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Wind Again!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Wind Again! 💨  Today’s Featured Product! Tough Headwear Cycling Cap New!! Aik Cheong Cappuchino For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! We’ve got wind again today. It’s blowing from the South, too; and that’s likely bringing in Gulf moisture. Tomorrow we might get showers and even T-storms. It doesn’t look so good for riding, if I don’t feel like getting wet. Having wind again today was most annoying! If anything, it felt stronger than yesterday’s wind; and I managed only two laps around the local park. I got tired of battling it and went home. I didn’t try any hard efforts; having a headwind was  enough. But next time I ride I’ll try a few. Hard Efforts 😬 Hard efforts aren’t the most fun thing about cycling. If you want to develop your pace, though; or improve your climbing skills; hard efforts are a must.  Climbing skills are important for RAGBRAI. I did the ride last year; and even though the 2025 route was fairly flat, there were hills to contend with. I kept having mechanical issues with my bike, which was no help. This year’s route will involve more climbing than last year’s; and I’m far from sure I can regain enough fitness by July to attempt RAGBRAI this year. But maybe next year!   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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Keep Me Guessing

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Keep Me Guessing 🤔 Today’s Featured Product! Look Cycle KEO New!! Schrader Bike Tire Liner For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! The weather seems determined to keep me guessing. Certainly the wind does! Last night the forecast showed winds of 6-8 mph early today; and winds considerably stronger by mid-morning. I went out on the hybrid shortly before 7:00 am, hoping to beat the strong wind home. It felt like I hadn’t! Or am I just a weakling? Much of the time I seemed to have a headwind; and I had to do a lot of low-gear spinning. Maybe I  had a sidewind that only felt like a headwind! But an hour or so after I got back home, I went out (on foot) to do an errand; and the wind was definitely stronger than while I was riding. What would Robert Louis Stevenson have thought? Sidewind 💨 A sidewind can be even trickier than a headwind; especially if it’s unpredictably gusty. It wants to keep me guessing; I never know when I’ll get pushed to the side. Then I veer all over the bike path! Tomorrow I’d better get in some miles, because Friday there’s a 50% chance of rain; and even T-storms. I guess it’s the time of year for unsettled weather. But the weather keeps us all guessing! 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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Yesterday Was Cold?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Yesterday Was Cold? ☃️ Today’s Featured Product!   Spinervals New!! HiVisible Reflective Bands For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Did I think yesterday was cold? Not so fast. Last night it got colder than yesterday was! At least the wind is far less; but even so, I waited until late morning to ride. It still felt chilly, though. Today I rode leisurely for about 12 minutes; then began working to push the pace: 2.5 minutes hard + 1.5 minutes easy. With that odd timing, it was hard to keep track of what I was doing! The weather was clear; and if yesterday was cold, tomorrow will be almost hot: up to 75 degrees! The wind will strengthen again, too. I was considering putting in a 20-miler tomorrow; but I’d better do it early. Do It Early 🌅 The wind tomorrow will probably start to strengthen by mid-morning; so if I want to ride long — well, 20 miles, anyway — and beat that wind home, I need to do it early. I’ll work on maintaining a steady pace. It’s better not to do intense work every day. For a longer ride, I use the Camel-Bak; and take along electrolyte drink. In fact, I could have used some electrolyte drink today.  It’s hard to determine hydration needs when the weather is so changeable. Yesterday was cold; tomorrow will be warm; and today it’s in between. So what to do?   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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Catch a Chill?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Catch a Chill? 🥶 Today’s Featured Product! Stabilizer Wheel Kit New!! Joy in the Journey For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Don’t catch a chill, they’re always saying. Not to worry; I haven’t got a chill-catcher on  hand! 