Group Hanase Climb, and Full Carpet at the Ochiba Shrine

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Fallen-Leaf Yoga

(sort of)

at the Ochiba Shrine, Kyoto Japan

岩戸落葉神社（京都市)

Today we did a simple little “Hanase Support” ride, where a few of
us with experience making the climb to Hanase Pass helped out those who have never done it. Lianca and Stephanie made the climb
for the first time, being encouraged by Manseki, Antti, and me.

The southern climb to Hanase Pass is Kyoto's premier
climb, averaging 8.6% for 5.8 km (3.6 miles) of unrelenting grade. Through sheer ignorance I happened to choose
it for my first-ever real bike outing, in the snow and ice of early February last year,
when it took 48 minutes to finish. I've climbed it 27 times since,
with my best now 28:59, done a month ago.

(Antti has done the climb 33 times, including 18 times one day last August when he Everested it!)

On today's trip, Antti accompanied Stephanie, and I rode with Lianca...

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 70mm — 1/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Lianca Smiling up Hanase







Panasonic LX100 at an effective 26mm — 1/80 sec, f/1.9, ISO 320 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Half Way

the turnoff to Momoi Pass







Panasonic LX100 at an effective 38mm — 1/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Success!

arriving at Hanase Pass (花背峠)

complete in about 41:40







Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Scooting Down the Other Side

taken while cycling at 24 kph (15 mph)







Panasonic LX100 at an effective 28mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.2, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos







Panasonic LX100 at an effective 29mm — 1/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

taken while cycling at 30 kph (19 mph)







Panasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Nervous Smile

taken while cycling at 29 kph (18 mph)

Stephanie is a former world-class triathlete,
but is not used to big climbs nor descents, and would prefer to do neither. Nevertheless, she tackled both today,
doing the climb up in 37:29 (11th overall for women).
She really doesn't care for descents, so took her time
and descended at about the same speed I climb.