July 31, 2025

 Thursday. Left at about quarter to ten. Blacksmith. Partly sunny, mild, moderate breezes from the northwest. A quiet morning in the city and outside. Full summer, as in prospering hydrangeas at many farm houses, pears coming along, corn just about ready to eat, and magnificent wildflower fields and borders everywhere. Koningsweg, Vechten, Achterdijk, Werkhoven, 't Goy, and into Schalkwijk by way of the Spoordijk. Spectacular Loosestrife at the Verdronken Bos. Strijpweg to the levee. Beatrixsluis, Jutphase Brug, and Merwedekanaal back into the city, to Cycle Works, then Mos. In the paper some reporting on the ongoing preposterization of what once was a moderate center-right party (the one led for years by the current Secretary-General of NATO), but now appears to be dominated by opportunists and (in the provinces) radicals. In parliament this week they requested that, defense spending being raised, the Netherlands get another aircraft carrier. Between 1948 and 1968 the Dutch navy did have such a boat, but even then its military utility seems to have been minor, certainly compared to the costs. To advocate the purchase of a new one today (the best argument apparently is that the country still owns some territory in the Caribbean) is so transparently opportunistic as to be more than a little sad for a party that used be made up of serious people.

July 28, 2025

 Monday. Left a little before ten. Blacksmith. Mild, partly cloudy (good clouds), moderate breezes from the north. To the Vecht, on the way to Nederhorst den Berg to ask G, who was there way back when, how N in the late '40s and early '50s could spot things in the landscape that today one could not possibly expect to see. (For example, Kortenhoef church from a first-floor window at the Muiderslot). A quiet Monday morning, but other people able to take advantage of the summer weather. Detour at the Zandpad before Breukelen, and the green along the Nieuweweg was just perfect. At one place what seemed like a few mushrooms (already!). Scheendijk and back to the Vecht. An advantage of the ridiculous new bridge at Vreeland is that car traffic is way down on that section. Coffee in the Blijk, and the answer to the question: back then, and especially during the war, people cut down trees and branches all the time for heating. The landscape was just much more barren than today. G himself had gone out recently to try and get some of N's views, but in vain. On top of that, but not the main reason, you have all the new construction blocking views, ruining vistas. It clouded over, sending us inside just before a few short, intense showers. The roads were still wet (at least the asphalt was) on the way back. Horstermeer with its narrow, gravely bike paths, Herenweg, Kwakel, Emmaweg, Kerkelanden, airfield, Korssesteeg. On the two-track concrete trail toward Groenekan, a fairly unspoiled view of the Dom up ahead for as long as the bushes half-way block the new high rises. Newspaper from Van der Neut. The effort in Taiwan to recall some KMT parliamentarians has failed, and China is pushing back on the deal to sell Chinese interests in some Panamanian ports. Meanwhile, the American president has shortened the time period in which Moscow has to agree to a cease fire, and the EU has decided to capitulate partly to the same leader on trade. It would be nice if we had some meaningful U.S. action against Russia in a week or two; and it would be something if the trade deal actually held, if new threats or demands did not materialize. According to the current U.S. administration, the vital contest is with China. A "deal" there would not necessarily be a bad thing, but it would be worth more if it reinforced the status quo around Taiwan, and if was the result of a shared approach by Washington and its traditional friends around the world.

