SpokEasy

Uncategorized

School Again

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Uncategorized /

School Again It’s almost time for school again already! It always comes too soon, doesn’t it? It sure did when I was a kid! If there’s a safe place to ride, how about letting the kids get to school under pedal power? When I was a kid, there was absolutely no way we could safely do that. We had several miles to go; and part of the route was a rather narrow, two-way road with ditches on both sides; and no shoulders! Add heavy traffic; and such a ride, if possible at all, would have been terrifying! I wish now we could have walked; or ridden bicycles. This Huffy sounds like it can take a lot of hard use. The drawback is, I’m not sure it could be equipped with fenders and a luggage rack. Books and other supplies might have to be carried in a backpack. That can amount to quite a heavy load! The Huffy is also a one-speed. If the route includes any hills, the lack of extra gears will make the trip harder.   But we hear about how important physical activity is for anyone; and on the way home, the ride can let a child “blow off” some of the stresses of the day. If there’s some fun in getting there and back home, school again might be a bit easier. Oh, and don’t forget the helmet!

School Again Read More »

looby loo

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Uncategorized /

Looby Loo? Here We Go Looby Loo came to mind when I thought about lubing my hybrid bike’s chain. I played that game when I was a child; but hadn’t thought about it in ages. After three days of mid-day downpours, a bicycle’s chain needs an oil job. On the other hand, why bother if it’s going to rain again the next day? More showers and T-storms are predicted for tomorrow, especially in the afternoon. Today it rained so hard that we got a flash flood warning! And poor St. Louis really got clobbered! If I decide to go “looby loo” tonight, maybe I’ll walk to work tomorrow. I’m getting rather tired of having my bicycle rained on; and of worrying that I’ll have to ride home in a deluge. The bicycle needs a good general cleaning, anyway.  I’ve been lucky lately with the weather for my early-morning rides. Yesterday it was mostly clear when I rode; and I saw the  old crescent moon. The dark part of the moon was visible; and one of the planets was close by. Venus, maybe. Today the moon was too low in the sky; and/or there were too many clouds. I had to make it rather short this morning. Some days I’m too sleepy to get going in time; and then I get aggravated with myself. I’m also annoyed with myself about my eating habits of late. I really need to get back on track!  It’s hard to eat a really good breakfast when I’m just home from an hour’s riding; have to get ready to go to work; and my appetite is suppressed from the exercise! It’s hard to pack enough food to carry along, too. I sure miss working from home; and want more than ever to retire.

looby loo Read More »

Fantasycart Unicycle

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Uncategorized /

Fantasycart Unicycle Fantasycart Unicycle sounds like a great vehicle for the adventurous. I’m not sure I want to try one; but if I were younger, maybe I would. And supposedly it’s not that difficult to learn! One-wheelers make me think of clowns. I don’t have any aspirations to become a clown; so maybe I’ll forget about unicycles. Actually, though, a “uni” has an advantage or two over a bicycle. If you store your “rides” indoors, the Fantasy Unicycle takes up less space than a regular bike. The same thing goes for parking if you ride the uni anywhere. Who knows — you might get away with carrying it into the store with you! Does having a load on your back make balancing on a unicycle harder? More specifically, will that load pull  you backwards? The uni doesn’t seem to have much room for a water bottle holder.  The seat tube looks like the only possible spot. And then you’d have to almost stand on your head to get the water bottle. I’m not sure I can do that and not lose my balance! Moreover, can this uni coast; or does the wheel stop if you stop pedaling? Thus a Camel-Bak seems like the only option for hydration if you want to ride far; but I don’t think this model is actually intended for long-distance rides. But even in cold weather, don’t skimp on hydration! That means learning to ride on one wheel with that load on your back. I’ve seen very few unicycle riders; and at my age, I’m disinclined to try. But as I said, if I were younger, maybe I’d go for it.

