Nana asked me last night where I’d be riding today, and I said Kawagoe. When I say that, I mean specifically Koedo, the “Little Tokyo” that I’ve visited on a number of occasions. The ride is generally flat and has a long section of cycling course along the Arakawa river, and the lovely Meiji-era warehouses of Koedo are the frosting on the cake.

Nana had not made any onigiri, so I was free to depart when I wished. But she wanted to know when I was going to be home because she wants my help with work. So I did some mental arithmetic and figured I could leave at 9 a.m. and be back by 3.

I spent a few minutes deciding what to wear. It would still be in single digits, Celsius, when I departed, but the forecast high would be 15-16C. I didn’t want to carry a change of gloves or deal with peeling off layers. So after careful consideration I went with regular (not winter) gloves, shorts (rather than winter tights), and the Kimetsu no Yaiba winter jersey, which is the lighter of my two winter jerseys. I also put on sunscreen.

I had a problem with the jersey’s zipper. I’d forgotten that last time I’d worn this jersey — perhaps the Rainbow Bridge Ride — I’d broken off the zipper pull. I struggled with the zipper for a moment this morning and then tugged it over my belly and up. It took me a moment to realize that in the process I’d torn a chunk of skin off my finger. I spent the next couple of minutes cleaning and bandaging my finger, and then hoping it wouldn’t continue bleeding through the ride.

What’s fitness?

According to the health check I had earlier this month, I’ve put on 4kg over the past year. The moment I got onto Yamate Dori, with its undulations, I was feeling every extra gram — in addition to the weeks and weeks I’ve been off the bike. (Prior to the Very Late 初走り, I hadn’t been on the bike for five weeks. Today was my second ride this year.)

In fact on the second rise I felt it was time for me to give up riding as a hobby. I made it up the hill, but with a lot more struggling than in the past. I’m happy to report that soon afterwards, I got my legs and the remaining undulations didn’t give me reason to give up.

On my last few passes through Itabashi, I noticed someone was displaying some kitschy figurines and old-time advertising signs. This morning it had really exploded, and I couldn’t help stopping for a quick look. I didn’t stay long, but I didn’t find any explanation of whose collection it is. The signs I can read are just descriptions of the objects they’re leaning against. Like an outdoor museum of Meiji and Showa-era marketing.

I arrived at Arakawa a few minutes before 10, and stopped at a convenience store for a couple of nikuman before proceeding up to the sign on the levee. After letting Nana know where I was, I descended to the cycling course and continued upstream.

Today was drummers’ day on the river. I soon spotted a number of taiko set up in a clearing near a car park. Only one performer was playing when I passed, keeping time to recorded music. Further upstream I passed a minivan with a man sitting on the pavement with his drum set by the open rear hatch.

At Asaka Weir I had a quick breather and checked the time. It was going to be a challenge to reach Koedo and be home by 3 p.m. I wanted to stick with that goal not only because I’d promised Nana, but also because Kuroko’s dynamo lights aren’t working, and I wanted to be home before the shadows became too long.

It would all depend on my progress, and that would depend on the wind as well as my thighs. I continued upstream, making the best time I could without burning out. Away from civilization, my ride was silent apart from the sound of my breathing, the sighing of the wind — it sounded particularly depressed today — and the occasional rooster crowing.

It was already gone 11 when I reached the country club where I descend from the cycling course into traffic. I did a quick mental calculation and decided to make the Kawagoe Sports Park my goal for the day, and altered course so I would pass by a convenience store for noshes before reaching the park.

It’s only about 4.5km from the park to Koedo, but given the traffic and the faffing about with pedestrians in Koedo on such a lovely day, it would be nearly an hour getting there from the park and then back again. I sat down on a park bench to eat my convenience store goods, satisfied I’d made the right choice.

Someone should really mention the wind

For my return on the Arakawa, the wind at times was pushing me along, and at times I was pushing into the wind — as always. I’d made a mental note of some of the kilometer sign posts on the way upstream, so I had a better idea than usual of my progress back downstream. From what I could determine, I would make the sign where I leave the river somewhat before 2, and that would leave me ample time to be home by 3.

Along the way I enjoyed the view of paragliders over the fields. A little further on I saw radio controlled sailplanes. Just as I was passing along the top of the levee, a man about 3m down from the top was spinning around like an Olympic hammer thrower, clutching his sailplane by the wingtip. When he let go it soared into the air.

When I got back to the Asaka Weir, I ate the KitKats I’d stashed in my bag at the convenience store, drank some water and continued downstream. My hands and bum were really starting to feel the miles now, and I knew my thighs were gone. I worried in particular about the climb up Shimura Saka shortly after leaving the river, in addition to all the undulations that Yamate Dori is famous for.

As I’d predicted, I arrived at the sign before 2 p.m. After a brief rest I updated Nana on my position and let her know I’d be home around 3, “plus alpha.” On the road, I fell in behind another rider I’d seen on the river course, but he soon left me behind when we reached Shimura Saka. I quickly shifted down, and down again. I made it to the top and I think I even set a record — a personal worst.

From there it was more of the same all the way home. I had adequate water, so I concentrated on staying safe in the traffic and taking the hills as they came. I was really starting to feel the pressure of the saddle, so when I came to a red light I dismounted, straddling the bike and giving my bum a rest. A couple of the undulations are bridges over rail lines, and for these I turned off the road and onto the adjacent cycle path. I haven’t used that out for nearly 10 years, but I felt more comfortable taking my time today and not having to worry about massive steel sedans brushing by my elbow.

The final climb of the day is up to Nakano Sakaue, and I was dreading it. Fortunately when I sped downhill to Miyashita I got a green light, and my momentum carried me most of the way up the dreaded climb. Then it was just a brief wait for the light and a final downhill leading home. I stopped the clock at 2:53 and let Nana know I was home.

At the moment I don’t have anything planned for next weekend, so — weather permitting — another ride is in the offing. Next month I’m thinking of a two-day ride with José, with about 85km each day. I hope by then I’ll have built up a little more endurance.