We’ll see*…weather similar to last weekend this week, just a tad colder but mostly sunny. And less icy.If the cold mornings are deterring you from getting out of bed and onto a bike, be informed that last weekend was terrific biking weather, especially out at Odaiba where we shelter in the sunshine in the lee of the beach bar. This week we’ll keep to our typical winter pattern, which is two short, keep-fit rides, One to Odaiba and the other to Jonan Jima. It’s very important ...Continue Reading

Well*THAT*was *FUN*But I’m guessing most of the snow will have melted off by the weekend, and the weather looks clear with little wind and temps of as high as 8 on Saturday and 12 on Sunday. So a few rides to keep those biking muscles in proper shape. Be very careful for icy spots, which can show up in shady areas.Masks up, please, for meeting spots and stores, etc.; otherwise optional while riding. And bring an eco bag for your convenience store lunch. Saturday Odaiba Jaunt*An easy, 30-km lope out to our ...Continue Reading

Felice*Anno*Nuovo*I’d say something like, “Next year has GOT to be better than this last one,” but that’s exactly what we were saying a year ago, wasn’t it? Whatever. Get you shots and we’ll keep riding.Saturday is of course Brian’s Yamanote Line New Year’s ride, as detailed in a note sent out a few days ago. I’ll post it again at the bottom of this letter, and note that Matt will lead a group out to the Shinagawa starting point from the Grand Hyatt, leaving at 7:30. On the 2nd, I’ll do our usual Oda ...Continue Reading

New Year’s Day Yamanote Adventure*Each January 1st it is our tradition to ride around the Yamanote loop, stopping twice for grub and beer. With the slight relaxations of the COVID-19 mitigation rules, Brian is planning to lead the ride and Mike may dash around taking photographs. We have recently learned that Ehukai Beach, closed for over a year due to the Olympic brouhaha, will celebrate its grand reopening on New Year’s Day, so to join in that, I have modified the route. Instead of going counter clockwise, w ...Continue Reading

Happy*Saturnalia!*While of course it’s a time for family, remember that it’s important to get in a little exercise to counter all that holiday overindulgence. Could save your life.So I’ll do a quick, keep-fit, Christmas Day ride for those away from your families this year (or those who just want to be for a few hours). The weather will have a few early morning showers, but fine later, with a high of 14. While the forecast for Sunday is sunny, the high will be only 5 degrees, and that’s TF c ...Continue Reading

Okay, *Winter’s *Here*Getting colder, so bundle up! This Saturday I have to wait around for some apartment maintenance guys, and anyway with a high of about 7 it’ll be colder than a crocodile’s crotch. So no rides from me.But that apparently doesn’t deter Phil and Matt, who have humbly leapt into the breach to offer a few rides detailed below. Note: they start from the same spot a half hour apart and both head toward the Arakawa, so don’t end up with the wrong group.On Sunday I’ll do an Odaiba ride, with ...Continue Reading

THE FINE*WEATHER*...seems to be holding into mid-December (15 Saturday and sunny, up to 17 Sunday and mostly sunny with not too much wind). It can’t last. We’ll miss this kind of weather come January and February.So how about the usual Odaiba run on Saturday and a Tama loop on Sunday? Masks up for meet-up spots and crowded places; optional while riding. Don’t forget your eco bag for your convenience-store lunch. Saturday Odaiba Beginners*Start at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills at 11:00 a.m. for an ...Continue Reading

Chillier*…this weekend but still quite bikeable. Saturday 14 degrees, Sunday 11, with sun both days and low winds.So we have three rides for you to choose from; I’ll do a pair of easy rides, to Odaiba and Haneda, and Phil plans to go out Tamagawa way Sunday and do something frighteningly called “hill repeats.” I don’t now what that means, nor do I want to. Masks up for meet-up spots and convenience stores, etc., optional while riding. And don’t forget your eco bag for when you buy your lunch. Ha ...Continue Reading

The Autumn Leaves*…are turning, so this weekend we’ll try something a little different. After our usual Odaiba run on Saturday, we will on Sunday ride out via mostly riverside paths to Inokashira Park in the hope of catching a bit of seasonal color. Temps looking about 13-14 degrees, so a little chillier, but strong sunshine. And winds of up to 22 kph, so dress accordingly.Masks up for meeting points and convenience stores, etc. Optional while riding. Don’t forget an eco bag for your store-bought lunch.Saturd ...Continue Reading

Sorry if you get this twice; wasn’t getting a return from our mailing software. Sadly,*One of our most stalwart members* is leaving us soon, but he’d like to complete the karmic circle and go on one more Odaiba ride, thus this Saturday’s jaunt out that way will be dubbed the Greg Brutus /*Sayonara /*Odaiba Beginners’ Ride. /*I’ll also do another short ride on Sunday, out to Jonan Jima, and James will offer a full Tama loop, starting earlier with a possible meet-up at Jo ...Continue Reading