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Größtenteils harmlos.

von bikesnob28hb | 30. November 2009 · 05:02

OFFICIAL PE-TCC HAKONE EKIDEN RIDE

We are planing to have our traditional (since 2008) first training ride of the year on January 2nd 2010 together with Tokyo Cycling Club. A gruesome ride from Tokyo (Kawasaki? Yokohama?) along the coast to Odawara and finally up the hill to Moto-Hakone. All the way followed by a bunch of incredible fast (and incredible young) university students ….. running.
Who will make it up to Ashinoko before they overtake you?

The reward for those who make it: The mother of all downhill rides: Route 20 from Hakone Pass over Jukoku pass and Atami pass down to Atami. And the mother of all quick returns.

January 2nd 2010. Mark the day.
[please also mark January 2nd 2011, 2012 and 2013 in case you bought calendars already]

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Eingeordnet unter 2010, Mob

von bikesnob28hb | 29. November 2009 · 16:26

Temples and Shrines

This being the last ride in my 30s, I made yesterday a pilgrimage to some (semi-)important temples and shrines around Chichibu. Chichibu is full of them, so I had to be selective.

My first stop was at Shiofunekannon-ji, just outside Ome.

At 8am it was still so early no visitors were in sight.

I then cycled into the most southerly mountains of Chichibu, up an increasingly steep road (the steepest part must be at least 20 degrees) to Nenogongentenryu-ji – a first for me, but a temple which Tom visits quite frequently.

I was greeted by two devils guarding the entrance, and there were already a few hikers who had made it up the mountain (elevation 600m).

After a rapid descent to route 299, I cycled it up to and then through the 2km long tunnel – not a lot of fun with so much traffic, and in particular with so many dump and other trucks taking this route. It always amazes me how much dump truck traffic there is on route 299 between Hanno and Chichibu-shi. But then seeing that Chichibu basically sacrificed its house mountain and turned it into a huge quarry, it is not surprising what all these trucks must be doing. This place may well have the highest density of dump truck drivers in Japan!

Down in Chichibu city it was time to visit a shrine, the Chichibu-jinja.

Soon I was heading towards the last and arguably most important stop of my pilgrimage: Mitsumine-jinja. Somehow I felt well in shape and it took me only 1.5 hours to ride the 40km in distance and 900m in altitude from Chichibu to Mitsumine. At 1,100m the air was crisp and the many visitors were complaining how cold it was: something like 5 degrees. The sun had disappeared behind increasingly dense and dark clouds that were accumulating in the mountains around – the Chichibu plain itself was still in bright sunshine, clearly visible from up there.

I then rode on to try out a new rindo which according to Google should take me back onto the main road towards Chichibu-shi – or so MOB and I had discovered while studying the area online the night before. Indeed, not only did the rindo exist, it was open to all traffic, had surprisingly few warning signs, and turned out to be well paved and almost completely free of debries or leaves. After climbing to 1,200m, I reached a long and dark tunnel – one of those that threaten to unleash evil spirits on my fellow riders MOB and Tom, but usually leave me alone. After a bit of down and up there was another tunnel with another ascent, and then it was a very long and very smooth sailing down to the main road. Next time, I will definitely cycle up that side and take the main road down from Mitsumine. It makes for a nice loop.

Back at the outskirts of Chichibu-shi I was tempted to return to Ome via Arima-toge, but abondoned the thought as the long crossing (including the unpredictable building site Tom, David and Nishibe-san discovered the other day) would have meant I would have reached Ome only in complete darkness. Instead I took 299 up to just before the tunnel (and while it was full of traffic, thankfully all the dumb tracks were on their way back to Chichibu rather than heading up with me) and then headed up Yamabushi Toge. On my descent I caught up with two cars and one motorcycle which were preventing me from getting one minute faster to Ome, so much to their surprise I passed the mercilessly in corners and steep long sections.

I reached Ome station at 16:35, not long before complete darkness. 210km on the road, with something like 2,200m of climbing. And most importantly plenty of omairi to get me into a new decade.

