Half-Fast Cycling

Saturday Odaiba Plus

2026-04-23T22:14:41Z

COOLER BUT TOTALLY BIKEABLE THIS WEEKEND

18-20 degrees but dry. Add a few layers. Not much wind, How about an Odaiba Plus ride on Saturday? So named because we add 15km on to the front end of our regular Odaiba jaunt to make a total of 45km. I got nothing for Sunday at the moment. And seriously consider the overnight trip to Oshima that Max is putting together for May. A must-do.

Max’s Oshima Overnight

On May 22-23. Details sent on April 21. Sign up at max.titze@PROTECTED max.titze@PROTECTED

Saturday Odaiba Plus

Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. for a delightful 45-km ride that includes canals, bridges, forests, dedicated bike paths, wonderful ocean vistas and a beach bar lunch. Back by about 3:30.

Tokyo Bay Cruise VIII

Ease an old man’s mind and help fill the boat by signing up early; you can cancel up to a week before the sailing date. Details attached. I will be accepting reservations (and cash) at the Hyatt at 11 Saturday morning. And on all rides..

Next Monthly Gathering

At the Pink Cow on May 13th. https://www.thepinkcow.com/

<><><><><><>

Il Padrone, 090-5813-6721

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Fwd: Izu Oshima overnight ride May 22-23

2026-04-21T01:48:50Z

Begin forwarded message:

From: Max Titze <max.titze@PROTECTED>
Subject: Izu Oshima overnight ride May 22-23
Date: April 21, 2026 at 14:51:29 JST
To: hfpadrone@PROTECTED

Hi Don,
Hope you are having a good week!
As I mentioned on Sunday, I'm planning a ride to Izu Oshima in May and would like to invite other HFC riders along.
Below is the plan. I've never been there, so appreciate if before sending this out you could check and share your suggestions if any.
Any suggestions for restaurants spots around Grand Hyatt Roppongi with nearby bicycle parking are also welcome :)
Thanks!
Max

-------------------------------------------------------

I'm organizing a ride around the beautiful Izu Oshima island, off of the cost of Tokyo, on May 22-23.
It’s a ~50 km coastal loop passing through fishing villages, rock formations, open-air onsens, and offering great ocean views.
Difficulty is moderate, with one challenging ~300 m climb. You can check out the ride map here.

Plan
Meet in front of Grand Hyatt Roppongi @ 18:00 for dinner, than head to Takeshiba Pier to board the overnight ferry departing at 22:00.
During the 8h ferry ride there will be time to relax, share cycling stories, enjoy some drinks, and take in the night views of Tokyo Bay.
We'll sleep in a shared tatami room, have a potluck breakfast, arrive @ 6:00 and start riding!
For lunch we'll stop at a restaurant in the main town, and if time allows we can visit an open air onsen.
The return ferry leaves from Izu Oshima @ 14:30 and arrives at Yokohama @ 18:00 or Takeshiba Pier @ 19:45.

Signups (Deadline: Sunday, April 26)
Seats on the boat fill up fast, so please secure your spot by contacting me via email (max.titze@PROTECTED) or message (080-8181-1310).
Please include your contact details, if you join for dinner on May 22nd, whether you will pack your bike in a rinko bag or not, if on the way back you get off at Tokyo or Yokohama.

Meeting Points
Departure: Friday May 22nd
18:00 in front of Grand Hyatt Roppongi (if joining for dinner), or
20:00 Takeshiba Pier (by the sails monument in the central square)

Return: Saturday May 23rd
18:00 Yokohama International Passenger Terminal, or
19:45 Takeshiba Pier

Fare
¥11,500 for the boat return tickets, plus
¥1,200 (if you use rinko bag) or ¥3,600 (if you don't use rinko bag) for bike supplement.

What to bring
- A small dish to share for breakfast + drinks for the ferry.
- Change of clothes & coins, for onboard showers.
- Swimwear and a towel for the open air onsen.
- Cash to settle the ferry ticket fare.
- Rinko bag (optional)

Cancellations
Please let me know by May 21 if you need to cancel.
Ferry tickets are refundable with a ¥1,000 fee.

You’ll receive a confirmation email from me 3 days before the ride.
In case of rain, the ride will be canceled, but the ¥1,000 ferry cancellation fee will still apply.

