SpokEasy

SpokEasy

Training

Losing?

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

Losing? 😕 Today’s Featured Product! ❇️ Bikepacking New!! Perfect Keto Collagen-Protein Bars For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I seem to be losing conditioning fast. Concerns over the weather kept me from doing much for several days; and today I was determined to put in 20 miles. I want to ride some real miles in the next few days; by the weekend, tropical storm conditions aren’t impossible! But those miles this morning seemed awfully tough! On the way home, I had a 12 mph headwind; with gusts up to 20 mph! Not only was that tough on my legs; but my arms started to ache. By the time I reached home, I decided it wasn’t wise to try any work on the road bike. I’m losing conditioning for it before I even have it! More of the Same ⇉ Tomorrow might bring more of the same; at least, later in the morning. It’s a good thing that I habitually go out early. And today I sure wished I had some “cat ears“! Using the road bike still makes me a little nervous; so I still walk it to the bike path. That’s tedious, as there’s a  half-mile to go. I’m not using my biking shoes yet, because they really aren’t designed for long walks. It’s hard to be patient! But I won’t get completely back to road biking overnight. 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

Losing? Read More »

I Need More Time

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

I Need More Time ⌚️ Today’s Featured Product! 🎇 KiZE Chocolate Lovers Energy Bars New!! CLIF BUILDERS Reduced Sugar For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I need more time; and not in the sense of being time-crunched. I need more time on that new road bike! This morning it wasn’t raining; but the ground was still wet from previous showers. Reluctant though I was not to get my new “ride” mucked up, I took it out for some practice. I didn’t stay out long. The sky looked quite threatening; so I cut this practice session very short. And then it didn’t rain, after all! But I do seem to be getting the hang of starting up. After I took the road bike home, I went out for a ride on the hybrid. I needed to put in some miles! Eyeing the Sky 👀 Of course I’m eyeing the sky, hoping I’ll get to ride for the next few days without getting drenched. We along the Gulf coast are also eyeing the tropical map! There’s a system out there that we’ve got to watch; according to one source that I read, it has the potential to become a tropical storm! I knew it was too soon to assume that we were off the hook for this year’s hurricane season. For a change, it looks like tomorrow will be rain-free; and I hope to put in a 20-miler. I need the exercise! 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

I Need More Time Read More »

Wobbly

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Wobbly 🚴‍♂️ Today’s Featured Product! 💥 Hiland Full-Suspension Men’s MTB New!! Mountain Biking for Kids For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I sure feel wobbly on my new road bike. That’s natural, after a year off of road bikes; but I hope it’s not long before I’m back up to snuff. Not that I’ll try riding like the person pictured above! These electronic gears will take some getting used to; and I miss having a handlebar end mirror! I feel like I’m riding blind! I need to figure out the app for my bike’s system. All this app stuff makes me feel thoroughly antiquated. The old road bike had push levers for shifting; but those brifters were, admittedly, getting harder to operate. Especially the left-hand one. In with the New 🆕 But as they say, out with the old and in with the new. This wobbly phase will pass; and I hope it doesn’t take too long. I’ve discovered that my memory of how to use my Garmin is wobbly, too. This morning I was sure I pressed “save ride”; but when I checked later, the ride wasn’t there! I wore the chest strap, but my heart rate didn’t show. After a year of lying idle, it might need a new battery. Or perhaps I didn’t have it positioned correctly. I might even have to get a new bicycle computer. We’ll see how it goes! 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

Wobbly Read More »

Shakedown!

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

Shakedown 🫨 Today’s Featured Product! 🎊 KOOTU Carbon Road Bike New!! Loire à Vélo For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Tomorrow begins the shakedown! This afternoon, I brought my new road bike home. It was hot, in the mid-80s; and I didn’t want to try riding a road bike next to traffic. After all, I’ve been off the road bike for a bit  over a year. So I wheeled the bicycle home. The prospect of this shakedown has me partly excited; and partly nervous. For my first ride, I think I’ll skip the clip-in shoes. Probably I shouldn’t try riding in the streets for the first few jaunts; but it’s half a mile to to the bike path; and that’s too far for walking in cycling shoes!    Blisters? 🩹 Cycling shoes fit more snugly than sneakers; and have much stiffer soles. That means they aren’t suitable for more than a very short walk. I don’t want blisters or corns! It will feel weird to be pedaling without toe clips; and without being clipped in. But I think it’s wise to get the feel of that new road bike before I ride clipped in. I don’t suppose it will take very long. Then I can start twenty-mile rides! 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

Shakedown! Read More »

Always Timing!

Leave a Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Always Timing! ⏳  Today’s Featured Product! 🏆 SKRATCH LABS Energy Chews New!! Hero Microfiber Towel For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! It’s always timing, isn’t it? Such as this morning, when I rode out early to see the moonlight on the river. If I had left home one minute later, I would have had to wait for a mile-long train. That would have been very annoying! On the other hand, if I had gone out 15-20 minutes later, the moon would have been lower in the sky. As it was, old Luna was too high for the moonlight to make a good show on the water. So, it’s always timing. When to begin a ride? How to time various aspects of training? When? 🕰️ Actually, I don’t worry much about when to do what. Although I try to get in at least one ride with hard efforts each week, my approach to “training” is — I admit it — rather lackadaisical. I think I need a definite goal to inspire me to keep a more structured riding schedule. Any century rides near here? Dare I consider RAGBRAI 2027? It’s already time to be training for it, so I can develop the endurance for lengthy hard pedaling. Iowa has hills! Just be careful not to burn myself out!   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

Always Timing! Read More »

Not Over Yet

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

Not Over Yet Read More »

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

On the Loose? Read More »

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

August Cold Snap? Read More »

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

Three Week Blink Read More »

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

Made to Move Read More »