The daily distance we traveled averaged around 35 miles. It’s not a lot since ktula and I were doing 40 miles weekend rides anyway. What we weren’t prepared for was the Tuscany hills. Friends who did the Tuscany ride before warned us about it. But we were in denial. I was thinking “nah we’ll be fine. Our routes will be flat.” How wrong and naive was I. It was constant ups and downs throughout the tour.

When there’s up, there’s also down. Imaging cycling full speed on winding path, one side shaded by thick bushy trees, the other side outlook stunning Tuscany landscape expanded to the horizon. Also imaging you were going so fast, the wind blow hard on face, so much so you can’t hear yourself yodeling. We rode so hard on the uphills, made the downhills that much better. There was nothing come close to this exhilarating experience.

There were 11 of us in the tour. ktula and I were among the youngest, but certainly not the fastest. Bill, a 62-year-old retired history teacher almost always lead the group, leaving rest of us in his dust. Chris from UK haven’t been on a bike for years since this tour. He was struggling the frist day. Overtime he discovered the cyclist in him, and became one of the faster riders. That’s some extraordinary transformation.

At San Gimignano, Chris had a flat tire and I had a bicycle injury. Richard destroyed 3 chains between the 5 riding days. Bill made friends with locals through his photography. While we were frowning about the gravel roads, David cheerfully zipping pass us… As we learned more about our travel companion, we grew closer and form a special bond.

We cycled a total of 284 kilometers (153 miles) within 5 days. Both ktula and I brought GPS devices but both of our datas were incomplete. ktula combined datas from both devices to come up with these daily routes information.

Day 1: Florence to Castellina in Chianti (31.14M)

Day 2 (Part I): Castellina in Chianti to San Gimignano (18.98M)

Day 2 (Part II): San Gimignano to Castellina in Chianti (24M)

Day 3: Castellina in Chianti to Siena (32.51M)

Day 5: Siena to San Quirico d’Orcia (40.45M)

Day 6: San Quirico circuit (34.23M)

We loaded up Mango, and left home before noon. I had a funny idea to secure our digital camera on my bicycle handler. Every now and then, I recorded a short video clips throughout the ride. 1GB flash card got filled up pretty fast this way. I didn’t notice until we arrived home. A good chunk of returning trip didn’t get recorded (doh!). I did end up with 66 clips to edit afterward.

As usual, with Mango tagging along in the cart, we got a lot of chuckles and remarks from people passing by. With weather been in perfect sunny high 50F, an outdoor lunch with Mango was pretty darn great. Can’t wait to do it again.

Our Eastlake home is just minutes from Burke Gilman Trail. With weather being so miserable most the time, we managed to ride out with Mango twice since late spring.

The first ride was a short trip to Fremont. During our lunch break at Fremont Farmer’s Market, half dozen market goers approached us to ask about Mango. We noticed Mango is more comfortable with strangers this time around. Instead of backing away or avoiding the hands, he let almost anyone pat him.

The second ride was just this Sunday. We rode a total of 39.5 miles to Woodenvill then back. There was sun, no clouds, and high in the low 70s. The traffic on the trail was surprisingly light. It was a great ride. The only thing I wish could be different is if we knew a dog-friendly restaurant in Woodenvill we can go to. We’ve being going to Redhook Brewery as our rest point before riding back to Seattle. Sadly Redhook does not allow dogs, not even at the outdoor seating area.

There were lots of double takes, laughter, and kids cheering in excitement when Mango was spotted in his little trailer. I have a feeling the sight of Mango-mobile will be spotted a lot more often as summer approaching.

For once, I was not stressed over scheduling. The loose plan was to get to the island and to ride our bicycles. We did the typical Orcas Island tourist activities a little over 2 years ago. This time I didn’t have anything particular in mind, other than to enjoy the sunny relaxing island lifestyle I so vividly remembered from our last visit on the island.

We took Friday off, started the morning slow and easy. After lunch, we loaded up the car and headed north to Anacortes. We anticipated long wait at the ferry terminal. But once we passed the pay booth, we were quickly docked into the ferry.

I booked a little cottage with North Shore Cottages. Situated at the northern tip of the island, the cottage was right off the Puget Sound water. It is a little over a mile from Eastsound where most restaurants and shops are located. It’s an ideal location to get the best of both natural and the convenience of civilization.

We found North Shore Cottages hidden in the forest. Upon arrival, friendly innkeeper Elizabeth greeted us with warm welcome. She apologized for messing up the reservation. Instead of the ocean view studio Eagles Nest as we originally requested, we were placed in the nautical-theme one bedroom Orcas Watch.

We didn’t mind the switch. A bigger cottage is usually a good thing. We also found a bottle of red wine, complementary of the innkeeper and her husband, for the mess up.

