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Henry and I went out for a quick spin today, and who should we see but Laurent D., returning from his morning trip.

An hour and a half later, as we returned, it was Jerome and Oggie. All of us wearing appropriate attire.

We rule the Tamagawa route … even if it is a miserable, hot stretch of concrete.

Sunday Ride — Jerome and I will leave my house at 6AM. Laurent is riding with Tom — not sure their time or place but it would be great to coordinate. Let me know if you want to join Jerome and me at the start or en route.

Well, it is Friday night and the weather looks dry and hot for the weekend.

As mentioned previously to some of you, I've invited a Japanese friend (former colleague) and his girlfriend, both bengoshi (lawyers) and younger than me.  They do some triathlons, and this Spring did the Kuruma-zaka Touge hill climb and are riding at Norikura in Nagano next weekend ... so I think we should be a decent match.  I can pull on the flats and they will wait for me at the top of the hills.

We are planning a half-day ride -- similar to what Michael and I did today (otarumi - bijou tani - ura wada).  I would really like to get to (and into) a cool stream -- the river on the approach to Yabitsu, or the Akigawa or Doshi or elsewhere, to cool down mid-ride. 

I believe we are meeting Michael K. a little after 8AM at Tamagawaharabashi upriver.  

At my recent 25th college reunion, I was struck by the number of classmates who, when polled to offer some „words to live by“, responded with old saying „Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!“

It sounds great. Like something our boy scout leaders would have said in my youth, Troop 7, Columbia Pacific Council, Portland, Oregon. On the other hand, I would like to believe the perhaps contradictory (or at least slightly hypocritical) theory that anyone over age 45 who „gets out there“ to exercise regularly deserves the newest and VERY BEST GEAR available to humankind. … a perspective that could be challenged in an era of slow (or negative) growth, higher taxes and an aging populace. Positivistos — What do you think?

Today Henry L. (not to be confused with Henry K. or any other Henry’s within the orbit of Positivo Espresso) and I finished building up the used Gios frame/fork/headset that we got on Thursday. I did probably 80% of the work, but got help from Henry L. with most steps. We took a short test ride along the Tamagawa. The Gios seems like a very good solution to getting him a reasonably priced and decent quality ride that he may outgrow, and does not need to worry too much should it get scratched.

We needed to return to Positivo today for a Mavic spacer so that the Shimano 10-speed cassette fits properly–the old spacer is probably sitting in a wheel bag or maybe in a dark corner on the floor of our garage. We also got Nagayama-san’s help in extracting part of the old rear shifter cable from the right hand shifter/brake hood. Otherwise, the completed bike is all the fruit of our effort.

It comes signed by the master, Alfredo Gios, and with an Italian racing stripe of sorts on the downtube.

Of course trademark Gios color blue. And tubing that is BOTH „aero“ and „lite.“

Add my 2004 Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels (rear rim replaced by Nagai-san in 2007, at least 7 spokes replaced over 5 years, including 3 this year), Ultegra 6600 drivetrain (10X2speed, with 12-25 and 39-53 gearing), Ultegra 6500 brakes now in use on their 3rd frame, very slightly worn Vittoria Open Corsa CX tires with red stripes, Fizik Alliante saddle, Ritchey Pro 44cm handlebars and 110mm stem, bottle cages … all the above „used“ except the 12-25 cassette, a new chain and some „new“ cabling that had been sitting in my toolbox left over from previous similar efforts. Add some padded, basic black bar tape received gratis at a forgotten cycling event (Saiko? Noto? 2008 Fuji?), and some black plastic electrical tape to keep the bar tape end sealed (37 yen at Seiyu across from Positivo, for a large roll), … and the result is a decent bike consistent with the new ethos.

As mentioned to a few of you, I’m taking one of my colleagues and his girlfriend on a beginner’s ride, leaving my house Sunday around 9:15 or so. Target – an early lunch at Ishikawa Brewery/restaurant in Fussa. My sons will join, and also one junior colleague who apparently rides and is tall, thin and much younger … a dangerous combination.

Henry and I stopped by Positivo yesterday evening and picked up a used Gios aluminum road frame Nagai-san had said he could get for me (it was 15,750 yen, including fork, headset and seat clamp, and will be a good solution for Henry until he outgrows it). If all goes well, we will finish building it up on Saturday, so Henry can ride it on Sunday.

So if anyone is interested in joining (with family or friends), let me know — I may try to call this evening to reserve a table at the brewery for an early lunch.

New York

New England

Chamonix

Where else has the Positivo 2009 jersey been spotted?

Donate and you might win a 2010 Orbea Orca or Diva (winner’s choice). Either bike will be outfitted with a Dura-Ace Di2 group with Dura-Ace carbon tubeless wheels, PRO Stealth handlebar, PRO Vibe seatpost and other PRO accessories. The estimated value of this bike is $9,600.

Via FatCyclist.com

NB. above, the Mob ‚it’s just 500m‘ spike of folly…

Click either of the above for more interactive detail.

Aurore Bakery, Ome Station, Positivo approved.

The ‚B‘ Squad (James, Graham & Little ‚M‘) conquered Kazuhari and completed 140km with 1400m climbing, on the day. An excellent day out.

‚A‘ Squad ride report to follow…

130km, 1000m, 25km/h, overcast but muggy, not too shabby at all.

On the Timmelsjoch:

Stage 4 in the books, and we went over our first BIG alpine pass – Timmelsjoch, at 2509 meters elevation – and into Italy/delightful Sud-Tirol with apple orchards and vineyards, ending up at the delightful town of Naturns. Why is everything written in German here? Is this where MOB’s relatives live?

The Positivo Espresso UK team finished 71 out of 90 mixed teams in 4:13. The leading Mixed team, Lightweight Wheels‘ sponsored team #4 of Jorg Ludewig and Claudia Frank (known to their fans as Siegfried and Brunhilda) seems to be in some trouble, with the #2 team closing in. Some of you may remember Ludewig from his career with Team Telecom and many pro appearances.

The main Japan team finished 165 out of 179 „Masters“ teams, and first among teams appearing from Japan in this year’s Transalp. The French still lead the Masters category. As usual, Jerome started slow but passed David 85% of the way up the climb, and pulled the team (and other hangers on) on the flat stretch near the finish. One of the hangers on, a German woman, sat on our wheel for 3 km and then zipped around us to finish ahead. Jerome was not happy — despite a „thank you“ in our general direction.
Jerome cools off at the finish and one of the aid stations:



Tomorrow and Friday separate the men from the boys (and the women from the girls). Real mammoth stages — we start 800 meters lower than this morning and climb 250 higher. Then down and up more passes.

By the way, the other couple in this photo are a brazilian man and his german wife. She was not happy the first day, said he was riding too fast … but seems to have recovered. Their team time today was close to 3:30.

We had a very nice after dinner stroll up the hillside to the Falkenstein for „second dinner“ — or in my case a simple dessert of vanilla ice cream with raspberry sauce (and some extra chocolate sauce also) … that translates from the German as „hot love.“

112 km, 1900m, avg. spd 21km/hr.

More to follow…