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Not Over Yet

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Not Over Yet 🥵 Today’s Featured Product! ☄️ Tom Danielson’s Core Advantage New!! Bicycle Handlebar Clock   For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Summer’s not over yet; and I won’t be reaching for heat wraps anytime soon. On the contrary, I need to keep that cool rag handy! This morning I didn’t ride; the forecast looked like there could be T-storms this morning. Wouldn’t you know, nothing happened; so I hope I can ride tomorrow morning. But I need to be home by nine o’clock; I’ve got a 10:00 am appointment to get this season’s flu shot. Unfortunately, T-storm season is not over yet; and neither is hurricane season. Regarding T-storms, I just have to watch the forecasts; and keep the poncho handy when I ride. As for hurricanes, we can only watch; and hope for the best. Hard Riding? 🚲 I’ve been trying to do some hard riding; but is it enough? I’m still on the hybrid; although I hope to get a new road bike  soon (how much longer will I keep saying that?) I’m trying to spend more time on the big ring; and it’s taken quite a while for me to reach that point. Sometimes I go by distance; other times I go by, well, time. It depends on how much of a headwind I’ve got. But I need to work up some more strength; especially if I hope to do RAGBRAI again next Summer. There’ll be hills; and I’d also like to be able to finish a day’s mileage by 5 pm. Maybe I could manage hard riding next July  if I can work up my strength now! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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On the Loose?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

On the Loose? 😵‍💫 Today’s Featured Product! 🤩 Baleaf Women’s Half-Sleeve Jersey   New!! DYNAMI Unicycle For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Is my bicycle’s headset on the loose? This morning I seemed to have a lot of trouble riding a straight line; and eventually I began to wonder whether the headset needs attention. Of course, the problem might have been a sidewind. Such a breeze can push me all over the place. Next time I ride, if my bike acts like it did today, it’s off to the bike shop. A headset on the loose needs tightening. Core? 🍏 Or is the problem a weak core? I’ve noticed many times that a rapid cadence can make a bicycle harder to control; especially in a low gear. It’s as though my leg action overpowers my upper body. That’s hardest when I need to pull my electrolyte bottle out of its cage; and must briefly ride one-handed. At least once, I had to stop so I could get a good drink of Propel. It looks like the wind will be calm for the next two days; and I think I’ll ride laps around the park. It might give me a better idea as to whether my headset if really on the loose! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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August Cold Snap?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

August Cold Snap? 🧊 Today’s Featured Product! 🌋 KanPas New!! Joystar New Berry For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I think we’ve got an August cold snap! As of mid-afternoon, it was only 79 degrees; much cooler than it’s been the last week or two. I guess nobody needed a cooling vest out there. This morning I didn’t ride because of concerns over T-storms; but by noon I was tired of sitting around indoors. The rain seemed to be over for the time being; and when I saw that I didn’t need to worry about the heat index, I decided to go for a ride. I needed some exercise! Still Gray ☁ But the sky was still gray; and I decided to ride around the park a few times. Then, if the weather turned stormy, I’d be fairly close to home. This August cold snap was making it windy; and I’m glad the forecast for tomorrow is clear and calm. Maybe I can put in 20 miles again!  I need to do some hard efforts; and I want the miles because I might not get to ride on Tuesday. It will be late morning by the time I could ride; and the heat will be back again. Appointments are so tiresome! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Three Week Blink

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Three Week Blink 👁️ Today’s Featured Product! 💥 HaoHakka X-Large Duffle   New!! Eurobike X1 For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I just did a three week blink, I think. You know how they say, blink and you’ll miss it? I’ve hardly paid any attention to the Tour de France; and now it’s almost over! While I enjoy looking at the TdF pics, I still haven’t been able to get interested in participating in racing; and it’s more fun to ride without the pressure that comes with racing. Serious racing means a lot of travel, too; and I don’t have the finances for that. I’ll gladly remain a  homebody-type cyclist, even if I do a three week blink now and then! Four Day Broil 🥵 We’ve got a four-day broil coming. The heat index tomorrow and Monday might touch 109 degrees! The hottest part of the Summer is yet to come; and it makes me think, if only a three week blink would let us bypass it! That means more early rides, which is rather hard on me. I’m no longer accustomed to rising at 4:30am! But I want to finish my rides before the heat gets too intense; and if I want to ride 20 miles, it’s better if I get moving by 6:30! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Made to Move

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Made to Move 🏃🏽‍♀️ Today’s Featured Product! Nature Valley Granola Bar New!! Gooch Guard For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! The human body is made to move, they say. Is that why my legs enjoy pedaling? It took about ten minutes for me to become addicted; and I’m so glad I have a good place to ride! Today I did some work to try to improve my leg strength. I went for a 20-mile ride; and during the first half, I practiced pushing against the wind for two minutes at a time. I did two or three sets of three efforts each; with two minutes between efforts. I’m made to move, right? So I might as well move! Gosh It’s Hot! ♨️ But gosh, it’s hot! I made an extra effort to get going earlier; it was already 80 degrees before 7:00 am; and a heat advisory was set to go into effect at 10:00 am. Indeed, before I was halfway back home, I could feel how hot it was getting. I’m glad I had a tailwind then; usually I get the headwind during the inward-bound half of a ride. The next few days look like repeats of today; so I’ll have to continue getting up by 5:30 am. That’s rather tough; since my retirement I don’t want to get up so early! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as Cecile Levert. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Burnout?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Burnout? 🔥 Today’s Featured Product! 🎉 Santic Cycling Jersey Women’s  New!! VEVOR Large Dog Trailer For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! This isn’t burnout, is it? Some days I simply don’t seem to have the energy for a ride; but that’s not necessarily burnout. This morning I felt tired; and after having totaled some 50 miles over three days, I guess that’s natural. So I did only a very short ride. We need to let ourselves recover, after all. Tomorrow I want to ride to the salvage store, which will give me just short of 11 miles. Then on Sunday, I can push for 20 miles again. I hope I”ll feel fresher then. Turn off the Heater! ♨️ But please, somebody turn off the heater! Before noon today, a heat advisory had been posted; and another one is predicted for tomorrow. No rain is expected before next Tuesday afternoon; so we won’t cool off much. I’m so glad I have a cool rag! After I first got one, I wondered how I had gotten along without it. And I’m glad to have a large hydration pack. I ride with it regularly, so my body stays accustomed to carrying the load; and on a hot day, I need several liters of water with me. So far, my rides aren’t long enough for me to go through three liters of water; but I’d rather have the water and not need it; than need it and be unable to get 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 © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as CAL. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Difficult Planning

