Cycling Camp Day 3

A fun day today. Met up with Pete and Arch and Paul at 10AM in the morning. Foley showed up, as a loyal fan to give us a proper send off. Nice thongs dude. (I don't mean the ones up your butt either).

Did about 75KM today on the bike, and feeling pretty good. We rode up parallel to the Yamanote for a while, before heading up past up to the Arakawa. Went through Ebisu, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Ikebukero... and then finally to the meat of our trip. It was a 30KM ride up to the Arakawa, and we then rode back down for about another 30KM. From the end of the river... it was a bout 15KM to home. A good day out. Didn't really have a chance to take any photos though. Sorry. But you can take my word that it was worthwhile, and a good ride if you are looking for a long circut (not that fast).

I would say if you really want want to see a CHUNK of Tokyo ... it is a Fantastic ride. If you want to tear up the asphalt and go fast Jonan Jima is probably better. Frankly... I'm more of the former. I like to go my pace, and see more of where I am around. Have to say ... loved ever minute of it.

Just hope that Pete is okay after he Bonked. Pete... next time... eat a good breakfast.

Kiyomi's Parents

This is a quick shot from Kiyomi's house... its the famous Yabe Hat :) More than one person has put this on after a few beers! Although I have to admit... that hasn't been me. Yet. Maybe next time.

My Dingo!!!

Grr Grrr Grrr

Cycling Camp Day 2

So Today, we headed out in the sun, on our bikes to Jonan Jima. I know I've written about this place a number of times. But today... well it was great. We had a fantastic run, literally didn't stop for peddling for just shy of 2 hours. Had some great tarmac, and were surrounded not by cars... but other cyclists! Basically if you're into bikes, you really need to get down to this place... its cycling porn. Really, considering this isn't a race or anything, and my Trek Madone 5.0 is actually a low end bike there!!!

Basically the area is really Ooi Futo and all the port is shut on Sunday. This makes for HUGE roads with no traffic (other than above mentioned cyclists) and what ever is on your mind.

Anyhow we did 50KM in just around 2 hours, which isn't bad timing for the two of us, the bulk of it was done flying around the roads. Just can't speak well enough of it. It made for a fantastic morning.

Didn't see this today (Didn't have time to sit around as went over to Kiyomi's parents in the afternoon), but here is a shot of the planes landing in Haneda airport near where we cycle.

Cycling Camp Day 1

So... the Cycling Camp for Golden week has started in full. We had a day 0 last wednesday (as it was a national holiday) and did about 50KM around the Tamagawa river. Paul and I were joined by Jason, a guy who recently ran the Tokyo Marathon. Needless to say we were pretty whipped by the end of it all, but it was good to get out and have more strenuous pace.

Anyhow... today, Jason joined us again, and brought Deno along. Deno, who is has climbed everest. We met up not far from Hatanodai, and we rode along #2 all the way into Yokohama. This is a good route, as the traffic is not bad, and has some nice hills. Once past Yokohama station we stopped at Yamashita koen, where Deno proceeded to make a new friend.

Took route 15 back to Tokyo and where in Tokyo a little after 12. Not a bad morning.

About 100KM between the two rides so far. Tomorrow... we're off to Jonan Jima.