09/12/09 KYOTO LOCO 2009

Arrived in Kyoto late afternoon, a bucket of rain already. At Uno House I saw a messenger alike dashing across the street. Damn, the qualifications must have been already started... Hailed a cab loading my bike bag. I had to build up my bike yet, did I!? Once I got to the Seibu-kodo, Izuru-san was setting out, double-taking each other howled brief "hi".

Once the inside, lots of hello and hug from mess folks like a lost friend. Then I found unexpected NYC hanging around. What are they doin' here?? Turned out, couldn't pass out this lifetime opportunity, all made the last minute decision took the flight to Japan. Good god!

Finally built up my bike for qualifiers but only to find it's canceled... I had consolation ¥200 beers from the organizers but bored made an impromptu decision all NYC would go to Sento then to ramen dinner.

My navigation to the Sento failed circled around for blocks. Dan G made fun of mi but, hey, the last time I's around was five years ago, memory fades you know? Once we got there sunddenly all folks became tense and quiet. Becky went "I didn't bring my bathing suit"?? No worries, once we'er in they got it, baptizing themsleves to the quintiessence of Japanese culture. Seriousely, if you don't go to Sento you are not even skimming of Japan.

We had fantastic ramen dinner at Isshin-doh I even had a dream about the evening like this since the last time. Now I'm in the thick of it!

All NYC's staying at Uno House?? No joke. Bikers filled the entire house. Since there's no longer main race, we decided sightseeing temples.

Did you know? Kyoto alone has seventeen World Heritage sites. We decided going to Kiyomizu-dera. I's going to ask manager the direction found a cure girl instead who volunteered us leading up there. Tsubasa-chan wasn't crusty messenger but an English major college student, not knowing about Kyoto Loco, happened to be riding bike from Osaka?? I was in brief culture shock about Uno House (see the video by Kym P.)

We were off to Kiyomizu-dera.

I couldn't venture around Kyoto at all last time, happy to be among the tourists.

Glad to see Dan G decided coming to Japan.

Tsubasa-chan was collecting seals from all Kyoto temples (only ¥300, notebook was ¥700). Rebecca's happy having her name in Kanji stroked on her notebook.

"The popular expression 'to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu' is the Japanese equivalent of the expression 'to take the plunge'. This refers to an Edo period tradition that held that, if one were to survive a 13m jump from the stage, one's wish would be granted. Two hundred thirty-four jumps were recorded in the Edo period and, of those, 85.4% survived. The practice is now prohibited." from Wiki.

Then we decided going to Nijo-jo.

Turned out Tsubasa-chan was third master level ("san-dan") of Kendo.

Nijo-jo was known to foreginer as "Ninja castle" from its squeeking floors designed to alarm intruders (actullay it sounded rather like bird chirplings).

Historically significant where "Taisei Hokan" declared that ended the Edo 'samurai' reign, returned to the Imperial rule in 1867 entering the modern period. The spectacular suite unfortunately forbids photographs.

There's Japanese penguin!

There will be Gozan Okuribi bonfire at the kanji character "dai" on the mountain.

Just checking if they were behaving alright. Digress a bit: one thing you should be prepared in Kyoto was the vicious 'striped-black' mosquitoes. They were so aggressive -- even in the daylight, if there was a single spot where the repeller wasn't coated thoroughly, would bite you. All of our calves were like an exotic fruit!

Now the Kyoto-Tokyo epic group ride is about to be commenced. Photo by Kym P.

This is our NYC+ group. Photo by Harumi-san.

Photo by Harumi-san.

Within a block we had a flat tyre...

Now we were finally off to Nagoya.

We stayed in group pretty tight until the climbing started. Chaz, Marco, Prentiss, Joshua Robot sprint out like feral out from the cage.

I rode it other way around last time: from East to Suzuka Mt. was steep then gradual long downhills to Kyoto. This time we had tight widing steep downhills. Glad I had a brake on, glad it's over.

Hydration stop around Yokkaichi city. We luck'd out having 90 degrees day.

At the outskirts of Nagoya, I was happy to find the goldfish wholeseller once I stopped-by last time (see the 09-15-05 entry).

These tiny goldfish was size of a coin but groomed like balls of mashmallow. Meanwhile Joshua Robot looked for a goldfish his turtle wouldn't devour...

