2025 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Stefan Mikes]

So you couldn't find enough food you were willing to eat in the US? Quite odd.

Jeremy, I hope you would understand me. You guys in America have grown with the food there; I grew with food in Europe. The expectations are different. Let me give you several examples:

• A resort hotel breakfast. Plenty of food indeed. Only the eggs had no taste, and salad vegetables were not seasoned in any way.
• What the heck is the Continental Breakfast? Of what continent, really?
• A pancake restaurant. Piles of dry pancakes I could not eat.
• A steak restaurant. I asked for a "well-done" steak to get a piece of charcoal
• A burger restaurant (breakfast): a burger that just soaked with fat.
• Pappadeaux. I had an impression the gumbo looked at me
• A dinner at an excursion ship, Potomac River, Washington DC. That time, I got a T-bone steak that was dripping with blood...
• A Mexican restaurant, Texas: vegs and meat were dropped on a hot plate: a lot of smoke and charred vegetables
• A country restaurant in Texas: the food was good. The portion size was as absurdly big as I had to leave 3/4 on the plate (I hate wasting good food!)
• A golf club restaurant (with even some dress code): the food was excellent and in the European size -- that's why I sometimes had something to eat
• Corn soup, really?

"Stefan, what kind of food would you prefer?" -- "Italian food!" - "Unfortunately, we have no good Italian restaurant around..."

I eat no poultry. I was on business trips and was not alone. I had to accept the choices of others. So I was hungry.
Not a long time ago, I was invited to a dinner in a 100% American restaurant in Frankfurt. Yes, I could find something to eat, not my dream though.

Just to say there are even mode inedible cuisines for me: Balkan; and the Chinese made in the mainland China Interestingly, I love most of the English cuisine, including sausages, which are so different to what we have in Poland!

The menu of the American restaurant in Frankfurt. Funnily enough, they had mac & cheese on that day or I would need to leave the dinner...

 

[stompandgo]

Seems like you had a bunch of bad chefs, not cuisine. Portions in the US vary wildly. We like our doggy bags for leftovers. Two meals in one. I do understand that you were traveling, so that may have been of no value to you. The only way to determine portion size here is asking or reading reviews. Some things come weighed, like scallops, chicken wings, steaks, burgers, etc., but most don't. Adjust your intake accordingly.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Let me give you several examples:

Italian food's my favorite, too. And I concede the outlandish US portion sizes. I usually get 2 meals out of a restaurant visit nowadays— the 2nd one at home a day or 2 later.

Otherwise, your examples are well below the American norm I've come to expect in 77 years of eating here. I've also had disappointing meals in England, Australia, and most EU countries. In my experience, there's good and bad food everywhere.

 

[Mulezen]

Just as I’m no mechanic I’m no gourmand…in fact to an elderly Greek couple I know…neurotically bland in my tastes…and they’re right. They live on a 200 acre farm no longer farming most of it because of their age (he’s 90). Through the years they’ve operated 3 Restaurants in Richmond. This farm contributed to their success. They send food to me knowing my pedestrian tastes, usually chicken dishes. My friends who’ve sampled their eggs agree they are far tastier than what’s served in Waffle House And I always have some of their great bread in my freezer. They also keep a small herd of cows, goats, fruit trees etc. My point I guess is that fine food, notable food, can be found if you have the time to look for it. The US is notable for its varied immigrant communities (for now), and I suspect Stefan could find great Polish food in Michigan and Chicago.

 

[Chargeride]

I personally find even high end international themed food is mostly garbage, the food of the world in English cities is mostly sugar laden, neon food coloured, mechanically recovered junk packaged as an exotic experience.
The vast majority is eaten by drunks at the weekends.

Mr Bean when he was a Conservative.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

In my experience, there's good and bad food everywhere.

No doubt. It is certainly different if you are a local person and know good places (and have time to cook or drive around). A man like me on a business trip and depending on others has a way harder life, especially given the size of America and the drive distance counted in hours

I suspect Stefan could find great Polish food in Michigan and Chicago.

Not necessarily, Joe, because of...

