Lake Hamana Recovery Ride

After the tough Shizuoka 600 km Norikura brevet, I thought I would ride a loop around Lake Hamanako to give my legs some recovery spin and a reason to travel to places I never been to. The weather turn out to be good but hot. Much hotter than yesterday. I have to cut the distance by half because it is just too hot and don't want to put more unnecessary burden on my body.  I need to recovery for a few days and regain some strength and fire within for next week Aoba 600 km brevet.

Mouth of Tenryu River

Port town in Lake Hamanako

Hamana Bypass

Very close shot at Shinkansen. 

BRM526 Shizuoka 600km Norikura

I completed the May 26 Shizuoka 600 km Norikura Brevet with total of 7050 meters climb.

However, it wasn't a good start...

I thought I have loaded everything I needed in the car for the drive to Shizuoka. Next day early morning preparation revealed a shocking truth that I forgot my helmet! I double search all the holes/compartment in the car and hope that it is 'hidden' somewhere. I was panicky and had not come to my senses yet that I forgot. On the third round of search, I have to admit my stupidity... How can one forget the most important mandatory safety accessory for a bike event!!!

After I calmed a little bit, with my cycling wear, I went to the registration area and ready to reveal the sad news that I will DNS (Did Not Start). This was around the time of the briefing. I walk and stand behind the registration desk rather than go straight to hear the briefing. The staff notice right away why I'm not with the group and I broke the news. They were kind of surprised but responded in a professional way, even assuring me by mentioning that some folks also forget their cycling shoes (I think I came across this on some blog)... Luckily, one of the staff overheard the conversation and quickly came forward and he can lend me his helmet as he took it out from the back of his car. He warned me that it is little bit heavy. I told him that it was OK but as I accepted the helmet and able to size it up with my hands.... boy, it was really heavy!! Why should I complain... I gave my gratitude to the staff and now I can start... but, it came light also that I forgot my homemade energy bar... but that is not comparable to what just happened.

Notice the helmet? Thanks to the staff who lend me and gave me one more reason to return back at the finish line. Notice also that I didn't have my reflector vest... another time loss to turn around after the start.

I walk my bike for the bike check after rushing my final preparation. I was given the green light and off I go. I was pondering on the idea on what I should have done in case I DNS... should I go ahead with the brevet but run 'unofficially' without helmet...(nah)... should I just have a day jaunt in Shizuoka... (maybe)...  should I just go home.... as I look down to my wind breaker I notice that I didn't have my reflector vest!!!  I already cycled around 2.5 km. There is no option except to go back (rather than disqualified at night) and take the time loss. I was speculating why did the staff let me go and signed my brevet card at the inspection as I'm speeding back and try to regain the loss time. This was another fatal mistake as I was too focus on catching up and I missed a turn. Overall, I probably loss around 40 minutes total just before the first control point. I'm now officially the last person to arrive at PC1. I figured there is no need to rush while resting at PC1. It is still a long climbing days ahead and I need to focus on the proper pace alone rather than try to catch up with the faster group.

Between PC1 and PC2 is a big climb, a steep descent and followed by many up and downs. By the end of PC2 (160km), total climb is already 2,200 meters and this is just the prolog...

The famous Tenryu River Gorge （天竜峡）

As I was climbing the Niino Pass (新野峠), I started passing few riders and one of them was Suzuki-san, who I met couple of weeks ago on Kazahari Brevet, and exchange a few updates. I notice there is one lady who is sucking his wheel for reason I will know later on. Between PC2 and PC3 takes us the beautiful valley along the Tenryu River and then cross the Central Alps via climb to Gonbee Tunnel (権兵衛トーネル) and a little bit of Kiso Valley before attacking Nagamine Pass (長峰峠) northeast of Mt. Ontake. By the time I reach Nagamine Pass it was already in the evening and will be descending in total darkness at 6 degrees Celsius. Nice but cold 35 km descent to Takayama (高山) and interrupted by a small bump just before PC4.

