2nd week into my new home/ life and an Art Festival in downtown, I decided to ride a bike there before it’s getting cold. I haven’t rode for the whole summer because of moving (bike in storage). It’s ~10 miles each way so quite an exercise and ambitious adventure.
A beautiful day to ride, sunny but cool. It’s a bit scary to go through a busy intersection of traffic then quiet down into more residential street. Back to city afterwards and luckily to have a bike path along the road. It’s a bit confusing where to turn, by the time I realized I went the wrong (long) way, I’m already by the Charles River, too late to change but keep going. I rode along the river park, it’s green and pretty, many people and children were walking, playing, and riding bikes. I asked a man for direction to Aquarium and was suggested to ride all the way till almost the end then turn right. I did and found out it’s way further than necessary. By the time I got to Aquarium, the Art Festival is almost over. I walked around the harbor and got a few samples of organic fruit bars, sweet reward J
I then went to Chinatown to get moon cakes. Mid-Autumn Festival is coming on Friday, I thought it’d be nice to bring colleagues, friends, and relatives a treat. The moon cakes look small but quite solid, like ‘soft bricks’, especially when carrying on your back and riding uphill. I got some noodle from a Thai vegan café and went to the park to enjoy. 2-3 Muslim couples with children were eating at the next table. 3 mid-aged Chinese ladies were singing nearby, 1 even started dancing. A beautiful diverse world!
After dinner, I rode home. It’s getting dark and harder to see the road sign. I asked people for direction but somehow I was making circle around the park, up ‘n down hill. I was tired and frustrated ‘why I did this’, knowing another hour of ride ahead of me. I finally got on the right path and slowly rolled toward home. To be fair, it’s a pleasant night to ride, quieter, cooler, and refreshing, though I was exhausted after 4hr+ of riding with little break and no practice. Quite an urban adventure and amazing human potential. It’s unlikely I’ll do it again yet I’m happy and proud that I did!