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.
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:
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch a review on YouTube.
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.
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. 😎
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I’ve been researching the best bike rides worldwide. This one appeals most.
The Tuscany Trail. And I’m registered for 2023. Cost €97.
Cycling 470 km independently … but alongside as many as 3000 others.
It’s not a race. Some finish in 2 days. Some wander off and never finish. 😀
It starts 1st JUNE 2023.
I actually cycled here on a rental bike in 2010. Loved it.
From there I’d most like to head back up to the Dolomites. On to Switzerland. And north to Arctic Norway to start the LONG ride I had planned for last summer. CANCELLED when SAS Airlines failed to deliver my bike.
Here’s my PLAN for 2023.
Click PLAY or watch 2021 on YouTube.
Rick McCharles 