Training Archives - Page 3 of 14

Wind Switch

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

Wind Switch 🍃 Today’s Featured Product! GoGo SqueeZ New!! Larabar Kids Bakes Chocolate-Brownie For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! We had a wind switch today: I had a tailwind most of the way home! Usually it’s the opposite; and I enjoyed not having to battle a headwind for miles when I was starting to tire. The temperature was quite comfortable; no need for a thermal jacket. I expect it won’t be long before I’ll be complaining about the heat. I wonder whether this wind switch is a harbinger of upcoming storms. Or is it just our usual Summer-in-March? Adding Miles 🚴🏿 Today’s wind switch was helpful, because I’m adding miles. I think I’m ready for some back-to-back 20-mile days. Yesterday I rode 22 miles; and today I did 20. Again, I saw some ships: one named Eternity; and one named, oddly, Puna. It wasn’t mistaken identify; the Pena that I saw las week had a black hull. The Puna had a dark green hull. The funnel was different, too. Adding miles is more fun when I see some interesting things; and, of course, when a wind switch lets me have a following breeze! 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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Fog Surprise

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

Fog Surprise 😳 Today’s Featured Product! Garmin Amoled New!! Honey Joy Wiggle Car For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! I got a fog surprise this morning. The forecast hadn’t mentioned fog; and I’m glad it wasn’t enough of a mist that I needed anti-fog lens wipes! I’m also glad that there was only one patch of fog. This was on the way to the salvage store; and while I’m trying to bring home only small loads, I keep going there. In a way, it’s a bit of a social event. There are certain people that I see there regularly. I don’t know most of their names; but we tell each other hello, how are you, and so forth. On the way home, the fog surprise had dissipated. That’s all to the good; and I hope there isn’t fog tomorrow. More Miles 🛣️ I want to get in some more miles tomorrow; so I’m glad it’s not expected to rain. In fact, the entire week is likely to be sunny. Great for riding; not so great considering that we really need some rain! Plan for tomorrow: long, but moderate effort. And don’t forget the Camel-Bak! Aim for about 22 miles; next week, go for 25 miles. Monday: put in some hard efforts; but do a shorter ride. Tuesday: moderate distance; and then the bike goes to the shop for a tune-up. .And if a fog surprise emerges while the bike is in the shop, I don’t need to worry about riding through 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 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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Shipshape?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training / CAL

Shipshape? 🚢 Today’s Featured Product! Biosteel Sugar-Free White Freeze New!! 6000W E-bike for Adults For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Do we cyclists need to stay shipshape? I’m not too sure about that — after all, we aren’t ships! But I enjoy the occasional ship sighting while I’m out riding. I saw one this morning; and while I wasn’t able to make out the name (except that it was something with “A”), I could see that it was flying the flag of the Netherlands. It was a delight to be able to see a ship’s flag well enough to identify it. Too often the flag is wrapped around its staff; or it’s flapping too much for me to see it properly. But today, that flag was flying out straight. I guess the wind was just right. But back to shipshape. I’m certainly trying to get in better condition; and today I worked at riding on the big ring. Fast Twitch? ⚡️ I guess I was using fast-twitch muscles this morning. First, I just rode for 12-13 minutes; warm up before hard efforts, they say. Then I began the work: shift to the big ring and push it for three minutes. Then ride easy for two minutes; repeat. I did five or six such efforts on the way out; and another four or five on the way home. This kind of pedaling means a slower cadence; but my legs are pushing harder. I don’t seem to get my heart rate up as much, either; and my breathing doesn’t get as fast. But I’m still not sure whether I’m a spinner or a masher! 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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More Like March

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

More Like March 💨 Today’s Featured Product! Beautiful Ride Tote Bag New!! Digital Kitchen Timer For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Today it feels more like March, for a change. Not that there’s snow on the ground; it’s not cold enough for that. But the temperature dropped to the 50s overnight; and there’s quite a wind. With gusts up to 26 mph, I decided to skip the ride today. Conditions are supposed to calm down by tomorrow; so I’ll be able to ride again. And go to the salvage store come Saturday! By the way, I had wondered at the beginning of the month where the March Hare was. A day or two ago, I finally did see a rabbit while I was out riding. So they’re out there! Maybe they’ll all come out, now that it feels more like March? Not in the Kitchen 🧑🏼‍🍳 But I’m not in the kitchen, even though I’m taking a day off the bike. I cooked quite a lot of stuff recently; and the freezer is pretty full. I’m considering what to do on the bike tomorrow; probably I’ll do a “just ride”. They say, don’t do intense work more than one day per week; and I did intense work just a few days ago. It left my quads a bit sore; but some muscle soreness is normal after a hard ride. From all I’ve read, it’s part of improving fitness, But I don’t follow the no-pain-no-gain boot camp mentality. If something actually hurts, very likely something is wrong! 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