A town along Tenryu River with Central Alps at the back　（中央アルプス）

Flower garden just before the climb to Gonbee Tunnel （権兵衛トーネルの前）

Time to put warm clothes at the top of Nagamine Pass（長峰峠）

PC4 at Takayama is an unmanned checkpoint but a staff is present and confirming riders on arrival. Had a quick break and asked the staff where is a good place to sleep and the response was in 'Michi No Eki' about 20 km away or in Gero Spa around 70 km away that opens till 6:00AM. They too far away and I decided to use my familiar sleep bed, which is a sheltered bus stop, and was able to find quickly. It was a good shelter bus stop with a sliding door, big enough to put the bike inside and was warm and able to sleep for two hours. No regrets on bringing along a heavy but good soft ground blanket and a warm sleeping bag. I can sleep comfortable anywhere and anytime :)

Feeling fresh again after the sleep, it gave me some strength to climb the small hill right after Takayama and then rewarded with a long mild descent to Gero where I arrived for early breakfast. As I about to leave, I saw Suzuki-san and the lady passed by. I quickly followed them and ride/chat with them for a few hours. I learned to know more about the lady. She is turned out to be Sawada-san and is famous for:

• One of the original Japan brevet founder and organized a brevet in Okayama herself until few years ago
• Multiple PBP under her belt and recently PBP2011
• Famous for not eating/drinking/sleeping much during the event

Suzuki-san, who I got to know was also PBP2011 finisher, is attending the Hokkaido 1500 km multiple brevet event this coming August and was teasing me to attend. I'm tempted but need to confirm the logistic. My curious question on to why she is always sucking wheel to one person, given her strong credentials, was revealed when she mentioned about an eye issue and Suzuki-san was guiding/accompanying her. I bid them farewell at PC5.

Dawn picture of Gero （夜明けの下呂）

The weather was great on Sunday but it was getting really hot. So hot that I'm getting sluggish and I can feel the burn in my arms and neck. I decided to buy a wide brim hat, usually used by old ladies tending farms, for sun protection as well as funnel the flow of air to my face when ascending slowly. It worked but need to be careful on fast descent. In addition, I got to entertain a bunch of riders and the organizers.

Best protection when it is hot.

The last 650+ meters climb at around 500 km was the toughest. After acculumating 6000+ meters of climb, hot, tired and sleepy, I just wish it was a flat road to the finish. But these courses were not designed by me... Just one more.... push!

I arrived at the finish line around 19:00 and official time of 37 hours 02 minutes. I returned the helmet and thank again the staff for a great event. Looking back, the course is tough but cut across many beautiful back roads, rivers, valleys, mountains passes, old towns and great people. Can't wait to have a hot spring bath.

Shots while riding...

Fishing event?

Along R420...

Beautiful sceneries...

BRM519 NishiTokyo 300km Fuji

This brevet is an evening start at 22:00. My first brevet evening start this year.  So far, the other evening start was last year Shizuoka's Karuizawa 600 km brevet. I wasn't really fond of evening start. I remember last year I was so sleepy and can hardly push early in the morning. I ended up sleeping on the cold body-heat-sucking-concrete at 7-11 on the first control.

I was skeptical on today evening start but later on I realize the big advantage which I begin to admire (provided I can figure out a short sleep) especially when starting from Tokyo, namely:

• No traffic on the way to Enoshima and along the coastal area (evening ride). Usually heavy traffic
• No traffic in Susono, Numazu and Fuji area (early in the morning). Usually heavy traffic
• Attendance of different types riders who typically work on Saturday.
• Finish the event in the afternoon and more time for post ride socialization, ready for normal dinner and long night sleep.

I arrived just before 21:00 at the registration area and while filling up the form, a tap on shoulder revield a smiling Joe, who arrive a little bit earlier and ready for his first 300 km brevet ride. We showed each other bike and I was impressed with his electronics and creative attachments. After sampling his homemade energy bar (which was delicious), we moved to the official starting point to a parking area a few blocks away. On the briefing, I was impressed that the organizer joined the Saitama Tohoku 1700 brevet over the golden week. It was unfortunate that he had an accident and DNF but he seems to be OK and recovered. Final check on the bike and we were off.

At the registration...

Joe's famous Orange Pocket Rocket with 8000mAh battery. Did it last the whole journey?

We were taking it easy from the start and peloton was dynamic as riders joined or move on. Lots of traffic light stops also created and/or broke group. There was a time that I started talking english behind and when there was no answer and I looked back, it wasn't Joe. I figured he will catch up and we saw together again at the Enoshima control for the initial pit stop.