😉 Joking aside, it was about 40 degrees when I went for a ride this morning; and the wind was still quite strong. To me, that’s cold! Speaking of hands, I used hand warmers; and they make a big difference. Because of the wind, I headed for the park to ride some laps. That way, I didn’t have to ride for miles against a headwind on the way home. My nose acts up so much in such a breeze that anybody might say, You’ll catch a chill. And tonight, the temperature will fall to the mid-30s! More Cold 🧊 So we’ve got more cold on the way; at least, for tonight and tomorrow morning. After it warms up, I can go out and practice riding hard; per the usual routine. I ride casually for 10 minutes or so to get my legs warmed up; then alternate riding hard for two minutes with riding easily for one minute. I can’t do lazy rides all the time if I want to get stronger! I’ve been layering up for my rides; and sometimes I’m wearing my vest plus two jackets. The usual advice is: better to be slightly underdressed, that to be overdressed. But I’d rather be a bit too warm than to feel cold. I don’t need to catch a chill! 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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Maybe Later?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Maybe Later? ⏰  Today’s Featured Product! Home Bicycle Folding Rollers New!! Insulated Bike Handlebar Bag For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Maybe later I’ll go for a ride. By mid-afternoon, the wind should have calmed down somewhat; but at the moment, it’s still blowing at 17 mph; and gusts are up to 29 mph. Call me lazy if you like; but I don’t feel like tussling with it. At least it isn’t raining; but that’s not necessarily a good thing. It’s been so dry; and the wind is so strong; that we’re under a red flag warning! Luckily my bicycle does’t emit sparks; so maybe later I can go out for a bit. If my bike did have a sparking tendency, I’d be afraid of igniting a wildfire. Back to Work 🚴‍♀️ This week, I need to get back to work at improving my pace. I’ve rather let it go for the past week; but they do say, back off from intense work every third week (for riders over 40 years of age). I’m considering a new reflective vest; one that zips up the front. The vest I have now, has velcro fasteners at the hips. That velcro has a maddening way of snagging itself on my clothes; and it’s tearing them up. Cycling clothes aren’t cheap! I also need to get back to work in the kitchen. Dishes don’t wash themselves. 🙄 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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Flexing Its Muscles?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Flexing Its Muscles? 💪 Today’s Featured Product! Mountain Biker’s Training Bible New!! Cyglo Safety Backpack For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I think our weather is flexing its muscles. Tonight, wind gusts are expected to reach as high as 35 mph; and it seems to be getting ready now. Getting back from the salvage store this morning actually wasn’t too bad — until that last mile atop the levee. Then I got the wind dead on my nose; and a direct headwind of even 10 mph seems very strong. My legs still feel rather stiff from Thursday’s 20-miler; so maybe I’d better haul out the massage balls!  If the weather really is flexing its muscles, I want to be ready for it. Or rather, I don’t want to go out in it! Tomorrow the wind will be strong; and it will be chilly. That’s a good day to skip the ride. Skip the Ride 🚫 If I skip the ride, what shall I do instead? I have too much stuff in the freezer already; so I don’t want to cook. I can’t tolerate staying in bed all day long, unless I’m sick. Housework is definitely not my favorite thing; but maybe I can fill in the time with YouTube viewing. By day after tomorrow, the wind will still be quite brisk; and it will still be cold. Last weekend I washed my cycling jackets; and I’m glad I didn’t pack them away. With the weather flexing its muscles for another cold blast, I still need them! 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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Dewy Was the Morning

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Dewy Was the Morning 💦 Today’s Featured Product! Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance New!! TIDEWE Rain Suit For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! “Dewy  was the morning; dewy was the day. Dewey was the Admiral at Manila Bay.” I don’t know where my mother got that; perhaps it was a memory aid she learned in school. Dewy was the morning early today, I’m sure. The forecast predicted patchy dense fog, but I didn’t go out until 7:30; and by then a lot of the fog had burned off. Ergo I didn’t get to see any spiderwebs bedecked in dew. Today I went to the park to ride. But I was tired; not so much energy-wise as leg-wise. I got a good workout yesterday; and before I finished one circuit of the park I felt my legs cry uncle. Cry Uncle 🛞 What do you do when your legs cry Uncle? Keep pushing onwards; or go home early? Today I chose the latter. Speaking of legs, it was almost too warm for leg warmers today. A long-sleeved blouse and my vest were sufficient for 68 degrees; and I used my lighter-weight skull cap. But there’s a big change coming. Tomorrow night, back down to 49 degrees; and on Sunday, wind gusts could reach 35 mph. I can easily imagine a case of Legs Cry Uncle if I try riding in that! 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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Tough Ride

