China, Asia, Climbing and Fixed Gear Bikes

Today I was at the Toastmasters meeting and afterwards realized the streets were a bit wet. And I realized something that I had never noticed this intensely: The busy street where many cars were driving was already dry, the smaller street was still slightly wet and the bike lanes were completely soaked. That must be due to the temperature of the engines of the cars as well as the air conditioning. The cars are actually drying and heating up the streets! So I was cycling on the car lanes as I do not have any fenders on my fixed gear bike.

Later I went to a restaurant about 150 meters away  from my home. It started raining when we started eating. And it just got heavier and heavier.  The drops were really huge and there were soon big puddles on the streets.

The cars driving by were almost floating in the water. And we had to cycle home! We waited for quite a while after finishing the dinner but the rain did not get any lighter. So at a certain point I put on my rain gear and took off my shoes and got completely drenched on those 150 meters with me feet on my pedals going under water with every revolution.

Currently like every summer it is the rainy time in Beijing. I wanted to participate in a bike race today, but it had been canceled last minute. They said there was a strom with rain approaching. And yes it did. Here is the view of the Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD) during the heavy rain

And this is a picture just 30 minutes after the rain. Suddenly the CCTV Headquarter building and the World Trade Center 3 tower as well as the Yintai Building with the highest hotel are visible again.

All the rain means that the city is quite green. I parked my old Flying Pigeon bike for 7 days and this is how it looks like. I find it beautiful. But unfortunately I had to remove it.

We wave had some beautiful blue sky days. And it is hot – last week it went up to 41 degrees Celsius – but a pleasant very dry kind of hot. Like a dry sauna. Today I am leaving for a trip to Europe. So here some last pictures of Beijing from the airport and from the airplane.

Wow, today again was such a beautiful day. Not just blue sky – but also so clear. I could see the Western mountains from the East side of the city. It was so crystal clear. I could have ridden my bike without wearing my anti-pollution mask. But I am used to wearing it and it does serve as a face protection too.

It seems to be the time of year. Foreigners are moving back to their home countries. Another cycling friend is leaving Beijing. He started cycling with us just a few months ago but it was really nice to ride with him. He had a small goodbye get together in Sanlitun. Another friend had a garage sale because he needs to move out of the hutong he has been living in but I actually did not go. I met Cas for dinner and drinks.