Took a trip down to Y's Classic in Okachimachi to pick up some new handlebar ends for the bike. I bought some ends the other day, but they hurt my hands, so I decided to drop 6000 for a new bar ends/handlebar grips set. At the same time, I decided to trust myself and buy some fenders as well. A rather impatient clerk at Y's once told me that it was impossible to add fenders to my bike because it has fat tires. I knew he wasn't really thinking about it and just wanted to get rid of me, but the fenders cost 4000 and if they didn't work, I was screwed. But, of course, he was wrong, and the fenders did fit, though with only a small margin. I have to keep my eyes on them, because if a piece of the fender starts to rub against the tire, I could be in big trouble.
~24 km
Pretty good, didn't bottom out. I ate a couple of onigiri and a corn dog ("American dog"), and that kept me going. I was able to keep up a 24km/hr pace when I had room, but had to stop a lot because of the many intersections.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Time to get serious
Well, it's been a while, but I plan to start updating this frequently now that summer is beginning. I hope to lose at least 20 kilos by the end of the summer.
Today I decided to take it easy--I've been eating and drinking too much crap since I came here, and I'm really out of shape. I'm changing the diet, too, but that's not my focus here.
I went for an hour and ten minutes there and back along part of the Arakawa.
21.24 km
Average speed:19.5km/hr.
I checked my new bike computer using the kilometer signs along the bikepath, and it seems to be roughly correct. Plus, bikely/google maps also agree.
I stretched after 45 minutes (always forget to do it beforehand) and it made an obvious difference. I was doing 24km/hr outbound, with the wind, then 20km/hr on the way back against the wind. After I stretched thighs, calves, and ankles, I got back on and managed about 24km/hr against the wind.
The map shows half the trip: the return trip followed roughly the same path.
Today I decided to take it easy--I've been eating and drinking too much crap since I came here, and I'm really out of shape. I'm changing the diet, too, but that's not my focus here.
I went for an hour and ten minutes there and back along part of the Arakawa.
21.24 km
Average speed:19.5km/hr.
I checked my new bike computer using the kilometer signs along the bikepath, and it seems to be roughly correct. Plus, bikely/google maps also agree.
I stretched after 45 minutes (always forget to do it beforehand) and it made an obvious difference. I was doing 24km/hr outbound, with the wind, then 20km/hr on the way back against the wind. After I stretched thighs, calves, and ankles, I got back on and managed about 24km/hr against the wind.
The map shows half the trip: the return trip followed roughly the same path.
Monday, July 17, 2006
From Tokyo
I've been in Tokyo for almost three weeks now. I bought a "mamachari"—a single-speed used for local trips to the market, the train station, etc.—last week, and I've done some riding. The bikes are fun and comfortable, but long rides will tear your knees to pieces. Knowing that, I'm going to take it easy until I can get a proper travelling bike (I should be saving for one now, but it is difficult at the moment).
I have gone on a couple of rides, though, first one along the Arakawa river and back, then to Akihabara, over to Itabashi in the northwest, and back along the Arakawa. Riding in Tokyo isn't too bad, but in the more popular areas of town—Ueno and Akihabara being examples—the sidewalks are clogged with pedestrians and the streets are full of cars, so it can be a bit daunting. It was still manageable, though I'd recommend, if possible, taking some extra time to follow (and inevitably get lost in) the smaller streets that weave and writhe around the larger streets.
My Arakawa ride followed the last part of the ride to Itabashi, so I'll just use that last one for both. The river is okay, and there are natural areas, but you'll never get away from the city's constant pressure of people and buildings, even late at night. In addition, there are long stretches of golf courses and baseball diamonds that interrupt the (naturally occuring?) stands of bamboo and reeds. More annoying from a biking standpoint are gates that keep motorcycles from entering the path—even a rider comfortable on his or her bike will very likely have to jump off the bike to navigate between the narrow metal pipes.
Finally, at this point in time, I recommend the Tokyo (south) side, as the Saitama side is under construction in many places, and often the road ends without warning.
I have gone on a couple of rides, though, first one along the Arakawa river and back, then to Akihabara, over to Itabashi in the northwest, and back along the Arakawa. Riding in Tokyo isn't too bad, but in the more popular areas of town—Ueno and Akihabara being examples—the sidewalks are clogged with pedestrians and the streets are full of cars, so it can be a bit daunting. It was still manageable, though I'd recommend, if possible, taking some extra time to follow (and inevitably get lost in) the smaller streets that weave and writhe around the larger streets.
My Arakawa ride followed the last part of the ride to Itabashi, so I'll just use that last one for both. The river is okay, and there are natural areas, but you'll never get away from the city's constant pressure of people and buildings, even late at night. In addition, there are long stretches of golf courses and baseball diamonds that interrupt the (naturally occuring?) stands of bamboo and reeds. More annoying from a biking standpoint are gates that keep motorcycles from entering the path—even a rider comfortable on his or her bike will very likely have to jump off the bike to navigate between the narrow metal pipes.
Finally, at this point in time, I recommend the Tokyo (south) side, as the Saitama side is under construction in many places, and often the road ends without warning.
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