27 rides
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/107271724
Arrive at Saruhashi station (one stop east of Ōtsuki) at 08:53. (This
means getting on a train that leaves Hachiōji at 08:11, or Takao at
08:21.)
Meet outside the 7-11 just north of the station
https://goo.gl/maps/dKx6N5zkXSqJYqQF9 ; set off from there at 09:15.
And then uphill for quite a long way. It's not steep; we can enjoy the
scenery. After 16 km we'll arrive at the entrances to two tunnels. The
one on the left is closed by a gate; we enter anyway, and continue
uphill along an abandoned road (Matsuhime rindō). Eventually we'll get
to the top (1250m). (Alternatively, you can think "Enough climbing
already", and take the tunnel on the right. It's 3 km long.)
(We'll climb 930m to get to the top. What does this mean? From Takao
San-guchi station to the top of Ōtarumi pass, one climbs 230m; so it's
a Takao climb times four.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fulNJtG_rQI shows the climb up what's
now Matsuhime rindō, back when this was the regular road north to
Kosuge.
From the top it's downhill or level virtually all the way. Lunch at
the western end of Okutama lake, and just east of the lake we'll take
"Okutama mukashi-michi" (much more enjoyable than the main road). At
56 km we pass by (or if you prefer end up at) Okutama station. A short
stop to buy wasabi, and we continue east: you can turn off for Ōme at
75 km, or continue downriver to Haijima and take a train from there.
(Of course you can continue downstream to Fuchū, Futako-tamagawa or
wherever.)
There can be debris on Matsuhime rindō, so avoid particularly delicate
tyres and bring a spare inner tube and a patch kit. (Particularly
rugged tyres aren't necessary: I'll be on 700×28C.) Make sure that
your brakes are in good nick; and bring lights for the various
tunnels, a windbreaker, and cash for lunch (and maybe wasabi too).
I'm decrepit and slow. You're welcome not to wait for me and instead
to go ahead, to take the train back from any station, to bypass
"mukashi-michi", to skip lunch, etc.
This isn't a ride for beginners. The 8 km of Matsuhime rindō
(populated by exotic fauna) is firmly locked at both ends, probably
intended to keep cyclists out and certainly keeping ambulances out.
I'm guessing (not promising) that it will take about five hours to
reach Okutama station.
Peter Evans peter.evans.somewhere@PROTECTED
Sunday Arakawa
Departure from Roppongi Hills Grand Hyatt following Sal’s Arakawa route through Kinshicho to the Arakawa river.
Then upstream and then downstream to Tokyo Bay before crossing over to Kasai Seaside Park for a short stop then over to Wakasu park before another stop at Odaiba to grab Emi's chicken.
Start: Grand Hyatt Roppongi
Time: 0900JST (10min wait time)
Pace: Intermediate ride, beginners pace
Prerequisite: WATER, HELMET, FACEMASK
Distance: ~80km
Ride leader: James Wee
Email: sw08023jp@PROTECTED
Mobile: 090-2874-4848
Sunday Odaiba Plus
If the above rides seem too far for you, join me in a jaunt to Odaiba, but with 20km tacked on to the front end to make the total about 50km. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m., back by 3:30 at the latest
Leader: me.
All for now
Il Padrone, 090-5813-6721
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