Following last week’s debut and my realization that the Corner Bar wasn’t working for me, and then yesterday’s trip to the bike shop for a replacement, today was the day for Hornsby’s second debut ride. And it went wonderfully.

Dailing in

After reaching the Tama River, I stopped at the first opportunity to dial in a few adjustments: the angle of the grips and shifter, the B-limit screw and the brake pads. That done, it was all perfect: easy shifting, no disc rubbing.

I stopped at my usual rest spot a few kilometers further on for a couple of Nana’s world-famous onigiri before continuing on my way to Haneda. Along the way I ran into some wind, but it didn’t slow me much.

While I was munching another onigiri in a nearby shaded park, a jogger passed by. “Morning,” he said. I swallowed some rice and replied, “Morning.” He passed by again a few minutes later as I was preparing for the return trip and addressed me in Japanese. “Hot, isn’t it?” “Sure is hot.” He asked if I was riding around Japan and complemented my speaking ability. “Nah, I’ve been here more than 30 years already … “

Riding back upriver, I had the wind at my back and was making very good time. Hornsby is more nimble than Kuroko, accelerating more quickly and climbing more easily. Following the derailleur adjustment, shifting was swift and sure, if not quite as fast as Kuroko’s Di2 arrangement.

I stopped again at my usual resting spot, the 21st Century Sakura Tree Monument, and gulped some water as I messaged Nana that it was my last rest stop before Futako Tamagawa. “Be safe!” came her reply.

After crossing the river at Maruko Bashi and continuing upriver, I felt I was really humming along with the tailwind. When I checked my speed, though, it wasn’t much different than I’d have been going with Kuroko under similar circumstances. I think the impression of speed is greater with Hornsby.

The ride continued without issue all the way home. There’s some construction on Inokashira Dori that I’ve been routing around, and that went well. I even made the green light at Sasazuka Station. After speeding downhill past Central Park, I arrived home at 12:27, water bottles empty and 64km on the clock.