Tag: Mechanical
-
Auntie Clockwise
I’ve ridden Biwaichi — the route around Biwako, Japan’s largest lake — once before, in 2014 with Fearless Leader Joe and Sanborn. I’ve had a number of invitations to join rides since then, and finally decided my holiday this week was a good chance. José hadn’t done the ride before and quickly agreed to join.…
-
Windy and Flat
I have a big ride coming up with José next weekend, and he hasn’t been getting in a lot of miles on the bike. So we took advantage of today’s weather — mild and sunny — to get in a ride. I told José I’d meet him at his flat at 8 and we left…
-
Ajisai Loop
We had clear skies and nice weather today following yesterday’s typhoon. Fujisan even put in a subdued appearance early in the morning, with the snow cap much reduced by yesterday’s wind and rain. Of all my usual rides, there’s only one that doesn’t run on cycling paths alongside rivers, which were probably flooded today or…
-
A lie propagated by Big Cloud
With a forecast of sun and 0% chance of rain, with a high of 20C, I was planning for a nice long ride. I’d set the alarm clock and told Nana I was leaving at 8 sharp. I woke up to completely overcast skies and a chilly, howling wind. I immediately revised my plans, figuring…
-
Getting the tire on the right way round
The forecast has been for rain all weekend, so I glumly concluded it would be a good chance for some bicycle maintenance. When I woke up this morning the forecast was improving — just a slight chance of rain in the afternoon — but when I looked out the window it was grey and misty.…
-
Arakawa – Disney – Budokan
I got an early start yesterday, on the road before 8 with a couple of Nana’s world-famous onigiri in the bag. It was not quite 10C when I set out, with a forecast high of 17, so I wore shorts and regular (fingerless) gloves together with a long-sleeved jersey. I was sweating long before the…
-
From the depths of the toolbox
I’m taking advantage of a three-day weekend to do some cleaning and light maintenance in preparation for a short tour next weekend. (For which the forecast is now rain, but I digress … ) Kuroko hasn’t been washed in quite a while, and I decided this was time to remove all the gunk and residue…
-
Gummed up
Dionysus has been giving a bit of trouble shifting recently, particularly not being able to stay in the lowest gear, which is important when I’m working my way up the St. Antonio climb on the way home from the office. I’d also noticed a flap of rubber hanging from the rear tire, and had torn…
-
Return of the Furry Onigiri
Typhoon 11 kept us guessing about the weather right up to the last moment. José and I finally agreed at 7:40 a.m. to ride. José wanted to start out with an easy one as it’s been five months since he’s been on his bike, and we settled on Haneda even though I’d just been there…
-
Twice in a row?
Following a tempest of rain Friday night, Saturday dawned bright and clear. It looked like a great day for a ride (and my only chance this weekend), so I quickly prepped Kuroko, fresh off not one but two days of maintenance, and set out. I wasn’t up for a lengthy jaunt, but I did want…