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Pare It Down

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Training /

Pare it Down 🍎 Now it’s time to pare it down; and I don’t mean peeling apples. It’s that taper that I keep talking about. I’m reducing the mileage considerably, but today I threw in some intensity work; perhaps five minutes total. I want to keep up a little bit of hard riding, so my legs stay sharp for RAGBRAI. Not that I’m too worried any more about the hills. The maximum grade I’m likely to encounter is about 4%; and as it’s the maximum grade, I probably won’t  be climbing all day. True, there are some grades of 7%+ on the final day, but mostly in the second half of the day. I’ve opted to hop on the halfway shuttle to be sure I get to the finish town on time for the shuttle bus to Omaha. When I look at all the stuff I have to pack, I wish I could pare it down! I won’t be taking seven kits; but there’s still lots of stuff! Lots of Stuff! 🧳 Yes, there’s lots of stuff. It seems that, every time I think I’ve collected everything, I remember something else I’ll need! “Lots of stuff” includes a sleeping bag. And a sheet to use in case it’s too hot inside the sleeping bag; but not so hot that I don’t need some kind of cover. I’m taking three or four pairs of cycling shorts; clean socks for every day; and some merino wool tees. I plan to wash the shorts in the shower each evening; then I won’t need to take seven pairs! I don’t know how easy it might be to buy sugar-free electrolyte drink mixes along the route; so I’m packing Propel Powder Packets; and Nuun tablets as well. The tablets are in a pop-top tube; and that’s easier to manage when my hands are slippery with sweat and sunblock. The list goes on and on. I wish I could pare it down! 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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Send-Off

BACK ISSUES, equipment /

Send-Off ⏩ My road bike got the send-off today. It will probably get to Iowa before I do; but I don’t want (or need) the hassle of trying to travel by air with a bicycle to haul along! If I end up doing repeat RAGBRAIs, I might want to invest in a bicycle travel case. It would probably save me considerable money if I do RAGBRAI many times. The usual catch is, where can I keep it? I might soon want to give it the send-off, so I can free up some space! And now I’m working to take care of all those things we have to do before we travel: double-checking reservations and so on. Double-Checking ✅ Double-checking is a bit of a headache; but it can save bigger headaches on travel day! Who wants to arrive at the airport, only to discover they’ve forgotten something vital? That might mean no send-off at all; and who wants that? Double-checking travel arrangements is only one item on my to-do list. I keep experimenting with how I’m going to pack my duffle bags. I’m amazed at how much stuff I need to take along; and many items are the ones that I use daily without a thought. They’re always there; so I take them for granted. I have to make a special effort to remember that I need to pack them! But the effort is worth it for a smooth trip, and an easy send-off. 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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Reining In

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Training /

Reining In 🐴 It’s time for me to be reining in the training. Although it’s tempting to keep going at a full gallop, I need to do shorter rides now; and not too much intensity. Today I rode 31.1 miles; and I’m thinking of doing 20 tomorrow. That’s so I can take Tuesday off while I get my road bike shipped off to RAGBRAI. Reining in the training means using the hybrid; and keeping the  distance between 15 and 20 miles per day. Maybe even taking an extra “off” day! Meanwhile, I’ve got packing the bike on my mind. After tomorrow’s ride, I’ll have to lube the chain; and give the bike at least some cleaning — something I’ve never been good at doing! Packing 📦 Oh, packing! Probably the worst part of any travel plans. What do I need to take? What do I have room for? Will I really need this or that? Can an item do more than one thing? I decided to use a bike shipping service rather than buy a bicycle travel case. I’m not comfortable with disassembling my bicycle; and that’s what using a bike travel case would mean. I’ve purchased a bike assembly service in addition to the shipping, so I shouldn’t have to worry that I’ll put my bike together the wrong way. Besides, where will I keep a bicycle travel case at home? If I get much more stuff, I’ll crowd myself right out of here! Reining in isn’t only about tapering my training; it’s about keeping the acquisition of stuff in check! 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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Already July