Fantasycart Unicycle Read More »

Stroopwafels for Riding

Uncategorized /

Stroopwafels for Riding Today I tried Stroopwafels for riding. I had the caramel variety; and though they taste good, they’re really too low in protein for ride food. So I took along some other food in case I needed it. Honey Stinger Chews rounded out the menu very nicely. A great advantage to Stroopwafels is that they don’t have a chocolate coating. This means that they’re much neater on a hot day. I do get tired of ride food that leaves smears of chocolate on my fingers! Stroopwafels are also very high in carbs; and not the good kind. When I eat stuff like that on the bike, I need to balance it with foods such as cauliflower. So now I’ve got to chop cauliflower for supper. This morning I put in 42.50 miles; and it was great to  have little or no wind! As I did last Sunday, I watched the clouds building up on the way home. Around 12:15 pm, I began to hear thunder; and I was glad I wasn’t out. Today I think I was flirting with dehydration. My post-long ride weight is usually least a pound more than my pre-long ride weight. This time, I gained only two-tenths of a pound; and I drank about three liters of water during my ride. Plus electrolyte drink! I guess I sweated it all out.  I don’t think I needed to eat more. Taking in 900 calories when I burned off 1180 calories seems reasonable. I’m not like a Tour de France rider, who might burn 5000 calories in a single stage. That reminds me — I haven’t looked at todays TdF pics yet!

Stroopwafels for Riding Read More »

Rainbow at Morning

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Uncategorized /

Rainbow at Morning Today I saw a rainbow at morning! For a few minutes, it was quite bright; then it faded. But the saying goes, “Rainbow at morning, sailor take warning.” T-storms are predicted for this afternoon; and I’m glad I don’t have any more errands to run. In fact, right about noon, I began to hear thunder. Yesterday some parts of the city got torrential rain; as much as three inches in about 90 minutes. I guess I got lucky! I had to abandon my plan to go to the salvage store. Yesterday I got a call from the management office of this place I rent. They don’t have copies of the door keys (!); and wanted me to get some. Walmart has a key-copying counter; so I went to Walmart. I could have ridden to the salvage store from there; but I needed apples, bananas, and so on. I knew Walmart would have those things; so I got them there. Guess what else I got? Clothespins! They’re great for clipping shut bags of frozen fruit (or whatever); and a pack of 24 cost less than three bucks. They work just as well as those “clip chips” that cost a lot more; clothespins are probably more durable. I rather hope I won’t see a rainbow at morning tomorrow. I want to do a long ride; and T-storms cracking overhead won’t help! The rain would soak my ride food, too. What shall I take along for ride food? Stroopwafels?  Honey Stinger Chews? I’ll figure it out.

Rainbow at Morning Read More »

Inflation

BACK ISSUES, Uncategorized /

INFLATION Inflation sounds like pumping up the bicycle tires. Well, that’s one meaning of the term; but another kind of inflation affects anybody who buys anything. The news media are full of it; with the price of gasoline perhaps the best known example. But even the salvage store is not immune to rising prices. For example, a few months ago I was there, and bought a 6 oz bag of dried cranberries. It cost $1.49. About two weeks ago, at the same store, the same product cost $1.64!  And look what happens when it’s six and a half years since you last purchased a laptop! This one that I have now cost around $1500-1600; and its replacement ran me over $2K! I had to order the laptop, because the store was out of stock; and it might take a week to get the new one. Meanwhile, I hope I don’t get COVID. At work today, I got an email message. It said that their tracking shows I might have been in close contact with someone who tested positive. The message said I should be tested as soon as possible; and I scheduled a test for tomorrow. Two or three days ago, a spot on the right side of my head felt stuffy/achy on and off. The next day, the corresponding spot on the left side of my head did the same thing. I put it down to allergy; and I hope that’s all it was. I don’t need COVID to disrupt my progress towards my Love to Ride mileage goal. This morning I fell short of my usual mileage. You know those days when you can hardly drag  yourself out of bed; and you’re tired a sleepy all day. Salvage store day after tomorrow; and I hope inflation hasn’t been too busy!

Inflation Read More »

we’re melting

BACK ISSUES, Outdoors, Uncategorized /

We’re Melting! We’re melting here! And there’s no beach nearby where we can cool off. The heat index was 103 F by 12:15 pm; and more is in store for tomorrow. After a lifetime here, I ought to expect this kind of thing. I know that such heat can set in as early as March! I don’t remember it ever getting so hot, so soon in the year, when I was a kid. In fact, back then the really hot/humid weather didn’t set in until early July. The heat doesn’t make cycling any easier; and in fact, it makes daily living quite tedious. When I walk places, I carry a piece of cardboard in my hand to use as a fan. Even indoors I need to keep that fan handy, despite the air conditioning. The window unit blows air upwards instead of outwards; and that’s no help! Who ever came up with such a design? Even when I ride before sunup, I get very hot and sweaty; and I’m lucky that I can ride then. Not everybody has that option. I checked the local start times for some Tour de France stages. The first two began at 14:30; or 2:30 pm. It seems pretty crazy to me that Tour de France stages don’t start until the middle of the day, when it’s the hottest. I suppose that’s for the spectators. Not many would want to be up to watch a 6:00 am start. While we’re melting outdoors, the air conditioning at work is often too cold! Then, when we come back outside, the contrast is a bit much. In Winter, the  opposite is true. It’s very hard to get it right. We finally got some rain; but I hope it’s over before morning. I want to ride!