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/jp/kanto/110125941276690043

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von bikesnob28hb | 27. November 2009 · 04:16

For those of you who want to get out in the mountains tomorrow

and are not afraid of a little adventure…here’s the alternative to the well-trodden routes of Okutama & Chichibu…

INUKOEJI PASS!

RdV: 7:00 a.m. at ONEKAN / 18 intersection

Course: Lake Tsukui → Doshimichi → Inukoeji Pass → Lake Tanzawa → not decided yet (possibly return via Odawara ~ Enoshima coastline and then upward)

Tomorrow’s ride includes „dreadful“ Road 76 with long, tire-bu(r)sting unpaved gravel stretches not suited to road bikes. The Inukoeji Tunnel on top (1,060m) is pitch dark. Climbing tempo expected to be brisk. Anyone (still) wishing to join (in spite of my attempt at threatening/discouraging), should bring lights and put on sturdy tires/wheels….

IT WAS FANTASTIC OUT THERE TODAY !!

Perhaps some other time?

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Eingeordnet unter Tom

von bikesnob28hb | 24. November 2009 · 06:24

Pinchers from Hell

The last weekend ride has been already covered very well on the blog, however I would like to add some photos and comments in addition nevertheless.First stop on top of Otarumi Toge. Tom making photos of the landscape, Ludwig of me. Thierry probably resting on his bike in the back and David and Jerome still to come.Ludwig in shiny neon claded, still alive at the shores of Yamanaka lake with stars in his eyes and basking in the glory of double championships.
I practiced the characteristic „David Millar movements“ with my bike at Yamanaka Lake in front of mount Fuji. In case I ever want to get rid of my bike, I will make sure to do it at this spot.Ludwig pulled underground by the pinchers of hell, disguised as monument to traffic safety. Tom is trying everything in his power to hold him back, but the weight of his sins (too many red lights crossed) is too heavy. Last time we saw him. If you meet somebody resembling Ludwig now, it will probably be Manfred.Then it got me. Could barely escape at the last moment to come home and tell my children about the terrible experience we made. As in case for the invisible octopuses living in the vault of the Sasago tunnel, they remained largely unimpressed by my stories of blood and gore.Oden heaven at the PE-approved Seven Eleven in Moto–Hakone. Oden to the people.

PLEASE DO IT AT HOME

Here we can see improper eating behavior of two foreigners in front of a (PE approved) Seven Eleven in a semi-urban environment.And here we see proper behavior in comparison. Please note that Manfred is eating again a bowl of Oden which is neither proper nor improper. Both foreigners have moved away from the (PE approved) Seven Eleven in a less than semi-urban environment. The elevation of the eating place is significantly higher than the mighty Van Hai Pass (but irrelevant).

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Eingeordnet unter 2009, Jerome, Mob, Tom

von bikesnob28hb | 23. November 2009 · 13:31

Saiko Race TV Review

Just watched the Asahi TV program about the Saiko race this afternoon. As expected the program focuses on the adventures of the two attending „talentos“, Yoshizawa/Morning Musume in the W class and „forgot his name“ in C1. The performance of both is also something to be forgotten soon; both of them were dropped within the first lap, both of them finished in the forties out of less than 50 riders.

Basically I disliked the program as it was promoting bicycle riding in a strange way. Sure, it is nice to have a lot more people riding bikes than to see them in cars and trains, but I am not sure if I want to meet them in races when, among other things, my health is at stake.

I also found it somehow unfair that both of them had a (non-competing) helper at their side to support them throughout their races.

OK, perhaps I am to strict with them.

No shots from our races. But we could see James in full profile with Tiger and a little bit in the back Tsukino and Henri at one point. I recorded the program on our HDD and I hope I can manage some DVD copies if somebody is interested.

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Eingeordnet unter 2009, James, Mob

von bikesnob28hb | 23. November 2009 · 11:34

Year in Review – 2009 Passes and Hills

Three or four weeks ago, I went into the Starbucks in the basement of my building for coffee. They were serving „Christmas blend“, and the music playing was definitely Christmas carols. It gets earlier every year. … so I guess November 23 is really not too early for a „year in review“ post.