Route 134 along Sagami Bay is flat, wide and fast. There was a fast rider I was following and I initiated a rotation. We were rolling around 30-35kph and was joined by two other fast riders and rotating. Probably rolling too fast and my HR is beating uncomfortably fast too early in this event. When I look back, Joe got dropped. I finally got dropped also when R134 merge with R1 and joined another fast group or rather a team, as they have the same jersey, until PC2.  

The stop break at PC2 lowered my HR and after a while find myself cycling alone early in the morning. With no fast group to follow and my body clock conditioned to be sleeping around this time, drowsiness started to kick-in. The desire to sleep is too strong that I gave in. Luckily, I found a sheltered bus stop at Oyama, just before the climb to Gotemba. As I prepare to sleep, I saw Joe passing by and yelled at him that I be sleeping for an hour and off he goes. It was pretty cold but manage to sleep around 30-35 minutes. This was good enough to start my day and trick my mind that I had sleep. I felt strong again and quickly move on. Riding at wee hours in the morning, with only the sound of your pedal stroke and chain, is so peaceful. There is enough moon light to see the silhouette of farms and houses. Dawn cleared way for fast descent from Gotemba to Numazu with very very few cars. As I reach the coastal town of Numazu before the road turns right to Tokaido Road, I saw a few cyclist stop by a Gyudon place, which I promptly followed. We were told that orders will take some time because they just started the preparation. Few decided to wait and few left. I was with the folks who cannot wait. I just opened my bag for a homemade sandwich and energy bar for breakfast on the saddle. The road to Fuji City was totally free of cars early Sunday morning and quickly arrived at PC3. Along the way, I met again Joe in front a convenient store having breakfast overlooking Mt. Fuji. This will be the last time I see him in this course.

The start of a long climb begins immediately from PC3. The first 10-15 kilometers were beautiful rice paddies, with mighty Mt. Fuji in the background, followed by grasslands and forest. As I was slogging, I met Maki and we climbed together for a while. She is a strong brevet rider that I recognized in past brevet events over the years but never manage to meet or speak. She is a super athlete, who started triathlon 18 years ago and now also in ultra and trail running. She can converse in full sentences while I can barely utter a full sentence while climbing. Those conversation made me forgot the suffering on the climb. She was stopping by Narusawa to support the trail runners and still plan to finish on time.  BTW, she rides a beautiful white Cherubim bike. Waved goodbye and did a solo long descent to Tsuru to PC4.

This is the first time I did the reverse route of K35 from Tsuru. It is easier compared coming from the other direction. This is a familiar territory and I always like this quiet hilly route. As we merge to R20 in Uenohar, a fellow brevet cyclist who was following me commented that I descent fast. I smiled and told him I have a heavy bike and it just drops like stone. The last hill is Odarumi and I was competing with other roadies to race up this hill. My legs still felt fresh and manage to attack near the top. The last reward was a long downhill to Takao and was having fun that I forgot to take the left route but instead went straight to the new tunnel. My first time to pass thru the newly finished tunnel and it was a nice long ride inside. Wide enough not to be bothered with cars. Finally reach the goal around 14:36 after the passing thru crowded Machida Kaido. 

Official time is 16 hours 36 minutes. I heard the fastest finisher is around 13 hours 30+ minutes.

Lemond Sarthe with saddle bag and handlebar bag. (Notice my energy drink!)

Different faces of Mt. Fuji.

Mt. Fuji viewed from Iwabuchi, Fuji City...

Mt. Fuji viewed from Asagiri Koken...

Mt. Fuji viewed from Kamiide, Fujinomiya..

Mt. Fuji viewed from Oshikakubo, Fujinomiya..

Mt. Fuji viewed from Fujigane..

Mt. Fuji viewed from Fuji City at 6:00 AM...

Lastly, a backyard picture of solar eclipse today (7:28AM May 21, 2012).

BRM515 Kazahari

I did managed to find a Tiagra 4600-GS rear derailer at Y's in R1 and installed promptly. My current rear mech setup is Shimano Dyna-Sys XT 11-34T rear sprocket and was a little bit concern if I can use the GS version of Tiagra, with low sprocket limit of 30T. I know makers sometimes quote their spec conservatively so I took the risk. This Tiagra is the only Shimano road groupset I know of to support 30T rear sprocket. It turned out to be OK and shifted perfectly on all gears. I have gotten rid of my SRAM shifter and will be sending the defective shifter for replacement under warranty. My Lemond bike can now be commissioned again...

