February 18, 2026

Thursday. Left a little before 10:30. Nikor, but the pavement was dry everywhere in spite of yesterday's showers. Moderate, chilly winds out of the east. A weak sun working its way through a high, thin obstructive layer. Straatweg to Deka brug, with its ridiculous but longstanding ramp, especially the tight hairpin turn. The railroad bridge is vital, but this bike path could have been upgraded years ago. 50 year-old infrastructure has its charms (see Gieltjesdorp), but at a place like this it's inappropriate. From the bridge, a novel but bland view of the canal. Lage Weide not too busy, then Zuilensebrug into the wind. Winter. Maarssen and its bridge across the ARK, then around the Haarrijnseplas to Smalle Themaat and toward the Rijnveldsche Boschpad. Around the parks surrounding Haarzuilens and the castle. Lots of snow bells have emerged there. Natuurpad toward Laag Nieuwkoop empty and barren. Gerverscop with the tailwind and in the weak sun. Gerverscop naturally and agriculturally still mostly inactive. Breudijk to Tiendweg and Dorpeldijk. Then Zandweg into the cold wind. Across on the Daphne, a stop at Taart, then into the city. In the news the report than U.S.-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine only lasted for two hours this morning and prove to be "difficult." No surprise at all. In a way, the recent visit by the Archivist of the United States to Hungary's Russia-friendly leader, and his endorsement of the man for his upcoming national elections, told us all we needed to know--have known for more than a year now, if not longer.