I thought this morning that I would try to list up the passes (峠) I have ridden in 2009 so far. I’m sure that some others (Tom, Ludwig and Michael, at least) have ridden more and further, and could come up with a better list — leaving aside Transalp! — and Jerome might match me, including Transalp, but my list is not too shabby. The great thing is that has been my 5th full riding season in Japan, and I still managed to ride lots and lots of places I had never gone before. … and there are already plenty of new potential rides on the list for next year, not to mention a few that I might get in by year-end. Here is the list.

Passes/Hills of 2009

[blue text means ridden by me for the first time in 2009]

Tokyo

1. Otarumi (Kanagawa border)

2. Wada (Yamanashi border)

3. Kobu tunnel (Yamanashi border)

4. Kazahari

5. Umegaya (Jerome Hill)

6. Nikka-zuka (next route to the East of Jerome Hill – not sure pronounciation and thus the romanization)

7. Fue-Kami (heading into Chichibu — just past Higashi Oume toward Nariki)

8. Ozawa (tunnel into Naguri — Tokyo/Saitama-Chichibu border )

Kanagawa

9. Yabitsu

10. Shiroyama-ko (Hon/Moto-zawa Dam – the short climb NE of Tsukui- ko)

11. 三増峠　Sanzou Pass (S. of Tsukui-ko on Rte 65 – first leg of Kanagawa Brevet)

12. Hakone Pass (Shizuoka border)

13. Ashi-no-yu Onsen Iriguchi (Pass on Rte 1 at top of climb – Odawara to Ashinoko – name??)

Yamanashi

14. Tsuru

15. Tawa

16. Matsuhime

17. Oo-toge

18. Kamihikawa

19. Yanagisawa

20. Odarumi (Nagano border)

21. Yakiyama

22. Hinazuru (not Suzugane!)

23. Mt. Fuji 5^th stage

24. Yamabushi Touge (the same name as the pass in Chichibu – but also the name of the pass/tunnel at top of Doshi Michi)

25. Dosaka (Pass between Doshi Michi and Tsuru)

Saitama/Chichibu

26. Yamabushi (the “real” Yamabushi)

27. Shomaru

28. Nenogongen

29. Karibazaka (on the Green Line)

30. [Hannari] (not sure pronounciation/romanization — on the Green Line)

31. Buna (on the Green Line)

32. Arima

33. [Nitazan] touge (pass on the Naguriharaichiba Rindo)

34. Shigasaka (on border w/ Gunma)

Nagano

35. Mugikusa Touge（麦草峠）

36. Suzuran Touge

37. Yagawa Touge (矢川 – on the Gunma Nagano border,
approaching Karuizawa from the South via “rindo”).

38. Jukkoku (十石峠on Gunma-Nagano border Rte 299)

39. Tsuetsuki Touge/杖突峠

40. Bunkui Touge/分杭峠

41. Jizo Touge/地蔵峠

42. Hyoko Touge/兵越峠

Shizuoka [no Izu rides this year beyond Atami!]

43. Jukkoku Pass (十国— on rte 20 Hakone to Atami)

44. Atami Pass (Rte 20)

45. Naka-no-Kura tunnel (中之倉) [at top of climb up Motosu-michi to Motosu-ko — WNW side of Mt. Fuji on Rte. 300 during Brevet]

46. Fuji Safari Entrance – high point on Rte 469 on S. side of Fuji (pass between small Mt. Kurodake and big Mt. Fuji)

Europe (German, Austrian, Italian Alps)

47. Oberjoch

48. Alter Gaittpass

49. Hahntennjoch

50. Arlbergpass

51. Bielerhohe

52. Tobadill

53. Pillerhohe

54. Timmelsjoch

55. Stelvio

56. Passo Foscagno

57. Passo D’Eira

58. Passo Gavia

59. Passo del Tonale

60. Mendelpass

61. Fai del Paganella/Andalo

62. Passo del Ballino

Forgotten , added later:

63. Nokogiri

64. Kazahari Rindo

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von bikesnob28hb | 23. November 2009 · 06:30

MARK THE DAY

Guys, please mark already January 2nd, 2010 (2011, 2012 and 2013) for the traditional

POSITIVO ESPRESSO FIRST RIDE OF THE NEW YEAR EVENT

As usual we can expect thousands of spectators lined up along the streets that will cheer us up all the way from Tokyo [or later] through Odawara to Moto-Hakone. An additional highlight will be the a suicidal fast downhill from Hakone to Atami on spectacular route 20 plus (hopefully) the Shinenkai afterwards. An event not to be missed.