Max

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Fwd: Izu Oshima overnight ride May 22-23

2026-04-21T01:40:03Z

Begin forwarded message:

From: Max Titze <max.titze@PROTECTED>
Subject: Izu Oshima overnight ride May 22-23
Date: April 21, 2026 at 14:51:29 JST
To: hfpadrone@PROTECTED

Hi Don,
Hope you are having a good week!
As I mentioned on Sunday, I'm planning a ride to Izu Oshima in May and would like to invite other HFC riders along.
Below is the plan. I've never been there, so appreciate if before sending this out you could check and share your suggestions if any.
Any suggestions for restaurants spots around Grand Hyatt Roppongi with nearby bicycle parking are also welcome :)
Thanks!
Max

-------------------------------------------------------

I'm organizing a ride around the beautiful Izu Oshima island, off of the cost of Tokyo, on May 22-23.
It’s a ~50 km coastal loop passing through fishing villages, rock formations, open-air onsens, and offering great ocean views.
Difficulty is moderate, with one challenging ~300 m climb. You can check out the ride map here.

Plan
Meet in front of Grand Hyatt Roppongi @ 18:00 for dinner, than head to Takeshiba Pier to board the overnight ferry departing at 22:00.
During the 8h ferry ride there will be time to relax, share cycling stories, enjoy some drinks, and take in the night views of Tokyo Bay.
We'll sleep in a shared tatami room, have a potluck breakfast, arrive @ 6:00 and start riding!
For lunch we'll stop at a restaurant in the main town, and if time allows we can visit an open air onsen.
The return ferry leaves from Izu Oshima @ 14:30 and arrives at Yokohama @ 18:00 or Takeshiba Pier @ 19:45.

Signups (Deadline: Sunday, April 26)
Seats on the boat fill up fast, so please secure your spot by contacting me via email (max.titze@PROTECTED) or message (080-8181-1310).
Please include your contact details, if you join for dinner on May 22nd, whether you will pack your bike in a rinko bag or not, if on the way back you get off at Tokyo or Yokohama.

Meeting Points
Departure: Friday May 22nd
18:00 in front of Grand Hyatt Roppongi (if joining for dinner), or
20:00 Takeshiba Pier (by the sails monument in the central square)

Return: Saturday May 23rd
18:00 Yokohama International Passenger Terminal, or
19:45 Takeshiba Pier

Fare
¥11,500 for the boat return tickets, plus
¥1,200 (if you use rinko bag) or ¥3,600 (if you don't use rinko bag) for bike supplement.

What to bring
- A small dish to share for breakfast + drinks for the ferry.
- Change of clothes & coins, for onboard showers.
- Swimwear and a towel for the open air onsen.
- Cash to settle the ferry ticket fare.
- Rinko bag (optional)

Cancellations
Please let me know by May 21 if you need to cancel.
Ferry tickets are refundable with a ¥1,000 fee.

You’ll receive a confirmation email from me 3 days before the ride.
In case of rain, the ride will be canceled, but the ¥1,000 ferry cancellation fee will still apply.

Max

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Rides, 13, 14

2026-04-16T22:20:02Z

22 AND 25

… degrees this Saturday and Sunday, mostly sunny with little to moderate wind. I’m thinking a quick run out to Jonan Jima (Haneda) on Saturday and a longer jaunt out to Kasai Rinkai Seaside Park on Sunday. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

You received this morning a notice about this year’s Tokyo Bay Cruise (our 8th). There’s a printable version attached to this note, so please help me fill the boat! Invite your friends! The more the merrier! It’s a potluck! My apologies in advance for reminding you of this repeatedly until the date.

Saturday Jonan Plus

A nice little 35-km ride out to a little beach park across from Haneda Airport, where we watch the planes come in and then watch them go away again. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00. You are required to bring a reusable eco-bag for your convenience store lunch. Back by about 2:30.

Sunday Kasai Rinkai Adventure

A 50-km ride out to a lovely seaside park near Disneyland. Then we’ll loop back to Odaiba for a beach bar lunch. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00. Ocean vistas, forests, canals, bridges, sunshine. Back by around 3:30.

Next Monthly Meetup

At the Pink Cow on May 13th. Mark your calendars.

<><><><><>

All I got for now,

Il Padrone, 090-5813-6721

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Announcing this year's cruise

2026-04-16T20:00:03Z

TOKYO BAY CRUISE VIII

A Half-Fast Adventure

On the evening of June 6th we will once again board the elegant Marco Polo

for a three-hour adventure on Tokyo Bay. Live music!

It’s a potluck, so in addition to putting up your share of the boat rental fee, please bring along a small dish to share and plenty of whatever you wish to drink.

Adults: ¥8000. Kids 11 and under: ¥4000. Under 2: free.

