Spring’s here, even though it’s in the 40s, so yesterday I rode my bike down to Gulou to hang out at a new cafe and write, then got a couple beers and study Chinese at Great Leap (where else?).

The 10-kilometer ride only takes about 35 minutes and when the sky is blue, it’s hard to beat. Here’s a few pictures from the day.

Fishing poles line the lake at Houhai.

People head through the hutong to Houhai.

Walking the hutong shops.

Those tricycles I keep talking about put past the Drum and Bell Towers.

Studying Chinese at Great Leap’s hutong location.

The canal that runs past Deshengmen Watchtower is a great route for bike riding home.

Flowers are blossoming all over Beijing.