More infos will follow.

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Eingeordnet unter 2009, Mob

von bikesnob28hb | 23. November 2009 · 06:14

Cycle Sports Decemeber Issue

I normally do not promote the purchase of Cycle Sports or any other publication except fencing (pardon – fanzines), but the new issue of Cycle Sports is simply too good and too thick to be ignored. For about 600 Yen you will get the magazine, the new Shimano catalog for 2010 plus the guide to the Cycle Mode exhibition in December.

The Shimano catalog is a good reference for prices. Shimano for cycling is, I believe, a little bit like Toyota for cars. One wouldn’t buy their road bike parts for good design necessarily, but the pricing is (relatively) reasonable, the reliability and quality is excellent and spare parts are readily available almost everywhere in Japan. And they have the innovative products as well. If I would like to have something good looking on my bike I would prefer Italian, French or American parts perhaps. The DuraAce (hollowtec) crank set is of such pronounced ugliness that it hurts my eyes.

In the main magazine there are also some good articles about a Japanese „Toge“ (Mountain passes) today and 30 years ago, conquered by the same guy. Why we can see that roads and infrastructure has improved and cycling technology has come a long way as well, cycling clothing is much more functional today but still designed in a way that we can be sure to laugh about in less than 10 years to come.

In the main magazine there are also stories about Bryon’s Computrainer, Tom’s new obsession Cyclocross and some infos about long fingered gloves and shoecovers.

This is the right stuff for the (occasional) train rides.

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von bikesnob28hb | 21. November 2009 · 14:19

Bonking in Hakone…

Thanks David (the role of domestique carrying 2-liter bottles in his back pocket fits you perfect!), thanks Ludwig for the humorous write-ups. It was another beautiful day, weather-wise and comrade-wise. I enjoyed talking with Thierry on top of Otarumi-toge (hope you’ll join us more often Thierry), with Jerome at the foot of Dozaka-toge, with Ludwig at the foot of Nagao-toge while (endlessly) waiting for Michael and finally with MOB himself aboard the Shinkansen between Atami and Shin-Yokohama.

The riding itself was fantastic and even the “sanrenkyu” heavy traffic jams did not bother me at all; it was thrilling and fun. The Mikuni downhill was super fast and Rd. 20 taking us further down to Atami was awesome! Michael is right; this has got to be one of the top 10 downhills in Japan in terms of length, smoothness and beauty of the scenery.

Yes, as one can read in Ludwig’s comments below, Michael seems to have suddenly gotten “the bonk” (this is a condition more commonly referred in Japan as a ハンガーノック or a hunger knock), a serious bout of hypoglycemia without any advance indication of the major collapse which would strike him and leave his companions completely mystified. When Michael finally did show up with a big grin on his face saying: “sorry guys…I had been bonking,” he was instantly forgiven! What a relief! I don’t know about Ludwig but I was starting to have hallucinations of MOB lying by the side of the road with blood streaming from both ears…

As soon as we rode all three together through the Nagao-toge tunnel, the fangs of traffic violation ogres almost pulled Michael into another inferno. Luckily I could get hold of Michael’s leg while Ludwig was holding onto mine (we enacted several versions – including one with Ludwig about to be squeezed – pictures of this fearsome ordeal to follow soon!). We somehow managed to escape and it was circling around lake Ashinoko that Michael completely recovered….gone were the symptoms of depletion and this time around it was Michael who imposed the tempo till the end!

My dessert of the day was a sweet ride in the darkness from Hashimoto over Onekan to my place.