Long Bike Ride

Thanks to all who joined in the long bike ride yesterday. We did 80KM before the rain came down, riding into Enoshima, and Kamakura from the Otemachi area. If the weather had co-operated would have liked to have tried to have seen how far back I could have gotten. I think I could have made it, but it would have been a long and slow ride.

Here is a shot of us as we were waiting to get started after our first break (waiting at Marukobashi...)



For me it was a good ride, although we did get a little bit separated, I thinkt that everyone got to ride at their own pace, and we did get to a pretty intresting place for lunch!

Here are a couple of pictures of when I arried in Enoshima, and also when I we were waiting for our table at lunch. Bens cafe was pretty nice, and if I go to meet up with friends who live down there (Doug, Joel... you reading this?) then I expect them to meet up with me there.




Special note to Koki and Nicholas. Koki kept up a fierce pace, despite being on a mountain bike. He kept up with the fast group, and was never behind the pack. Nicholas, clearly hadn't been on a bike in a while, rode far, and finished the whole day on a bike that was only slightly lighter than a tank.

More Spicy Soup

Below is another place that I tend to go for lunch at work. It is another Ramen shop, and they too make a really good Tan Tan Men. It isn't as spicy as the other place, but is really good. The soup is very thick and rich (probably from the miso paste) and then the noodles are a lot thicker. I really like it, and it is a fairly reasonable price for a lunch. I tend to go with my co-worker John, and we usually get pretty much the same thing. You can select from the machine in front of the place, and pay for what you add in. I usually add in spinach, bamboo shoots, a soft boiled Egg. Its really good.



I don't really like the gyoza at this place, although they are a good price. I just feel that a big bowl of soup is enough at work for lunch.

Back to the Future

Had a small spill on the Madone. It needs to the the front wheel replaced. I'm okay (so don't worry Mom) and walked away unhurt. But the bike won't be fixed for another couple of days or so... eaiting for the parts. Oh well... Will look forward to getting the bike back, and really do need it as I'll be riding to Kamakura on the weekend with a group of guys from work. I organized things so if I don't show up I am pretty sure that it won't look very good, and will make it hard to setup a second ride later on this season too!

So in order to ensure that I can keep racking up the KM's I've fixed up Kiyomi's bike and took that to work today. Actually it is the bike that I started riding to work on... hence the back to the future title of this. Actually the old machine did pretty well, considering it spends most of its time outdoors. I cleaned the chain, lubbed it up, took off the basket, and raised the seat to where i needed it. Then... I did the next most important step, I rode it to close to my office and back, and am happy to report that both it, and me, made it safely to our destination and back. Here is a quick picture of the old guy near the emperors palace.



It is kind of nice going at a pace that is much slower than my other bike. The difference is great at times, not just speed... but the fact that I can go over bumps and potholes and the like without wincing. Anyhow it turned out to be more fun that I expected to get back on the old bicycle.

Tan Tan Men

Of my favorite things here in Japan is a good bowl of Tan Tan men. It is a form of Ramen, that is quite spicy (which Paula and Dan can attest to) This bowl is a from a store in my neighbourhood, a nice place near the station that KIyomi and I have been to a couple of times. I even took Dan and Paula there. Interestingly enough a guy that is working there spent 20 years in Canada and got his Canadian citizenship. He's a pretty nice guy and he lived in North York near where I did with my old Roommate Rob K. Funny to meet someone so close to home, even after all these years here.



Back to the soup. This stuff is packed with Noodles and which you slurp (loudly) too cool them off after you have been served. The soup itself you don't have to eat all of it, but it is also VERY spicy. This stuff has a mixture of many different peppers, and also uses sesame in the broth. Good stuff, especially nice in the winter.

Japanese Eco-Life

My teammate bought a banana at the convenience store in the basement of the building we are in. Like most products in japan it came wrapped in a plastic bag, which then the store clerks will try to put in another bag (which he refused) the irony in all of this is that there was little sticker on the plastic wrapper for the banana stating "ECO LIFE" something to that effect. I think that this is mostly due that the Japanese still don't have a very clear concept of what good environmental policy is.



Its not uncommon to buy a bag of food here, and then find all the items in it are also then further individually wrapped. Not really a good example of ECO LIFE... at least in my opinion.

Old picture... but good burger

If you get the chance to go to Las Vegas (or any other west coast destination) make sure to visit in-and-out burger. It is pretty good stuff. Here is a picture of what we had. They don't freeze the meat and the fries are made with fresh cut potatoes too. Good stuff. It goes to show that even though it is fast food it doesn't have to be shit.

Cherry Blossom Season (O Hanami)

One of the best times in Japan is when the cherry blossoms are out. Tokyo transforms from a relatively bleak and grey city to one that is blooming pink and white... Looks great. The best change is in the people the actual city itself. In Japan people at this time of year also go for what is known as ohanami. Basically a picnic under the trees with friends and family. Its alway a good time to go to one of these parties and people usually will go to one or two of these events. Workplaces will have a company one, and you will often have one with your friends.

These pictures are of a tree near my house. The people who own the house have basically incorporated the tree into the actual structure as it winds its way through the front and balcony. They also light it up during the Ohanami season and it looks great.

My favorite places to go and see during this time are:

Meguro river
Kamakura (Near hachiman gu)
Ueno park (great people watching ... mediocre trees)
Yoyogi (smallish... but usually lots of room and nice park around the tree area)

Best of... just find your own spot.