I personally find even high end international themed food is mostly garbage

You see, the Polish community in the United States seems to have lost the connection to the Old Country a long time ago. They cook from local ingredients, and they have soaked with the American taste and customs. (I know an American lady who is a Polish-German descendant or a male Polish restaurant owner and a chef in Vancouver, the first generation immigrant or a Polish female immigrant of my age living in a good neighbourhood of NYC: all of them described their experience with Polish themed food in North America).

In Poland, we choose a single type of meal for a lunch. It could be a bowl of Bigos or a plate of Pierogi with a specific filling or a pork chop with boiled potatoes and stewed cabbage. While the North American expectation is to get a platter with as many as six different food type as a combo! It is not how we eat in Poland

the food of the world in English cities is mostly sugar laden, neon food coloured, mechanically recovered junk packaged as an exotic experience.

I avoid ethnic food (such as Ecuadorian or Ethiopian or Jamaican, just name it) while in London. One reason is I have no idea what the food even is! Once, we were to a Hungarian restaurant in New Cross, and I admit it was a genuine Magyar cuisine!

In one of the "ethnic" neighbourhoods: South London, Southwark, Walworth, Old Kent Road. Here: in a Bolivian coffee shop; coffee is the same anywhere

From the visit to Harrods, the most expensive department store of London. A bunch of Japanese grapes for just 75 quids (The original price was one hundred).

An "advent calendar", a chocolate box with all James Bond movies (plus the one that will come)

Boadicea and her daughters, a monument in Westminster.

Enid Street, or "The Beer Mile". We paid as many as five visits to craft beer pubs on Friday!

The concert of Mr. Hugh Cornwell (76, formerly of The Stranglers) in Islington Assembly Hall, last Thursday.

 

[stompandgo]

I agree that a lot of what Americans would call "ethnic food" has been Americanized. Chinese food is probably the best example. You can find Americanized Chinese food on every street corner, but you have to look hard for authentic Chinese. The same goes for good American food. You have to find where the locals go. The best way to do that is with another local. You can ask on Yelp, Tripadvisor, Facebook, or forums, but good luck with that. Locals like keeping their places local. If a local brings you there, that's different. You're a guest. I know it's tough when you are traveling, especially for business, when you've had a full day already. When I was traveling, I'd go with the regional thing and find the best place that I could. If I was in a big city, I'd find Chinatown, walk around, and pick one. If I was in upstate New York, I'd find a wing joint. If I was near the coast, it would be a seafood shack that served beer. If I was in New York City, it would be a slice joint. There are so many great places to eat in America, and probably 10 times that that aren't great.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Ignorant people make for very foolish tourist. And when they tout their limited experiences as blanket facts... it is quite amusing.
Just remember that you're dealing with someone who said that McDonald's in his country is a gourmet restaurant.
Maybe I should post 10 photos now as an argument

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

While the North American expectation is to get a platter with as many as six different food type as a combo! It is not how we eat in Poland

It's not how we eat in America, either. I don't know anybody here who expects that. Honestly, Stefan, where do you get this stuff??

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Almost any hotel in Europe, and practically any in the British Isles will offer an excellent food. None of the U.S. hotels I've ever stayed in (except for the resort one in Virginia) has ever offered any breakfast
An interesting fact from a life of a businessman, innit

 

[JGcycle]

No ride today:

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It's not how we eat it America, either. I don't know anybody here who expects that. Honestly, Stefan, where do you get this stuff??

I'll try to get own photos from my friends in North America.

Meanwhile, Google is your friend. Five Polish meals on a single platter. (Who in Poland would ever mix sauerkraut with cream cucumber?!)

• Pierogi
• Potato pancake
• Bigos
• Sausage
• Gołąbek

plus sauerkraut and mizeria as side-dishes

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I'll try to get own photos from my friends in North America.

View attachment 202401
Meanwhile, Google is your friend. Five Polish meals on a single platter. (Who in Poland would ever mix sauerkraut with cream cucumber?!)

• Pierogi
• Potato pancake
• Bigos
• Sausage
• Gołąbek

plus sauerkraut and mizeria as side-dishes

Not doubting your observations from unlucky direct experience, just rejecting the wild generalizations to all American food and all Americans' expectations about it. Pure nonsense.

