Outdoors Archives - Page 16 of 47

Weekend Plans

Weekend Plans 🚴‍♀️ It’s time to make weekend plans! Of course that depends, at least to some extent, on the weather. Weekend plans usually include a ride to the salvage store on Saturday morning; and as of now, it looks like the weather might cooperate. The chances for rain are mainly in the afternoon; but the wind might be pesky. This morning, thank goodness, there wasn’t much wind; but I did run into some drizzle. Not enough for me to stop and haul out the poncho, though; and I saw a rainbow! Rainbow 🌈 I admit that it wasn’t the most impressive rainbow I’ve ever seen. The colors were rather dull; and part of the arc never formed. But it was still a rainbow! The wind stayed mostly quiet; and I put in 20 miles. I’m glad I could; because Sunday morning it might be raining. The wind will be pretty strong on Sunday, too. As always, I’ll just have to wait and see what happens; and what happens can upset any weekend plans that I’ve made. 🙄 Most rides, I spend some time working to ride harder for a minute or two at a time. Sometimes I shift into a harder gear for these efforts; sometimes I don’t shift, but increase my cadence. It should help me to rebuild my fitness; and I sure need 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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Cold River?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors / CAL

Cold River? ⼮ I guess we’ve got a cold river. Afternoons have been too warm for February; and we keep getting fog. I’m glad I don’t have to ride at 5:00 am any more; darkness plus thick mist makes me feel like I’m riding blind. Fog can be cold, too. Cold river; cold fog? In a way, though, I miss those early-morning jaunts. I don’t keep track of the moon phases; and when I rode while it was still dark, sometimes I’d hear an owl. Now and then, a distant T-storm would treat me to a terrific light show! License? 🪪 We seem to have a weather breeder in progress; and I’d like to know who has the license to do such breeding. I’m expecting either a return to cold weather, or, worse, severe weather. Today I took a day off from riding; and I hope to get in some good mileage over the next three days. It looks like the weekend will be quite windy; and I don’t suppose I’ll ever get over my dislike for headwinds! Incidentally, who has the license to let loose that wind? 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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Dry Back

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors / CAL

Dry Back 🌵 I was glad to have a dry back this morning. Overnight my Camel-Bak dried out; and we had another rain-free day. It was foggy part of the time, though; and I needed to use ARCHXX wipes on my glasses before leaving home. Those things are great. If the fog is dense, my lenses still get wet; but at least I can see through them. A dry back makes longer rides much more agreeable; and that matters a lot. I’m starting to put in 20-milers again; and it feels good to get back to normal mileage. Back to Normal ☺️ But I wonder when our weather will get back to normal. Not that I want it to freeze again; but afternoons in the 70s aren’t normal for February. As usual, my mind is racing ahead to hurricane season. We always wonder how bad the upcoming storm season will be; and when days get this warm before Spring arrives, I fear an active hurricane season! Maybe I’ll take a day off from riding tomorrow. There’s a dense fog advisory out; I have an appointment in the morning; and anyway, I mustn’t let getting back to normal riding drive me into an overuse injury. That wouldn’t be normal at all! 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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Wet Back

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

Wet Back 💧 I didn’t want a wet back this morning; and I ‘m not talking about avoiding a slip on a wet floor, where I might land on my derrière. Day before yesterday I pushed my mileage to 20; and used the Camel-Bak. I also took along electrolyte drink. I wanted to do it again today; but had to change my plans. I had forgotten to empty the Camel-Bak reservoir after Friday’s ride; and last night that Camel-Bak fell over — and leaked. So this morning, the shell was wet through; and a wet back isn’t at all comfortable when it’s barely 50 degrees outdoors. If were the height of Summer, and 80 degrees at 5:00 am, a wet back would be welcome. As it was, I had to leave the Camel-Bak home, and do a shorter ride than I intended. Maybe tomorrow? Maybe Tomorrow? 🌅 Maybe tomorrow I can put in another 20-miler; not that I expect any strange tales to come of it. There will be patchy fog, but not rain; so I shouldn’t get a wet back. But I’d better prep my lenses! I’ve begun to put in some short efforts of riding on the big ring. My leg strength is starting to return; so I can add some intensity work, especially during shorter rides. I think I”ll keep my efforts moderate and steady tomorrow; and maybe tomorrow I’ll see something interesting on the river. If the fog isn’t too dense! 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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Back on Schedule

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors / CAL

Back on Schedule? ⏰ Am I back on schedule at last? I finally got to go to the salvage store on Saturday! I took the panniers; but actually I got a small load. Our capricious weather has returned to more Spring-like conditions. It doesn’t feel like February; and not for the first time, I’m doubting our groundhog’s forecast. I just hope the current forecast is on target; and that it won’t rain next Tuesday morning, when I must ride to an appointment. Spring? 💐 This false Spring might not last, though. I remember one early-March hard freeze, many years ago. It could happen again. It won’t be fun riding in such temperatures; even without a wind. And it’s Carnival parade season; frigid conditions are hard on both parade-goers, and the people who are in the parades. I’m glad I don’t have to do it! Maybe I should put in some real miles while I can, before another cold snap arrives. I need to get back on schedule with regular rides; and off-bike work, too. Some of those exercises mean getting down on the floor; and it’s chilly down there. So I haven’t been very good about doing 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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First Long Ride!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Outdoors / CAL

