Velodramatic!

Mount Fuji through the handlebars

I’d love to say I’ve done something exciting on my bicycle, but I mainly thought of a snappy word that should go down in posterity as a snappy blog title.

I’ve been cycling, but not nearly as much as I would like to have done, but then again, perhaps too much.

We have had a really cold snap the past week or so, and getting out and about on a bike while riding into the icy winds is not the greatest fun.

But I have been rewarded finely for some of the efforts, with delightful skies and some wonderful photo opportunities.

And I have managed to stay safe so far.

Cop A Gander At These Rippers Too...

  • Sweltering!

    It’s boiling hot and the heat and humidity are energy sapping, but I still love summer in Tokyo. The heat means I can eat to my heart’s content and won’t gain too much weight, especially if I can continue cycling. I’m still able to ride at least twice a day on weekdays even though we’re in our busy period, though that seems almost certain to end when we lose yet another member of staff next week and no replacement in sight. We are paying the price for having a toxic boss, and trying to deal with it has me encapsulated in fear. To counter this, I’m trying to be aware…

  • More Climbing

    Continuing on from yesterday, today was another day of climbing through the mountains on the beautiful Belladonna (a Cervelo R5 road bike). Kangaeroo is too exhausted from the energy-sapping ride and a rush to get out to go into much detail. But he is eternally grateful to cycling for giving these opportunities that have been unimaginable for most of his life, and to his wife for allowing him to pursue these dreams. And, of course, to his bikes for carrying him there, and the cycling mates who help and encourage him.

  • Mirror, Mirror On The Paddy, Tell Me Now, ‘Who’s Your Daddy?’

    Tempted by the rice paddies, which now look like mirrors as they are filled with water and the stems planted, I rode through western Tokyo along the Tama and Aki rivers into Itsukaichi to climb and take beautiful photos. It’s been a while since I have ridden in the mountains, but the stars aligned today and I decided I’d try to see whether I could still do it. I’m about 30 kilograms heavier than the last time I rode higher than 400 meters in elevation, which I reckon was about four years ago. And now I’ve just remembered that I rode a climb earlier this year, so I am lying….

  • いよいよ日豪対決！Bragging Rights at Stake as Samurai Blue Tackle Socceroos in World Cup Qualifier

    Fierce but friendly rivals Japan and Australia meet in an Asian Football Confederation Round Four World Cup qualifying match at Saitama Stadium 2002 near Tokyo on June 4. アジアサッカー連盟（AFC)ライバル国日本とオーストラリアがサッカー2014年ワールドカップ最終予選を今夜、6月4日、埼玉スタジアム2002で行なう。 Japan, currently top of Group B, need only to take a point from this match to qualify for Brazil 2014. 現在Bグループ首位である日本代表が引き分けでも来年ブラジルで行なうワールドカップ出場が決定となる。 Australia, in third place a point behind Jordan but with a game in hand, will be looking to take home at least one point, but will have its hands full against a team that has realistic hopes of reaching the latter rounds in South America next year. 一方、2位ヨルダンの1点差でありながら試合数が一つ少ないオーストラリア代表は、恐らく引き分けを狙うが日本代表に対してなかなか強さを見せることができないだろう。 Also at stake in this match will be bragging rights between two…