Go Away Rain!

It's raining again! I guess we need rain to make the plants grow, but I wish it would just rain at night time so we can go about our day tasks as usual. Plus it's nice to listen to the rain while in bed.

Here are some weather words and their meanings:

http://bit.ly/avCt6T

Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

If you want to combine cycling with a trip to NZ this November, how about taking part in the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge - New Zealand’s premier cycling event – with a total of 12 different cycling events based around NZ's largest lake. Last year, over 11,000 people took part.

There is an event for every level of rider – a challenging but achievable 160 kilometre ride for individual riders or teams of two, three or four can participate in the team event, which is an achievable goal for new or less experienced riders. Plus there is the Extreme Enduro - eight times around the lake, covering 1280km!!!

You can enter for any of the different events online at http://www.cyclechallenge.com/ or see this 日本語　site http://www.realnewzealand.net/events_races/road/road_report_001_2010tour.html

Friday Flix

Okay, it's Saturday, but here's a movie you might like to watch over the weekend. Let us know what you think of it, or recommend a good movie you've seen recently.


'It Happened One Night'

Released in 1934, this romantic comedy stars Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert and won many Academy Awards. The story sees Ellie run away from her over-protective rich father who is trying to stop her marrying he doesn't think is suitable for her. While on the run from Miami to New York, she meets Peter who has just been fired from his newspaper company. Peter decides to help Ellie in return for writing a story about her time escaping from her father. Troubles along the way see them lose their belongings and money, along with meeting some interesting characters along the way.

Do they make it to New York? Does Ellie marry the man she wants to marry? Look for the movie in the video store and watch to find out.






Or look here - http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XODcxNjUwMjg.html

150km Swim???

Today I joined two others to ride around Lake Biwa. The weather forecast said 'maybe rain, maybe clear up' so we decided to go anyway. As we drove along the expressway, the rain got heavier -aargh.

When we got to Nagahama (http://bit.ly/bh60p0) it wasn't really raining, so we set up and headed off. The road was still wet, but not so bad. However, as we rode further, the rain started to get heavier and our clothes and shoes got soggier.

Most of the way around the lake there are cycling lanes, so on a day like today it was lucky to be off the busy road.

Unfortunately as we were so wet and the cloud was quite low most of the time, we didn't take any photos along the way, so you will have to imagine as you read this. Just think of sitting on a bicycle in the shower for eight hours and having your legs, arms, face and clothes covered in sand and dirt.

Overall, it was great trip, but here are a couple of memorable parts:

The Tsurube's Kazoku ni Kampai-style greeting with an old man and lady in a small village and asking for directions.

The policeman in the Koban who advised us not to follow the shoreline past Omihachiman Kyuka-mura as it was too narrow. So we went on the cycle lane next to the main road which ended up being overgrown with flowers.

Have a look at the map: http://bit.ly/96XzE3

Riding to the Sky, Camping at the Springs Part 2

After breakfast on Sunday, we went for a short walk to the sulfuric foot baths near Hirayu Waterfall. It was very nice to soak the feet while admiring the stunning mountains in all directions.

A short walk up the hill through the trees took us to the spectacular waterfall.

The falls are about 60meters high and apparently were found by soldiers long ago, guided by a white monkey.

If you are in the area, make sure to visit the park http://www.mjnet.ne.jp/hirayu-ootaki/

On the return home, we first stopped at the Nagawado Dam on the Azusa River.

The dam is 155 meters high and combines with two other dams along the river to supply electricity to Tokyo Electric Power Company. Next to the dam, you can visit Azusa Tepco-kan for an insight in the how the dam works, was made and lots of other hands-on displays. http://www.tepco-pr.co.jp/azusa/

After having some great soba noodles at a nice place along Route 26, we stopped in at Naraijuku, an old post town on the Nakasendo route once used to walk from Edo (now Tokyo) to Kyoto (still Kyoto). The old houses give off a flavor of centuries past, and sell a variety of local-made and traditional items.

Riding to the Sky, Camping at the Springs Part 1

At the weekend, we went camping with some friends at Hirayu Onsen near Takayama. What a beautiful location in amongst the trees and high mountains, in particular Norikura. While the others kept busy around the camping area (visiting the nearby waterfall and foot bath), two of us set off up Norikura Skyline.

We started riding from the camping ground which was pretty tough in the strong sun as the first 4.5km to the Skyline gate were pretty steep.

Once we reached Hirayu Pass, we started up the Skyline after getting a warning from the gatekeeper to look out for bears. Luckily we didn't meet any, but I would like to see a real bear sometime.

As we climbed higher, snow from the winter still remained on the side of the road, although with the recent sunny weather it probably won't last much longer.

We finally made it to Tatamidaira - the top of the highest road in Japan at some 2,700meters. It was a tough climb up, but the keeping our goal to reach the top in mind helped us complete the challenge.

At the top, the snow wall was at least 5 meters high. Many others had come up by bus to go skiing or boarding.

I hope the people who came up after us saw the MEC sign.

The ride down was a lot quicker, but the first section we were in the clouds so it was rather cold - the total opposite extreme from the ride up. Once out of the cloud, we soon warmed up again as we raced down at about 65km/hour. We could easily go faster, but I don't trust my brakes and the other side of the guard strings (not rails) is a good 200m straight drop at many points.

Back at the camp site, we were right on time for the BBQ followed by a campfire.

Go the Miso Ramen!

Last week's poll saw Miso Ramen win out against rival Shio. But I wonder which is better in hot, sticky summer?