SIGN UP NOW!

I’m taking reservations now, so make sure you have a spot

by emailing hfpadrone@PROTECTED or calling 090-5813-6721.

Please understand that by signing up you agree to pay,

even if it rains (we’ll have fun anyway),

if you get sick, or if you just, literally, miss the boat.

I will have to pay for no-shows. Space is limited!

You can pay at the pier, but advance payments are preferred.

WHEN AND WHERE

June 6th, 6:00p.m.

>>> NEW LOCATION <<<

Asashio Canal Pier

Directions: Take exit 5 from Kachidoki Station (E17) on the Oedo Line. At the end of a very long corridor, go up the escalator (2 of them) to ground level, where you’ll find a Starbucks right on the canal. Check in with me there.

Please get there by 6:00. We’ll be back before 10:00.

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Rides, 11, 12

2026-04-09T19:00:03Z

WARM

WEEKEND

COMING UP

Saturday’s forecast high will be a sizzling and sunny 26 degrees! And Sunday a little cooler at 21 with a few clouds.

So a couple of easy rides to a couple of beaches, at Odaiba and Jonan Jima. DON’T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN!

Saturday Odaiba Ride

Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. for a scenic 30-km ride out to the island in the bay. Beach bar lunch. Back by around 2:00

Sunday Jonan Jima Jaunt

Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. for a 35-km ride to a little beach park across from Haneda Airport, Please bring an eco-bag for your convenience store lunch. Back by 2:30 at the latest.

NOTE to you western Tokyo types: You guys often meet us at the beach, but if you give me notice before 11:00, we can hook up at the Ota-ku baseball stadium and you can join us for the 5-km extension out Haneda way.

Next Monthly Gathering

May 13th

Mark your calendars

<><><><><><>

All for now,

Il Padrone,

090-5813-6721

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Wednesday Meetup; new bike rules

2026-04-06T21:20:03Z

JUST

REMINDER

That tomorrow, the 8th, is the second Wednesday of the month and thus the time when all good Half-Fasters descend upon The Pink Cow, a funky little art bar in Akasaka that serves up excellent Tex-Mex grub, to talk about all things bicycle and to see what we all look like without the lycra, goggles and helmets. https://www.thepinkcow.com/

This month the topic on everyone’s minds is the new set of bicycle rules for Japan. Some are common sense, some virtually unenforceable, some comically quaint and a few just WTF.

There’s an amusingly illustrated list below that you can print out and bring along.

Hope to see you there.

Il Padrone, 090-5813-6721

PS: This weekend a couple of short rides to a couple of beaches

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Renald tonight, Rides Friday and Sunday.

2026-04-01T20:00:02Z

SATURDAY’S

OUT

Too wet, according to the forecast. But Sunday totally bikeable with a high of 22 though cloudy.

Also, for those who can grab a few hours off on Friday, a quick jaunt out to the beach for lunch.

And you’re invited to stop by Hobgoblin Roppongi tonight to raise a glass with the legendary Renald Gregoire, a charter Half-Fast member currently passing through Tokyo. Around 7:00.

https://www.hobgoblin.jp/hobgoblin-roppongi

Friday Odaiba Quickie

Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 sharp for an easy 30-km weekday lope out to the beach for lunch. Back by 2:00. Please RSVP for this ride as there will be no grace period.

Sunday Odaiba Plus

Adding 15 km to our usual route to Odaiba to make a 45-km ride along canals, through forests, on dedicated bike paths and over bridges. Wonderful ocean vistas. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00. Beach bar lunch.

Next Monthly Meetup

April 8th at the Pink Cow in Akasaka.

<><><><><>

Ciao for now,

Il Padrone, 090-5813-6721

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Gregoire Gathering, blossoms

2026-03-27T03:20:03Z

CONTENTE

DE TE REVOIR

(Welcome back)

Cyclists and revelers! The legendary Renald Gregoire, a charter Half-Fast member who was with us back in 2003, is currently passing through Japan and, as we did with Bruce Paine last year, we're arranging a little get-together for him on Thursday, April 2nd at 7:00 at Hobgoblin Roppongi (careful; not the Shibuya pub). Renald has an encyclopedic knowledge of Quebec City, and showed me the city’s best in 2019 when I motored through in my camper; biking, dining and just wandering around.

Now retired from Canada’s Foreign Service, he seems to be intent on setting some sort of air miles record, gallivanting around the globe and visiting his former posts. Now it’s our turn. Come on down for a beer or some pub grub and meet a genuinely good guy. I’ll send out a reminder on Wednesday. Please drop me a line if you’d like to join.

