Adam's cycling training journal

After a great roadtrip from Christmas Day to yesterday evening, I was feeling a little unexercised (4 hours of snowboarding was fun but didn't really count!).

This afternoon I did an hour on the indoor trainer. The weather has been foul all day, rainy windy and dark. Bluurgh. