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 p ...Continue Reading

*A COUPLE OF*15*DEGREE*🌞 *SUNNY* 🌞*DAYS *COMING UP*Saturday will have some mild winds, so perhaps a run out to Odaiba. Sunday will be less breezy, so let’s stretch it out with a longer Tama River loop.*Saturday 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 around 2:00.*Sunday Tama Loop *Intermediate-level. 55km, easy but fast. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. Alt ...Continue Reading

*Hey, bikers!*Tomorrow is the second Wednesday of the month, the time when we traditionally descend upon The Pink Cow, a funky little place in Akasaka that serves up excellent burritos and other Cal-Mex dishes. Here’s the site: https://www.thepinkcow.com/It’s an opportunity to see what we all look like without the goggles and helmets and a time to talk about bikes — or God, the universe and predetermination vs. free will. I kid. Mostly bikes.It’s also a time to meet new members and to celebrate any recent or ...Continue Reading

DRY*…is what the weather will be this weekend, which in bike-speak means “get your ass in the saddle and start pedaling.” Saturday may be as warm as 18 degrees with some clouds, and Sunday a bit cooler at 12 degrees but sunnier. Both days will see some strong winds, so bundle up. Remember: even if the weather isn’t perfect, it’s better to be out there than to not be out there. Saturday Odaiba Plus*We add 15k on to our usual jaunt to the beach at Odaiba to make a 45-km journey over bridges, along canals, through for ...Continue Reading

*PRETTY MUCH THE **SAME *AS LAST WEEKEND*Weatherwise. Saturday will be 19 degrees and sunny but with some considerable wind. Sunday sunny and a cooler 17 and much less blowy. So a ride to Jonan Jima and then a longer Odaiba Plus the next day.Saturday Jonan Jima Jaunt*Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 for an easy, 35-km lope out to a little beach park across from Haneda Airport. Please bring an *eco-bag *for your convenience store lunch. Back by 2:30 or so. *Sunday Odaiba Plus*We add 15k ...Continue Reading

Begin forwarded message:*From: *Mike Sims-Williams <mike2@PROTECTED>*Subject: **Supplemental - Monday Miura**Date: *February 20, 2026 at 15:59:07 JST*To: *Don Morton <hfpadrone@PROTECTED>Monday 23 Jan - Miura Peninsula (Mike)Our fantasmagorical Miura ride takes-in little fishing villages, windmills, a lighthouse, great views. Distance is 60 km. Intermediate level. A few moderate hills, which will feel harder in the heat. Train both ways. Here’s the route. We have been doing this for many years, in all s ...Continue Reading

SUNNY*With temps of 16-18 this weekend, a virtual repeat of last weekend. So a standard Odaiba trip on Saturday and a longer Tama River loop on Sunday.Saturday Odaiba Jaunt*Easy 30-km lope out to the magical island in the bay for a beach bar lunch. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m.; back by around 2:00Sunday Tama River Loop *Intermediate-level. 55km, easy but fast. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. Alternate rendezvous points: KFC in Ebisu @ 11:30, Intersection of ...Continue Reading

SPRING*TEASE*Well, this weekend’s weather will be better for cycling than last week's. Like no snow. Low bar. Saturday’s high will be about 15 degrees, but with some clouds, so let’s do a 35-km run out to Jonan Jima. Sunday may get as warm as 18 degrees and sunny, so we’ll stretch it out a bit with a 45-km Odaiba Plus jaunt. Bring along an extra layer, though, because some wind may bring down the feels-like temps. *Saturday Jonan Jima *Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. for a 35-km ride o ...Continue Reading

Yo, half-fasters!Tomorrow is the second Wednesday of the month, a time when we traditionally descend on The Pink Cow, a funky little art bar in Akasaka   https://www.thepinkcow.com/contact/   to dine on Tex-Mex specialties, perhaps a beverage or two, and talk about all things bicycle. It’s Japan’s Foundation Day, so there’s that. This month’s meetup will also serve as an observance of the founding of your humble padrone, as my birthday comes next week. We start rolling in at around 7:00. Hope to see ...Continue Reading

*SNOW!*It happens. And while I love the white stuff, I’m not too wild about cycling in it. Plus the temps for Saturday and Sunday stand at 5 and 2 degrees respectively; and those are the /highs/. So no rides planned this weekend, but that doesn’t mean we can’t socially interact in other ways. Read on...February Meetup & Birthday*The 11th is the second Wednesday of the month, a time when all good Half-Fasters gang and dine at The Pink Cow in Akasaka, a funky little art bar that serves up a terrific burrito and other ...Continue Reading