a way to make a hurricane scram! Then I could stay put; and continue to train for next year’s RAGBRAI. 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

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Loose Change?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Loose Change? ¢ Penny-Farthing makes me think of loose change. It also makes me think that riding one at all takes some doing. And riding a penny-farthing all the way across the USA? Wow! Although a solid-tire bicycle won’t need a pump! Danny Davis rides to raise autism awareness; and also to get special bikes to special kids. My nephew is on the autism spectrum, so this is interesting to me. I myself have Asperger’s; but didn’t know it until well into adulthood! Oh, and loose change?  Maybe it’s a good thing a penny-farthing isn’t loose change; or it would probably fall apart as you’re riding it! As to the penny, don’t throw your pennies away. They add up! Can’t Wait to Ride! ?? I can’t wait to ride again — really ride, I mean. Easy pedaling around the park isn’t much riding, although it’s better than nothing at all. This morning I bummed a ride to the salvage store, because I don’t think my hand is ready for me to be riding alongside a 3-lane highway. I might need to make some sudden moves and/or do hard braking; and that still doesn’t feel good. When I can get back to my usual cycling, I’ll start working to increase my daily distances; and leave pace development on the shelf for a bit. They say it’s better not to try to work on both increased mileage and greater speed at the same time. It will take at least a few day for me to get back into the groove, anyway.  But I miss riding; and I can’t wait to ride again!  

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And They’re Off!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

And They’re Off! ? And they’re off … no, not thoroughbreds; nor foot racers. Not even bicycle racers; but the named storms of the season. Tropoical Storm Alberto has gone ashore; but there’s been another system off the Florida/Georgia coast for a few days; and there’s a new system in the Bay of Campeche! It seems that, once the first named storm appears, further storms follow in rapid succession. And they’re off! They might keep coming as late as November, too. What a drag hurricane season is! Hurricane season means worrying about when the next hurricane will appear; how strong it is; and where it will go. It’s about concerns over having to flee on short notice; and a big question: how will my cycling be impacted? Indoor Cycling ? I guess it’s time to think of indoor cycling, boring though is. This Mini Cross-Trainer is lightweight, and you can use it for both legs and arms. It even has an automatic stop in case of bad muscle cramps. The Mini Cross-Trainer is designed principally as a rehab tool; but I don’t see why it can’t substitute for a bicycle in a pinch. At least, for some gentle pedaling to prevent leg-muscle atrophy! For more vigorous indoor cycling, rollers might fit the bill. I personally found rollers too slick when combined with slick road-bike tires; but in retrospect, I think I was too tentative about my pedaling! 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 And They’re Off! June 20, 2024 Senior Cycling June 19, 2024 Dull Days June 18, 2024 False Alarm June 17, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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False Alarm

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

False Alarm ? I got a false alarm this morning. I checked the weather forecast at about 6:15 am; and it showed that T-storms were possible from 8 am onwards. I decided there was enough of a weather window for me to go for a ride. The sky looked very stormy; and it was making me nervous. I can’t crank a weather radio as I ride, so I couldn’t know what might happen. As a result, I turned back a few miles early. It was a false alarm, even though it briefly got quite dark. It’s annoying to lose those miles; but I didn’t want to take chances with lightning! More Forecasts ⛈️ There are more forecasts comparable to today’s in the coming week. Sometimes I think I should invest in some good rain gear; but I wouldn’t be surprised if the legs of a rain suit were too long for me. If they aren’t too long, they might well not be wide enough. I’ve long had the impression that manufacturers of these items think that short legs mean skinny legs. Not automatically, they don’t! In hot weather, a rain suit might cause me to get overheated; and that does no good. It has the potential to lead to dehydration. That’s a more serious problem than bonking. At least I did get in a ride today; and I included four 5-minute efforts at pushing for 15 mph or over. I don’t know how it will go for the rest of the week, though. I have trigger-finger release surgery scheduled for tomorrow; and my brother is here. We’ll probably be doing some visiting; and as I said, there are more forecasts for stormy weather! If I can fit in rides around all that, I’ll ride. If not, well, we need a bit of downtime now and then! 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 False Alarm June 17, 2024 Thwarted Plans June 16, 2024 My Group June 15, 2024 SAG June 14, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Blast Furnace Time

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Blast Furnace Time ? It’s blast furnace time again; and I, for one, intend to forgo hot chocolate for about four or five months. Maybe longer! Of course, cycling during blast furnace time calls for some precautions. It’s so humid here that smothering heat persists well after sundown; and I try to ride early in the day. It’s already hot even then! How I Do It ?‍♀️ OK, so the weather is hot; but I want to ride! Here’s how I do it. In addition to riding early in the day, I keep in mind that hydration is very important. It’s important even when the weather is cold; and once the heat sets in, it matters much more. I use a large Camel-Bak; and I also need electrolyte drink, such as Propel. I’ve noticed that, at some point during any long ride, water alone simply won’t suffice. Especially when it’s hot, and I don’t have a shady path to ride. Sometimes you can’t avoid riding in the heat. Before I retired, I sometimes rode home in heat indices of 100+ degrees; and just look at last year’s RAGBRAI.  Many a rider stated that the temperatures were “brutal”. So, how do you keep yourself (a little bit!) cooler? Today I tried out the cooling towel I got a month or two ago. It does help, which is a relief. Mostly it’s the back of my neck that benefits. However, if the nape is cool, you feel a little cooler all over; instead of like you’re melting. ? Or, in our style of humidity, like you’re dissolving! 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 Blast Furnace Time June 11, 2024 RAGBRAI for Seniors June 10, 2024 RAGBRAI and Heat June 9, 2024 Hold Your Line June 8, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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RAGBRAI and Heat