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Difficult Planning ✍🏻  Today’s Featured Product! 👏🏻 BALEAF Men’s Sleeveless Jersey New!! Bike Basket Front For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I’ve got some difficult planning to do; not for the first time. How do I plan a week’s rides when the forecast is stormy? It’s helpful to be able to decide I’ll do X on a certain day; and Y the next day. Bad weather can easily derail such a schedule. And if the threat of T-storms means difficult planning when you’re at home, it’s harder if you’re on a bicycle tour.   Day by Day 🌅 Here I go again, planning day by day. At least this week, I don’t have to worry about getting in a ride around both rain and doctor’s appointments. That’s a help; but it’s getting so hot now that afternoon rides are not a good idea. If I were preparing to do RAGBRAI, however, I’d need to start doing afternoon rides. Just a few miles at first; and gradually longer distances. The mere thought makes me feel hot — the heat index at the moment is 99 degrees! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as CAL. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Early Dog Days

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Early Dog Days 🐕 Today’s Featured Product! 🤩 CafePress Beautiful Ride Tote   New!! KOOTU Carbon Road Bike For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! It looks like we’ve got early dog days. The heat index this afternoon briefly reached 100 degrees! I’m glad I don’t have a thermal pool next door; and I for sure don’t need heated gloves out there! Early dog days means starting my rides earlier; although today I skipped it. I think my allergies are still acting up 🤧 But I hope I can ride to the salvage store tomorrow. Lazy? 💤 So I feel lazy for not having gone for a ride; but I did go for a walk. Not that I undertook a five-mile hike; but one mile is better than no miles. I did some intensive work on the website; and cooked up a garbage soup. Unfortunately cooking means dishwashing! I’ve been too lazy about intensive work on the bike. From what I’ve always read, you’ve got to push yourself to 15 mph sometimes, if you want to cruise at 13-14 mph! And it’s important to step up the intensity if you’ve got weight control on your mind. This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as CAL. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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Sunshine at Last

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Sunshine at Last 🌞 Today’s Featured Product! ☄️ Rosarita Low-Fat Black Beans New!! Probar PB Chocolate Chip For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! We had sunshine at last this morning! But it’s time to pull out the cool rag: I got quite hot riding back home from the salvage store. It was worth it, though. I’m always on the lookout for new foods and drinks to try during my rides; and today I found a new flavor  of Propel.  I hope our “sunshine at last” persists for a while. But the forecast says, partly cloudy tomorrow morning. I hope I’ll be able to see the moonlight on the river; if I can get myself up early enough! May Gone Already? 🌻 Gosh, May gone already? Time has become as fast as Beep-Beep; if it hasn’t already left that fleet-footed bird far behind. That means that, if I want to aim for RAGBRAI 2027,  I need to do more work to improve my pace right now. I think I’ll aim for steady distance tomorrow; and maybe even do a few extra miles. After all, I had to miss a day because of the weather. Tomorrow is the final day of the May Bike Challenge; and after that, I can go back to taking Mondays off from riding. So I can get some rest; and on Tuesday I can work at pushing a hard gear. This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.   FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as CAL. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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When Will It End?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

When Will It End? ☔️ Today’s Featured Product! 💥 COOLSTEELANDBEYOND  Bike Chain Bracelet New!! Cycling for Health and Pleasure For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! When will it end? We’re getting day after day of rainy forecasts; and it’s getting too warm to be buried under a rain suit. Last night, the forecast predicted cloudy skies this morning; but no rain until at least late morning. Then, at about 6:30 am, I took a look outside; and the appearance of the sky sent me straight to the online weather site. Long story short, I decided to skip the salvage store; and for a fact I began to hear thunder at the time when I’d usually be riding to the salvage store. I probably would have been pedaling right into a T-storm! How About Tomorrow? ☀️   And how about tomorrow? I hope I can get out there and 1) put in some miles; and 2) work on my pace. Unfortunately the forecast looks bad for the next few days! Yesterday I tried pushing hard for one minute; and easing up for a minute. I did five efforts per set; and managed two sets. I attempted a third set; but kept forgetting to watch the time. So after that I just rode. I sure won’t meet any 100-mile goal this week! Maybe not this coming week, either. Rain is one thing; T-storms are another. I think I need a lightning detector! This blog/page may contain affiliate links. “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” ABOUT ME © This website is the property of its author. DISCLAIMER I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional. FRESH FROM MY JOURNAL ✍🏻 Facebook Twitter Youtube INTERPRETER Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Logged in as CAL. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Δ

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