we’re melting Read More »

computers

BACK ISSUES, Uncategorized /

Computers! It’s a funny thing about computers. I’m old enough that I hardly heard the word before I was nine or ten. And computers were in cartoons about mad scientists plotting to take over the world. Now I use the things regularly, as does nearly everybody. In a way, computers themselves have taken over the world! When I was a kid, I never dreamed that I’d own one of the things. In fact, I own several. I have my laptop; and the hybrid has its Cateye; and the road bike has its Garmin. I use a desktop model at work. My laptop, alas, seems to be wearing out. Even plugged in, it won’t charge fully; and as I type this, it’s at only 87%. Last night it was at 91%; so something isn’t right! Unfortunately a new one will be very expensive; but if I’m to keep this site up and running, I have to have it. That’s another thing about computers. They can do some marvelous work; but let them shut down, and we’re helpless! I also noticed years ago that using these machines teaches us impatience. We get used to all-but-instantaneous results; and when things are slower, we get aggravated. Or at least I do. Now I turn my thoughts to tomorrow’s forecast. There’s a heat advisory posted for 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. It’s plenty hot right now, with a heat index of 105! I’m glad I can ride early in the day.  

computers Read More »

Monday Muddle

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, Uncategorized /

Monday Muddle Today was a Monday muddle, as is only too usual. It makes me feel rather like this gorilla. I didn’t go out on the road bike; but I did ride the hybrid to work. One block from home, I suddenly noticed that I’d forgotten my helmet; and had to go back for it. That was Monday muddle #1. At work, my brain felt like mush; another Monday usual. I brought almonds with chocolate bits as part of my lunch; forgot I had them; and bought M&Ms! There I go again with the Monday muddle. On the way home I watched the clouds. It looked like a T-storm might be developing; but as of 6:00pm, nothing. I had a good tailwind, though! I’m keeping an eye on my commuting progress in Love to Ride. I’m 46% on the way to Super Commuter: ride to work 200 days in the calendar year. If there are 108 work days left in 2022, I just might make it.  But that supposes no vacation days; no sick days; and no hurricane-enforced time off! Last year I missed a lot of time, thanks to Ida. So far this year’s hurricane season is slow; but it might pick up tempo any time. We just hope it doesn’t! I don’t need my Monday muddle to extend into the week; and make me forget my poncho. There’s a chance of T-storms every afternoon for the next 3-4 days; and I might need it. At least the clouds will keep the temperature down a bit. Incidentally, I’m glad I’m not riding in the Tour de France. It’s so hot there, the tarmac is melting!

Monday Muddle Read More »

break

Uncategorized /

Break? Am I finally getting a break from worrying about rain? It looks like rain chances for much of this week will be in the afternoons. Maybe I can plan my morning rides and not have to worry about T-storms! This morning I wasn’t quite sure I’d get such a break. When I set out, I could see thunderheads in several directions. I wish I knew how far away such clouds are when I can see the entire cloud; and which way those clouds are moving! I don’t think I’ll ever get over being nervous about lightning when I’m riding on top of the levee.  But I got lucky. The storms stayed away; and from time to time some clouds moved over the sun. That gave me a bit of a break from the heat. Today it didn’t get quite as hot as some recent days; and that was a major relief. Today I did about 40.8 miles. I’m a little uncertain about the exact distance, because shortly before I got home, I pressed my Garmin’s Pause button instead of the Lap button. That threw things off a bit; but on the way out, I noticed that that particular stretch of road was about 0.3 miles. So I added it to the Garmin’s mileage reading. If I’m off a bit, why worry? With my long-term mileage total, a few tenths of a mile are nothing. When I was still about 10 miles from home, I noticed that my legs felt really tired. Was pushing for 40 miles today too much, after missing last Sunday? Then I remembered: fatigue, and the desire to coast, can signal dehydration. I began drinking more water; and sure enough, I felt better. It’s a good thing I read so much!

break Read More »