First Long Ride! 🚴‍♀️ Today I did my first long ride in over four months. That is, if 20 miles can really be called “long”. But I was getting impatient with 10- or 12-mile jaunts; and I decided it was time to push for bigger distances. Maybe this morning wasn’t the best time, though. The wind was fairly strong; but for once most of the headwind trouble was on the outward-bound part of the ride. So my first long ride in months was a tough one; but I need to get back to my usual mileage — even if I don’t have a new road bike yet. And, I’ve started to get myself used to wearing a Camel-Bak again. Camel-Bak 🐪 I’m easing back into the Camel-Bak a little at a time. Today I filled the reservoir only halfway; and I didn’t put anything in the pockets. Normally, I’m carrying about 100 ounces of water ( i.e. the full reservoir); a cable lock; cell phone; and a tube of Chamois Butt’r! The plan for tomorrow is a short-ish ride; just to the salvage store and back. I’m not ready for daily 20-mile rides yet. The wind won’t be as strong as it was today; and no rain is expected for several days. Maybe further two-wheeled outings won’t be quite as tough as my first long ride. 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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Birds of a Feather

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors / CAL

Birds of a Feather 🦆 🦉🦅 “Birds of a feather flock together.” I thought of that old saying late last week as I was riding through the park. There seemed to be an unusual number of whistling ducks there; and I wondered if they had crowded into the park ahead of the approaching cold snap. I guess cyclists are birds of a feather, too. Often enough I’ve seen pacelines while out riding; and of course there are large group rides, ranging from the recreational RAGBRAI to the Tour de France. Which Season? The weather can’t make up its mind which season this is. Just a few nights ago, we had to let the faucets drip overnight to prevent frozen pipes; and the chill factor was sub-freezing. Yesterday it reached 72 degrees; and tonight it’s going to drop into the 30s again. So, which season is this? The groundhog claimed that we’d have another six weeks of Winter; and over last weekend, he seemed to be correct. Yesterday I wasn’t so sure about that rodent’s forecast; but now it’s going to get cold again! Today I went for a mid-afternoon ride, but kept it short and easy. The wind was pretty strong; and I got a good workout fighting the wind on the way home from the store yesterday! 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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Brain Food?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors / CAL

Brain Food? 🧠 Is cycling brain food? Maybe it is. Yesterday it was very cold again, but at least the wind wasn’t nearly as strong as it was the day before. By early afternoon, I was tired of sitting around indoors with my brain turning to mush; and decided to go for a short ride. Despite being bundled up, I was still cold; but when I got back home, I felt more alert. So maybe cycling really is brain food. I need to remember that, because there’s more Winter on the way. Incidentally, while we’re talking about brain food, there was a popular riddle when I was a kid: Q: Who invented spaghetti? A: The guy who used his noodle. More Winter ☃️ Yes, there’s more Winter coming — as if we haven’t had enough of it lately. Our local groundhog says we’ll have six more weeks of Winter. I sure hope it won’t be as frigid as the last few days! Even if it is, we probably won’t get to build any snowmen. Rain is possible by mid-week; but it will be too warm by then for snow. But who knows? With six more Winter weeks to come, there might be some; although the possibility lessens by the day. It will be good, however, to not have freezing temperatures in the morning; then I can ride early in the day, as I prefer. I like to get that brain food first 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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Gelid!!

1 Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors / CAL

GELID!! 🧊 🥶 Today it is gelid; and I do mean COLD!! At 9:30 am, the temperature stood just at freezing; and the wind chill factor was a bone-biting 19 degrees. Gusts are still as strong as 40 mph. I’d better wait at least until tomorrow to go for a ride. Even indoors, it’s chilly; although fortunately not gelid. Some of the bubble wrap is peeling off of the window panes, and that lets cold air in. This place doesn’t seem to be very well insulated, either. I don’t even have the comfort of observing a snow scene through the window; it’s quite sunny. Indoors 🏡 Since I expect to be indoors for hours — possibly all day — I figured I’d get some work done in the kitchen. I started by chopping a whole head of garlic to freeze; and I did the same with a red bell pepper. I can’t use up an entire head of garlic before the buds start to dry and shrivel; and bell pepper doesn’t keep very long in the fridge. Cooking? Maybe later. These gelid days make me feel lethargic. I’m too lazy to bake; but using the oven would warm up this place. If only my hybrid’s rear wheel could fit into the trainer! I could “ride” indoors; and let my legs have some action. It might wake me up a bit, too. 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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Wait Til Sunday

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors / CAL

Wait Til Sunday 🕰️ It looks like I’ll have to wait til Sunday to ride again. Tomorrow will be sunny, but frigid — wind gusts up to 40 mph, with a high temperature of 37 degrees! I’ll want to stay home and huddle in front of the heater; and let the wind blow. Tomorrow night will be colder than tonight; so even I wait til Sunday for more miles, I’ll still have to bundle up. Tropics in January? 🌀 It seems like the tropics in January when the predicted wind gusts are tropical-storm force; or close to it. Barring the rare calm day, any time I go for a ride, I’ve got a headwind part of the time. Sure, working against the wind is a good way to develop strength; but pushing against 40 mph gusts is a bit much for me! I’m not sure I could make any headway at all. I suppose some riders will still be out there, and I respect their hardiness; but I haven’t got the guts to emulate them. So I’ll wait til Sunday, at least; and enjoy some hot chocolate in the meantime. 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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