Saturday 15th May, 2021
82.9km (total ascent 1,337m)
Perfect weather (slightly overcast but warm) for a ride around Okutama. Drove out to Itsukaichi and then set off up the Hinohara Kaido. Made it up to the Hinohara Tomin No Mori rest stop within 2 hours (personal best!). Then fantastic downhill ride to rest area on the side of Okutama lake. Quick lunch and then complete the journey back to Itsukaichi. The day was rounded off with a drive under cloudless skies back home!
Sunday May 1st, 2021
96.5km (total ascent 1,179m)
Regular route from home to Takao, around Sagamiko and then back through Sagamihara, Machida and home. Lovely weather… home just before the rain! Finally starting to get back to the condition I was in at the end of Summer 2020!!
Sunday 25th April, 2021
62.9km (total ascent 1,231m)
Drive to Isehara. Cycle to the dam and then onto Sagamiko. Then down through Atsugi and back to Isehara. Great to be back in the car with the bike on the back!
Sunday 11th April, 2021
96.5km (total ascent 1,203m)
First long ride of the 2021. Set off from home at 6am and cycle through Kawasaki towards Mnt. Takao and then on to Sagamiko. After a quick break, cycle back through Kawasaki and Machida to get back home by 1:30pm (last 30km were slower due to constant cramping!)
Sunday 6th December, 2020
110km (total ascent 1,543m)
Leave home (Komae) and cycle through Machida to Takao. Cycle over Takao and around the outskirts of Sagamiko lake. Then head under the Chuo-highway to ascend Mnt Jimba. Absolutely wrecked by the time I got to the top!! After a rest, a very cold ride back down and then through Hachioji, back to the Tama river and back home (for a warm bath)
Monday 2nd November, 2020
94.6km (total ascent 1,169m)
Training ride over Takao and through the hills around Sagamiko. First ride since my back injury – a little out of shape but finished quite easily.
Monday 21st September, 2020
96.9km (total ascent 1,167m)
First ride of the Autumn (2020). Set off from home at 6am and cycle through Kawasaki towards Mnt. Takao and then on to Sagamiko. After a quick break, cycle back through Kawasaki and Machida to get back home by midday. Quite a bit cooler than the recent rides which, although it was overcast, was quite a relief!
Saturday 5th September, 2020
88.1km (total ascent 1,375m)
Drive to Itsukaichi and then set off up the Hinohara Kaido. Turn off onto route 33, towards Yuzurihara, following the Uenohara Tabayama Road towards Uenohara. After several climbs, turn right onto Ome Kaido and head back to Okutama lake, for a lunch break. Then continue along the Ome Kaido, turning right just after Mitake, to head back towards Hinode and Itsukaichi along the Yoshino Kaido.
Wednesday 26th August, 2020
95.7km (total ascent 1,479m)
Starting at the Hakuba Marriott Hotel, cycle down the valley and turn onto route 406 towards Nagano city. Climb up over the mountain ridge and then down into the Sanobana River valley. Follow the valley for about 20km to the outskirts of Nagano City and then turn onto the Ogawa Nagano road. Head up the mountain and stop for a break at the Nagano City Outdoor Youth Centre (with a spectacular view over the hills). Continue along the Ogawa Nagano road until route 10 back towards Matsumoto and Hakuba. Follow the Sai river until turning onto the Hakuba Miasa road, following the Dojiri river back to Hakuba.
Monday August 24th, 2020
96.7km (total ascent 2,196m)
Starting at the Yatsugatake Natural Country Park, ride around the foothills of Yatsugatake and then an 19km slog, ascending just over 1,000m over the peak along the Marchen rode. Absolutely beautiful landscape and the views from the top were breath taking. After a rest, headed down the mountain to Saku. Then ride along the hills (lots of short ups and downs) towards Kobuchizawa and then returned (in light rain) to the country park.
