The weather has been very challenging this summer. While we haven’t had the record-shattering highs seen in most of Europe and large swathes of the United States, it’s still been mostly too hot to ride over the past couple of months. We finally had a respite this weekend, with forecast highs of 30C or less, but with mixed reports of precipitation.

I let José know I’d be riding today, with the goal of meeting him at Nihonbashi at 7:30 or 8 a.m., and he agreed. I confirmed the forecast at the 5:50 a.m. weather spot on TV: cloudy, little chance of rain. José let me know he was awake by 6:30, and I set out a 6:44, just a few minutes after my goal.

Why are my thighs so sore?

As usual I sent José photos of the Imperial Palace and Nihonbashi as I reached each of those milestones so he could be ready on time. As it happened, I’d reached Nihonbashi just at the planned 7:30, but José was running late. He eventually joined up at 7:50 and we continued along Eitai Dori towards Arakawa, with the intention of riding upstream.

Matsuri interruptus

We hadn’t gone too far before we encountered a matsuri blocking the road. This happened once before (possibly just a year ago on pretty much the same date), and on that occasion we hunted around through various streets, zig-zagging to try to get back to Eitai Dori at a point past the festival.

This morning, after riding a few blocks north, we came to a crossing with Shin Ohashi Dori. José immediately recognized that this would take us straight to Arakawa, so we stuck with this until we met the river.

This same dam spot

My plan was to head upriver, but I was ready to be flexible depending on the wind. We reached the Arakawa at about the 4km spot (from the entrance to Tokyo Bay at the southeast end) and noted the name of the railway painted on the bridge at that spot so we would recognize it on the way home.

The wind was coming from upriver, so we would be heading into it, but it was mild and so we continued with our plan. Our times on the upstream leg — broken only by a rest break and a couple of potty breaks — bear this out. We reached the Iwabuchi Watergate (what I’ve been referring to as “the dam”) just at 10 a.m.

A steep gravel path leads down from the cycling course to the Old Iwabuchi Watergate. I cycled down carefully, mindful that any loose gravel would put me on my bum and have me picking gravel out of my elbows, knees and teeth for the next month. I waited at the bottom while José walked down. I don’t blame him as his 23mm tires would be much more susceptible to slipping. Then it was across the old watergate to the Arakawa Akamizumon Green Space for a leisurely repast of Nana’s world-famous onigiri. We enjoyed the sculpture by Tadashi Oano titled “Shooting the Moon”.

I was just shy of 40km on the clock at this point, so I decided to turn for home. It was 10:10 when we set out home, and I wondered if we would get home by 1 p.m., and before the rain.

Did I mention sore?

The return downriver was much the same as the upriver jaunt. Once again we were heading into the wind, although not a strong wind. José mentioned it was a headwind in both directions, and I said that was the appeal of the Arakawa.

In addition to sore thighs, on the return trip I was increasingly beset by saddle soreness and numb hands. I would stand off the saddle when the situation presented itself — mostly on the few downhill runs — and shake out my hands from time to time. We may have taken an extra rest break or two on the way.

Back in traffic, the lights forced more frequent breaks on us. I was taking every opportunity to relieve the pressure on my backside and hands. But it was still unbearable! I wasn’t sure of my ability to complete the ride home. I said a hasty goodbye to José at Nihonbashi and turned back towards the Imperial Palace and Budokan. As I neared Budokan it started to rain — a very light rain, but steady.

At Chidorigafuchi I relaxed and ate my last onigiri. Before saddling up again I turned Kuroko’s lights from “auto” to “on”, and I switched on the flashing light on the back of my helmet. I also stowed my sunglasses before setting out. It was 12:25 and I messaged Nana I would be home by 1:30.

The rain continued steadily on the final 8km stretch. The heaviest rain coincided with a fast downhill run, so it was really pelting me at that point. It eased up after that — the roads even dried out — but didn’t actually cease at any point on my remaining ride home. I reached home at 1:04 p.m. and messaged José and Nana to let them know I was safely home.

It was a fun ride, despite my kvetching. (All rides with José are.) On a moving time of 4:01:56, I averaged 18.6km/h.

I have a month to get into shape for Tour de Tohoku.