Above Category, Sausalito, CA

If you make it north of the Gate above, and you'd like to check out a small seaside town AND a sweet bike shop, definitely stop in Sausalito and Above Category. You can easily make a day (or more) out of this town... touristing, shopping, etc. I don't think you'll be bored.

I really only stopped here for the bike shop, and it did not disappoint. It's really well done. Merchandise, selection, staff, etc. If you like bikes, this is a place to visit.

I was impressed and humbled by the amount of Dario Pegoretti bikes on display (RIP). Gorgeous stuff.

2018/19 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup (Lee Valley VeloPark), London, UK

What do you do in London? Well, there are TONS of things to do, but as a cycling fan, when you stumble onto the UCI Track World Cup ticket page, you do anything you can to attend.

While they'd sold out the "more prestigious" evening program, we were able to hit the afternoon session and see what it's all about, up close. This is a very well-run event, and very interesting and fun to be a spectator - Loved it. 

For the London Olympic Games the city created a "velopark", which held a number of cycling events during the games, including; BMX, MTB, and Track, plus a Cyclocross course is also on the grounds. It's a very well-done venue, inside & outside.

This infield is where all the country teams set-up their "camps" for the length of the weekend event. They prepare, rest, warm-up, cool-down, and have their bikes inspected in this large area during the weekend. Each country has their own little "paddock".

The track's turns are banked at 45-degrees, so speed keeps you glued to the "floor". Speaking of the floor, the track is made of Siberian Pine, brought in special just to make the track's surface. It's rumored to be faster than any other woods that could have been chosen. You still want to avoid crashing on it. Owwwwiiieeee.

This is the view from the tickets we bought. Not amazing, but for the price, I thought it was well worth it, and really not that far from the track either.

Farmer's Fridge (ORD), Chicago, IL

When you're in ORD (O'Hare Airport) and have some time to kill before your flight, you might find yourself wandering the terminals, just to get a walk in. I found myself in this situation recently and happened to notice signs up for this company. As luck would have it, as I kept walking, I also stumbled upon this humble vending machine in Terminal B (I believe). It looked delicious and fresh from the outside, so I decided to give it a go.

And I'm glad I did. They seem to have all the small things figured out (silverware on the side of machine)... and the prices are, IMO, much cheaper than the crummy food court places in most airports. Plus, it's fresh!

I had the Almond Butter Oats for a breakfast that cost $6. I should have used the microwave I presume is also nearby, but wound up eating these cold. It was still tasty, fresh, and a good value. I would happily try Farmer's Fridge again when I'm in ORD or CHI. I kind of can't wait.

Seoul Taco, Chicago, IL

Korean-Mexican fusion right on Clark Street in Chicago!?!?! Yes, please!

The sign caught my eye and I had to stop in for dinner. I reviewed the Chipotle-style menu and decided on a Bowl. Their bowls consist of your meat choice (Bulgogi beef) on brown rice and greens, with a fried egg on top. 

Service was prompt and the food was delicious. I'd love to go back, and would recommend anyone near stop by.

Chimichurris, London, UK

Where do you go for dinner when you're in London for the first time, with a friend/coworker? Well, we tried about a dozen places near us, making calls, looking on Open Table for a reservation, but no luck. London has a lot of people, and it looks like most of them like going out on a Friday night. I get it.

Luckily, my fellow traveler found this little place, with great reviews close to our AirBnB. We decided to jump in stomach-first and try London's Argentinian offering. Boy, am I glad we did.

They sat us promptly, service was almost like family, the food was all very phenomenal and authentic (as far as I can tell), and it was a very warm, busy space to be in... which is perfect for London.

First Night:
Start with an Argentinian beer...

A couple beef empanadas to split...

T-Bone!!! with a tomato and Oregano salad on the side

OMG - for dessert - ice cream on a chewy cookie and frozen in chocolate. KMN.

Then the Second Night:
Queso fun... this was delicious with toast points.

A very tasty, though poorly colored for photos, pasta

And their version of Wiener Schnitzel... but with beef.

Again, all the food was very good. If I had anything to do over, I would get another steak on the 2nd night... it was that good. Perhaps one of the top three steaks in my life. I'm not kidding about that.

The Old Plough, Stoke D'Abernon, UK

If you happened to find yourself in England on a chilly winter's eve, wouldn't you want to drop-in to a local pub and have some good drink, warm food, pleasant patrons, and great service? We did just that recently in England's Old Plough.

The warm feeling you get as you walk inside can't be faked. Though this might be a "posh pub" by most standards, it's cozy and comfortable to the nines. It was relaxing and familiar as soon as I stepped in, even though I'd never been here before. 

We started off with beers, had some diches to share, and then tucked into our delicious mains. To top it all off, we had dessert too (ok, some of us had dessert). I don't think I'd been more stuffed in months, maybe years.

Smoked Haddock with Poached Egg, over Wilted Spinach and Holindaise sauce.

Black Forest Sundae... Man...

I would wholeheartedly recommend this lovely pub. In fact, I think I'll go back while I'm here.