Cory's Bike & Adventure Blog

      It's occurred to me that the COVID pandemic is not only affecting the average person, not only the economically disadvantaged, and not only refugees who are fleeing terrible circumstances such as war or famine; COVID has actually created a class of pandemic refugees, individuals who have been displaced from their homes, perhaps out of fear of contracting the virus, or people who left their homes prior (perhaps for vacation) and cannot return.     Though a quick web-search does not produce "COVID refugee" headlines (many articles address the impact of the virus on refugees of other serious issues) I have recently spoken with friends who lived in Mainland China just as the pandemic was growing, and left just before internal and international lock-downs were implemented.     Speaking with two of these friends, it's clear that their situation has had a certain negative psychological impact on them (as it has for all of us in some way), partly as they...

     What a great feeling to get out of the city. No sidewalks, less traffic, more nature, and more time to get into your own head. That last part can be uncomfortable, but gets easier with time.     While on long rides it's easy to ask  "am I there yet?", so I really took notice on this trip to Hastings when I wasn't annoying myself, but enjoying the ride.      "Endurance", in my conception, often means  physical ability, but my mind is there, too! It's also training! When my mind is prepared things just go more smoothly. That's a lesson that can be extended to so many other contexts like exercise, work, or just going to a party with friends.  And practice makes perfect. Or, practice makes better .     Anyway, riding to Hastings and back had its hiccups. For example, I left ~4 hours later than I should have! So, instead of making a longer ride and getting home before dark, I decided to cut my second destination and rode ...