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

RAGBRAI and Heat 🥵 When you’re hot, you’re hot! RAGBRAI and heat seem to go together; or at least they did last year! So, how do you prepare for it? Here are some helpful hints. Riding in hot weather is the default here, sometimes starting as early as March. I usually try to begin a ride by 7:00 am; earlier if I plan to ride more than 20 miles. Prepping for RAGBRAI by riding in the heat of the day might be better left until next Spring. Whatever conditioning I develop over this Summer will fade during Winter. I just must remember, RAGBRAI and heat go together! I wish I had a shady path to ride; but I don’t. I use a hydration pack so I can carry lots of water; plus I carry a bottle of electrolyte drink, such as Propel. What else can I do to beat the heat? Heat Begone! 🧊 Yes, PLEASE, heat begone! It was well into the 80s by the time I finished today’s ride; and it wasn’t even 10:00 am! A Mission Cooling Neck Gaiter sounds great. Just get it wet to activate it! You can wear it a dozen different ways; and it provides SPF 50 protection. The cooling towel that I have ought to work in similar fashion; and I must try it soon. I don’t have one of those neck gaiters; but I do have sun sleeves. And more on order! Sun sleeves keep your arms cooler once they get damp; and when you wear them, you needn’t apply sunblock! Sunblock is expensive; and I’m tired of going through it like crazy! In similar vein, I’ve ordered full-length leg sleeves. I’ve got an idea that the black ones will get too hot; but the only way to find out is to try them. Worried about looking crazy with all those sun-protection items on? I don’t care if it looks crazy; I want to find ways to keep cooler. Heat, begone, I say! And, I want to find out what works for me long before I try heading for Iowa. 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

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Ready for the Range

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Ready for the Range ? I feel ready for the range with my road bike’s brand-new saddle. It had bought one at a local bike shop; and I thought it was due for replacement. The covering was rubbed off near the nose; and the top surface looked slightly rumpled.  I don’t remember when I bought that saddle; but I guess it was around 2018. It was before Hurricane Ida, that’s certain. I figured the wearing process would only continue; and I didn’t want to end up with a saddle so battered that I couldn’t ride the bike! A new saddle needs some time to break in, too; so don’t get a new one when you’ve got a big ride coming up in a few days. You’ll want to be ready for the range, so to speak. Worth It ? A good-quality bicycle saddle is worth it; whether you’re planning epic rides, or merely trekking around the neighborhood. Just be sure your saddle is the correct height; and be sure it supports your sit bones. (I had kept the product card from my saddle; and I took it along so I could get the exact same model.) Another good rule of thumb is, the top surface of your saddle should be level.  The bike shop I visited today charged a modest $5.00 to install my new saddle; and I took my bike for a turn around their parking lot before heading home. The saddle seemed fine then; but after about five miles, it began to feel like the nose was tilted up just a tad too much. I’ll see how it goes for the next few days; and if it still doesn’t seem right, my usual bike shop — they don’t carry this kind of saddle, or I’d have bought the new one there — can adjust it for  me. It’s worth it to be able to ride in comfort!   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 Ready for the Range June 5, 2024 Endurance June 4, 2024 A-OK June 3, 2024 Gut Test June 2, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Saddle Up!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Saddle Up! ?? Let’s saddle up and ride! You can go with the leather Brooks England B17 Saddle; especially if you’re into longer distances. The Brooks England B17 Saddle conforms to your body’s contours over time; and for ladies, there’s the Brooks B17S. A leather saddle needs some special care to keep it supple; and Brooks Saddle Cream is great for protecting and preserving it. This is especially important if you ride in the rain. For a cushier saddle, there’s the Giddy Up! Bike Seat. It has elastomer suspension; memory foam padding; and ergonomic design. Built-in tail light for night cycling. As for me, I’ll stick with the saddle I’ve got; something called Mimic. It’s fairly hard — padding level 2 out of 6 — but I like to put in the miles. By all the advice I’ve read, firmer, narrower saddles are better than soft, cushioned saddles for riding long and/or fast. The most important thing about a saddle: be sure it supports your sit bones! All Bodies on Bikes ?‍♀️ ?‍♂️ ?? No, you don’t have to have the fitness and physique of a Grand Tour GC contender to saddle up and ride. It doesn’t matter if you’re way overweight; you can still ride a bicycle! All Bodies on Bikes aims to make cycling more inclusive; and to help put and end to discrimination against bigger riders. See here at 31:25 minutes as Marley Blonsky tells of her mission. I think it’s great! I wish her all success! 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 Saddle Up! May 29, 2024 Climbing vs Elevation Gain May 28, 2024 Practice Makes Perfect May 27, 2024 Hear Ye Hear Ye May 26, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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