While navigating in Nagoya downtown we merged with Machu-kun group. We arrived the south entrance of Atsuta Jinguu at quarter to three, covered about 100 miles just over five hrs.

Met Gishi-san from Daisy Messnger soon after. About an hour later Andy Zalan and his crew arrived then my cell started ringing off the hook. Becky were at Nagoya Station, others were lost completely somehwere outskirts of the city. Another one was from forest road somewhere still in Suzuka Mt!! Apparently some unfotunate folks trusted Lucas Brunelle GPS and his gut navigation ended up in the thick of forest but wanted me to pass-on his message they're alive and "OK" to the organizer who's been horrified of the news.

It became obvious that it'd take a while rounding up everyone. We're went Circles to regroup. We were dirty, tired and bit cranky. Defuse the situation like dis? Everyone to Sento! We competely occupied the tiny place. This time even the first timer had no time to be squeamish. Covered by sweat and dust everyone appreciated the bathhouse culture and loved it. Andy Zalan asked me if there was any community denomination about Sento. I replied "yeah, like a barbar shop." He got it right away.

Another note about Sento particulary for messenger: you might have been told "no tattoes" but as long as you wouldn't disturb other customer and behave polite you should be OK. Also wash yourself with soap beforehand going into bath. Don't be loud kids in pool like we were!

With Makoto-san from Circles. Lucas Brunelle still hadn't showed. I heard they arrived just before 11pm were out on the road over thirteen hrs. Sorry for Conti-san who's been volunteering the sweep ended up with Lucas confessed mi the following day "I pointed the right way but Lucas insisted other route..."

Then we'er at Tsurumai park waiting for supporting ban which had our luggage, and clean cloth! It became obvious that the group-ride participants were way too larger than the organizer planned for couch surfing. We had to fend ourselves...

09/15/09 NAGOYA --> OMAEZAKI

None of hotel staff in morning knew who was guest or not. Taking that opportunity we had good breakfast. The forecast today was rain. Many decided to taking train close to camp site in Omaezaki.

As soon as we set out from Nagoya, Lucas, Kai and Chaz went wild moves all around the traffic. Those innocent Japanese drivers never been encountered such barbarians. They were literally molesting Japanese drivers. Soon we found a cop waiving at us said he's having too many calls about us. He's more or so annoyed by the calls than giving us sermon. Another cop car was waiting for us in a few blocks. Same thing.

Traffic was terrible adding to the wet weather consuming our nerves, not covering mileage as we like. It's 2:30pm, we've been riding 4.5hrs but we haven't hit Toyohashi-city yet. Wet and cold, we have only another few more hours of daylight. I didn't like the idea riding in the heavy traffic in dark and wet condition. We took a vote at Udon place. Chaz wanted keep going but rest agreed to forgo meanwhile I saw Doug, Melissa, Yeti and Beckey kept riding up the Route 1...

We were at Toyohashi station in 3:30pm. Watada-san's iPhone helped us a lot.

Bike shouldn't be exposed, needed to bagged.

We had quite a party in the train. Conductor once stuck out his head to the cabine. When we got off the station the conductor informed me we were not welcome anymore...

We got the camp site around 8pm. Me and Watada-san rode to Onsen ("hot-spa") near-by. On the way we bumped into Doug's group. Hats off to them, they rode it through to Omaezaki!

5am, buzzing sounds woke me up just like every morning in NYC by glitzy helicopter commuters. It turned out 20 ~ 30 fisherman boats sailing out towards the dawn. Called up everyone to catch it.

Chaz, being from West Coast, never seen sunrise from the ocean.

Now he became a man.

On the other side of the bay, young souls were having a dip.

Impressed with Doug group, in additon to we didn't feel like ripping the traffic anymore, me and Pretiss merged with their group.

This picture shows what it's like riding traffic in Japan. But drivers here were far more trained and have passed stringent driving test. Plus if they hit someone, regardless whose fault, the license would be revoked. They were careful.

We were at Numazu city.

should have turned that white bridge...

Our detour met kids practicing for their school festival.

Following day, Makoto-san warmed me we could have been detained as bunch of perv.

Tokaidoh roads were often motif of Hokusai. Beautiful passage. We all loved it.

