Yangcheng Lake Bike Trip

The weekend getaway from Shanghai was fun! Completing about 30 km on bike in total Saturday, Mike and I easily found our way to the beautiful Fairmont Yangcheng Lake (thank you, Google Maps). We had been worried about bringing our bikes onto the train, but apparently, it's no big deal (though you do get stared at a lot). We had taken the train from Shanghai to Suzhou (riding the bikes from home to the train station, and from the station to the hotel), and looking back, we should have stayed on our bikes the whole way (it's not that far and we wouldn't have had to adhere to the train's schedule). Next time ('cause there will be a next time, I think).  

After checking in (to our upgraded suite!), we checked out the grounds, and later ate at the hotel's restaurant, which sources its food from its organic farm.  

The next morning was the ride (race, for some) around the lake (another 40 km). Here we are at the starting line (and before Mike left me in the dust):

The BBQ was awesome, but eating ribs in the extreme heat and humidity took away from the enjoyment of the meal. Regardless, it was a lovely end to another China bike adventure.

P.S. As if 70ish kilometers weren't enough over the weekend, Mike and I joined the crew again last night for a Tuesday night ride, which was neither short nor mellow. I'm tired.