cycling – Page 11 – VeggHead BeerCyclist

Pineapple-Tofurky Pita Pi

Posted on May 9, 2017May 9, 2017 by jeffreylatty

Pitas are great. They are PITAful. Whole Wheat Pitas were purchased, utilized and enjoyed recently.

They were lathered generously with Earth Balance and lightly grilled before adding BBQ Sauce, Tofurky, Pineapple, Cilantro, Onion and Green Pepper.

With an outstanding Rice concoction on the side, titled Meatless & Potato, this plate was furiously Vegan. Meatless & Potato consisted of Mini Red Potatoes, Carrot, Onion, Serrano, Rice Wine Vinegar, Broth, Jasmine Rice, Wild Rice, Cilantro, Sea Salt, Pepper, BBQ Sauce, Tomato, Fennel & Mustard Seed And Meatless Ⓥ Morning Star products.

As always, this plant-based greatness was surrounded by Good (Surly) Beer, Cycling and FUN.

RADIUM CITY BREWING

Posted on April 25, 2017April 25, 2017 by jeffreylatty

The Illinois Valley is actually quite historic. This area is often escaped upon and taken for granted from from diversely working class immigrant heritage wishing to live the “American Dream”. We have Germans, Polish, Irish, African American, Mexican, Italian and many in-between and more mixed heritage.

I leave town for a few days and of course Radium City is going to release a new brew. Calling around to a couple of liquor stores, one of which, Rudy’s Liquor, where my buddy purchased a Baptism By Vampire (the new brew) at. They claimed that they were out. BUMMER. Getting off of work, I call it a day in preporation for the following morning shift. Work is always fun for me. If you don’t like your job, it is your fault and you’re a fool being stuck somewhere that you do not wish to be.

Escaping from your job, love or hate, is essential. Ideally, freedom is our way of life and must be utilized. Nothing sets me free more than riding my bicycle wherever I want to have fun and Live. I stop at Rudy’s Liquor after work to become absolutely surprised by their Baptism By Vampire bombers in the cooler and on the shelf. These bottle tops were dipped in a sexy red wax. I bought two:) Jumping onto the I&M Canal on my bicycle, I rode excited and thirsty until Split Rock where I took a little hydration break.

And stopping at the next town, Utica, IL – home of the Starved Rock State Park, I was ecstatically surprised to find BAPTISM BY VAMPIRE on draft at Duffy’s Tavern. A hard days work, a fun bike ride and a beautiful day was enhanced by Good Beer, Food and company courtesy of the Illinois Valley. Local greatness is local pride. If you can’t find it, get the f*ck out.

soloCUBSparade III

Posted on April 16, 2017 by jeffreylatty

Unfortunately, my rear wheel broke at some point yesterday. The hollowing wind may have silenced the noise of a usual broken spoke for a good while. Not too far from civilization, I brainstormed a way to somewhat secure it so it wasn’t just flopping around. A pre-glued patch mended the floating broken spoke to another. I rode to the nearest town and rode in around 6:30pm. This is where things sprinted downhill. The closest bike shop was 10 miles without any posted hours online nor reviews. My reserved hotel room was 40+ miles south with horrendous headwind remaining.

There were hotel options 5-10 miles from where I was, but do I trust riding on a broken bike? Do I trust riding a broken bike at night? If I stay in a hotel, will this bike shop be open on Easter? Are they able to repair a broken spoke?

I weighed my options and decided to not risk incident nor further damage to the bike and stranding myself further away from civilization in the dark. The decision to cancel the remaining hike of my soloCUBSparade and arrange teleportation home was made. My hotel reservations were non-refundable. My Amtrak ticket was refundable after a fee.

To recap, I went pretty far in a few days as quickly as the elements allowed. I may not have completed, but wow, did I overcome difficult obstacles. I’ve gained knowledge, as well, to better prepare my next bike hike:

Do not make hotel reservations. Make sleeping arrangements on the road.
Bring battery backup.
Carry backup water, always.
Do not get caught up in tinkering every single road while losing sight on the bigger map.
Always bring rear lighting.

soloCubsparade I

Check out “soloCUBSparade I” on Relive!

Relive I

soloCUBSparade II

Check out “soloCUBSparade II ” on Relive!

Relive II

My Garmin died 37.4 km prior to my arrival. I used Strava to map it out exactly. Ride II totaled 192 km (roughly 120 miles), 796 m (2,612 ft.) elevation gain and I’m going to guess around 12 hours of ride time – 14 ish hours of elapsed time.

soloCUBSparade III

Check out “Morning Ride” on Relive!

Relive III

Take the harder road. Strengthen your mind and body by avoiding pampering. Be optimistic and have fun. Life is what you make of it.

Happy Easter!

RIP, Mike Hall

You truly are an inspiration.

soloCUBSparade II

Posted on April 15, 2017 by jeffreylatty

Originally today was going to be my 100+ mile day to honor Mike Hall. This has changed due to the chaos from yesterday. My garmin died, so it’s just my word to prove it. My garmin died around 155 km and the sun died shortly after. It’s easy to quit. It’s easy to think negative. It is difficult to overcome obstacles. Yesterday’s obstacles were sunlight, rain, headwind, traffic, dogs, battery life, mud, wet and loose gravel, boulder loose gravel, Apple maps, and thirst. Mike would be proud.