I've eaten in many EU restaurants. On average, no better or worse than the American restaurants I've been to.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Google that photo and you will see that it is a sample platter, not a entree. The type of dish offered so a party of multiple people can try and share.
So yes you may be smarter than Google.. But you're not smarter than an American

 

[Stefan Mikes]

just rejecting the wild generalizations to all American food and all Americans' expectations about it. Pure nonsense.

Have you ever been to a Polish restaurant in the U.S.?

A Polish Platter. Own photo of Joan, now of South Carolina, a third generation American. She sent me this right now.

It's not how we eat it America, either.

Aha.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Obtuse to a defect.
On the second photo if you Google it

The image displays a Polish platter, a traditional meal featuring a variety of classic dishes.
The plate includes several items, such as pierogi (dumplings), kielbasa (sausage), sauerkraut, a large potato pancake, and a cabbage roll (golabek).
The meal is served with a side of sour cream and a sauce, possibly a tomato-based or mushroom gravy.
Polish platters are a popular way to sample multiple traditional items at once and are offered at many Polish and Eastern European restaurants.
The specific items and preparation can vary by restaurant and region.

It is one offering on a typical menu... Not how entree are served.
You see this at many ethnic restaurants and is offered for people that are unfamiliar with the cuisine

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Have you ever been to a Polish restaurant in the U.S.?

Czech but not Polish.

View attachment 202416
A Polish Platter. Own photo of Joan, now of South Carolina, a third generation American. She sent me this right now.


Aha.

Looks yummy! I see 5 different foods on that plate besides the white sauce.

 

[Mulezen]

 

[RabH]

Getting the thread back on topic...

Today was record breaking day, I only needed 20 miles to equal last years total of 6561 miles! If the weather plays ball I may get to 7000 miles this year, today was a cold one but at least we had light winds this time! The back roads were ruled out today due to ice so I had to stick to the main roads and I managed to come up with a route to avoid the worst of the traffic! I made my way down to the Clyde Valley and stopped for photos at every opportunity, even after midday the frost still hadn't cleared!

It was such a beautiful day, in contrast to my last ride! The River Clyde is flowing very quickly at the moment after the recent heavy rain!

A frosty scene on one of the bridges over the river!

The garden centres are gearing up for Christmas already, it certainly brightens things up!

The next bridge over the river was also covered in frost, as was the garden!

Another mile or so and the wintry scene continued!

Some parts that were getting the sun were clear though!

I continued along the valley to Kirkfieldbank and tackled the steep climb up into Lanark, before turning north for Cleghorn and passing over the railway crossing! I timed it nicely as a train passed through half way up the climb and the barriers opened just as I reached the crossing!

I stopped for this photo looking east over the Pentland Hills!

I then continued north towards Harelaw where I stopped for more photos of the Pentlands!

Then I continued north towards Forth and I was really looking forward to the big descent down into Breich! I grabbed this photo just before the start of the descent!

I looked down the hill to see roadworks in progress, what a letdown...

At least I got to enjoy the first part of the descent! I had a short wait at the traffic signals and set off through the roadworks as soon as the lights turned green, then I noticed the cones kept going and going and I knew I had no chance of getting through before the lights would change to green in the other direction! I pulled in where some road workers were digging up the verge and saw the traffic starting to head through the roadworks and waited until it was clear and made it through safely! They never allow enough time for bikes...

I got to enjoy the final descent though and then it was time to start climbing again, up through Longridge and then down into Whitburn where I turned west towards Harthill and up another big climb towards Salsburgh! Then I had this cracking descent to enjoy!

I passed through Salsburgh and arrived in Newhouse a short time later, where I turned north for home with 47 miles covered! I did a short loop around the town to bring up my 50 miles! I thought about extending the ride but decided against it as I didn't want to chance the frost coming down again, it was a wise decision! Another great day on the bike and I was happy to beat my record on a very cold but very beautiful day!

 

[dodgeman]

I rode 13 miles into town today to run an errand, more or less just to get a ride in though. A typical fall today, windy and cool.