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Luna Moth?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Luna Moth? 🌕 Sometimes I think I’m a luna moth in disguise. Why do I enjoy the sight of moonlight on the river so  much? Am I a really such a hard-core nature lover? Today I “just rode”, not worrying about pace; or working to develop my strength. I knew it was full-moon time; and I wanted to see the moon shining on the water. Last month, the moon was too high in the sky; and not in the right position. This morning things were much better!😄 Not only that; on the way home, I stopped so I could turn around and try seeing the moonlit water again. I was astonished at how low in the sky the moon already was; and in fact I watched as it sank below the trees. So, am I a luna month? Is 1000 Enough? 🚴🏿 Aside from the luna-moth musings, I ask, is 1000 is enough? Enough miles for a cyclist to tackle RAGBRAI, that is. Some videos that I’ve listened to say, if you’ve got one grand miles in your legs, you should be RAGBRAI-ready. I take that statement with a grain of salt. As far as mileage alone is concerned, it may be accurate. But does it take into account terrain? Is 1000 miles enough when you ride where hills are scarce to non-extant; and developing the legs for hills is difficult? I ride year-round; and my 11-year-old road bike has nearly 37K miles on it. Theoretically, that’s easily more than enough miles; but I’ve ridden them mainly on flat ground. Many videos about RAGBRAI mention hills. So I’ve got to learn to climb better; and that’s tricky when you live where it’s flat. On top of that, how long are those climbs in Iowa? What’s the gradient? How many climbs in a day? Unfortunately that’s a tricky question, as the event’s route changes every 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 Luna Moth? April 23, 2024 Keep It Neutral! April 22, 2024 Melting Point April 21, 2024 Bee in My Bonnet? April 20, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Paraphrase

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Paraphrase 🗣️ 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.” To paraphrase the Bard, To ride, or not to ride? The weather is nasty this morning, to be sure. At around 7:30 am, my cell phone chimed with a flash flood warning. We’ve also got a wind advisory and a tornado🌪️ watch! Shortly after 8:00 am, I began to hear thunder. It was already raining; and the rain was getting heavier. Not the best circumstances for going out on a bike; so I’m glad I don’t have to go anywhere. Or think up a paraphrase when I forget my lines! Safe Places 🏠 Speaking of tornadoes and flash floods, I hope we all have safe places. Even if I can’t do an indoor ride, I can keep dry; and I don’t have to worry about getting struck by lightning.  A big problem with “riding” in the trainer is, I can’t use my hybrid. It has bigger tires than the old one did; and every time I’ve tried to hook it into the trainer, I’ve knocked the wheel off the bike! I actually prefer a hybrid for riding in the trainer, because it has a handlebar-mounted bottle cage; and I don’t need to reach past my pedaling leg for the water bottle.  What if you’re out for a ride, and miles from home, when weather like this catches up to you? It can be hard to find safe places then, depending on your habitual route. I feel like all I can do is keep going; and hope for the best. 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 #167093 April 10, 2024 Hotheaded April 9, 2024 Shady Dealings Again April 8, 2024 Blockage April 7, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Shady Dealings Again

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Shady Dealings Again ▓ We’re getting shady dealings again today. I fact, a double dose! First, there’s the eclipse. We’re outside of the path of totality where I live; but they predicted an 82% coverage. But second, it’s overcast; and that does away with any chances of observing the eclipse. Thus we’ve gotten double shady dealings! In fact, we could have T-storms — yes, shady dealings again — but it looks like we’re luckier than some folks. In addition to missing the eclipse, they’re at risk for severe weather. What a day for storms to come through! 😞 Speaking of Storms ⛈️ Speaking of storms, what’s your coping strategy? Sometimes I think a rain coat would be better than my ancient poncho. The snaps at the sides, meant to keep said poncho from flapping like crazy, long since pulled away from the material. I have to wear my reflective vest over the poncho to keep it halfway in place.  If it’s storming when you have a ride planned, do you ride; or stay in? Here, multiple factors come into play. Is it just raining; or is there lightning? What are the wind conditions? Is there a risk for severe weather? Could you get to shelter quickly if necessary? Are you training up for a major event, such as RAGBRAI? Would skipping a ride upset your training program? If going for a ride outdoors isn’t possible, can you ride inside? At the same time, we need to learn how to cope with riding in the rain! 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 Shady Dealings Again April 8, 2024 Blockage April 7, 2024 Be Adaptable April 6, 2024 Smorgasbord April 5, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Bare Legs