After situated in the cottage, we took Mango for a walk around. His excitement was impossible to go unnoticed. Grassy trails, brand new land to explore, and constantly running into deer and other wild animals, this place is like a Disneyland for Mango. All the time he wanted to go out and play. He drank very little water, ate almost nothing, and didn’t go potty as he supposedly should.

I heard some good things about Christina’s Food & Wine. Regardless of its pricey menu, I suggested giving it a try. Our order was forgotten and we didn’t get served until it’s almost the restaurant’s closing time. The quality of cooking was inconsistent. We had clams and mussels for appetizer. We were surprised by how salty some of the mussels were. My main course was seafood stew. It was decent but portion was small. $30 for a junior size stew, which did not worth writing home about, was in my opinion highway robbery.

The next day was the big day; we planned on cycling with Mango. We purchased a dog bicycle trailer on cragslist so Mango can tag alone our bicycle adventures. While assembling the carrier the night before, ktula discovered a crucial secure pin for the carrier roof was missing. The next day morning, we headed back to Eastsound for breakfast, then stopped by a bicycle shop. The friendly shop owner found a perfect piece from a box full of bicycle parts and solved our problem.

Initially we wanted to go cycling at Lopez Island. But it would require serious coordination and efforts to transport bikes and carrier to the terminal, catch the ferry, and make sure we return to the terminal on time to catch the ferry back. So we decided to just ride around Orcas Island. Our first stop was the island’s off-leash park. Mango was happy and tired after some chasing and ball fetching.

We rode to Eastsound, attempted to ride along the main street toward east. Then decided to head back when the traffic started to get heavy. We made a stop at the north shore beach.

We returned to the cottage and loaded up the bikes and carrier, with the intention of driving around to find a bike-friendly road. Since we had not been to Deer Harbor before, we decided to check it out. Somehow we talked ourselves into thinking there’s a fish market of some sort at Deer Harbor, where we could buy fresh seafood such as spot shrimps and Dungeness crabs. Walking around the marina, we saw lots of boats and piles of empty crab pots. But no sign of any fish market or fresh catch for sale.

Then ktula had another idea: he wanted to take Mango to a farm. Once in A Blue Moon Farm on Eastman Rd sounded like a fun place to be. The farmland was beautifully landscaped. We were welcomed by flower garden and fruit trees. Curious hens and roosters were checking us out from a safe distance. The farm lady was very friendly. She welcomed us to walk around the farm and told us to look for one of his horses also named Mango. We bought some organic eggs and peaches from her before bidding goodbye.

It certainly was a long and productive day. We went back and crashed for the rest of the afternoon. For dinner, we decided to revisit New Leaf Café. Last time when we stayed at Outlook Inn, we stumbled into this place and were blown away by the food and services. This time we had the same superb dinning experience. Shellfish pot was tender and flavorful; crab cakes were densely packed in Dungeness crabs meat; fried calamari was juicy and the portion was generous…. At the end we finished up with a delicious chocolate mousse with raspberry and Grand Marnier crème brulee. It just wouldn’t seem right had we skipped the dessert.

Last morning on the island, I ran 5 miles from North Shore to Eastsound via North Beach Rd, continued on the hilly Crescent Beach Dr then looped back from Terrells Beach Rd. Running alongside of swamp, forests, and large hay fields were definitely different from my typical pedestrians-dodging routine.

Cottage in the woods, wildness within reach, sun-kissed sky, charming towns and friendly folks, it was another wonderful time spent on Orcas Island. We’ll miss those time-is-no-importance, laid-back 3 days.

With 1 extra day off, I took Mango for a long leisure walk in the morning. We strolled over to Kerry Park, alone the way, admiring private mansions’ beautifully landscaped garden and grand entrances. We discovered the neighborhood and tried a new route to get off the part with steep hill.

Mango poked his head, well, he literally walked into every single house with pretty pathway. He would only come out when I call him. He seemed to think it’s a game and was doing it the entire walk.

The final stop was the neighborhood bakery Nielsen’s Authentic Danish Pastry. I’ve taken Mango to the bakery before. He was given a doggy cookie. At first He was not sure about the cookie. Once he decided the cookie was good, he has being wanting to revisit the bakery. In a normal day we have to hurry back so I can get ready for work, this time we were not in a hurry. I sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee and some oatmeal cookies. Mango quietly waited next to me, occasionally raised head to sniff the smell of pastries in the air. It’s such a luxury to start a morning like that.

