Cycling

When one trip ends…

Posted on by helenhmk

On the last day of a holiday you always have your mind on the time… from when you get up to packing the suitcase for a final time (aka – I’m sure I fit one more item in of if I try hard enough..), checking out, to calculating the time you need to be back at your hotel to get your bags (no… do I really have to move them again) to travel to the airport. Today was that day.

We enjoyed our last cycle to Toyasu to catch up with a friend for lunch – sushi at the new fish market. The weather was perfect… a great day to be on the bike… and the sushi was fabulous- better than what we get in ADL and fitting last meal in Tokyo.

… now we just need to plan the next one 😉

The unplanned is a delight..

Posted on by helenhmk

While half the fun of a holiday might be the planning, there are those times when everything just works out. Today’s ride was one of those.

The ride was a 25+km loop ride planned by Kym while on the train as we went to Hirai Station from Suidobashi. Before we started we bought a snack of a small cake from the shop in the station, un-covered the bikes and then set out on the route. As you can see by the map below, it took us along the Arakawa River, more recent housing development on the opposite side of the river (not as interesting as the old suburbs as there are less laneways, shops etc)… the Kansai-Rikai Park ( good views of Mt Fuji when there is no cloud), and back along and across the river (not forgetting to use the elevator to access the bridge) to the train station.

Here are the pictures taken along the route..

…. And we ended perfectly to time the sunset for the view- could not have planned it if we tried.

Great day of cycling..!

Riding continued…

Posted on by helenhmk

On Saturday the riding continued with our friends after the Brompton in Palace event. We went to a place which did handmade udon noodles. Ah the taste was fantastic….

We then continued down the Tama river (same route we did on Tuesday)… which is a high embankment which enables you to see great views along the river (flood plain) and into the distance. Along the way we stopped for some coffee and doughnuts.

The little shop was in between a bunch of residential houses (planning laws in SA would never allow it – but it’s 🥰). It certainly was a good way to warm up.

We did around another 10km, said goodbye to our friends who went home… and continued for another 10km or so until they left us at Futako – Tamagawa station… and we continued onto the airport.

It was interesting to see a local ignore the signs we spent time attempting to translate… thankfully we managed to walk down the embankment despite the lack path or steps.

The path to the airport was similar after the train station… however it’s a little like there path is done by one council on one side and a different on the other. In some places it was just crushed rock… and maybe the dirt bike would have been better for that couple of KM’s.

As we were cycling along we passed usual Saturday activities such as baseball, soccer, and golf practice. Baseball seemed more popular… while you can’t see it from the photos there were a lot of dog walkers, and kids on bikes.

The final destination was the airport as we had an early flight the next day.. we ended the ride having done 46km. while long it certainly was very satisfying!

Saturday Cycling

Posted on by helenhmk

Bromptoneers of Tokyo come together every two months – and we were lucky to be able to attend this month’s event. It is called Brompton in Palace.

The event was number 69… and surprising 69 riders turned up! It’s always great to see other people’s bikes… and what fancy gear they have (including the bikes!). Additionally, at the event there was also a talk on bike maintenance. All things such as pumping tyres, how to clean your chain.

Afterwords there is always the photo of al bikes and riders which turned up for the event.

Here are the photos

It’s always a great event to attend – and it was good to see familiar faces we had not seen in 4 years.

Huge congratulations to Mayumi who organises the event every couple of months – as we know how much work goes into putting it all together. 🙌👏. You can read more about the event here.

If anyone with a Brompton is ever in Adelaide please look up Adelaide Bromptoneers on Facebook… as we also organise a catchup every two months on a Sunday which involves a 20km ride and a stop at a local brewery/coffee shop. 🚲

We ride rain, hail and shine!

Posted on by kymdt

Excellent day riding – it started with rain, had great sunshine and finished with hail. But, when your on your bike you got to keep riding to get to your destination.

I apologise for the lack of hail pictures, you don’t really think of taking photos!

In the suburb of Hitari I enjoyed conversing with local high school students at the local market. I was surveyed about the average age of persimmon farmers in the area (67.3) and received a free persimmon sandwich as a gift. It was delightful.

Our riding companions from across Tokyo are tough and well spirited. We very much enjoy their company.

Below is a photo dump some are mine but probably most are Helen’s.

Morning ride

Posted on by helenhmk

So the holiday continues with another early morning loop ride – which includes a stop for breakfast.

Today Kym’s planning took us in a different direction. Once we got through the Tokyo Dome early morning rush near Suidobashi… we headed through the back streets.

We cycled through a university…

.. and then there were some small hills involved and steps. But thankfully where there are steps you can usually find a place to wheel your bike down them safely.

Afterwards we walked our bikes through the Nedujinja Shrine (hopefully that’s the right one)… and back again through the back streets to Cibi the sister coffee shop to the Melbourne Cibi… and as you can imagine the food was just perfect for the mornings effort.

… and here’s the food. You too can enjoy their food by visiting Cibi in Melbourne.. and they also have a book with recipes too!

Afterwards we continued through the back streets (great way to avoid traffic) through a cemetery… Ueno park and back along the train lines to the hotel. Great ride – thanks for the planning Kym

First loop

Posted on by helenhmk

Ah… after unpacking the bikes, pumping up the tyres we headed out for a quick morning ride with a stop at our favourite coffee spot in Tokyo – Glitch.

As you can see by the map, the route took us past the imperial palace- which on a Sunday had us competing against joggers.

The views are great… such an enjoyable ride.

… we left the imperial palace route and went inwards towards a path under the expressway way and back to the coffee shop.

The weather is unseasonably warm… thankfully it only lasts until Tuesday or we would have to do some clothes shopping!

Finding the right line…

Posted on by helenhmk

Cycling on gravel roads for me on this trip has been all about finding the right line. I do not like corrugations… I suppose if I had a bike where the seat was responsive to the conditions – maybe I might find it more enjoyable.

The above photo has some good options… I say go on the right. I know it’s wrong but…

…. And they call this a re-done road. This infact is the most unpleasant surface. Sigh. Okay I know I shouldn’t complain- but trust me I said worse while cycling it.

Oh… I have one more request- if you are a driver out on one of these types of roads and you see a cyclist – please slow down. Nothing worse than giving your fellow road user a cloud of dust. lastly if anyone knows the people who own a trailer with “Tilly turtle” as it’s name – these guys get the gold star award. They stopped about 500 meters in front and waited until we past before driving again. That’s gold standard!

Heaven…

Posted on by helenhmk

I will acknowledge cycling on a road surface feels like heaven after days on dirt roads.

…especially when you have a tail wind.

We took the Marion Bay Road – out of Marion Bay – and surprisingly they call it a scenic drive. Given you don’t see much apart from farmland… I guess it’s different to the usual views of the ocean.

But finally we did make it to the lighthouse.

… and for that view alone I think the scenic view was definitely worth it.