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

The following is a repost of this weekend’s cherry blossom rides, with a few tweaks. Cheers!

The weekend weather is now forecast to be 17-21 degrees with little wind. So let’s do our usual short jaunt to Odaiba on Saturday, checking out the flowers along the way. Then our annual cherry blossom ride/party on Sunday at our usual spot in Ota-ku after a flower-filled ride along the Tama river. Don’t hesitate to ask to stop for a photo op. I’ll send a cancellation note if the forecast changes.

Saturday Odaiba Jaunt

Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. for a relaxed, 30-km ride out to the magical island in the bay for a beach bar lunch. Back by 2:30 at the latest.

Sunday Tama Loop

& Annual HF O-hanami party.

Intermediate-level. 50km. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. Alternate rendezvous points: KFC in Ebisu @ 11:30, Intersection of Kan-Nana and Komazawa-Dori @ 11:45, Komazawa Park @ noon, bridge at Futako-Tamagawa (Kanagawa side) @ 12:20, Gas Bashi @ 12:45 or 1:00. Please contact me if one of these meeting spots applies to you. 090-5813-6721.

Then, instead of going out to Jonan Jima as usual, we’ll hang a left at the expressway and go by the Ota-ku baseball stadium after stopping for supplies at a nearby convenience store. Please bring an eco-bag for your convenience store lunch.

We’ll stay at the park for a while, maybe as long as two hours. Bring something to sit on and something to eat. If you want something better than a convenience store sandwich, there’s a Joel Robuchon bakery that sells excellent sandwiches near the Hyatt. Just ask me. You could also bring a dish to share, but not required. I’ll bring music. It’s an easy, 12-km ride back to central Tokyo if you want to leave early. We’ll probably get back by around 4:30.

Next Monthly Meet-up

April 8th at The Pink Cow

<><><><><><>

All I got for now,

Il Padrone, 090-5813-6721

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Rides, 28, 29

2026-03-25T02:00:03Z

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

G’Day, Half-Fasters! Sending the bulletin out early this bloomin’ week, as the rides involve cherry blossoms and you may need to decide among competing blossom-appreciating events. After threatening rain all week, the weekend weather is now forecast to be 17-21 degrees with little wind. So let’s do our usual short jaunt to Odaiba on Saturday, checking out the flowers along the way. Then our annual cherry blossom ride/party on Sunday at our usual spot in Ota-ku after a flower-filled ride along the Tama river. Don’t hesitate to ask to stop for a photo op. I’ll send a cancellation note if the forecast changes.

Saturday Odaiba Jaunt

Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. for a relaxed, 30-km ride out to the magical island in the bay for a beach bar lunch. Back by 2:30 at the latest.

Sunday Tama Loop

& Annual HF O-hanami party.

Then, instead of going out to Jonan Jima as usual, we’ll hang a left and go by the Ota-ku baseball stadium after stopping for supplies at a nearby convenience store. Please bring an eco-bag for your convenience store lunch.

We’ll stay at the park for a while, maybe as long as two hours. Bring something to sit on. I’ll bring music. It’s an easy ride back if you want to leave early. We’ll probably get back by around 4:30.

Next Monthly Meet-up

April 8th at The Pink Cow

Home - The Pink Cow - California Mexican Restaurant & Art Bar

thepinkcow.com

All I got for now,

Il Padrone, 090-5813-6721

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Rides, 21, 22

2026-03-19T23:40:03Z

RAIN

between the

DROPS

Another gorgeous weekend coming up, so I’m planning an Odaiba Plus on Saturday and a Jonan Plus on Sunday. The cherry trees are not quite there yet, so we’re looking at next Saturday or Sunday for our HF cherry blossom party. It will be in Ota-ku central park, near the baseball stadium we ride by on the way back from Jonan. Yes, I know rain is forecast, but it’s still eight days away, so…

Saturday Odaiba Plus

Terrific ride along canals, over bridges, through forests and dedicated bike paths with awesome ocean vistas an a beach bar lunch. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. 45 km. Back by about 3:30.

Sunday Jonan Jima Plus

Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. for an easy, 35-km ride out to a little beach park across from Haneda Airport. Back by 2:30 at the latest. Please bring an eco-bag for your convenience store lunch, as HF frowns on single-use plastic bags.

Next Pink Cow Meetup

April 8th https://www.thepinkcow.com/

Mark your calendars

<><><><><>

All I got for now

Il Padrone,

090-5813-6721

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