A long due update

Since my last post, I have moved to the Big Apple, and have been busy adjusting to my new life in. But now that I have some free time before the year is over, I have decided to get back to updating this blog.

Given the limited living space of my apartment, I am unfortunately not able to keep up with my hobby at the same scale as before. And I'm still a bit terrified of riding through the streets of New York -- it is not the relaxing rides that I'm used to taking back in California. But hopefully in the new year, I will try to venture out a bit more, and maybe even attempt that bicycle touring that I've always thought of doing.

For now, I will update on a couple of things from the last few months since the last post.

Back in October, I had the privilege to visit Sweden (and Eruope) for the first time (it was also the mating time for moose, but I didn't get to see it). I was in Umeå, which is the largest city in the Norrland, and also a huge university town. The scenery actually reminded me a lot of western Massachusetts in the fall (where I attended college). I'm sure many other places in Europe are similar, but this place was extremely bike-friendly. Everyone rode bicycles, and you could get pretty much anywhere on the bicycle on their extensive bike lanes.

I was able to borrow a bicycle that belonged to the father of a professor who was hosting me. It was a bit big for me, but I didn't have too much issue getting around on it. The bike was a Finnish brand called Flying Finn, with pretty low-end parts. I used it mostly to get myself to and from the university, but I did take it around for some sightseeing. Here are some of the pictures of the bicycle and the beautiful scenery there:

The bike was a tad too big

So many bikes!

I think the sculpture is supposed to be the northern lights

Umea town center

Along the Ume river

Boats on the Ume river

Ume river

Along the Ume river

Ume river