Last Month’s Particularly Epic Cycling Adventure, Part 2

This post picks up from “Last Month’s
Particularly Epic Cycling Adventure, Part 1”, about a ride that I took with Nigel Randell and Andy Clark
a month ago.
Part 1 ended with us
having reached Minetoko Pass (elevation 888m / 2,900') on a long gravel
road.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 32mm — 1/200 sec, f/2.2, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Heading Down

The descent down the other side was often very rough, and the rain continued, but it was worth it
because the views and general scenery were often gorgeous.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/5, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/500 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 30mm — 1/125 sec, f/4, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 38mm — 1/80 sec, f/13, ISO 640 —
map & image data — nearby photos








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 41mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

“Soft Shoulder”

with a speed limit (12mph) that I'm sure we exceeded








SC-04E at an effective 31mm — 1/310 sec, f/2.2, ISO 100 —
map & image data — nearby photos

photo by Nigel Randell

One thing that set this descent apart is that the forest it traversed seemed to be mostly original virgin wood,
and not farmed ceder seen almost everywhere else. The ample deciduous trees should make this path spectacular next month.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 40mm — 1/80 sec, f/2.5, ISO 500 —
map & image data — nearby photos

A Nigel in the Wild

can blend into the natural surroundings to the point of near invisibility








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/5, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Construction in the Middle of Nowhere

flood-control stuff








SC-04E at an effective 31mm — 1/25 sec, f/2.2, ISO 100 —
map & image data — nearby photos

I Got a Flat

photo by Nigel Randell

There was a sharp edge across the road where the pavement restarted, and I hit it too quickly and got a pinch flat,
only the second flat I've gotten since starting to ride earlier this year. Like the first time, it was raining as I changed the tire.

Eventually the road returned to civilization, only to be blocked by a padlocked gate.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

I don't understand how a public road can be suddenly gated like this... there was nothing to stop us getting
here, so why not let us continue?? We certainly weren't going to spend the hours required to retrace our steps,
so we went over the gate.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

This let us out just east of Nomi Pass. It's an area I knew well, having done it on
my first big ride last February, and three other times since.

When doing a climb, even if it's cold and rainy, the effort you put into it generates a lot of heat. But then on the
descent, you can get very cold quickly, and with this long descent and my flat tire, by now we were pretty cold and
miserable. Unfortunately, the area is devoid of stores or other commerce for many miles, except, fortunately, one
restaurant in the middle of nowhere, the Iroha Cafe (いろはカフェ). Were very lucky to find the lady that runs the cafe
outside accepting a delivery when we rolled past. She wasn't open yet, but kindly opened up
for us.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/60 sec, f/1.7, ISO 1250 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Most Grateful For Her Hospitality

wet, miserable, and six hours into the trip









Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/60 sec, f/1.7, ISO 1600 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Warm Tea

so very appreciated








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/1.7, ISO 2000 —
map & image data — nearby photos

!!FREE JUNK FOOD!!

She has big baskets filled with various cookies and crackers and treats, all free for the taking. When faced with
such bounty, in the condition we normally arrive (cold and miserable), we always clean them out. I
try to pay a bit extra to make me feel better about having been such a pig.

She was open for business by the time we left, and parked outside on the road was the logging truck of a customer:

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/500 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Dangerous Load

the pointy bits extend way past the end of the truck, without so much as a red ribbon of warning

With the clock ticking down and the rain still coming down, we decided to take the most expeditious route home,
so headed east to Route 367.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 47mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.6, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Another Scenic Area

taken while moving at 18 kph (11 mph)

Route 367 has the benefit of being a fairly fast and direct route back to Kyoto,
but it's got a lot of traffic and something like six or seven tunnels, which can be quite
dangerous especially since they're on uphill segments, so you're going much slower than traffic.
(Taking the road from Kyoto makes it much less dangerous, because you're going downhill
and so can travel with traffic.)

Most of the tunnels can be bypassed by taking the old, steep, twisty sections of road they replace, but the bypass
around three tunnels in succession was closed off. We decided to give it a
try anyway... roads that are closed to cars are often easily passable by bicycle (like this and this).

I mean, really, just how bad can it be?

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

So Far So Good

Route 367 in the background dives into one of the tunnels we're bypassing

taken while moving at 20 kph (12 mph)








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/1.7, ISO 640 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Well, Okay, This is a Bit Messy

but still entirely passable

taken while moving at 8 kph (5 mph)








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/80 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Ummm...

taken while moving at 17 kph (11 mph)








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/80 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

I Can See How Cars Might Have Trouble Here

I was thinking to just forge ahead into the river, when Nigel beat me to it...

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 54mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1000 —
map & image data — nearby photos

“Come On Lads, Let's Get it Done”








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 27mm — 1/125 sec, f/2, ISO 800 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Reluctantly Follows








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 44mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.6, ISO 1250 —
map & image data — nearby photos

A Bit More Dodgy Here

The road surface used to be about where Andy's pant cuffs are








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 75mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1000 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Nigel Sinking in the Gutter

at the side of the “road”










Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Ah, Back on the Road

Nigel took a short video of me slogging through the water, until I stopped at a big sandbar because I was worried about falling off while clipped in.
I didn't want to fall, but particularly didn't want to fall on video.

Video by Nigel Randel





Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Safely Through To Dry Land

With all our fun adventures, time was really running short, so we decide to skip the next bypass and go through the tunnel.
This bypass (seen here) involves a 100m climb that we didn't have
the time for.

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

I don't feel that tunnels are particularly dangerous if you have good lights, but I seem to be in the minority. In any case,
at least on Route 367, traffic seems to come in bunches, so we waited until a bunch passed then dove into the tunnel.

On the preview post last month I included this photo:

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/25 sec, f/1.7, ISO 3200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

taken while moving at 26 kph (16 mph)

... but that's been post-processed to bring up the light level.
This photo is closer to reality:

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/1.7, ISO 2500 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Closer to Reality

taken while moving at 26 kph (16 mph)

It depends on the tunnel; some are very well lit. (On a separate ride yesterday, I ended up taking all the tunnels on this route.)

The tunnel above ends at the top of a long descent, with both twisty parts and fast straightaways...

Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/200 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Andy Leads Us Into the Turn

taken while moving at 38 kph (24 mph)








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/160 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Nigel Brings Up the Rear

(sorry about the missed focus on this one; my emphasis was on not crashing)

taken while moving at 47 kph (29 mph)








Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/250 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 —
map & image data — nearby photos

Fast Straightaway

taken while moving at 61 kph (38 mph)

That was the last photo I took... the rest was just vanilla “get home” riding.

All in all the ride was way more fun than its 99.8km would suggest. Fun folks,
new routes, forging a river... what more could one ask for? Epic day.