Category: RoadBikeRides

Saturday 15th August

105.2 km (total elevation 888m)

Another ride with fellow members (different team) of KIWL. Same route as on July 24th… but on a MUCH hotter day! So back up the Tama River Cycling road from Yanoguchi, up to Hachioji and then over Mnt Takao. Around Sagamiko and then up to the Shiroyama Dam which was absolutely exhausting! Back to Hachioji in order to return via the Tama River Cycling road, which due to lack of shade was equally as exhausting. An endurance event if ever there was one!

Sunday August 2nd

102.4km (total elevation 1,532m)

Starting at Ome station, head up into the mountains towards Chichibu. The ride down to Chichibu was superb – excellent road surface and wide roads so I could descend with little or no brakes. After a quick break, set off again into the mountains for Higashi Chichibu. The route lead me to a closed road which appeared to be OK for bikes but not cars. But half way through the metalled road turned into gravel and then eventually deep crevices so I finished that path carrying the bike! Lunch at a local convenience store chatting to the very friendly (elderly) owner. Finally, as the temperature increased, I cycled through the valleys to Hidaka and then back to Ome.

Friday 24th July

106.3km (total elevation 896m)

Ride with fellow members of KIWL. Started on the Tama River Cycling Road near Komae and then headed up to Hachioji. After a quick break, cycled over Mount Takao and then down into Sagamiko. Stopped at the Zebra Cafe at Tsukui Lake and then headed back to Hachioji in order to return via the Tama River Cycling road. Finished with a lovely beverage at Cross Coffee which is another superb venue for cyclists.

Sunday July 12th

83.2km (total elevation 1,307m)

Drive to Itsukaichi station and set off by 8am. Long ascent to Furosato Mountain Village and then – after a short break – on to Oku-Tama lake. Quick bite of lunch and then down towards Ome. One last hill before getting back to Itsukaichi.

Sunday July 5th

102.9km (total elevation 1,235m)

Early drive in the sun from home to Futtsu Cape, on the Chiba Peninsula. Then set off into the mountains and over to Kamogawa. At about almost exactly half way, the heavens opened (at first just a few spots of rain but that turned into a torrential downpour!) It rained for the whole of the second half of the ride but nonetheless, the coast road back to the Cape was spectacular.

Monday June 29th

96.9km (total elevation 1,151m)

First long ride for a month. Early morning ride to Sagamiko (same route as ridden in May) but this time on the new Specialized road bike. Paying more attention to riding technique (taking the advice of the Sports Physio). In particular trying to pedal “forwards” rather than “down”. Huge difference on hill climbs but using very different muscle sets so after the first Sagamiko climb my legs were more tired than normal! Anyway, knocked off about 10 minutes from the previous ride but can do better.

Sunday May 31st

111.2km (total elevation 1,458m)

Set off from home and head towards Mnt Takao and then onto Sagami lake. Quick ride through the town and then under the Chuo Highway to ride up Mnt Jimba. According to my riding partner, we rode up the “easy side”… didn’t feel like it! But glad to make it to the top. Then an almost clear run down back through Hachioji and home via the Tama river.

Sunday May 24th

109.7km (total elevation 1,122m)

Early morning drive to Chigasaki beach on the Shonan coast. Cycle down the coast road to Kamamura. Up through the town towards Fujisawa. Cycle through the quiet residential roads and up the hills over to Odawara. Quite snack break and then up into the hills, as far as I could go on my selected route until I could go no further due to a road closure. Back down to Odawara and return to the coast road for a straight ride back to Chigasaki.

Sunday 10th May

97.5km (total elevation 1,229m)

Early morning ride, setting off from home (Komae) riding through Kawasaki towards Mnt Takao (or at least the mountain next to Takao). Spectacular view of Sagami town from the peak of the mountain. Then on to Sagami Lake and and follow Sagami river back through Sagamihara. Finally back through Kawasaki to home.

Tuesday 5th May

99.9km (total elevation 1,274m)

Drive to Itsukaichi (v. early morning so all the roads clear – roof open!)
Head up into the mountains towards Hinode and then towards Ome.
Cycled up a (very steep) delightful woodland lane and over to Hanno. Over the mountain peak and down into Saitama. Up to Hatoyama (halfway point) and then head back down through the valleys to Hamura and back up to Itsukaichi.