Century of Wazuka Climbs, Part 2

This post picks up on last month's “Century of Wazuka Climbs, Part
1”, about what was for me an epic day of beauty and climbing, and some trials and tribulations.
“Part 1” ended with a delicious lunch,
so this part picks up from just after.

So, after lunch, I made my way south to the deeper, even-less populated mountains of the Wazuka region of
southern Kyoto Prefecture.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Last Sign of Civilization for a While







Panasonic LX100 at an effective 29mm — 1/160 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Selfie

at the top of a small climb








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Defenders of the Traffic Rules!

I thought that I had posted these guys before, but it seems that I didn't. It's the same intersection
as this photo from
“Tea Tour with Manseki and Gorm” last year.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 60mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 400 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Lovely, Little-Used Road

This mild climb was really pleasant, but it seems to be little
used, as only 30 Strava users have ever ridden it in the direction I went
(300 have used it in the other direction, which still seems like a small number for
such a lovely road).

Perhaps so few folks use this road because a nearby alternate route goes near a scenic spot.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 75mm — 1/125 sec, f/4, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Just Lovely







Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

“Road Narrows”

The nice wide road just stops, with a narrow road that looks like an afterthought trailing away to the right.
This kind of thing is seen every so often, when modern repair work is done to a very old, narrow road. The thought,
I'm assuming, is that if they're going to redo the road for whatever reason, they may as well put in a modern two-lane
road while they're at it. Over the decades, after enough of the road needs attention of some sort or another, they'll
have gotten around to making the full length nice and wide. Until then, it comes in little spurts.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 43mm — 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

“Bicycles”

“Let's be Careful!!”

It's not clear to me whether “Bicycles” is the subject or a direct object
(that is, it's not clear whether this is admonishing cyclists to take general care, or cautioning
drivers to watch out for bicycles). Actually, the way it's written is clearly directed at children,
so perhaps it's warning children to watch out for bicycles, or maybe a clever way to get (Japanese-native) cyclists
to subconsciously worry that children might be present. I dunno.

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

Skirting the Top

of a green-tea field








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 29mm — 1/125 sec, f/5, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Roundish

Green-tea bushes are always this roundish shape. I don't know why, but I suspect it's to increase the surface area, and hence
the yield. Some years ago I made my first visit to a great-tea field while working with Lake Biwa Tours as they considered a tea-themed tour. During that visit, the bushes were
being trimmed...

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Trimming







Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Curved Blade







Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 29mm — 1/400 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Lots to Do

Back to my ride, after a lot of undulation the road finally pitches down down down at roughly 8%, in two thrilling parts
of three and two kilometers, respectively. The first part, the Dosenbo Descent,
breaks out of the forest and into sweeping vistas of gorgeous tea fields. Unfortunately, the camera on my bike is lower to the road,
so it doesn't catch the lovely vistas, but for what it's worth, here's the descent:

After a short break with a little climb, the road again plummets down toward sea level via the Kiya Descent. It's a more-standard twisty mountain descent:

I had fun with both, not pushing too hard but hoping to do well. Ended up getting the KOM on both.