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors /

Already July 🗓️ Can you believe it’s already July? We’re past the Summer solstice; and before I know it, I’ll be exclaiming that it’s Fall already. But it probably won’t cool off until November! With the heat, a cool rag sure is useful. The heat index is often over 100 degrees; but one aspect of it puzzled me. One day last week, I saw that it was a few degrees warmer than it had been a day or two previously; and the heat index was a little higher, too. Yet there was no heat advisory; whereas there had been one on the earlier day. I looked it up; and there’s a factor besides temperature and heat index: how long such conditions last. So now I’ve got it figured out. But I still need to beat the heat! Beat the Heat 🧊 Like most other cyclists, I want to beat the heat. Some riders start by 6 am, if not earlier; but I usually go out a little later. I’m getting lazy in my retirement; and I need to practice riding in the heat for RAGBRAI. The big ride is almost here; as I’ve said, it’s already July! And of course it’s hot. If I had a third  hand, I could use a small fan to help me beat the heat during these hot rides. Heat and sunshine seem to go hand-in-hand. I’m glad I got auto-tint-changing lenses for my prescription glasses. I’ll take along my Ray-Bans to the big ride, just in case something happens to my regular glasses. Fortunately my vision isn’t so poor that I can’t see without corrective lenses! 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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Trial to Avoid Error

BACK ISSUES, equipment, Training /

Trial to Avoid Error ⚖️ It’s time for some trial to avoid error. We all know that 1 + 1 ≠ 3; and I didn’t want to discover halfway through RAGBRAI that a 3-oz bottle of body wash wasn’t enough. Or that a similar amount of shampoo wouldn’t last a week. So I tried out a  travel-size bottle filled with body wash to see if it would last a week; and it checked out. I did the same thing for shampoo. It helps that I have short hair! The same applies to, say, electrolyte drinks. I’ve been using Gatorade Zero quite a lot; or Nuun tablets. Day before yesterday someone suggested LMNT; and I got a sample pack to try. LMNT is higher in sodium than many electrolyte drinks. I mixed one packet with a pint of water; and the first sip told me that LMNT will take some getting used to!  It was too strong; and I diluted it with another half-pint of water. I still find that too strong. I’m not going to try LMNT on the bike until I can see how my body handles it at home. It’s trial to avoid error; I’m worried that an unaccustomed, salty, and strongly-flavored drink during rides might trigger GI issues! Time Is Short ⌛️  Time is short now for RAGBRAI prep. I can’t believe it’s getting so close! I hope there’s still time for training to help; I’m just easing back into the miles following a cold. I need to fit in at least one ride of 50 miles or more; and I hope the weather cooperates! Tomorrow I plan to do a short, intense ride; and the next day it’s time for a ride to the salvage store. Maybe I can push for 50 miles on Sunday; but I’ll have to ride early. We’ve got another forecast for T-storms from early afternoon. I hope I have everything I need. I’ve already done some practice packing; when time is short, it’s no time to be frantically trying to get things sorted out. It’s the old “trial to avoid error”! I’ve got two duffle bags; one for camping things and items that I can’t take onto a plane; and one for my other stuff. I admit that it will be good to get them packed, so I can free up the floor space! But I don’t think it will be good for my sleeping bag to be crammed into a compression stuff sack for several weeks! 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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First Time Jitters

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Training /

First Time Jitters 😰 I”m getting first time jitters as a new RAGBRAI rider. Much of it centers around registrations and deadlines. I guess these first time jitters are normal. All the questions: Have I done everything I need to, in order to ship my bicycle via Bikeflights? Did I miss paying for something vital? Am I training enough? That last is quite a worry at present. Last week, forecasts for early-afternoon T-storms had me curtailing my rides; and last Thursday, I came down with a cold! For three days I had to ride short and easy; and I still feel a little dragged down. I really noticed it during today’s ride. I tried out my new handlebar bag. The phone and memo pad fit just fine; but there’s always something more. Always Something More! 🍴 Every time I think I’ve thought of everything, there’s always something more! Tale the handlebar bag I got for the road bike. I figured it would do for carrying my cell phone; a small memo pad; and two pens. Today I remembered that I want to keep a spork handy for those roadside foods. I hope I don’t remember anything else that I want to keep easily accessible; that handlebar bag is pretty crammed with the spork added to it. Maybe I don’t really need to keep the spork in the padded bag that came with it. For that matter, I haven’t quite decided how I’ll keep track of my keys. More first time jitters, I guess! My merino tees don’t have pockets; so I’ll have to keep keys elsewhere. Maybe in the Travelon? There’s always something more! 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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Tryouts

