*AT** LEAST **TWO*…of us underemployed/retired riders will do a quick run to Odaiba on Thursday. The forecast high is nearly 20 degrees! Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 *sharp*. 30km, beach bar lunch, back by 2:00 or so.While I rarely ask for RSVPs on rides, this time please let me know if you want to join. 090-5813-6721 or reply to this email.This weekend the likely rides will be a 35-km Jonan Plus on Saturday and a 45-50 km Odaiba Plus on Sunday. Details to come on Fri ...Continue Reading

*THE NEXT**THREE DAYS*…at around 10-12 degrees and partly cloudy, look pretty much the same.  I’ve got stuff to do on Saturday, but will lead a pair of easy, 30-km, keep-fit jaunts on Sunday and Monday (“Foundation Day” if you didn’t know). Also, Bas Spaandermaan will do something a bit more ambitious out Takao way on Monday. Little wind, but dress warm.Warmer weather apparently coming next weekend.*Sunday Odaiba Ride*Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 for an easy 30-km lope out to the Beach by the ...Continue Reading

LOOKS*LIKE*Saturday’s the bikeable day this weekend, at 11 degrees, little wind and sunshine.So we’ll continue our winter series of keep-fit jaunts with a ride out to Jonan Jima led by James (the three Js). Remember to bring an eco-bag, as we’ll be lunching out of a convenient store.Satuday JonanjimaStart: Grand Hyatt Roppongi at 11.00 a.mPace: Easy, beginnersDistance: 30kmDetails: We’ll take a leisurely standard Half-Fast route ride down to Jonan Jima and back.Return to Grand Hyatt by 2.30PM.James Mobile ...Continue Reading

*WHEREAS*…Tomorrow, Wednesday, is going to be 14 degrees and beautiful, and *WHEREAS* a few of us (me and Mac) have no pesky work to do, we’re going to take a midweek, midday jaunt out to the beach at Odaiba. Start at 11:00 SHARP from the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills, back by 2:00 or so. *PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN,* this time.This weekend will be cooler, but bikable, so we’re planning a pair of 30-km keep-fit rides, to Jonan and Odaiba. Il Padrone, 090-5813-6721 -- Thank you for being on our list. ...Continue Reading

Saturday*…at 12 degrees, little to moderate wind and very sunny, looks like the day to ride this weekend. (Sunday will be a bit cooler and a lot cloudier.) So a reprise of our lovely Odaiba Plus ride.*Saturday Odaiba Plus*So named as we tack on 15 or 20 km to the front end of the regular jaunt to Odaiba for a total of about 45-50km. Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. Back by around 3:30. Canals, rivers, windmills, sailboats, parks, bike paths, just one big bridge, and lunch at the be ...Continue Reading

RAIN *ALL *DAY*…is the forecast for Sunday. And Saturday, with a high of 9 degrees and cloud, and some maybe-showers, would not make for a fun bike ride. And anyway I’m off the bike battling a bug of some sort. So Half-Fast will take a break this week. Bright side: Next weekend, at 12 degrees and “mostly sunny.” is looking a lot better, so we’ll get back in the saddle.Get well Paul! Get Well Ted !Il Padrone, 090-5813-6721 -- Thank you for being on our list. You can Unsubscribe at any time. ...Continue Reading

This unfortunate news from Ted Johnson, currently laid up in a hospital in Taiwan:One week ago today my Taiwan bicycling tour ended prematurely when I was almost ended prematurely by a hit & run driver who smacked me from behind while I was descending a rural mountain road in southern Taiwan.  Final tally was 4 broken ribs, 2 broken vertebrae, partially collapsed lung, whiplash & bruised spine, numb & weak left hand due to the whiplash or spinal bruise, hip contusion (where the car hit me), some small ...Continue Reading

*12*and**SUNNY*Is about my threshold for enjoyable riding, and that’s what we’re told to expect on Sunday (after Saturday’s cold and damp).  So an easy ride out to the beach at Odaiba, but with the option to be decided en route on whether to extend this to an Odaiba Plus. There’s to be little wind and few clouds, so the extension is likely. It will be only 7 degrees at the start place/time, so put on a few extra layers.*Sunday Odaiba-possible-plus*Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a ...Continue Reading

*15*…Degrees of gorgeous reluctant winter weather is what we’re in for on Saturday, so how about doing our patented Tama River loop? Note: this is the day’s forecast high; temp at start time/place just 11 degrees. Dress accordingly.Out through western Tokyo to the Mighty Tama, downstream and across town to Jonan Jima. We’ll  grab some lunch at a convenience store just before we get to the beach. We ask (nay, insist) that you bring along an eco-bag to reduce single-use plastic bags. Consequences. Several pick-u ...Continue Reading

*Ekiden Viewing Ride*Time: Wed, Jan 3, 10.30 (leaving by 10.40)Start: Tama River Futakoshinchi, under bridge, road level. Required: helmet, spare tube.Pace: easyWe follow the Tama downstream to Dai ichi Keihin (route 15), then south, stop or slow down to watch the Hakone Ekiden runners on the 9th leg of the race back to Tokyo -- we will be on the opposite side of the road. Continue to Tsurumi river, buy something in conveni to eat/drink at park near estuary of Tsurumi. Then back along route 6 to Tama river, finish ...Continue Reading