July 27, 2025

 Sunday. Left a little after ten. Blacksmith. Overcast, but gray in a varied way. Mild but virtually no sun. Light winds. It had rained overnight, and here and there under the trees it was damp. Toward Amersfoort, mostly via the new, rapid bike connection "F 28." De Bilt, Bilthoven (the bricks of the Julianalaan). Walkers, riders, and more, all out enjoying the day in the woods. Throughout the day an above-average number of smiles and greetings, not just from other riders. Up the Abraham Kuyperlaan, down the Utrechtseweg (bricks), Westerstraat, up the Vondellaan, down the Hugo de Grootlaan. On the way to the Arubalaan spotted by German and partner. Up the de Genestetlaan, down Laan 1914. Next to Konijnenbos, and along the back of Soesterberg (Mercury) and freeway to Schaerwijde, Huis ter Heide, and eventually Amelisweerd (lush, with some very nice Loosestrife along the Vossegatsedijk). Summer in the city, everything low-key at Mos. Yesterday's paper with a story on the recall effort targeting some KMT parliamentarians in Taiwan. They are, according to the petitioners, too accommodating--maybe even subservient--to the PRC. How to deal with a patient, but determined Beijing, how avoid the fate of Hong Kong in an era where it's anyone's guess what Washington will do tomorrow, and the day after, and then next week? Over the past century, the U.S. has made itself an inevitable power in the world; perhaps we're discovering today that Madeleine Albright's "indispensable power" was accurate after all. It's no surprise that the people of Taiwan are wondering about their options now that they may be on their own.

July 25, 2025

Friday. Left a little before then. Blacksmith. Overcast with some left-over dampness on the pavement. Gray skies, but undulating, and a bit of blue here and there, though it never cleared. The sun was close enough to make a nice area of white in the direction of the city, as seen from Gerverscop. There, and later, very good, clear views in the far distance under the gray canopy. Alendorp, rivierpad (wildflowers in front of the reeds and the corn), Breudijk, Gerverscop. Bright purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria; grote kattenstaart) by the side of the canals here and there, and also clusters of low, little yellow flowers. Schutterskade, Galgerwaard, bridge-caused delay in Breukelen. Scheendijk, Veenkade (a koot with some teenage kids), Middenweg (a duck with some little ones), Herenweg, Oud Zuilen, Mos. Many people out on a mild summer day, but, other than stinking mopeds several times, never busy, thankfully.

 

July 23, 2025

 Wednesday. Left around six. Beautiful summer evening after some mid-day rain. Spectacular left-over skies with cumulus clouds in white and gray interspersed with some elongated ones, and to the southeast some parts in solid gray. Ruygenhoek, and five or more storks in the field amid many more geese. Molenpolder, Westbroek, Korssesteeg, airfield, Hollandse Rading, Maartensdijk. In the woods some slight, left-over dampness from the earlier showers. Dutch dinner and vacation time, and so fairly quiet. Groenekan, de Bilt, and back. Non-stop depressing news from the Middle East. In the papers and among specialists the debate about genocide-yes-or-no. Serious, knowledgeable people coming to different conclusions. When you're a Palestinian civilian under Israeli fire in Hamas-controlled territory, whatever would be the most appropriate term ("human shield" comes into it too), the violence just has to stop. Granting that Hamas, or what's left of it, will never stop fighting Israel and trying to kill Israelis, it is Israel that could do the most in that department. Its partisans like to point out, among other things, the murderous nature of the enemy (correct), and the absence of a reliable negotiating party on the other side (also correct). They also mention how, as they always call it, "the state of Israel" is the only democracy in the region, one that gives its Arab citizens political rights and generally a decent existence within its borders. What they rarely address is state-supported settler aggression against local residents on the occupied West Bank. With regard to Gaza, they don't get much beyond "but Hamas." And the military balance between Israel and its enemies in the region is more in Jerusalem's favor today than perhaps ever before. And yet, the war goes on. It is nothing new, but a big part of the reason has to be found in Israeli politics and society, and how it has been radicalized, already before October 7. Looking back over the past half-century, or longer, it is perhaps no surprise, but still doesn't mean that even a traumatized and threatened democracy does not have choices.