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Tryouts ⚖️ I’m still doing tryouts, figuring out what will work best for RAGBRAI. Ride food is part of it, of course; but I’m also working out how I’ll manage the stuff I’ll want while on the bike. I’m sure to want to take pictures; and I’ll use my cell phone for that. Normally I carry my phone in a Camel-Bak pocket; but that means taking the Camel-Bak off every time I want the phone. What a nuisance! Therefore tryouts means looking for alternatives. So I decided to get a handlebar bag. The one that I got isn’t very big; and I don’t want it to be. Too much weight on the handlebars has an adverse effect on steering capability. But the bag that I got has enough room for my cell phone; a small memo pad; and a few ballpoint pens. That should suffice. There’s also the question of managing my cash cache! Cash Cache 🤑 For my cash cache during RAGBRAI, I plan to use a Travelon pouch. Tryouts have shown that this pouch fits closely to the body; is lightweight; and goes easily under a Camel-Bak. I won’t need to take it off when I must visit a KYBO. This, I think, will be a safer way to carry money than putting it in a handlebar bag. Call me paranoid if you like; but it makes sense to keep my money close by me. I can also carry the day’s medications in this pouch. OK, handlebar bag; cash cache; now, what else? Oh yeah, the aforementioned Camel-Bak. I plan to carry my medication supply in the Camel-Bak; along with Chamois Butt’r and toilet paper. There’s no guarantee that every KYBO will be supplied with it; and when you need that stuff, you need it! 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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Carrying a Load

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors /

Carrying a Load 😵‍💫 I’m always carrying a load on the bike, it seems. During long rides, especially in hot weather, I’ve got the Camel-Bak on my, well, back. That water alone is already weighty. Add a cable lock and a tube of Chamois Butt’r, and I’m carrying a load!  But with good reason. I’ll need the lock if I have to stop somewhere; and there’s also the fact that RAGBRAI is approaching. If I train with that load, it will make the big ride easier when I don’t have quite so much stuff to carry. By many accounts, I likely won’t need a bicycle lock during RAGBRAI; and omitting my cable lock will subtract something like two pounds. The weight reduction will be more comfortable for my shoulders and the back of my neck. More Loads 😣 There are also more loads that I carry; such as my panniers on the ride back home from the salvage store. Some RAGBRAI riders carry more loads than I feel ready for — they take along all their camping gear! I’m not ready for such self-supported touring, though. For one thing, I don’t have the right kind of bicycle. But maybe someday! Lately I’ve had a load on my mind, with constant concerns over the weather. Forecasts are for rain and T-storms; and I don’t want to get caught out there when the lightning starts to fire up. As a result, I’m not getting in the miles that I need to ride this week. I hope we get back to sunnier weather soon! 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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Glory Halleluja!!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Glory Hallelujah!! 🌅 “Glory Hallelujah!!” is what I felt like shouting yesterday evening, when I learned that I had a Pork Belly tent for RAGBRAI. It’s an immense relief to me. Not that I think I can’t learn to set up a tent; but as a first-timer, it will be better if I don’t have the added pressure of having to find a camp site each evening; and then put up a tent when I’m hot and tired and hungry. Having a Pork Belly tent also means that my luggage is taken care of. I won’t have to carry it from the baggage truck to my campsite. “Porkers” are allowed two bags; but since I now don’t need to pack a tent, I just might be able to get away with a single bag! Glory Hallelujah!! Hold On ✋ Oh — no — hold on a minute. I did some practice packing; and even without a tent, I’ll need both my duffle bags. Even when I’ve put my sleeping bag into a compression stuff sack! Ergo my “Glory Hallelujah” re: packing was somewhat premature! As someone at Pork Belly suggested, I can use one bag for camping stuff (sleeping pad, etc.); and one bag for clothes. As I’m flying, I’ll need a way to carry things that aren’t permitted in check-in luggage. It’s time review what can go into a carry-on. I don’t want to hear, hold on, when I’m trying to make it to my flight! 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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We Like Dust!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors /

We Like Dust! 🧹 We like dust just now! According to news reports, a huge plume of Saharan dust is, at least for the present, inhibiting tropical storm development. Of course we’re happy that hurricanes aren’t popping up; and we all wish that they won’t! I suppose off-trail riders also say, We like dust. Riders who go for such activities need a good helmet; but that sort of headgear doesn’t look very comfortable to me! I’m also not a big fan of mucking up my bicycle. It looks like that’s what off-trail riding is about, when it isn’t dusty. Wash out the Sky 🌧️ For now, the rain has decided to wash out the sky. We actually needed some rain; but I hope it won’t keep pouring every day for three weeks. Even if we like dust, rain turns dust into mud; and then the mud gets tracked everywhere! Having rain wash out the sky probably helps allergy sufferers. Lately, when I ride on the levee, I see white fuzz blowing around; and I guess it’s from all the willow trees. Or do we also have cottonwoods here? At any rate, I get home after a ride and start sneezing! How much will I get to ride this weekend? Today we had a UV index of 12 (“extreme”). I was back from a ride to Walmart by 10:00 am; and I should be back home from the salvage store at about the same time tomorrow. But Sunday? Either start very early (say, 5 am); or let the long ride wait for Monday. 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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