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Tough Ride 😬 Today’s Featured Product! GU Energy Hydration Tabs New!! Zacro LED Reflective Vest For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store!  It was a tough ride this morning; the wind felt quite strong. I’m glad it wasn’t raining as well. Having the wind was quite enough! The wind was from the South; and if Johann Strauss II were around, he’d be composing Winds from the South; not Roses from the South. It was blowing at 15 mph by the time I got back home; and by early afternoon, the wind had increased to 17 mph! I was glad that I had finished riding by then. If I thought I had a tough ride this morning, it would be a lot tougher now! Hamstrings 🦵🏼 My hamstrings started feeling the effort today; luckily not until I had only a few more miles to go. Leg warmers had nothing to do with it; in fact, I got almost too warm, especially with the jacket. But I apparently need to do more hamstring stretches!  The wind meant, of course, that I had to work harder; and this morning I was determined to put in the 20 miles that I had planned. I’m glad I had meant to ride at a moderate, steady pace; because I couldn’t have ridden fast!  It looks like the wind will be calmer tomorrow; and I’ll be glad of it. My hamstrings need the break. 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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Biki Gras

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Biki Gras? 🎭 Today is Biki Gras, if such a a term is possible. Some folks like to celebrate Mardi Gras with wine; or beer; or going to a parade. I celebrated with a bicycle ride; hence Biki Gras! It was gray and cloudy; and in the mid-50s. I’m glad it didn’t rain; and I’m also glad there wasn’t too much wind. What there was, was enough of a nuisance! So I put in a 20-mile ride; and for a change it wasn’t foggy. There was a lot of fog last week; so I was happy that there wasn’t any today. Tomorrow I can put in some intense efforts; I haven’t done much of it for a week or so, and I need to do some more. Do Some More 🚴‍♀️ Most days I want to do some more on the bike; but let’s face it, there are other things that must be done. Few of us can avoid such chores as washing dishes; sweeping; and doing laundry. Ergo Biki Gras can’t last forever. I think it’s about time to do some more for my longer rides, i.e. add a few miles. It looks like tomorrow and Thursday will be pretty good for riding. But Thursday night, the chances for rain will increase. It might be a wet ride to the salvage store come Saturday! TODAY’S FEATURED PRODUCT Jileon Ankle-High Rain Boots NEW!!   Rhinowalk Bike Handlebar Bag 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 Eye or Aye? Jackets Jerseys Shorts Shoes Rain Gear Reflective Gear Home Hamburger Toggle Menu

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Not Waiting to Spring

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food, Outdoors /

Not Waiting to Spring ⚡️ I’m definitely not waiting to spring today. I feel tired and sleepy; and I’m not sure coffee bars would help. Especially as I’ve never liked coffee! It’s chilly, in the mid-50s; and overcast. That alone has me not waiting to spring! If I weren’t tired, I’d go for a ride now anyway, and skip tomorrow; because tomorrow there’s supposed to be more wind. I’m sure you all know by now how I feel about wind! But after all, I’m trying to get back into my pre-accident riding schedule; and Mondays were typically my off-bike day. Maybe I’ll go for a walk later, though.   Food! 🍫 🥘 🧑🏼‍🍳 It’s Carnival Time; and that sounds like street food. There’s food everywhere in New Orleans; but if I were at a parade, I wouldn’t want to try to eat while trying to manage myself in the crowds. I’d rather enjoy my food peacefully, at home. Or practice eating on the bike; a skill necessary for long-distance aspirants. I hope it’s not long before I can get back to that; and putting in 20-milers several times per week (along with shorter rides) is a step in the right direction. TODAY’S FEATURED PRODUCT Mastering Mountain Bike Skills NEW!! Ambrosia Planta 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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