Boredom Hits

 

So I hit a training wall this past weekend.  Enough, at least for now, of the ultra long distance circular weekend rides.  My new game plan, at least for the new few weeks, is to get on the bike as many days as possible for 60-90 minutes at a time.   So this Monday morning at 6am (the crack of dawn these days in Hong Kong), I was cruising on the hills of Pok Fu Lam, and did two climbs of Mount Davis Path before heading home for breakfast and my usual morning routine.  This weekend wasn’t a total waste.   I did manage 85km on Saturday and an invigorating ride up to the Peak early on Sunday morning, before spending a proper Sunday with Huey.

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Sex on the Beach ….

 

…. and I paid for it.  The scene:  Bo Innovation on Friday night, one of my favorite Michelin-starred restaurants in Hong Kong, and purveyors of aggressively inventive cuisine, such as the edible and indelible Sex on the Beach dish:

This was an actual course served sometime after the Yak and Cheese and sometime before dessert.  

So what does any of this culinary adventure have to do with TransAmerica 2010?   All the proceeds of the dish (@ HK$68 a pop) go to a local AIDS charity.

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Peaking in Hong Kong

A fantastic training day with 88km so far. Pushed off at 0715 to cycle straight up the Peak, before the city woke up, then coasted to HK’s southside where I have been cycling in the Shek O area, including an extra credit climb up the Cape D’Aigular peak. Last night’s carbo loading worked. Currently refueling at the American Club in Tai Tam. Saw some friends at the Club and on the road to Shek O. Targeting 160km (100 miles) today. Heading out now for round two….

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Tour de Lantau

This morning cycling buddy Kevin and I explored south Lantau island, negotiating many, many hills.   After parking at Sunny Bay, near Disneyland, we cycled to the southern part of Lantau visiting Big Buddha at Polin Monastery [ Big Buddha = Big hill], then ventured to the fishing village of Tai O.  The pass across the mountain from Tung Chung is one helluva hill.   In total we cycled 84 km, but it felt like much more.   This is my new favorite area for cycling in Hong Kong.

In Tai O we saw an elderly man riding a four wheeler.

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Scenes from the India Premier League

Mumbai:  Friday night the third season of IPL cricket launched with great anticipation and much fanfare, as the Deccan Chargers competed against the Kolkata Knight Riders.  This was the place to be in India on Friday night.  Lionel Richie was even on hand for the pre-game entertainment.  Cricket unites pluralistic India in ways which language, religion, and politics do not.   After the game headed to the airport for a 4am flight back to Hong Kong.  Charming.  

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The Other Side of Hong Kong

 

Yesterday cycled 88 km on the southside of Hong Kong island, from my home in Pok Fu Lam on the island’s western tip to laid-back Shek O, on the eastern tip.   The cycling around Shek O is awesome, and this undeveloped area of Hong Kong provides a welcome antidote to Hong Kong’s energetic, pushy, crowded and modern side.   I had hoped to cycle more today, but got a late start due to a work conference call, and an early finish due to some Saturday night social commitments.  So I opted for an easy ride and a leisurely lunch in Shek O Village.   At the bohemian Black Sheep cafe, a two year was sipping espresso at the table next to me.  This cafe, in case you’re interested, is around the corner from the Fuck Lee store, which purveys fruit, vegetables, meats and ice cubes.  I’m making none of this up.

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Carlisle, 2000 – 2010

Sadly, Carlisle, my beloved king charles spaniel, passed away last night at home.  Born in Australia and raised in Singapore and Hong Kong, he provided much joy and affection over the years.     

Earlier yesterday cycled 60 km through foggy Hong Kong yesterday, starting with a climb to The Peak.  It’s a 12 kim climb interrupted by only one modest stretch of downhill after the second km.  A good way to get the heart pumping in the morning.   Then cruised to Shek O in time for a family lunch at the American Club in Tai Tam.

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