Where’s the March Hare?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

Where’s the March Hare? 🐇 Today’s Featured Product! Ultimate Ride New!! FanVince Winter Gloves For our full list of products, visit the SpokEasy Store! Well, where’s the March hare? It’s been quite a while since I last saw a rabbit during my rides; and I wonder whether they migrated to someplace else. Or did something catch them all? Perhaps the grass isn’t amazing enough for them? Maybe I’ll see some rabbits one of these days. In the meantime, I’ll just keep pedaling — and keep an eye on the weather. Afternoon temperatures are creeping up towards 80 degrees! This is March; not May! Double Duty ‼️ While wondering, Where’s the March Hare, I was busy with the ride. In fact, I did double duty today. As a rule, I don’t include hard efforts in a 20-mile ride; but today I did. In part, that was because I’m not sure how much riding I can get in tomorrow — I have to go get my taxes done. 🫤 My legs sure were tired by the end. After a double-duty ride today, I’ll ride easy tomorrow; but I won’t be able to get out until afternoon. At least the fog ought to be gone by then. By Friday, there’s a chance of T-storms; so I might not be able to ride. Here I go again with wait and see! 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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Wind Again!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

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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Biki Gras

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

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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Keep Pedaling

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training / CAL

Keep Pedaling 🚴🏿 Sometimes you just have to keep pedaling; even when your legs don’t like it. Today I wanted to put in 20 miles. Tomorrow’s ride to the salvage store will be rather short; and day after tomorrow I want to skip riding. The forecast is for some pretty wild conditions. After I had gone two or three miles, my legs began to feel sore and tired. Why? I rode less than nine miles yesterday! But I decided to keep pedaling; my inner mileage hog was acting up. On the way back home, I really began to feel tired. For a while, I even wondered whether one of my tires was low. An under-inflated tire certainly makes pedaling harder! Mileage Hog 🐖 But keep pedaling I did. It was the only way to get home; and when you’re a mileage hog, you just want the miles. Plateaus are normal when you’re working to build fitness. And, as I already said, the weather outlook for Sunday isn’t so good. I figured I might as well get in some distance while I could. Riding while tired isn’t all bad, though. I heard a bald eagle warbling! (I guess it’s mating season; and time for birds to stake out their territories.) I have the satisfaction of knowing that I put in the distance; and the fog was mostly on the river. My mileage hog tendencies will kick in again soon enough; and then I’ll want to keep pedaling. Let’s hope the weather cooperates! 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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Carnival Feast

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food, Outdoors, Training / CAL

Carnival Feast 🥪 I decided to have my Carnival feast today — or part of it. Next Tuesday is Mardi Gras; and I figure that any eatery that’s open will be mobbed. That’s not exactly my cup of tea. So I went to a shop that’s just a few minutes’ walk away; and got a sandwich. Those sandwiches are enormous — a foot long — and come with a serving of rosemary roasted potatoes. That’s at least two meals; more often three or even four. I’ll need to do a twenty-miler tomorrow to compensate for this Carnival feast, even though I ate only one-quarter of the sandwich (along with the potatoes). Today I did a short and easy ride, under 9 miles. I don’t think I’m quite ready to do 20 miles every day. Short and Easy 😴 Short and easy is important after a long ride, especially when you’ve been away from long rides for several months. Soon, though, 20-mile rides will become the norm again; and I’ll be glad of that. I want to get in another such ride tomorrow, because I’ll continue my Carnival feast: another piece of the sandwich; and I’m very tempted to get some ice cream, too! Calorie-burning isn’t the only reason to get in some long miles tomorrow. Sunday’s weather doesn’t look so great for outdoor activity; and Saturday I want to ride to the salvage store. That’ll be a short and easy 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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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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