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Bare Legs 🦵🏼 Yesterday I thought the season for bare legs had arrived. I thought I could ride from now on without needing to use embrocation cream; or to wear leg warmers. After all, at 7:00 am yesterday the temperature was already 74 degrees! Mother Nature sure can fool you. Last night there was quite a change; and this morning it was some 20 degrees cooler than it was yesterday. On top of that, it was windy; and I decided to ride in the park. I did a rather long ride yesterday; and wanted to go shorter and easier today. But no bare legs! It’s not warm enough for that if the temperature isn’t at least 70 degrees; and if there’s a wind, that makes it colder. Then I have to pull out those leg warmers! Spring? 🌺 So is it Spring? Maybe we can determine that by watching for kids on scooters; but our Spring season is usually fleeting. All too often, we seem to plunge directly  from Winter into miserably hot and humid Summer! I  often wish I lived where there are four distinct seasons. Increasingly long rides should let me enjoy Spring while we have it; and I wish the return to hot weather were more gradual. It would give me a little more time to adjust to it while I push for longer and longer rides.  Tonight it’s going to fall below 50 degrees; so no bare legs tomorrow. That sure doesn’t feel like Spring! 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 Bare Legs April 3, 2024 Fuel Supply April 2, 2024 How Corny! April 1, 2024 Hoppy Ride? March 31, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Undercover

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Undercover ☔️ I’m undercover this afternoon; or, rather, under cover. Would this Fischer Barometer let me know exactly when things will let loose? Today I rode an hour or so earlier than usual; and that turned out to be a good thing. It was already overcast before 7 am; and it was an incredible 75 degrees! The sun was trying to come out an hour or so later; but it was still very cloudy. Once I reached home, I didn’t want to go anywhere else at first, because I knew there was the chance of rain. I finally decided to risk hiking to the ATM; and then, detouring to a local pizza restaurant to get a takeout lunch. You know those days when you can’t stomach the thought of cooking! It was about noon when I got home; and it’s good I was undercover — I mean, under cover. Bring It On! ⛈️ Around 20 minutes after I got home, I checked NOAA. They had issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch at noon; and it lasts until 7 pm. As of 2:25 pm, all we’ve gotten is a little rain; but who knows what might happen in 15 minutes. I don’t expect I’ll need an Emergency Crank Weather Radio today; but if I have to go out, I’ll make sure I’ve got my rain gear handy! However, with nasty weather possible, it’s better to stay undercover — oh, there I go again. I mean under cover. So, bad weather out there? Bring it on! 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 Undercover March 15, 2024 On Tenterhooks Again! March 14, 2024 Ramping It Up March 13, 2024 Re-View March 12, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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On Tenterhooks Again!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

On Tenterhooks Again! 🪝 I’m on tenterhooks again, thanks to the forecast. It might be helpful if I had a weather radio to take along while riding! The forecast for the next three days talks about “slight chance” of T-storms in the morning; then T-storms “likely” later in the day. I can’t know when the atmosphere might start to fire up; so going for a ride feels like a gamble. It was overcast when I went out this morning; and I packed along a poncho in case it began to pour. Today I won the gamble; but will it pay off again tomorrow and Saturday? It has me on tenterhooks again; and it gets wearisome! Las Vegas? 🎰 All this talk about gambling makes me ask, am I in Las Vegas? I hope not; there are things in Nevada that I’d far rather see! Besides, who needs a Las Vegas slot machine for gambling? Just try putting your money in the nearest vending machine!😉 It looks like I’m going to have to gamble on the weather tomorrow and Saturday. They’re predicting heavy rain for Sunday; but it looks like Monday will be mostly sunny. If I get in good miles over the next two days, maybe I can take Sunday off. I don’t want to be on tenterhooks again for the whole 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 Ramping It Up March 13, 2024 Re-View March 12, 2024 Looking Ahead March 11, 2024 See-Saw March 10, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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IS It Coming?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

IS It Coming? 🛬 “IS it coming?” is the question in many a cyclists’s mind when bad weather is possible. Will it rain; or won’t it? If I rode an e-bike, I might be worried about the battery shorting out. Actually, I suppose those batteries are designed to keep water out; but is an e-bike more likely to attract lightning?⚡️ Yesterday we sure got it — it rained hard; and at 5 pm, the street looked like a lake. Last night we had more rain and T-storms; and the forecast says there’s still a chance that we’ll get more of the same this afternoon. So, IS it coming? I’m rather tempted to go for a ride right now; but the possibility of rain and lightning makes me hesitate. Will Tomorrow Be OK? 🚴🏿 And, will tomorrow be OK? According to the forecast, it will be foggy early; then cloudy; and, later, sunny. Good thing; I want to push for a longish ride.  I’m working to get used to frequent rides with the Camel-Bak. More than 12-14 miles, and it comes along. I haven’t yet begun to load up my Camel-Bak with a cable lock; but I’ll need to begin it soon. Especially if — dare I think of it? — I want to do a century. I’m getting back to riding 90-100 miles per week; but that’s not the same as a 100-mile day! Could I train up by June? Will it already be too hot by then? After all, we’ve had days in the high 70s; and this is only March! But first things first. Will tomorrow be OK for a ride; or is the forecast off? Time will tell! 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 IS It Coming? March 5, 2024 Safe Harbor March 4, 2024 Double Dozen March 3, 2024 Lion or Lamb? March 2, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Don’t Trust the Forecast