Installed new downtube shifter.

With a Tiagra derailer...

Another look on the weather the night before the event didn't look promising. I decided to use my other Audax bike, with full fender and wider tires (of course, with a downtube shifter). It is little bit heavy but not an issue with the relax pace. The organizer later called my bike a "truck"!!! Not surprised at all when 99% of the riders were using a road racing bikes for brevet.

Left home early in the rain to the starting point. There were 19 on the entry list but only a handful started (probably just 7-8 riders), split 50-50 beginners/veterans. We all rode together until the first control point. However, we cannot really draft because of the rear wheel muddy water spray directly to the face. The group got separated very quickly on the ascent to Kazahari Toge. I arrived at PC2 around 11:25. I was expecting to have my lunch at this point but unfortunately "Tabayama Michi No Eki" doesn't have a restaurant.

My "truck"... 

Starting point under the cover of R246.

On the return leg from PC2, I joined a group of two seasoned brevet riders (Suzuki-san and Tashiro-san). They invited me later to a gourmet lunch along the River. T-san is a very strong brevet rider and showed me a different way of enjoying the event. What T-san do every event is to research a popular restaurants (yes, plural) along the route and enjoy the food. On this route he took us to Soba Taro (蕎麦太郎) along river. I ordered same food as T-san, which is the Wasabi Croquette (わさびコロッケ). We spend around 40 minutes on this restaurant. Around 10 km after the restaurant, T-san and S-san stopped again for another gourmet food stop. This time, I have excused myself as I'm still full. I realize that this is a good motivation to get stronger for the brevet ride. You can use the extra time to enjoy local stuff rather just endlessly pushing the pedals. I will meet both of them again at Shizuoka 600km brevet at the end of the month.

View from Kazahari Pass.

Soba Taro.

Wasabi Croquette

BRM512 Kazahari 200 km

Before the brevet, I did the usual preparation:

• Q-sheet printed and laminated (check)
• Clothes (check)
• Bike maintenance (check)
• Participant Agreement Form (check)
• Entry list (Opps... my name is not on the list!!!)

Hmm... my name wasn't on the BRM512 entry list. Kind of confused a little bit. A quick check on Sports Entry website confirmed that I actually registered for the BRM515 (Tue) not the BRM512 (Sat) event. The course and distance is the same. I thought I have registered on the Saturday event. Anyway, I sent an email to the organizer if I can still attend the BRM512 and they confirmed that I could, so got a late entry. I cannot move my BRM515 registration to Sat, so I'm both registered for the 200 km event. I though I can use the Tuesday event as a backup (and I actually will be using it... more on that later). The organizer updated their entry list on their website and now that I can put a [check] on the entry list, I have confirmed that I'm ready for the event.

Woke up around 4:30 and had a quick cereal breakfast. I made sure I pack my homemade energy bar and left home around 5:10. The starting point is around 10 km from home and arrived 5:40. The morning briefing has already started. I quickly registered and received my brevet card.

At meeting point before the 6:00AM start.

The bike I used for this brevet.

Feeling good...

The ride to the first checkpoint was uneventful and was confident on the route (due to previous week reconn ride). There were a bunch of riders so we made sure we ride in waves of 5-10 riders so not to interfere much with the traffic. After many traffic lights, reached the first checkpoint (46 km)  after 2:15 hours. Quickly got my receipt and off to the climb to Kazahari Pass. I felt good on the climb and found my rhythm.

Then around midway to the pass at 485m, while shifting down, I heard a load crack on the right shifter. I tried to shift down again but the lever is not pulling the cable. I think have broken the shift lever. I can shift up but not down and while trying to figure out what was wrong, I shifted all the way to the top gear. That was a mistake that cause me to DNF (Did Not Finish). Adjusting the rear mech limit stops could only bring me two gears down (15T) and there was no way I can climb Kazahari Pass with this gearing. I decided to turn back and call the organizer I DNF. I was not happy with broken shifter. I have been using this SRAM groupset for only just a year. Not sure if this is a manufacturing issue or something else.

