I GOT NOTHIN' THIS WEEKEND If you don’t count our annual Tokyo Bay Cruise. The boat is full! (Although there may be a few spots left if sought with suitable groveling and bribery. Fine Italian wines have been known to work.) Optimists refer to the attached flyer.  Those who have signed up will get a separate message tomorrow with final directions. Meanwhile, I’m planning nothing for Saturday as I’ll be busy preparing. Some afternoon rain is forecast for Sunday. And we’re passing on our monthly Pink Cow meeting b ...Continue Reading

AHOY! First, an update on this year’s Tokyo Bay Cruise on June 6. Our crew strength is now up to 64, and there’s room for maybe a dozen more. I’ll cut it off if it gets too crowded. So if you’re been sitting on the fence, now is the time to reserve your spot. Printable details attached here:  Please take special note of the new gathering place, just down the canal from last year. Oedo Line Exit 5. It’s a new exit that comes up right at the boat. I’ll send a note a few days before sailing date. The weather forecast is ...Continue Reading

SPRING HAS RETURNED after that brief hot flash of summer, with temps this weekend down to a refreshing 18 and 22, with clouds. So dress accordingly. Odaiba is closed for a special multi-media fireworks event, so I’ve concocted a pair of rides that avoid all that: A Saturday Jonan Plus and a Sunday Kasai Rinkai ramble. BUT FIRST I need 10 to 15 more crew members for our June 6th Tokyo Bay Cruise, so if you’ve been mulling over coming along, now’s the time to let me know. Invite your friends! Printable flyer here:  S ...Continue Reading

Begin forwarded message:*From: *Max Titze <max.titze@PROTECTED>*Subject: **Izu Oshima Overnight**Date: *May 18, 2026 at 12:30:47 JST*To: *Don Morton <hfpadrone@PROTECTED>There’s still room for a few more riders on the Izu Oshima trip this weekend!This is one of the best overnight cycling trips you can do from Tokyo. Don't miss it.We’ll take the overnight ferry from Takeshiba on May 22, ride a scenic ~50 km coastal loop around the island on May 23, then ferry back that evening. The pace will be social and ver ...Continue Reading

JAMES AND I BOTH HAVE TO WORK SATURDAY But humbly leaping into the breach is Mike S-W, with an 80-km round-trip ride up and down the Tama River. Then I’ll do a 45-km Odaiba Plus ride on Sunday. Going to be HOT, (27-30 degrees) so slap on a lot of sunscreen, stay hydrated and generally take it easy. And there’s still room on our gala Tokyo Bay Cruise on June 6th. Mike’s Terrific Tama Tour Mike will lead a ride Saturday from Futakotamagawa to the end of the bike trail near Hamura, and back. Start and end point: Tama ...Continue Reading

HUNGRY*BIKERS!*It’s the second Wednesday of the month, which is traditionally the time all good Half-Fasters descend upon a funky little art bar in Akasaka called The Pink Cow to talk bikes, biking, bike repair, bike touring, Determinism vs. Free Will, etc. And dine on some fine Tex-Mex munchies.  Perhaps a beer. We usually roll in at about 7:00. Here’s the website: https://www.thepinkcow.com/This month Max from Milan will be on hand to gather advice from anyone who has toured Oshima Island, as he’s planning t ...Continue Reading

AHOY! In just four weeks, on June 6th, we’ll embark on our annual Tokyo Bay Cruise (our 8th), so if you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the time to let me know. You can cancel up until June 1st. Printable flyer attached with all the details. Invite your friends and workmates. Live Music! Different route — Haneda Airport, the mighty Sumida, new fountain at Odaiba, said to be the world’s tallest or something.  Cycling-wise, a pair of 23-degree days calls for a pair of beach runs. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Satu ...Continue Reading

A CONSTITUTION MEMORIAL DAY (OBSERVED) CONSTITUTIONAL Whatever. Tomorrow (Wed) will have a cloudy high of 22 with freshening winds but no rain, making it just fine for an Odaiba Plus ride, for which we add 15 km to the front end of our usual jaunt to the magical island in the bay to make a 45-km adventure over bridges, through the woods, along dedicated bike paths and a stop for lunch at a beach bar. Bring along an extra layer or two. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. Back by about 3:30. ...Continue Reading

JUST THE ONE …ride scheduled this weekend. So Far; three holidays next week. Possible rides Tuesday or Wednesday. I’m otherwise engaged on Saturday, but will do a little keep-fit ride to Odaiba on Sunday (24 degrees but cloudy), Sunday Odaiba Jaunt Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. for an easy, 30-km ride out to the magical island in the bay. Beach bar lunch. Back by 2:00 or so. Next Monthly Meeting On May 13th at The Pink Cow in Akasaka https://www.thepinkcow.com/ Tokyo Bay Cruise VIII Comin ...Continue Reading

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 Saturday Odaiba Plus Start at the Grand Hya ...Continue Reading