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Don’t Trust the Forecast 💨 💦 It’s gotten so that I don’t trust the forecast. I planned to ride 24-25 miles today; on the road bike, of course. Last night I checked the forecast, and it predicted winds ESE to SSE at 5-6 mph; with temperatures in the low 50s. That seemed like great conditions for a ride. What a joke. I got started at around 8:35 am; and long before I was back home, the wind had reached 12 mph! It would have been a great time for riding in the drops; but today I simply didn’t feel like doing it. Lazy, aren’t I? Wind isn’t the only aspect of “don’t trust the forecast”. How about rain? Sometimes the forecast says, 10% chance of showers; and it rains cat and dogs. Other times the prognostication is for almost certain rain; and we don’t get a drop. How about Food? 🍎🥕 Longer rides make me think, how about food? I don’t want to bonk, of course; and that means taking along cut-up bars. I put the pieces in a snack bag; and put that bag in my top-tube pouch. How do I manage getting a bite to eat while rolling? Practice riding one-handed until you can do it with confidence; then ride one-handed while your other hand gets out that bite. It’s harder when you’ve got on full-fingered gloves, I admit! That’s why I prefer warm weather for cycling. I almost never go out on a bicycle, no matter how short the distance, without taking a couple of “goos” with me. You know how you sometimes get hungry unexpectedly. Having a GU-Gel on hand might make all the difference between getting home with a bit of energy left; and dragging myself along barely able to pedal. Oh, and that forecast — highs in the 70s much of the week; with showers and maybe T-storms late in the week. So, should I trust that, or not? 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 Early March Hares? February 24, 2024 Spinning Out February 23, 2024 First Sure Sign February 22, 2024 Am I on Track? February 21, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Logistics

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Logistics 🚚 I’ve talked before about wanting to do RAGBRAI; but oh, the logistics! Even supposing I can train up adequately, I would still have a lot of other work to do! The logistics of a trip to the salvage store can seem quite a lot at times; and doing RAGBRAI would mean a great deal more than that!  How do I get to and from Iowa? I’d have to find someone local who is also doing the ride; and pay for gas in exchange for transportation. If that fails, what are the options? It looks like flying is the only one; the map of Amtrak’s routes looks like they only go across the southern part of the state. Or can I take the train to the westernmost station in Iowa; and get bus service to the RAGBRAI start town? Flying raises the question of how to safely transport my bicycle. A good bicycle case is not cheap; and does it make sense to buy one, and use it for perhaps one trip? The week in between getting to and from Iowa has its own logistics. To use a Camel-Bak, or not? They say, chances to refill your water bottles are about 10 miles apart; but if I just use a water bottle, I’d have to stop every mile or so to get my bottle of electrolyte drink. I’m better off taking a gulp of electrolyte drink every few minutes; not every 10 miles. What about carrying food? There’s plenty to eat along the route; but I’d rather have a bite every 15 minutes than ride for an hour and more between towns; stuff myself; then start riding again. Maybe eat bars on the bike, in between breakfast; lunch; and supper? And how about camping? And charging up my cell phone and cyclocomputer? Showering? Washing out my cycling clothes … I feel tired already! 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 #163126 February 20, 2024 Drop It February 19, 2024 I Scream February 18, 2024 Another Windy One February 17, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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Was the Groundhog Wrong?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors /

Was the Groundhog Wrong? 🐽 Was the groundhog wrong? Is that critter a poor weather forecaster? It sure seems like it. Our temperatures this week are more like April than February! Revelers are sure to be happy about that; and it’s also better for riding. I’m happier when I don’t need to don four layers atop; and slacks over leg warmers down below.   But that’s what I need to do when the temperatures fall to the 30s; which they sometimes do. I need hand warmers in addition to heavy gloves; and some cold days I wish I had lobster gloves! A strong wind, of course, makes things more difficult. If it starts to rain, I can get truly miserable. The upside now is that I don’t have to dry out at home; only to get wet again riding to work. It also helps that I no longer have to go out at 5:00 am if I’m to be sure of doing a ride. I can wait until the sun is up; and even if it really isn’t warmer, seeing the sunshine makes the cold more bearable. And as it’s early February, we probably have more cold weather in the future. So was the groundhog wrong? I don’t care as much about knowing whether we’ll have six more weeks of Winter, as I do about this year’s tropical storms. We need a groundhog that can predict the severity of hurricane season!   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 One Hundred Dollars? February 6, 2024 Room and Bored? February 5, 2024 Holler ‘Nuff February 4, 2024 Sometimes a Gamble Pays February 3, 2024 Load More TRANSLATOR

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