July 19, 2025

Saturday. Lamboing. Left around 10:15. Blacksmith. Warm and sunny, but gradually clouding up ahead of some thunderstorms. Back toward Orvin through the upper valley. Then right, toward Evilard. There, right again, and the climb toward sports and wellness center Magglingen. From zooming in on Google Maps, it appeared that perhaps paved roads would lead back all the way from there to Lamboing. That turned out to be right. First, a kind of bike path at the top of the ridge, with the Bielersee way down, directly below. Then more paved bike path back around the ridge into the upper valley and a fast descent on narrow country roads toward Lamboing. Not very long, but for a loop where you would not expect one truly spectacular. New reports of massive air assaults on Ukrainian cities, while Russian troops also make headway on the ground. The EU has issued some new sanctions on Moscow, but more is needed, and quick. Unfortunately, it is still more than 40 days before Washington may do something more too--if it does. A good thing is that in the meantime Europe can keep buying U.S. weapons to give to Kiev. It's about defense, but it's also about affecting calculations in Moscow. Much more is required in that department from many more countries, first and foremost the U.S. Perverse, meanwhile, is that while the NATO allies have found a way to cooperate, for now, on defense, they may be at each other's throats soon over trade, all thanks to the leadership in Washington. It is hard to see, if a trade war happens, how defense cooperation can continue on the current basis.

July 18, 2025

 Friday. Lamboing. Left around 10:30. Blacksmith. Warm, sunny, light breezes. Took the road to Preles, then a quick right toward Le Chatillon. Looking at the sign again, what yesterday appeared to be a bicycle, today looked more like either an e-bike or a scooter; in other words, the road may just be closed to motorized traffic. Through Lignieres to the little road going west over the ridge: Vy d'Enty. Before the fairly steep climb through the woods there were nice views of the Alps in the distance and of Lake Neuchatel down below. An eagle flew overhead, then drifted off to the left, perhaps looking for easier prey in the field. On the road toward Enges the right turn toward Chaumont, for the climb over the next ridge. Once more a demanding but not very busy road through the woods. Down toward Savagnier was steep and fast; coming up from that side may require a lighter gear than 36x28. Some easy kilometers in the Val de Ruz, but from Dombresson the climb to the Chasseral is underway. Not very difficult until after the right turn at Bugnenets (altitude 1151m), then the tough part to the short downhill at Chalet La Cornette, before the last, easier bit to the pass. Left for a change, all the way to the tower (1607m), which yielded even better views of the line of snow-capped mountains to the southeast. Down to the split and a right turn toward Lignieres/Enges, but then a left turn onto the yesterday's little road toward Nods. Home from there. 

July 17, 2025

 Thursday. Lamboing. Left around eleven. Blacksmith. Near perfect weather after some apparent dampness earlier: partly cloudy, mild, less wind than yesterday. Easy day, mostly in the upper valley. To Nods (885 altitude), then a beautiful little road along the bottom of the ridge through Combes connecting to the road to Le Chasseral, up from Enges. Left for a bit of descending, then right toward Enges. Great views of Lake Neuchatel before the descent through town. Some struggling vacationers riding up the other way. Hard left at Le Maley, then Frochaux (altitude 627) and on to Lignieres. There, a right turn onto Le Chatillon, a narrow but paved road that for some reason bans cars, motorcycles, and, apparently also bicycles, "autorisation ecrite excepte." Nobody bothered me, because hardly anyone was there, at the opposite side of the valley from Nods and Diesse. Left at the end, on the Preles-Diesse road, then right, back to Lamboing (altitude 820). In the news reports that NATO will send new Patriot systems to Ukraine expeditiously. May it be fast indeed, and may it be the beginning of more rapid shipments of other stuff.

