Good April 7th

Somehow lost April 6th. Turns out all of today's activities happened on April 7th. 

So April 7th it was and I will move forward as if it was April 7th. 

April 7th was a good day.

Super duper early April 7th.

I got up super early on April 7th. Like 2am early. Spent some time staring at Google maps, as is my daily routine, and hit the road soon as the sun started coming up. The roads were still wet from the night before and devoid of any traffic. Early cyclist gets the open road.

There are many beautiful country roads once you get out of Tokyo, but it usually takes me a couple hours to even get to get there. I have a couple hour long loops I like to do that involve taking the cycling road along the Tama River. There's always a ton of people using the cycling road but it's better than mixing it up with car traffic. The cycling road runs east to west and today I headed west for a 30km loop.  

This hill is about 15km into the ride. Most of the hills I've found around here are super short and super steep. This hill is one of the only longish steepish hills I've been able to find. On weekends many cyclists come here to train. If I were in Spokane, this hill would be similar to Greenwood, just a bit shorter. But now that I think about it, If it's shorter I guess it wouldn't be Greenwood at all because for me what made Greenwood challenging was the last bit.

View from top of not Greenwood climb.

Yomiuri Land ferris wheel.

The climb takes you to an amusement park called Yomiuri Land. We've been here several times. It's a great park. They even have a water park in the summer time and hot springs next door. Not surprising because there are hot springs everywhere in Japan.

Yomiuri Land early birds. Not sure what they were waiting for.
It was 7am , so they were probably up to no good.

The second half of the ride takes me up a short steep climb to a shrine and by a freeway. Actually it's great riding along freeways because theres less traffic around it and much of the land right next to it is undeveloped. I've found some fun dirt trail options next to freeways.

Locking up the tandem. 

In the afternoon Miyo and I braved strong winds for a fun ride in the hood. This was taken in an underground bike parking lot. Free for three hours. Most places charge at least a dollar for parking your bike. Abandoned bikes are a huge problem around urban area train stations. 

Shopping spaces us out.

Precision packing. Fast too.

Then it was back to the grocery store for more edible goods. Tacos were on the menu.

It was a great morning of bike fun. Thank you.

Mojo mojo.

Snotty April 5th

Bike resting in a dry spot.

Rode a total of 2km. A good day of thinking and pondering. Maybe more rain tomorrow.

Greyish mojo.

Warm April 4th

Occasionally the younger daughter says "Go on bike ride." When she does, I happily oblige. We got the family out for a ride around our neighborhood and enjoyed the warm weather and the left over cherry blossoms. These are my favorite kind of rides.

 I've been taking on-bike photos with my iphone with very little success. So far it's been quantity over quality as I push the button many times hoping to get something good. Not my favorite way of taking pictures but it works when everyone is smiling!

Enlarge for bigger smile.

Smiling on the way up, frowning on the way down. 

Veggie stand. Notice surveillance camera top left. Don't steal my spiznach fools!

Ohh rusty chain, why must you rust? 

Well, tomorrow, or actually today, we're supposed to get typhoon strength winds. Great.
Perfect weather for a long ride.

Warm mojo.

Bright April 3rd

After 2 whole days of constant rain, we welcomed a warm sunny spring day. Since this was the last day of spring break for Miyo, we took off to the river on the tandem and explored what there was to explore. I think we rode about 16 km or long enough for Miyo's butt to hurt.

 

I always take my fishing pole to the river. I've never caught anything. And I'm ok with that.

The Tama River.

These carp were spawning. This river is warm enough that some
tropical fish are able to survive the winters in it. 

Tomorrow is going to be another blue sky day. Bring it on!

Beautiful mojo.

Shoe repair results.

Dang! Look at those! Like new!

Shoe repair.

I have been fixing hems, mending socks (you could say darning, but it is frustrating work, I would say damning), and taking shoes to the shoe repair. I have never done this in my life. But what can I say? I am too big for this country!

Wetter April 2nd

A $23 watermelon, $30 crown melon(?)and a $25 mango. That's some pricey shit.

It's been raining solid for 40 plus hours now.
Supposed to rain for another 12.

I knew it would rain all day so I went grocery shopping this morning in the pouring rain.

My shoes were still wet from yesterday.

We usually shop at a place called OK Store.
Pictured is about $40 worth of stuff.

Japanese cashiers are incredibly fast and careful.
The ones at OK are better than okay. They're grrrreat.

Fenders were pointless today.

I hit every major puddle on the way home. Twas fun.
The rain shall stop tomorrow. Supposedly.

Here's to a drier tomorrow.

Wet mojo.

Pouring.

It is raining so much that my umbrella is begging for mercy.

Wet April 1st

Another day another errand. Plan was to visit three different banks.

Only made it to two.

I had more important things on my mind, like taking pictures and getting wet.

I succeeded in both.

6km total. I think. That would be 3.75 miles.

It's refreshing to ride in the rain and get wet once in a while.
It rains here. Supposed to for another solid day.

Onward to April 2nd, which is actually today in Pajan and perhaps a different day somewhere else in the cosmos.

Good mojo.