Ferdy met up with Rocket and broke him free of the Japanese medical system, heading for Osaka ready to fly home tomorrow.
Rocket seen hear performing traditional Japanese baton twirl with the JR marching band conductor. Nice socks too,
The rest of the peloton decided that since it had stopped raining that we should try the reportedly 'brutal' Utsukushi ga hara climb, as its really close by to Matsumoto. I can report that it is 'brutal' with an initial 19% straight up start and it had recommended raining by then.
It had already started to rain as we approached the edge of the city limits
Pretty well straight up, the Black Cav lets the 34 teeth sing
Anyway we climbed at our own pace as the rain continued to fall and we made it into the clouds to a white out and then it got colder. the forest was very green but there was little bird life and no other animals to be seen. Too close to town to see any monkeys.
Bananas are our energy bars
Riders of the storm, Into the clouds we rode
Then there was a vending machine serving hot canned coffee and tea. We used the can to warm ourselves before drinking it. Not bad for less than $2
We returned as drowned riders with Goose having broken a spoke and we went straight to the onsen which by now was at 40c which was perfect.
Black Cav and Pedals had time to admire the architecture
Dinner in at the Fukashiso Ryokan was great as usual. We are becoming quite accustomed to Japanese way of life, you thought they might have invented a chair by now!
Tomorrow we need to fix a bike and decide whether we feel like getting drenched again, or sip coffee instead. the duke returns so he will be wanting to climb the Yama s.
- Posted by the Electric Cowboy using BlogPress
Location:Namiyanagi 2-Chōme,Matsumoto,Japan
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