Thursday, February 29, 2024

Cafe culture, Jeju

 Seogwipo, Jeju-do, South Korea


In addition to the many, many restaurants to be found all over this lovely island, one can hardly throw a rock without hitting another "coffee and dessert" cafe, many with stunning views of the ocean. Tried another one today. Coffee was excellent, the cake less so. But it WAS interesting: green tea with red beans. I am running out of time to try new treats.. 

Saturday, February 3, 2024

The whole lake with "Tom Lake"!

Seattle, Washington

It's been a bad few weeks for riding between the weather, flat tires, and other life events. But today I had both the time and the good weather to ride around the entire lake. Wow, did that feel good! And I'm in the final chapters of "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett. Mom recommended it, and it's fantastic.

More "books on bikes":

  • "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett: don't miss it!
51 miles

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Finally, no rain!

Seattle, Washington

After days of rain, freezing temperatures, and not feeling so well, I finally got out today for 30+ miles. Unfortunately, my more ambitious plans were foiled by road work at the Montlake intersection and the closure of the SR-520 the bike lane. But anyhow, there WAS sunshine and NO rain (or ice), and I am grateful. Finished the book below last week--it's an odd one recommended by one of the Economist's writers. Science fiction set in the Los Angeles of 2047 (almost the dawn of the binary millennium) and written in 1990; parts of it were fascinating.

More "books on bikes":

  • "Queen of Angels" by Greg Bear
31 miles

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Empire! The Russian kind

Seattle, Washington

Out on a lovely long ride today and I have discovered a new podcast: Empire! I decided to start with the Russian Empire, which feels especially pertinent today. Some pretty gory stuff and way too chatty for my preference, but perfectly fascinating! And good for long bike rides.

And interspersing the Russian Empire with a totally silly book that is a parody of the "wellness industry" which I am thoroughly enjoying in a light and frothy way: "The Glow."

More "books on bikes":

  • "The Glow" by Jessie Gaynor
  • "Empire" podcasts: The Russian Empire
38.7 miles



Sunday, December 10, 2023

Finally, weather for a decent ride!

Seattle, Washington

The weather has not been cooperating for bike rides over the past two weeks but today, at last, the clouds parted and I got in a good ride--even as SR 520 was completely closed for the weekend. Grateful am I!

More "books on bikes":

  • "Hope" by Andrew Ridker--fun read!
  • "Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry that Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East " by Kim Ghattas--this is a really fascinating read.

44 miles

Saturday, September 23, 2023

The whole lake with a FANTASTIC book!

Seattle, Washington

Hadn't been around the whole lake in a long time. Most of the ride was great except a serious downpour at the end. But the book I am listening to is FANTASTIC! Not that I would ever even want to undertake that kind of bike ride (along the length of the Silk Road) but it was glorious to take the trip with the author! And what writing!

More "books on bikes":

  • "Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road" by Kate Harris. Wow!
50.6 miles

Sunday, September 10, 2023

The joy of fall riding

Seattle, Washington

Had a lovely ride today up Juanita Hill. Weather wasn't spectacular but fall is in the air. I feel SO incredibly lucky to be out riding!

More "books on bikes":

  • "The World and All it Holds" by Aleksandar Hemon
34.3 miles