Citi Bike Miami

On February 4, 2020February 3, 2020 By Rick McIn cycling, product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

Surprisingly — for the first time — I used a bike sharing program.

BRILLIANT.

Citi Bike provides locals and visitors with a healthy transportation option. Fun, efficient and convenient.

There are docking stations everywhere close to South Beach. It works.

Often you need a phone app to use these things. But for Citi Bike, instead, you can rent with a credit card (expensive) or travel to their office to purchase a fob.

That fob is only $35 / month for unlimited use. Both for locals and tourists.

By comparison, the Miami electric scooter sharing program is a mess. Scooters abandoned randomly all over town. Companies include Bird, Bolt, Jump, Lime, Lyft and Spin.

Click PLAY or watch GIRLS GONE WILD CITIBIKE on YouTube. 🙂

I’m a Whole Foods buffet guy now

On January 31, 2020January 29, 2020 By Rick McIn food, product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

Dana always called the snooty grocery chain Whole Paycheque Foods, and I wouldn’t walk in the door.

What?! … No Diet Coke?

But in South Miami Beach where food of any kind costs $10, the best deal I can find is the food court at Whole Foods.

I spend $6-9 dollars for a great, tasty meal. Soups are good too.

Pizza excellent.

For another opinion, read Exposing the dark side of the Whole Foods food court.

For coffee I go to McDonalds.

And Subway is still quite a good alternative for about the same price as my buffet.

running University of Florida stadium

On January 28, 2020January 26, 2020 By Rick McIn health & fitness, travelLeave a comment

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Swamp.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville

On January 27, 2020January 25, 2020 By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

Great for kids.

Great for me as most of the exhibits are FREE.

Exhibition halls explore the state’s unique habitats and rich cultural history, including information about some of Florida’s early Native peoples.

Mammoth and mastodon skeletons from the last ice age.

It’s BIG on the wildlife of Florida.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

My Apple Watch 5 Review

On January 24, 2020January 21, 2020 By Rick McIn Apple, audiocasts, books, hiking, product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

I went decades without a watch ‘cuz TIME ain’t the boss of me.

When I finally got around to trying Apple Watch 3, I was instantly hooked. It’s an essential part of my life now. I can’t live without a smart watch.

LOVE IT.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Having broken two Apple Watch 3 faces already, when I decided to upgrade the 5 I paid the extra for Apple Care. It covers everything for 2 years.

The normal warranty is 1 year and does not cover cracked glass, the most common way to break it.

In addition, for even more protection, I added an OtterBox Exo Edge Rugged Apple Watch Case.

Watch a video on that product.

Initially I thought the much cheaper Apple Watch 3 would do everything I need.

… Until Rene Ritchie convinced me to upgrade to the 5. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

How much does it cost?

If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.

Get a Casio. 😀

Banff Film Festival World Tour 2019-20

On January 20, 2020January 18, 2020 By Rick McIn cycling, health & fitness, hiking, kayaking, sport - amateur, travelLeave a comment

Always inspiring.

It’s the 40th year of the World Tour.

They used Mount Royal University in 2020 as one of their Calgary venues for the first time.

Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.

I’m a WINNER.

Here’s the official Film Festival Speed Lite 12 day pack by Deuter I won by random draw. US$54 on Amazon.

Festival poster.

… visiting Dubai, cycling Oman?

On January 16, 2020December 27, 2023 By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, travel1 Comment

I’m considering heading to Oman for the first time. For hiking and cycling.

Craggy peaks and rugged terrain, empty deserts and a long picture-perfect coastline, ancient castles and forts–that’s what draws adventure cyclists to Oman. …

Why Oman deserves a Spot on your Bicycle Touring Bucket List

Watch a video on Lonely Planet.

my 2 travel tripods

On January 14, 2020January 11, 2020 By Rick McIn cycling, photos, product endorsements, travel1 Comment

For 2020 I’ll travel with two lightweight tripods:

miggo splat (GoPro)
Joby GripTight PRO Video mount (camera)

In fact, I can use either for GoPro or camera.

If I want to cut weight and only take one on a hike, it will likely be the more durable splat.

My phone clamps in the past have been plastic and untrustworthy. The GripTight PRO costs CAD$63 and looks super durable. I don’t want my phone falling.

The arm is for panning video up and down, or side to side.

Of course I also have GoPro mounts for helmet and bike.

my 2019 YEAR in REVIEW

On January 1, 2020December 29, 2019 By Rick McIn cycling, happiness, health & fitness, hiking, travel1 Comment

Tim Ferriss recommends we review the past year (which was GREAT) before making any plans for the next.

I want to be a #winner in 2020. Like this guy.

1. What were three to four highs of last year … and three to four lows?

23 day cycling tour of Patagonia

24 day cycling tour of the Pacific N.W.

30 days in Nepal – hiking and dental work

first visits to Prague and Budapest

So … travel, hiking and cycling remain my annual highlights.

I can’t recall any significant lows. I broke two laptops. Got stuck in Hungary without an exit visa. Ruined a pair of shoes. Nothing significant.

2. What enabled or motivated you to reach those highs, and how did you successfully move through the lows?

For travel I was more organized than in the past. Put together detailed gear lists. Made my plans months ahead rather than weeks or days in advance.

3. What worked and didn’t work? In other words, what do you need to do more or less of?

More of the same. Get organized early for my travels in 2020.

I spent more than I earned in 2019. I should work more, play less in 2020.

I did not ski enough in 2019. My goal is at least 5 days downhill.

4. What stressed you out the most, and how could you navigate it better?

Bicycle maintenance stresses me out. I’ve now downloaded The Complete Bike Owner’s Manual to my laptop and phone.

My only medical concern is high blood pressure. Need to monitor that more consistently.

I follow the high crimes and misdemeanours of Trump. The world seems to be getting worse, not better. … BUT my own life is unaffected. I don’t worry about an unexpected health care emergency as so many Americans do.

5. And, most important, what were you most grateful for in 2019, and how can you take that into 2020?

Good health. Myself and my family.

I ran more in 2019 than I have since at least 2008. Should run an hour a day at least 45 days of 2020. Enter at least 3 races in 2020.