July 16, 2025

 Wednesday. Lamboing. Left around 10:15. Blacksmith. Cooler, partly cloudy, and a fairly stiff southwesterly breeze. The road through the upper valley to Orvin. A group of wheeled cross-country skiers coming toward me. Left and up in Orvin, and another climb requiring work. It got less steep at the ski lift (where the bus turns back to Biel), but then kicked up again. My map predicted that the asphalt would end somewhere up there, but it never did. A quiet little road past meadows and farms, up all the way to a road called Les Colisses (Pont des Anabaptistes). Two French-speaking women on horseback unaware of the approaching rider, and at the top a few hikers putting on their boots. The descent was quite scenic and very deserted, aside from cowbell sounds near and far. Then a split with a choice of towns in the valley, way down below. Cortebert (and initially also Corgemont) soon visible way down below, at the start of a steep descent (coming up from Cortebert would be pretty tough). Left at the highway, into the wind toward Saint Imier. Left again for the climb back over by way of the Col du Chasseral. The 10% grades, or just below, take it out of one, and this ascent was slow and arduous. Pretty nonetheless, and very quiet after the left turn off the road to Neuchatel. All downhill, by way of Nods, from the top. 

July 15, 2025

 Tuesday. Lamboing, above Twann. Left around 10:45. Blacksmith. Our part of the hill covered in clouds, and some left-over dampness on the roads. Warm on the climbs in the sun, cool-ish on some of the shaded descents. Down the road toward Le Neuveville, through Preles with its fine views of the lake (and, allegedly, the Alps). Overshot, and thus the entire climb from Le Neuveville to Lignieres, requiring some effort. Left at Lignieres, then right at the split: the little, quiet road toward Latena. Then a switch-back right, at a golf course, onto the road toward Enges, and some more climbing through and past this little village (the signs said altitude 814m). (This is where I realized that this ride was not being recorded). Beautiful farmland, forested areas, nice vistas, and even on the roads to and from the lake front fairly light traffic--all just short of spectacular. Past Enges, at a red Holstein farm, an eagle on a fence post, examining me with interest. Home with the tailwind through Nods. More news about what some naively call a major shift in the White House vis-a-vis Russia. That will be the day (although I'd love to be proven wrong). Also in the news that Moscow reads the 50-day ultimatum as a window-of-opportunity to achieve a break-through ("still no new sanctions!") and that the U.S. Senate still doesn't have a vote scheduled on a bill that would punish countries continuing to buy oil and the like from Russia. Furthermore, questions as to whether Europe--those countries "willing" to put their money where their mouths are on Ukraine--is actually following through on the pledges made this past spring. Meanwhile, the NZZ confirms that Moscow indeed seeks to achieve a break-through in the coming weeks. Push may come to shove sooner rather than later--too soon perhaps for anyone but the Ukrainians themselves to be able to act.

July 13, 2025

 Sunday. Lamboing, Jura, above the Bielersee, Switzerland. Blacksmith. Left around 10:15. Partly sunny, fairly warm, little wind. Small villages on the way to Nods, with good views of the meadows just below, to the left, and eventually also, way down, Lake Neuchatel. To the right, way up, the tower of the Chasseral. Start of the climb in Nods. Fairly steep at first, then a section where it was easier, but from the split to Lignieres a couple of hard kilometers. No rush, but still hard work. Passed by the Sunday special sports car club, some cars, some motorcyles; a good number of riders already coming down the hill. At the Col du Chasseral (1500+ m) a quick turn around and a fast, bumpy descent. On the way up, the original plan to do a loop counterclockwise by way of St Imier first got changed to an out-and-back to said town, but soon just getting to the top was enough for the first day back in the mountains. A good thing too, for on the way back from Nods some dark gray clouds gathered rapidly behind over the ridge, and as soon as I got off the bike the first raindrops fell. It would have been just a half-hour, warm water shower, but it's better to keep the pearl white clean. In the news the see, of the constant see-saw: we're sending Ukraine weapons after all, only someone else has to pay for them. Also--and really, "we'll see what happens" here--in 50 days Moscow had better behave, or else. If it wasn't so serious, it really would be a joke.  

