In China, this date is an unofficial holiday, 光棍節 (Singles' Day) or 雙11 (Double 11), for people who are not in a relationship. November 11 (11/11) was chosen because the numeral 1 resembles 光棍 (a bare stick), Chinese Internet slang for an unmarried man. The holiday was initially only celebrated by young men, but is now widely celebrated by both (all?) sexes. 2011 marked Shiji Guanggun Jie (Singles Day of the Century), as it had six "ones" rather than four (11/11/11). 光棍節 has become heavily commercialized, as with Valentine's Day in the U.S. (I read that other gender identities are accepted in China. A gender-neutral pronoun was invented in 2015, X也, using the Western "X." The female pronoun 她 was introduced only in 1920, to some controversy, since it incorporates the character 牛(cow). The male pronoun is 他, served as he, she, and it for much of Chinese history.) Sources: https://w.wiki/8Esw https://urlzr.mp/mvb I'm back in L.A. for now. Today's ride was my first in almost a month, except for short rides in Santa Rosa to and from the car shop. And it felt good! The weather was, as they say, ideal: Cool and cloudy. But I would have preferred a little sun. I didn't feel quite as strong as I did in October, after a summer with lots of miles. But strong enough. Rain is forecast for the next few days, but I'll try to ride as much as possible until I go back to Santa Rosa Thanksgiving week.