The problem with Shizuoka was Highway's right next to it plus all road signs were made for car traffic. Despite I rode here once (other way around), messed up the entrance ended up the highway that ran above the ocean for 15 miles. Sixteen wheelers were passing one after another. Beckey went "Is that Mt. Fuji, Izumi??" God damin it, focus Beckey!! Did you realize we're about getting squashed in any moment. Luckily we didn't get caught by highway patrol but it was hairy 30 minutes.

 

Entering to Numazu city there was Senbon-matsubara it means thousands of pine trees. Actually threre's over 300, 000 pine trees along the road. Same scenary for almost an hour killed us.

Arrived Izu Cycle Sports center.

See their faces all beaming?

because...

We were visiting Japan Keirin School. We were instructed to be quiet, not to disturb their training.

Juniors were also trained for official duties.

See the junior at the front coached on his posture and every moves.

These guys didn't come out evenly were chewed out loud by their coach.

This is 400m track. Compared to Kissena, Keirin velodrome has short steight with large curve therefore it's deceiving but actually the banks were steeper than it looks.

This school had 400, 333, and 250. We were allowed to see 250m track.

Keirin doesn't race 250. This is a training track for World. Only the 250m track exists in Japan.

These crew did awesome job day and night organzing the ride and camping. Thank you! Photo by Hiromi-san.

We were kind of folks feels home at the view of ocean.

Through the tunnel we're at Atami.

Shonan city was the domain of surfers, stupid housewives and spoiled kids. No thanks.

Prentiss made wild move because...

 

These were not seagals, they're surfers.

Arrived in Yokohama. Kym complained her "pockey". They were meticulously foil-packaged in six packs with four pieces in it. Each were an inch long. I think we nibbled a piece each. Tired and hungry we went Sento nearby. Young people no longer goes to Sento but I saw super hot lady came in there. Japan still had bright future. Conveniently there was a ramen joint right across the Sento. We had very nice gyoza, ramen and copious amount of beer. That ramen place had to re-open late at that night because messnegers kept coming. Photo by Kym P.

By the way if you are traveling Japan, best to get JR pass. Like EU's, pay for certain peirod (one week to three) allows you for unlimited ride on all JR transportations (train, bus, ferry, can even reserve a seat on Shinkansen.)

also you are happened to be traveling by bicycle use this very informative Japan Cycling Navigator site.

I had free time left by the end of the day so I took jet ferry crossing to Shikoku island.

then rode a tain aimlessly going to west.

... at random station.

Stayed in lodge out of nowhere.

had a shrine right next to it.

stayed in the lodge really out of nowhere.

Going back to Tokyo. Thanks to JR pass, I have no worry for the cost on this long distance excursion. Crossing the Seto-ohashi bridge to mainland.

 

The train I rode was a chractor train enticing travel in Shikoku island. When it arrived in Okayama, many camera kids waited for it taking snapshots.

Arrived Shibuya late night.

CMWC welcome party was in full swing.

Up to this point, my trip had been flawless. But I have to find a place to stay that night. Many offered me to sneak into their stay but my bike was still in transit, couldn't follow them to their hostels. In the end I walked 4 ~ 5 miles to the camp site in Wakasu from Shinkiba station!

Note to messengers. We could ride bike 100 miles days on but 'walking' was definitely not our forté, especially with a heavy bag on your back. My foot and ankle were in pain, soared like a grapefruit.

Tokyo is huge -- each borough was the size of Manhattan with its density. There were twenty three of them.

The building with the gold foam on top is the HQ for ASAHI BEER.

I liked Asakusa/ Ueno area. Compared to loud and glitzy Shinjuku/ Shibuya, it still had old downtown courners with lots of shine and temples all around.

I stayed in Khaosan Original. Unlike their Annex it's small, quite and cozy. Bad news -- I caught pretty bad cold. Damn'it!

09/22 & 23 CMWC TOKYO 2009

My memory is hazy due to the cold with soared foot. I didn't fare it welll, didn't stay out too much either. Bummer. Tthe event place was huge with security guards on every courners. Impressive number of volunteers who were all articurate and attentive. TKBMA did it right.

Miniture size of Izuru-san and his papa.

Checked out Keirin Scheude only the Omiya had race events proceeding so there we were.

After all it's a gambling, ladies greeted us.

Keirin Schedule of the day with each racers' profile. See the translation how to read it...

