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Biki Gras

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

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 /

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 /

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 /

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 to Off-Bike

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Back to Off-Bike 💪 I’m working to get back to off-bike exercises; although I assure you, I’m not swinging around a kettlebell. After more than three months of little or no such work, I have to start easy!  I had been doing these exercises using a pair of 5-pound weights, plus weighted gloves (1.5 pounds x 2). But for now, I’m using 2-pound weights; and I can tell that my left arm is still weak! It’s none too soon to get back to off-bike exercises. My legs sometimes feel weak too; as when I rode to Walmart this morning. By the time I was heading back home, the wind had risen to 21 mph; and that made for tough going. But I finally got me some rain boots; and now I feel like Puss in Boots. Puss in Boots? 😸  I don’t remember reading the story of Puss in Boots until I was far past childhood; a bit odd, as I’ve always liked cats. I got rain boots in case I need to go somewhere in a downpour. Around here, if it rains heavily, you can step off a curb and into calf-deep water. These aren’t expensive, high-tech boots; I don’t plan to go on hikes through rugged terrain. But they should keep my feet dry on a rainy-day walk to the drug store; and that’s all I need. I don’t have to go to work any more; so if it’s raining, I can delay errands until later. And while I wait to go out, I can get back to off-bike exercises. 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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Danube Wannabe?

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Danube Wannabe? 🏞️ Today our local river looked rather like a Danube wannabe. Instead of the usual brownish shade, it looked almost bluish green. Who knows what caused that. The angle of the sunlight? Something to do with the wind; and how the river carries sediment? Whatever the explanation, Strauss might have liked it! I didn’t have much time to watch the Danube wannabe. I decided to do the same kind of interval work that I did several days ago: one minute hard; one minute easy; five efforts per set, two sets. On the way out, that is. I did another set on the way home;  but I was a bit tired by then. Starting day after tomorrow, we’ve got the chance of rain. The weather will be warmer; but I still don’t like riding in the rain. Riding in the Rain ☔️ As I think I’ve said before, riding in the rain is actually easier if the skies open when I’m already out. Starting a ride when it’s already pouring is harder. Riding in the rain is good training, though; especially if you plan to do bicycle touring. Precipitation is almost a given during a tour; unless, perhaps, you plan a two-wheeled trek across the Atacama! I think I’ll skip that. I’m used to a humid climate; and the Atacama’s aridity would have me shriveling up in no time. I’m also used to seeing a big river as I ride; and I’d miss that — whether the river is acting wanna be Danube 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 No Layout Found TRANSLATOR

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No Snow!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Food, Training /

No Snow! ☀️ Despite the forecast, we got no snow. None that I saw, at any rate. I got up at about 5:00 am, and went to look out the back door. There was no sign of the white powder; and I went back to bed. It’s been sunny all day; but cold. For the most part, I stayed indoors. If the trainer I own could take the rear wheel of my hybrid, I would do some some indoor pedaling. I feel sluggish from sitting around so much! Tomorrow it will still be cold; but still no snow. I think I’ll ride later in the day, after it warms up a little. And I’m thinking of more cooking experiments! Cooking Experiments 🥘 I’ve watched several videos about cooking during hard times. It’s given me some ideas — maybe, next time I buy a bundle of celery, I ought to cook a broth from the leaves to save for soup base.  The video presents some “desperation dishes” (as I tend to think of it) that actually sound pretty good; or, at least, they sound interesting. Cold spaghetti sandwiches; peanut butter and onion soup; boiled custard sipped warm. Some of the dishes mentioned remind me of things that my mother used to cook. I tend to do cooking experiments in fits and starts. I can prepare only so much food before I run out of storage space in the freezer; and I have only so many containers. I just did some cooking over the last week; so I’ll have to wait before gearing up for another stint in the kitchen. Meanwhile I need to get out there and do some riding. There’ll be no snow; so I don’t have to worry about slippery roads. 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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Stay In

1 Comment / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Outdoors, Training /

Stay In 🏡 I decided to stay in this morning. It was chilly and overcast; and when I checked the weather report, it said,”light rain”. I simply don’t feel like going out in it; and it would be a good time for a nice book. Unfortunately, I don’t have a cozy fireplace. It’s supposed to clear up a little as the day goes on; and I plan to go for a ride then. I had thought of riding to the store today; but it can wait. There’s nothing that I have to have right away. Maybe today I can do some work on my pace; but I’m still doing quite short distances; about half of what I was doing before the accident. Work on My Pace 🐌 🦌 It will be a good idea to work on my pace. Stepping up the intensity a little should help me to shed the extra pounds that I’ve gained. As long as I stay in, that won’t happen! I’ve still got some lingering thoughts about RAGBRAI; but I guess it won’t happen this year. My left arm doesn’t seem ready for using a road bike; and I gotten a new one yet. From what I saw of the event last July, a hybrid isn’t suitable for RAGBRAI. Not for me, at least; unless I could either 1) get some super-low gears for the hybrid that I have; or 2) develop some SUPER-strong legs.  Even if I got those gears, it might cost more to ship a hybrid than a road bike, as the hybrid is considerably heavier. Enough about that. How do I work on my pace? Easy in theory; short bursts of hard efforts, with easy or moderate pedaling in between. But no always so easy to do!   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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Straighten Up!

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Straighten Up! 📏 “Straighten up!” is what I want to tell my left elbow. It still doesn’t extend quite fully; and the therapist says, regaining those last few degrees of extension can take a lot of time.  Even if my elbow won’t straighten up, I can do a lot more than I could a month ago. I’m back on the bike; and I can chop food without my scar aching. It’s possible to lift and carry more. I’m surprised that the return of cooler weather isn’t making the surgical site hurt. Maybe it has to go down to freezing for that effect; but I’d rather not find out. I skipped riding today; and I want to get in some miles over the next few days. Get in Some Miles 🚴‍♀️ If I get in some miles, maybe I’ll come up with some interesting stories! Even if I don’t, I’ll get some much-needed exercise. I’m gradually extending my distance; but I’m not pushing it. In fact, I probably shouldn’t try to build up too fast; especially as I’m rehabbing from an injury/surgery. Some folks seem able to manage such physical stress; but my body apparently doesn’t work that way. But as long as I get in some miles, I’m making a little progress. That’s what matters. 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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Saturday on Wednesday

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Training /

Saturday on Wednesday 📅 I’m having Saturday on Wednesday: I rode to the salvage store this morning. That activity usually takes place on Saturdays; but the forecast for Thursday night through Saturday night doesn’t look so good for riding. Today I found Probars, for the first time in months; and I discovered a new protein bar to try: GoMacro. I’m always pleased to find a new potential ride food! But doing Saturday on Wednesday has rather upset my sense of time. I keep trying to think that it’s Saturday! And my legs are saying, Listen up! Listen Up! 👂🏻 This afternoon my legs seemed to say, Listen up! We want to ride some more! Listening to to your body doesn’t have to mean only paying attention to signs of possible overuse. Sometimes, as now, my body seems to be telling me that it’s ready for more activity. So I went to the park to ride some laps. Towards the end of Lap 2, I noticed that my bike’s right-hand brake lever didn’t seem right. It didn’t always release itself after use; and that’s a Listen Up. Did the brake lever need a bit of lube? Was something wrong with the brake itself? I’m a bicycle rider; not a bicycle mechanic ; so I went home; changed out of my cycling shorts; and rolled the bike over to the shop. I had to leave it there; so it’s a good thing I have my membership at the recreation center. That means I won’t have to miss pedaling tomorrow. 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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