WORKLOAD 3.22

Disregard yesterdays post.

WORKLOAD 3.21

Bare with me, things are gonna be a little slow for awhile. I did get out for an hour and a half with Tbone last night. Otherwise, the DJ has seen the most of my odd hours. I'll resist letting this site degenerate into a home improvement episode. It still says Riding n stuff somewhere up there, so check back in a few weeks.

LOTW?

Wish this guy luck as he heads to Missouri.

GRITTY

Just reminiscing.

Today I became a true American and flung myself into substantial debt; or capitalism to be optimistic.

photo:madcross

TIME TO RIDE

AM: Fenders, HID, road crust.
PM: Headwind, Uphill, China Bowl
Konbanwa: DJ dock session, oldschool!

TWITCH 46t

You know how it is. First warm days of the year and your legs just want to go. I ditched the winter gear for 4 more teeth and found a new sensation of speed. My miles for this year have been nil. Unless you consider BMX laps and a couple MTB snow rides as mileage. And before yesterday it was 3 full weeks since I've even touched a bike. Today was short but it felt good. Gotta enjoy it, by the weekend my time will be saturated with painting, flooring and fixing God knows what else I'll find. I don't close until Wednesday but I've already got tenants interested. Racing wasn't in the cards this year but T may have talked me into hitting 8, maybe 9. "Training" will be spotty at best. According to this guy, all he did last year was drink beer and race CR. That might be my plan. Could less be more?

BACK TO, REALITY?

Or not. After a 38 hour long Saturday mixed up with daylight savings, I ended up sleeping off some jetlag this morning. For the first time in 5 years I missed the Redline Cup weekend. I was working on Tbone time today as he dragged me out for 50+ miles in the afternoon. A sign of things to come? Reality is, I've got a pretty full plate ahead of myself this year and racing may have to become a side dish for awhile. I'm OK. Are you OK? Just enjoy the weather. Carlos- You're in>>>.

HOME

Yesterday, I finally returned home. It was a long but phenomenal trip. I want to thank Hayes Bicycle Group, Asahi Spoke and Ron McAdams for granting me the opportunity to visit the great country of Japan. I've learned many things and made some great friends along the way. It was a very valuable experience that I will always treasure.

KEIRIN!

This was the icing on the cake. One of the objectives I'd hoped to accomplish on this trip. Thank you to Agata-san(above) and Kaji-san of Asahi for the trip to the Kishiwada Keirin today. The races are short(600m) and are only every half hour or so, but it was exciting and something I'm very happy I got the chance to experience.

I'LL WALK THE STREETS OF JAPAN...

..until I get lost...

KISHIWADA "DOC RIDE"

Saturday was near 70 with many cyclists out, and for the first time in 2 weeks I sort of missed my bike, just a little bit.

TOURING

During the week, the folks at Asahi do a pretty good job keeping me busy. So this weekend I took full advantage of taking in some sight seeing.

Sunday I was honored to have Yamamoto-san of Asahi take me to Nara to visit the Todai-Ji Temple.

Inside is housed a massive bronze statue of Buddha.

This Temple provides a beautiful view overlooking Nara City.

Afterwards, we had lunch at the very prominent Nara Hotel before visiting Isuien Garden.

It was a very relaxing and special experience.

On Saturday my lovely guide, Akiko, had arranged for us to tour Osaka Castle.

A guards tower over looking the moat that surrounds the castle grounds

The main gate

Me in front of the 8 story-high castle

The views from the top were spectacular

NHK TV Building

KUBO-sans LITTLE CAR

Suzuki Twin. Very small but practical in Japan. Right-hand drive of course. He let me take it around the parking lot! Yellow tags = low tax vehicle.

WESTERN INFLUENCE?

Alive and well.

Local Radio: FM 802. Good mix of American & Japanese pop.