While riding down, I was pondering replacing my shifter with the more traditional downtube shifters. They are bullet proof and simple mechanically and could last a long time. I can only worry about broken cables, which should be easy to repair on the road. I stopped by Y's Road at Tamasai and they didn't have the stock parts I wanted to buy. 

As I wanted to ride this bike for few more brevet this month, I'm going for quick modification as follow:

1. Replace the rear derailer with Tiagra.
2. Cut the shift cable on the handlebar and only use the SRAM brifter for braking.
3. Install a downtube front and rear shifter.

Now, I just need to find a shop that has the Tiagra derailer.

The cause of my DNF... broken shift lever (SRAM RIVAL)

Another view.

Got stuck with 15T...

BRM512 Reconnaissance Ride

This 200 km brevet was designed to start within the suburbs with easy access if you happen to live at 15 km radius of the starting line. I happen to live within the radius and know the river path very well. Unfortunately, this brevet doesn't allow riding on the Tamagawa cycling path and passes thru residential areas I'm not familiar with many twists and turns. The Q-sheet has around 115 rows and is very easy to get loss. I did this reconnaissance ride for me to get familiar with the residential roads until prefecture road R7, which is a route I know and start of the long climb to Kazahari pass, and then loop back to the tail end of the brevet route.

It was good I did this recon ride as I got loss a few times as well as know a leg of the route that has too many traffic lights and long waits. This will be a time killer unless I find alternate route :)

Looking forward next weekend for the real ride.

Golden Week

Part I: Ootaki Village (王滝村)

Ootaki village is located just south of Mt. Ontake, which is the second highest volcano in Japan situated northeast of Nagoya and just recently changed status to 'active volcano'. Ootaki is the place of the famous 100km Cross Mountain Bike race (Self-Discovery Adventure). I did the 100 km loop a couple times in the past few years and also joined 2011 100 km race. Last year race was cut to 75 km due to heavy rainfall. I finished 290 out of the 307 finishers despite a broken chain on the last 8 km and have to finish by foot (and pushing the bike)...

I kind of like this place with the little hamlet overlooking the lake and always try to visit at least once a year. I wanted to join the race this spring but unfortunately conflicted with the 600 km brevet schedule. I try to see if I can join the autumn race.

Did some fun ride along the valley...

Recently created lake due to an earthquake in Ootaki (王滝村）

Spring is just arriving in Ootaki.

Next stop was Narai-juku (奈良井宿). This stop along Nakasendo had the highest spot along the Kiso route going thru the Torii Pass (鳥居峠). I followed the old trail to the top of the pass with my cross bike and found the route to be narrow and steep. One can easily fall to the deep ravines if not careful. It sure came across as one of the difficult pass of Nakasendo.

Famous bridge in Narai NakaSendo (奈良井 中山道)

On the way to Torii Toge (鳥居峠)

Taken from Torii Toge famous Tea House

Torii Toge

Full blossoms at Narai Station (奈良井駅)

奈良井宿

Reliable Sturdy Work Horse.

Part II:
In spite of the rainy forecast from mid-week, I pushed thru the plan to cycle to Gunma for a couple of days during the golden week gap (aka, working days). This is a back to back endurance ride (long and slow ride) to help build my endurance for the upcoming long brevet. It also turned out to be a good training for riding in the rain... probably too much of it.

I like riding in the rain and getting wet, as long as it is not freezing. I was happy that the temperature forecast wasn't that cold. I bought along a rain pants in case I needed the warmth and I ended up not using it. I was happy with the rain wear I had (for three season riding in the rain).

The Good:

• Helmet rain cover
• Clear eye protector
• Rain Jacket with vents
• Base layer
• Water sports gloves
• Shimano cycling sandal

The Bad:

• Short front fender mud flaps
• Feeding while riding in the rain

With the default length of the SKS front mud flaps, there are still HUGE amount of craps hitting the bottom brackets, crankset and my feet. I brought a thin rubber and extended the mud flaps to almost near the ground. This sorted out the front fender. As for the rear...

On the way to Gunma... rain, rain and rain...

Mid-way to Gunma with a rain break.

Cycling feet after 10 hours of continuous rain.