THURSDAY*…is forecast to be a warmish 20 degrees, but also cloudy and a bit blowy. Perfectly bikeable. So if your schedule permits, join me for a quick midweek ride out to Odaiba. Then, Saturday looking even better at 20 degrees and sunny and not so windy, so a 45-km Odaiba Plus on that day. Thursday Midweek Odaiba*Start at 11:00 at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills for the usual 30-km run out to the beach at Odaiba. The beach bar is closed on Thursdays, but I have in mind a lunch spot on the banks of the migh ...Continue Reading

🌸🌸🌸There’s probably a few blossoms yet to bloom, so on *Saturday* we’ll head out to our traditional spot near the Ota-ku baseball stadium to appreciate them a bit. And there are a few pretty spots along the way. Sunday looks less welcoming, but if the forecast improves, look for a message Saturday afternoon about a ride out to Odaiba. Saturday Ohanami Ride*At just 23kn, it’s more of a jaunt out to a picnic than a real ride, but great fun. Start at 11:00 a.m. from the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills. We’ll stop a ...Continue Reading

LOOKS LIKE*WISHFUL *THINKING*…last warn weekend declaring an end to winter. This Saturday it looks like rain all day. But Sunday’s forecast is for cool and cloudy. Not perfect but dry and perfectly bikeable. So don’t yet put away the cold weather gear and let’s go out to Odaiba on our usual run. Maybe next weekend we’ll try to appreciate some cherry blossoms. *Sunday Odaiba Ride*Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. for an easy, 30-km lope out to the beach by the bay. Beach bar lunch. B ...Continue Reading

*100**KILOMETERS*Old Steven Wright joke: Guy goes to a store that’s advertised as open 24 hours, but when he gets there, the proprietor is just closing up. What gives? He points to a sign in the window that says, “Open 24 Hours.” The proprietor replies, “Yeah, but not all at once!” (rimshot)So we will indeed cycle 100 kilometers this warm weekend, but over two rides, a 45-km Odaiba Plus ride on Saturday and a 55-km Tama River loop on Sunday. Break out the sunscreen, because the forecast is for temps up to 22 d ...Continue Reading

Half-Fasters,Sorry for this, but something’s come up on Wednesday that will keep me from our post-COVID inaugural monthly meeting,So I’m pushing it to THURSDAY THE 20TH.Here’s an update of the info I sent out last week:*Back to the Cow*Up until the pandemic, we traditionally supplemented our weekend rides with a monthly midweek social evening at a place called The Pink Cow. It was a chance to see what we look like without the cycling helmets, shades and togs.Traci Consoli’s moveable feast is now at its fifth location i ...Continue Reading

*WINTER’S LAST**BLAST*Going to rain Sunday, and Saturday looking cool (12 degrees) and cloudy but with little wind. We still need that exercise, that social interaction, that sunlight… and possibly beer. So we have two rides for Saturday, our usual Odaiba run and one of  Peter’s far more ambitious hill-climbs.Next weekend’s forecast is for 19-20 degrees and sunny, so winter’s end is getting closer. Courage.*Half-Fast Monthly Meeting*On Wednesday the 19th at 7:00 at The Pink Cow in Akasaka.  https://www.thepink ...Continue Reading

*SOME**SAY*…that Half-Fast is more of a social club than an athletic endeavor. I got no problem with that. It’s true that since our first ride in 2003 we have created thousands of friendships, and even four or five marriages (!). Nobody’s perfect.*Back to the Cow*Up until the pandemic, we traditionally supplemented our weekend rides with a monthly midweek social evening at a place called The Pink Cow. It was a chance to see what we look like without the cycling helmets, shades and togs.Traci Consoli’s moveable feast is ...Continue Reading

CLARIFICATIONThis weekend’s Odaiba ride is on SUNDAY. Sorry for the confusion in the previous email. IP -- Thank you for being on our list. You can Unsubscribe at any time. ...Continue Reading

*SATURDAY’S*RAIN*AND/OR*SNOW*…will not likely happen until the evening, but the day leading up to that will be cold and grey, so this week we’ll look to Sunday for a ride, when it will be warmer (13) and sunny (ish).To those caught up in last week’s fun trying to get around the friggin’ Tokyo Marathon downtown, I have found a much easier place to cross the route near Shiba Koen. Next time.And finally, Paul, our most stalwart of Half-Fast stalwarts, currently facing down some serious cancer, has provided us with an ...Continue Reading

*UNBELIEVABLY*GORGEOUS*…weather coming up this weekend, with lots of sun and temps in the 18 to 20-degree range. I’m still struggling with a (much-improved) shoulder inflammation, so will sit out Saturday’s ride. But James will humbly leap into the breach with a Jonan Jima jaunt. Sunday I’ll do our Odaiba run, but may extend that a bit depending on how I feel. And don’t forget to remember my birthday party on the first.*Saturday Jonan Jima Jaunt*Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 for an easy 30-35k ...Continue Reading