If Only I Were A Stronger Climber?

…with routes by Sharma, Skinner, etc. Did you know it’s common for people in Korea to brush their teeth after every meal?

BAMF: Bike from Another Mainland Foto

DICK #2: North Korea/South Korea Border Morons

DICK: Dummies In China and Korea #2 After this, you can scope Dick #1! Wow. That's just such a phenomenal shot. The Third Tunnel," DMZ, South Korea. 2011

Yangshuo, China: A Little Slice of Sport Climbing Heaven?

Chinese Observations, Part 1 of 1

Seriously?  No fortune cookies? I’m sorry, I thought I was in CHINA. 20+ people can fit in a van.  With climbing gear.  In 90-degree weather.  NBD. Sweat doesn’t always collect at the feet of the smelliest person on public transportation. … Continue reading →

Peeking Into North Korea: Psychos Abound

I don’t want to call it “the most hostile place on earth” because I’m sure some equally hostile stuff exists: The official sign warning visitors “No Passage!  Dangerously Loose Boulder!“ that is now mounted on the bedroom wall of the guy who … Continue reading →

South Korean Soldier Giving the Cold ?SHOLDIER? to a North Korean Soldier

The “Cold Shouldier.“ South Korean soldier in foreground, North Korean soldier in background.

DICK #1: Dummies In China & Korea

Welcome to the first installment of the critically-acclaimed internet series: DICK: Dummies In China and Korea #1 I think I’m legitimately incapable of not recognizing people taking stupid pictures. It all started here. Even harder for me to resist is … Continue reading →

Sweating Iso-Butane and Crying About it in Public

Yeah…um…remember all that fuel?  You know, the specific camping stove fuel that Tony and I spent a week searching Beijing for? Well, um, yeah?about that fuel? I HAD TO LEAVE IT IN XI?AN.  I am seriously the worst person-who-has-to-buy-fuel-in-foreign-countries, ever. … Continue reading →

Misery, as Measured by Pounds

Front pack: 50lbs. Rear pack: 60lbs.

Seriously, dude? A BAZILLION miles of biking in a summer?

check out this nutcase: http://www.tetonat.com/2011/05/23/jay-petervarys-no-idle-tour/

I Will Seriously Sign Any Form You Put In Front Of Me

[ed note: originally written May 9, 2011) Remember, my blossoming career on afternoon television for stay-at-home moms, nestled between the cake-baking tidbit and the summary of yesterday’s soap operas? Well, there’s more where that came from! I’m spending this week … Continue reading →

Biking in the City

[ed note: originally written April 16, 2011] Why do people hate on bike commuters?  I’m not going to call us cyclists because, well, we aren’t…necessarily. I may have ridden my bike across most of the country, bike everywhere I go … Continue reading →

Kood #8: The LeafLight

Korean Observation Of the Day #8 A (not necessarily) daily observation from (not necessarily) Korea. The streetlights in Korean cities and towns are often designed around for what the town is known. It’s the little things that count in life.

Kood #7: Roads: No Match for Koreans (of even the shortest stature)

Korean Observation Of the Day #7 A (not necessarily) daily observation from (not necessarily) Korea. Korean drivers yield to pedestrians better than drivers in any other place I?ve ever been.  Seriously.  They will just…stop.  No honking.  No yelling.  No beeping.  No love-taps, bumper-butts, … Continue reading →

Solar Power and Failure: Biking Into the Sun

At times during my cross-country bike ride, I was nearly 100 miles from any semblance of a town.  For those of you who may not know this, power outlets don?t exist in the middle of nowhere.  Additionally, there are no pay … Continue reading →

Greatest Read: ?The Great Hipster Soccer Showdown?

Please, please read this.  It’s awesome. Original article courtesy of the Wall Street Journal, via CodyTheBuffalo.

Fuel is Found!

Throughout the last week I’ve been in Beijing, nearly every day has seen an attempt to find fuel for my Jetboil camping stove.  I plan on doing a lot of cooking over the next month that I’m going to be … Continue reading →

Photos: Tools in India

When In India, Do As The Indian?Camels?Do