Apple maps saved my ass taking me away from heavy traffic in heavy rain to take a mud/grass road to safety. Apple maps also helped me get lost and waste time. Apple maps did tell me how to get to my destination.

Not a lot of hope remains after your garmin bike computer dying and a sunset almost simultaneous. There is not a lot of hope of being 20ish miles still from your destination.

Something happened that I have never experienced before. I’m not sure if it was survival mode or if I’m finally on a new level. I overcame complete exhaustion and marched on. My saddle sores stopped hurting and I felt absolutely comfortable on my bicycle, in the dark with my light dim to conserve battery life battling vehicle traffic.

Garmin shows 155 km. I rode roughly 185 km in 14 hours. I had many stops and I did walk a few spots to ensure my wellbeing.

My ride could’ve been better, but the challenges overcome like a surviving soldier sprinting into battle, was damn victorious.

I slept in this morning until 8:09 am. I will ride out around 11am. I need battery life for my phone, garmin and light. My goal for today is to find sunscreen!

Happy Saturday!

soloCUBSparade I

Posted on April 14, 2017 by jeffreylatty

I ride to honor the 2016 world champions, the Chicago Cubs. I ride in honor of the tremendously inspiring life of Mike Hall, whom lost his life this March riding his bicycle. I ride to overcome challange. I ride to predetermined destinations without the certainty of an exact route.

The obstacles in my first portion of this soloCUBSparade were sunlight, vehicles, small bugs, suicidal butterfly bombers, one dog (I won the standoff), thirst, dying Garmin and extreme fun.

Food could’ve been more healthy, but the Destihl brews were delicious. I listened to much of the CUBS game with intervals of good music through most of my 126 km ride. The wind was loud, but I’m assuming my legs will be screaming louder than the wind tomorrow. I may be dealing with storms tomorrow. I will also deal with new roads. Gravel is, by far, the safest route and will be utilized as much as possible.

Sent from my iPhone

#RIDEON

Tofurky Cold Cut (LBⓋ 20)

Posted on March 29, 2017 by jeffreylatty

Low Budget Vegan 20 is a simple sandwich. Since childhood, sandwiches have been absolutely comforting to me. I discovered the joy of Mayo and Mustard together around that same time. Obviously, my tastebuds have exponentially evolved from many years ago.

Whole Wheat Bread (10) = $2.25 @ $0.23 per serving
Guacamole (15) = $2.99 @ $0.20 per serving
Hummus (9) = $1.99 @ $0.22 per serving
Horseradish (45) = $1.97 = $0.04 per serving
Tomato = $0.14 per serving
Onion = $0.09 per serving
(OPTIONAL) Peppered Tofurky (3) = $4.99 @ $1.66 per serving

Overall, $2.40 per serving is not very low budget because of the Tofurky, but 74 cents per serving without the Tofurky. Tofurky is deliciously amazing in many palatably various ways. Purchase it, or do not purchase Tofurky. My Garmin Forerunner 235 uploaded my ride, finally. I’m drinking a Tart Cherry Beer and I’m excited to go to work in the morning. CHEERS

Waffle Burgers w/ Potatoes

Posted on February 23, 2017 by jeffreylatty

Global Warming and Climate Change is absolutely evident. Northern Illinois winters seem to be shrinking as if only January is truly winter. Maybe it’s el Nino, maybe it’s just this winter, but this Illinois winter was weak. February cycling, for me, this year has been extremely friendly. Outside time has been friendly as kitchen time, for me, has depleted.

I’ve been a huge fan of these Vegan frozen Waffles that I’ve come across as of recent. My grocery store has Vegan Boca burgers on sale, at the moment, so I purchased quite a few. Using Daiya, Tofurky Chorizo-style ‘meat’, Cilantro, BBQ Sauce and Vegenaise, I made some sandwiches.

Along with the sandwiches, Potatoes were made with Cilantro, Potatoes, Carrot, ‘cream cheese’, Fennel seed, Lemongrass, SeaSalt/Pepper, Serrano Peppers and Onion.

And to reiterate, Illinois is constantly inconsistent. It has been in the 60s for the last week and this weekend the lows will dip into the 20s with some snow. Gotta love it 🙂

Tacoism

Posted on February 21, 2017 by jeffreylatty

This summer an event, called The Dirty Taco, will be taking place in good ol’ Illinois. This beastly event is a double metric century gravel ride.

(200 km = 125 miles)

A recon portion went underway last Sunday and I participated. And the most common conversation was a taco. Taco is a powerful food. It can be made to please anyone. And they are easy. My own Vegan Tacos were made after getting home. Garbage was not consumed, quality greatness was consumed.

My ‘meat’ was stir-fried.

My Lettuce was mixed with Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Vegenaise and finally my meatless protein which consisted of Lightlife ‘beef’, Tempeh, Sunflower Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Crushed Red Pepper, Sea Salt and Pepper.