San Jose – Day 2

Today I met most of my fellow riders as well as Luke and Christiano from the staff team.

It feels so good to be back on the bike again. Especially when you have been force to rest for more than 2 weeks to cure a severe cold. The weather was just right to get on the bike and explore the city. There was a protest in downtown San Jose which was the reason that several roads were closed for motorized traffic. Just the best condition for cycling compared to the days when the city is just jammed with cars and buses.

I happened to run into 59 year old Mike, a funny and crazy guy from Northern Virginia who is living in San Jose and holds an 8th Dan Black belt. Guess how safe I felt riding along with him ;-)

‘Martial Arts’ Mike (mikido.com)

He was also on his bike, enjoying the quiet and sunny day and offered to show me around. So we went off for a tour through the city. He showed me some places, which I wouldn’t have considered to go or notice, if it wasn’t with him … We had a great time together and enjoyed every minute and things that only a ‘local’ could show you in such a short time. As a biologist Mike did not only show me the most beautiful human beings in town but also some nice parks and gardens with a variety of exotic plants and birds.

San Jose, the ‘City of Seduction’

At the ‘pink’ house Mike teased my that he had arranged a date for me with a ‘teenage’ girl for Saturday night. Unfortunately (luckily) I am already out of town on my way north … :-)

Besides having a sightseeing tour it was also fun to watch and help my fellow riders assembling their bikes and struggling with tangled and jammed chains and stubborn tires.

It takes 4 to mount a derailleur: Joey, Ruut, Michiel and Linda