It Is a Big Tree State
I have seen plenty redwood trees. From the State Parks in the Bay Area’s backyard (Castle Rock State Park, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve, Portola Redwoods State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Hendy Woods State Park) to the trees in the Boy Scout of America Boulder Creek preserve. Camping out among these giants is amazing. I even ventured up the coast to the Redwoods National Park. Most these trees have been coastal sequoias or redwood trees.
This week we visited the other type of sequoia: the giant sequoia trees at Sequoia National Park and Kings National Park with General Sherman and General Grant up front.
Even though I have seen plenty redwood groves, seeing these giants is amazing. Especially when you consider that these trees are more than 2,300 years old.
June 1, 2021
Cartoon and a Haircut
Friday night, I came across this great Netflix documentary, LA Originals, about the lives of Estevan Oriol and Mark Machado (Mister Cartoon). Quite frankly, I never had heard about either of them. And yet, I’ve been living in California for over twenty years.
Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 cent, LeBron James, sure all knew who Steve O and Cartoon were. And so did Mark who cut my hair yesterday.
After more than a year of growing out my pandemic luscious gray coupe, it was time to get a trim. Two weeks had passed since my second vaccination.
And with that, two seemingly separate events came together: tattoos, low-riders, Chicano culture in Japan, Los Angeles and a haircut.
May 23, 2021
Here’s to the Problem Solvers!
Here’s to the crazy ones,
The misfits,
The doers,
The gluers,
The fillers of both square and round holes…
The ones who hear the failing bearing and look immediately for the jar of grease.
The ones who carry duct tape and a pocket knife in their backpack.
They have no respect for complainers and they loath negativity.
You may not be able to quote them, and they may not say a lot of words,
but the one thing you can’t do
is ignore them. because they change things,
They fix things, They push us to ship software,
They push us to do the right thing.
And while they may not grab the microphone or spotlight,
they are the true enablers that allow us to change the world.
May 20, 2021
The Podcast Book
I’ve been a fan of Malcolm Gladwell. I enjoy his books, his masterclass and especially his Pushkin Industries’ podcasts. So when he recently released The Bomber Mafia, about the US Air Force during World War 2, I got the audiobook version.
The audiobook was billed as a crossover between an elaborate podcast and an audiobook, with interviews and other audio fragments spliced throughout. It did not disappoint.
I am currently “reading” Nomadland as an audiobook while I do chores around the house. What a difference the experience is.
The book is read in a monotone voice, devoid of any enthusiasm. No wonder they cast Frances McDormant in the movie version. No, this is not a critique about Frances. Her style of acting matches the emotions I get listening to the audiobook.
Gladwell is onto something here: abprairie home companion meets Revisionist History meets a good old book. Audiobooks will never be the same after The Bomber Mafia.
May 16, 2021
Meditation Rides
As a runner, my mind would wander and I would come home with tons of ideas. However the effort was typically rather intense, and required substantial focus on the exercise.
I would combine exercising with a more purposeful meditation practice later.
After a week of focussed cycling, it is clear how you can combine both. Unless you are climbing a mountain, the exercise is more repetitive, allowing your mind to wander easily. This is especially the case on separate cycling trails without the dangers of a public road.
Cycling is where exercising, sightseeing and Calm, the app, meet. Now I need to perfect recording thoughts while riding. Day One perhaps will do the job.
May 16, 2021
Back in the Saddle
It has been more than 10 years, if not 20 years, since I was serious again about getting on the bicycle. I grew up on a bicycle. I restored an old bicycle. I went on vacation throughout Europe on my bicycle. When I got to the US, I immediately when for the big challenges and climbed Mount Hamilton in San Jose. However, it has been a while. I got into running and other sports instead.
Throughout this period, however, my interest and love for the cycling sport has only grown. I became a fanatic spectator. I would wake up very early for the pro cycling races and follow many racers and teams. (Go team Wout, and team Remco!)
Now, I finally invested and got a nice ride: a Trek Checkpoint SL5 gravel bike, and cycling shoes.
I dusted off my cycling pants and still fit into my Vlaanderen 2002 Eddy Merckx jersey.
(By the way, that’s Johan Verstrepen in 1995 wearing the same jersey. Johan raced with the team, and was one of my neighbors in Belgium.)
During my 10 miles inaugural ride, I had to nibble at the mighty 9.4% 3.6 miles Sierra mountain in our backyard. Rather than take Sierra Road, I road up Suncrest Avenue - at least a decent part of it. Wow, what a view of San Jose and the Bay. But also what a %$#!! climb!
May 7, 2021
Overcast Out-Appled Apple
After a recent blogpost by MG Siegler about the stagnation of Apple’s Podcast app, I decided to try out Overcast.
I’ve been a very early podcast listener. No, not from the Odeo days, but not much thereafter. In recent years, Apple’s podcasting app served me well. Though that seems to be all relative. After spending a day with Overcast, it is clearly the better app to listen to podcasts.
The user interface is simpler. The controls are bigger and right there. It is easier to configure the number of episodes to keep. It is easier to set a sleep timer. I have a better overview of available episodes. Etc.
A lot of these things are subtle. For the same subtle beauty that we praise Apple, Overcast out-appled Apple.
If I have to point out a shortcoming, it is a lack of controllability of the episodes to download to my Apple Watch. When I go for a run, I don’t want to bring my phone with me.
May 1, 2021
Liege - Bastogne - Liege 2021
It’s a wrap. The classic season 2021 is over, and we are gearing up for the multi-stage tours. It was therefor fitting that Tadej Pogacar, winner of the epic 2020 Tour de France, won this year’s La Doyenne. “Get ready to see me a lot more!”
The reworked route for this race is an improvement. Several years ago, Cote de la Redoute was only an amuse-bouche. You had to wait a long time for the main course. The real race only used to brake open on the St Nicolas. And then it was over before it really got started.
The new route brought a bit more of cat and mouse games. Carapaz attacked on the Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons. Then, the other big boys woke up, and went in the counter attack. It wasn’t at all clear whether he would be caught. Ultimately, a group of the strongest handful riders went to the finish line to sprint. It was an exciting last 20 kilometers. The last part of the course also has gotten a lot nice, as they wind through the greener areas around Liege, rather than the industrial area of Seraing.
What do I expect from the upcoming Giro and Tour de France?
First of all, I wish all the best for Remco Evenepoel. He has to impress nobody. Not every recovery will result in the stellar year as Wout had last year. So, it is better it keeps building in the Giro. And if he really wants to win a top tour, save it for the Vuelta.
The Tour de France will be a lot more tactical. Jumbo won’t make the same mistake as last year, and expect UAE to do their role. Of course UAE has a stronger team than last year. Ineos will be back, yet they seem to lack great coaching from the car. The Wolfpack of DeCeuninck-Quickstep will pick their stages, though will probably use this as a practice year to build out their very young tour team.
It will also be time again to dial into The Move podcast with Lance and the gang.
April 25, 2021