July 7, 2025

Monday. Left around 6:15. Blacksmith. Summer, with a stiff wind out of the northwest. On the cool side but with fine skies all around with various kinds of gray and white clouds with lots of room for blue in between. Ruygenhoek, Molenpolder, the ancestral grounds of Westbroek and Achttienhoven. Bushes sufficiently thick along the Korssepad for a little shelter. Airfield to Hollansche Rading and Maartensdijk. Mostly peaceful roads and bike paths during the Dutch dinner time. Just before the bike path to Groenekan cut off by a local--par for the course. Uneventful but not unpleasant ride home by way of de Bilt and Berenkuil. 

July 5, 2025

 Saturday. Left just before ten. Blacksmith. Skies filled with multiple grays, some space for the sun. Cooler, not cool, with moderate breezes out of the southwest. Wayen to Langeweg, something new around the back of Heemskerk. In part it runs right alongside the freeway, but when you look right, you have a good view of the estate. It's a road that gets little traffic--I disturbed hares, ducks, and various kinds of birds. Fresh gravel on the road alongside the canal, where I can't remember seeing any freighters. Schalkwijk and Tetwijksepad (the four towers of Culemborg) to Achterdijk with its shifting views of Schalkwijk and its churches, and the bridges. More fresh gravel on the Lange Uitweg, then wind on the Lekdijk. Vreeswijk and Jutphaas. Waterfront structures going back to the old days, and the same with some of the boats tied to the shore. Pleasantly messy.

July 2, 2025

 Wednesday. Nederhorst den Berg, the old commute. Nikor. Warm, then warmer; virtually no wind, then light breezes out of the west. Day of the spoiled vistas. Already from the car, the Vecht between Vreeland and 't Hemeltje: for a while, we've had that stupid, ugly development (for which the road along the dike had to be cut, so that the owners could have a little marina with river access, leading to the disaster with the new bridge), but now the horse/polo place has built a large, light green barn. So much of new construction in the countryside gets the sizing plain wrong; stuff gets built far too big (and usually too ostentatious also). The two new places at the Overmeerseweg (maybe all three) are a case in point: they reference older architecture, but it's on steroids. Compared to that, the new place at the end of the Ankeveensepad could have been a lot worse, even though it's still pretty bad, especially the way it crowds the path. The "dog" beach (my spot really since the years of the Euromissile Crisis, if not before) was receiving some maintenance. It was deserted aside from two workers on break. The lake I had to myself. On mornings like these, the lake doesn't change (if you ignore the Blijkpolder structures). On the road then, as seen from the 's-Gravelandseweg, a new mansion along the Utrechtseweg facing the river--see above (once/if landscaping is allowed to take over a little, at least that place may get obscured somewhat). Then the Zeedijk at Muiden: that row of bulky, bullying structures is not really new, but today I realized that each gets its part of the green space all the way to the dike for a backyard. What used to be there was a long row of allotments, some maintained very well, others less so, but on the whole it was a place where ordinary folks could garden or just be outside. The users resisted, but in the end had to make way; I remember the angry signs they posted. Superficially looking at the change, one might say that it shows how the country has become wealthier, and this may not be incorrect. Be it would be more precise to say that, as the country has grown wealthier, the old and the ordinary has had to make way for the wealthy and their often vulgar ways. IJburg to Javaplein. In the news the U.S. pause on arms deliveries to Ukraine. Just the next stage in being jerked around by an indispensable but untrustworthy partner. It could be different again next week, until the next time. The sooner this part of the world can take care of these kinds of challenges (air defense), the better. Then Bushuis, then back. It was so warm as to be fairly quiet on the bike paths, but clear: Marken lighthouse visible from the dike before Muiden. After Muiden, on the way to the Hakkelaarsbrug, another spoiled vista, that of the dike running to Muiderberg. Not really new, but those high rises on the other side of the water, stick out like sore thumbs. A little further, the view of Weesp from the Keverdijk also spoiled by new, really new, high rises going up in the Bloemendalerpolder. Self-similarity across scale: from the city itself to private homes and barns, a beast of bigness gradually takes over everything.