The translation: How to read the racers' profile.

Do you know how to fill it? See the Keirin Rosettastone from Tomity-san.

Once we were inside, a kind security 'oji-chan' taught us how to fill the betting form.

Also the security 'oji-chan' warmed us about petty thiefs. Keep the belongings tight.

Sorry for the crappy snapshots because Keirin forbids camera or video once you are inside.

Portraits of Keirin racers from Saitama prefecture.

Post-race video result gawkers. We equally enjoyed in the shuttle (free) to train station had a peculiar compartment of society -- lost their money on gambling oldmen and women. Some're grumbling, some gazed straight onto void with deep furrow.

But our gambling spree still continued, went pachinko! This oji-chan just hit a jackpot, told me the balls of tray was about ¥3,000.

tniy downtown shine in Asakusa.

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace.

Tokyo Station

Then we went to watch Sumo at Kokugikan.

These banners were sponsors. Of cause there was no Nike or Coke.

There are six tournaments in a year fifteen days each. Kokugikan is the Rose Bowl Garden of Sumo.

Souvenir bags for VIP box seats.

You get the match schedule of the day

And "Uchiwa". There was commentator near the entrance with retired wrestler. He graciously autographed my uchiwa.

Takamisakari vs Homasho

Wrestlers faces three-times -- the preparation period before a bout, during which the wrestlers stare each other down, crouch repeatedly, perform the ritual salt-throwing, and other tactics to try and gain a psychological advantage. Sometime the tension of wrestlers matches starting a bout even before the final third facing-off.

Kotooshu vs Asashoryu

These banners were sponsors for this particular match. I believe each sponsors ¥100,000. The winner of the match takes all to his gym as swag then the wrestler gets commission out from it.

The bow-twirling ceremony performed by a designated wrestler at the end of day.

There were stunning ladies in kimono. Back in the day, dashing men didn't bring wives, only mistresses - should not bring their mundane lives in such classy place. I believe it was also common in the world at such place or gambling places.

Entertainment didn't end still. I explained to Jumbo the smoke might be repeller... Wrong! It was indeed fire!!

We are at Keiokaku.

On December 30th, there will be Grand Prix to decide who's the most winning earning of the year. This is the Rose Bowl Garden of Keirin velodrome.

I was still recuperating from cold but brought tubular wheels just for this, didn't I. Got to give all I got today.

Luckily I made it to finals. Unlike the qualifiers, finals wore official Keirin colored outfits! See the Taku-san behind us taking a shot of ground??

Some random dude brought his press for souvenir shot.

I made a plan with Matsudo-san., offered myself to sacrifice for him. But he followed Andy White prematurely lining up next to derny. In the end, I finished after Alex, Jumbo and Brooke.

TKBMA did immaculate job once again. At least 30 volunteers there just for the day. Everyone were attentive knew their assignment exactly what to do.

The last day in Japan, roamed around in Akihabara.

But what I was doing here in the zoo of people..., my JR pass expires today so I made the most of it... it's already late in afternoon but hopped onShinkansen to...

... Atami. Click here for background music.

Atami station was at the top of mountain but there were many things to entertain the long walk down to the beach.

The kidneys alike thing were gill cheek muscle of dry tuna. A delicacy.

Atami is THE resort place famous in Japan. Many films, literatures were staged. In the summer it becomes zoo with loud karaoke bars.But once vacation season is over it turns back to charming place.

Walk down along with Itogawa river...

Tide ran into the river with intimate sound.

then to beach.

There was unbelievable couple right out from Ozu film.

guests were sparse, I was able to hop-in great Onsen looking over the ocean.

Right next to it was tiny bistro only four seats at counter.

Served me the best seasonal stuff he had. This was conch sashimi.

Move over yanks and vegans. They were fresh sea urchin and grilled conch in shell. Delicacies.

Master and madam recommended me super fresh salmon roe.

Turned out one of their regular was a head of Sumo gym, had every tournaments' ranking sheet since 1973!

Master goes "Isn't Atami, great? Rivers, verdant mountains and ocean..."

If you are visiting Japan should visit Atami (avoid it in summer), the must is this place: Atami-ya tel: 0557-81-2272.

NYC were inseparable, boarding on the same flight, couldn't even get started without a beer...