Category: travel

Lisa’s Birthday Adventure Week – Moab, Utah

On By Rick McIn cycling, food, friends, hiking, travel1 Comment

I had a GREAT time with Dave and Lisa Adlard in one of my top 10 hiking towns of the world – Moab.

End of March should be ideal weather for outdoor activity. BUT 2023 was colder than usual.

Lisa rented a huge house. We had 19 people.

AND another 10+ over at other rental properties.

Click PLAY or watch a HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO on YouTube.

The birthday girl and friends enjoyed a SPA session.

That same day we were at a Climbing Club in Salt Lake City.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The Rapel at William’s Bottom was a highlight.

I was video guy for this one. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I skipped the Side-by-side Quad adventuring. Jason only rolled his quad once. And only a quarter turn into sand. No injuries.

We had 2 dirt motor bikes, as well.

Corona Arch was the hike where most of our group got together for sunset.

Arches National Park was cold and windy when we were there. A fantastic place.

Dead Horse Point is wonderful. We had one group hike. And one group cycle.

Click PLAY or see Deadhorse on YouTube.

We ate most of our meals at the house. One restaurant blowout was hosted at Zac’s.

The infamous mountain bike circuit is called Slickrock Trail. I survived it in 2007 and did NOT want to risk a second time. BUT some of our group cycled it safely. Jeni and I hiked Slickrock.

A wonderful adventure vacation. It reminded me of a similar trip with Adlards to the Oregon Coast in 2021.

Granada, Córdoba, and Spain’s Costa del Sol

On By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

If you want a great BEACH and wonderful weather, head for the coast.

If you are more interested in Moorish history, head for Granada and Córdoba.

There is some decent hiking in Andalusia, as well.

Watch it on YouTube. Rick Steves’ Europe.

HEY Siri – Where’s my Wallet?

On By Rick McIn Apple, product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

After 2 years, I finally replaced the batteries on my AirTags. No problem. It’s easy.

I originally bought the 4 pack and currently have them attached to:

  1. Passport Case
  2. Bike
  3. Wallet
  4. … other Bike 😶

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch a review on YouTube.

Jordan Bike Trail

On By Rick McIn cycling, travel1 Comment

The pandemic ended up cancelling a bikepacking trip I’d planned 2020 to Oman.

After seeing this video, I’m thinking Jordan might be even better.

Early Spring and late Autumn are the best months.

I’d love to get back to Petra and Wadi Rum.

I found the peoples of Jordan and Syria to be friendliest of anywhere I’ve travelled.

Welcome to Jordan!

Note to self ➙ Rick, you might want a fat bike for some of this sand.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Farewell Bermuda

On By Rick McIn gymnastics, hiking, travelLeave a comment

I escaped the Great White North winter for about 5 weeks. I’m a volunteer with the Gymnastics Federation and did some coaching at the two competitive clubs.

Population of Bermuda is only about 65,000.

I’ve been coming to Bermuda since 2016. But still treat every goodbye as my last. 😎

Bermuda Groceries are EXPEN$IVE

On By Rick McIn food, travelLeave a comment

If you think inflation has driven prices up where you live, consider Bermuda — out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Almost everything is imported.

Price comparison — a 5oz package of Organic Girl baby arugula costs between $3.29 and $4.49 in the US; in Bermuda the same product costs $5.99 on special or $7.99 at the regular price.

Royal Gazette – Understanding food supply chain and drivers of soaring prices

BUT there must be some good deals. Right? Right?

I found the downtown MarketPlace to have the best selection. Prices are often better, too, than the other 7 MarketPlace stores on island.

Two litre Diet Pepsi $4.49 on sale. New York price $2.28.

Red Baron frozen pizza $8.59 on sale. New York price $4.47.

1kg mixed flash frozen vegetables $8.29. New York price $2.28.

La Vielle Ferme wine $12.99 on sale. New York price $8 and up.

Family size Raisin Bran Crunch cereal $9.19. New York price $5.38

Whole rotisserie chicken $13.49. New York price $8.

1.5 quart (1.42 litre) ice cream $8.49 on sale. New York price $4.97.

Just Bagels 6 pack frozen $6.59. New York price $4.18.

Raisin Bran Crunch must be healthy, I ASSuME. So worth the higher price. 😀

P.S. Unleaded gas price February 2023 was U.S. $2.27 / litre. Only Iceland and Hong Kong were more costly that month. Norway was $2.20.

DREAM Bike = Priority 600x

On By Rick McIn cycling, product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

UPDATE ➙ similar bike is Boreal Pinion.

My current touring bike is a Trek Checkpoint customized for my good self. And I love it.

IF I was to upgrade, it would be to the somewhat more expensive Priority 600x.

In fact, my guru — Ryan Duzer — switched from a Checkpoint to the Priority. That’s Ryan in the photo.

One of the designers, some call this bike the Duzer Cruiser.

I think I’d prefer the no maintenance belt drive pinion system. And the nearly unbreakable Gates Carbon Drive. AND the suspension looks pretty good on this tough bike.

The supply chain problems of pandemic is over. You can get a 600x stock in the USA, as I post, within 5 days.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Can I STILL Run 10km in 1 hour? 😀

On By Rick McIn health & fitness, travelLeave a comment

At one point I claimed I could do a 10k race in one hour any time. Without training.

That MIGHT have been true … at one point.

I did work up to it in 2019.

Day two 2023 I felt pretty good. Running steadily, made 8km in an hour. About 7.5 minutes / km.

My goal is 6 minutes / km.

A few days later I ran much better. I was well below 6 minutes / km to start — but couldn’t keep up the pace.

Ended up 6min and 45sec / km.

Next day I switched to Strava, an app much more accurate than Apple Watch Workouts if you make U-turns. (Apple Watch is ideal for checking pace on the fly, however.)

Ran better. 6min and 11sec / km.

On Feb 3rd I psyched up to make my goal. And pulled it off. Started slow. Sprinted the end … to make it. Barely. 😀

In real life I never have to run an hour. This was base training. I’ll switch to sprints and hills now as I find those help more for my cycling and hiking.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse of running in Bermuda on YouTube.

St. Regis Bermuda Resort

On By Rick McIn travel2 Comments

IF I had Musk money to waste, I’d definitely hang out at the NEW St. Regis Bermuda Resort.

About CAD $860 / night in February. The place is mostly deserted in winter.

There are units for sale, as well.

I love the location in St. Georges, my favourite part of Bermuda.

That’s Fort St. Catherine in front. A coastal artillery installation used by Royal Artillery units from 1612 into the 20th century. Today it houses a museum.

In the distance is my favourite beach in Bermuda — Tobacco Bay.

Five Forts Golf Course is somewhat new. It used to be the government run St. George Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I got my 5th Covid jab

On By Rick McIn health & fitness, travelLeave a comment

NO … I’m not worried about cardiovascular disease or stroke. The tiny risk is far outweighed by the benefit of the vaccine.

The XBB.1.5 variant is super infectious, though not all that dangerous.

We’re all going to be exposed. Scientists feel about 80% of those exposed will get it sometime soon, even if you are vaccinated or have had Covid in the past.

I’m hoping another vaccine might help (a bit) when I get it.

So far as I know, I haven’t had Covid yet.

Also, I’m traveling soon to Bermuda, a nation that is behind most of the rest of the developing world in vaccine & natural protection.

There’s a pretty good argument not to bother with #5 — but getting the vaccine is free, easy, and I’ve never had a side effects.