Ktula and I went to our first bicycle rides this year. Started from Sandpoint, we rode to Woodenville and had lunch at Redhood Brewery. It was a hot day to be out in the sun for hours. But I was more than happy to be on the road so it was great. Coming back, ktula started to experience serious thigh cramps. We had to stop every few miles until his cramps were lessened before moving on. He finished the last 10 miles without stopping. He had more cramps later and was sore and slow moving after the bike ride.

We also took Mango canoeing at Lake Washington. Mango is not a water dog. He would jump over a puddle of water to avoid getting his feet wet. Not sure if he can swim if he needs to, we got him a little life jacket. He was very nervous at first. We can tell because his tail went between his legs. Eventually he overcame his fear of water and started watching ducks and other creatures in the swimming by.

It was a great 4th of July weekend, I did everything I wanted.

Record-breaking day in my short cycling history. Today we started from Seattle, Gas Work Park near Fremont to be exact. We started after a late lunch, I didn’t think we’d have enough time to reach Woodinville then with remaining strength still make it back before the day turned dark. But once we started, I was determined to make it all the way.

Getting there was fairly easy, today was no exception. Thinking I will probably stop for breaks in the returning journey, I asked to get a head start. Paddling and breathing took more efforts, the gear was adjusted so I can conserve energy. I was making progress surly and steadily. I didn’t make any stop to rest except one time I stop to wait for ktula. After a while I got tired of waiting so I hopped back on the road.

I got pretty hungry when I reached UW. Likely Ivar’s Salmon House was just off the trail. Fish and Chips were the kind of hearty grub I was looking for. Docked my bike at the rack, I joined group of hungry people in the chaotic scene of ordering and picking up food at the fish bar.

As I was enjoying my satisfying meal, I saw a mini van pulled into the parking lot, trying to squeeze into the space in front of the bicycle rack. Two people came out of the van to guide the van getting as close to our bikes as possible. Pardon my French, what were these fuckers thinking? By parking there, the van was blocking the bikes from getting out and other cyclists to use the rack.

That was clearly not a parking space for cars, still the mini van tenaciously inched its way in. I threw down a half-eaten fish piece to rescue my bike. I stopped the van before it physically about to touch my bike. I told them I’m moving my bike before they blocked me in. I didn’t hide my disapproval of what they were doing. I told them this is not a parking space.

The woman came out of the van agreed but sounded like there’s nothing she can do about it. I checked out the driver, an older man was behind the wheel. Probably stressed out from having to drive the family around unfamiliar city. Still, that was no excuse to be disregard of others. If you ever see this Oregon plate green van on the street, don’t forget to wave at it with your middle finger.

On a brighter note, my returning time was about the same as getting there. At first I thought I came back in a much shorter time. Turned out it was just a human error.

I wanted to try Burke-Gilman Trail again ever since we did our first ride few months ago. Last time we ran short on time and had to head back half way. This time I pushed to bring our bicycles to lunch. So when we are done eating, we can go straight to cycling.

Lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant Aqua Verde, which is conveniently located not far from Sand Point, our starting point. We changed and unloaded the bikes at ktula’s workplace. Just half-block from there we hopped on the trail route.

This stretch of ride from Sand Point to Woodinville is quite scenic and pleasant. We rode mostly on cyclists and pedestrians only roads. There were only 2 busy traffic lights in the Lake City area. We got a little confused when Burke-Gilman Trail turned into Sammamish River Trail. Eventually we figured it out and all went well.

The trail ended at Woodinville’s luxurious Willows Lodge spa and resort, also home of the fine dinning Barking Frog Restaurant. Herbfarm’s charming garden is just across the street. My first impression of Woodinville was Napa valley like green field, fine dinning, premier spa services, and yes, tasty beverages.

Ktula was dying for a cold drink and he wanted to get his refreshment at Chateau Ste Michelle. His iPhone couldn’t pinpoint the exact location. A fellow cyclist told us we weren’t far but sadly the winery closed at 5pm. We were 10 minutes too late. Before Ktula attempted to consult his iPhone to another search, I stop him and told him we should just ride around and we’ll find it. Surely enough, Red Hook Ale was next to Herbfarm, behind a tall tree hedge.

Men, must they explore the world through the rose-colored glasses of techy gadgets?

Red Hook is traditionally where cyclists stop after a long and hot ride to Woodinville. Strangely it may sound, a glass of cold beer is a perfect match with cycling. Upon our arrival, already there were dozen bicycles on the bike rack outside Red Hook.

We came out Red Hook tipsy and ready to head back. Going back took longer time and required us pushing our limits. As much as I tried to pace ourselves to reserve strength for the returning journey, we were still struggling to keep up with each other.

29.8 miles total in less than 3 hours, I’m quite happy with the result. Although we ‘cheated’ by starting at Sand Point instead of the trail starting point in Ballard, it was challenging but not unreasonable for us. And we had lots of fun doing it.