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

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

14 years later...

Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan

I am back in Erbil after an absence of 14 years and, wow, it's a different place. Lots and lots of apartments already up and more on the way. A lot more glitzy, too...

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

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

Chance encounters

Seattle, Washington

Back on my bike after 3.5 weeks--and it feels great despite the heat. Just finished another fun book on my bike, but the highlight of the ride was spotting a familiar face as I hustled along the Burke Gilman. I turned around to introduce myself this this fellow and, indeed, it was a gentleman that my family travelled with to China 41 years ago. That's pretty good face recognition after 40+ years!

More "books on bikes":

• "Avalon" by Nell Zink

42 miles

Downtown Helsinki!

Helsinki, Finland

A gorgeous late August morning and time for a stroll in downtown Helsinki. The downtown area is packed with all sorts of interesting building and churches. Turned around when I got down to the harbor and found this wonderful old Customs House: "Tull & Packhus." A glorious day for it!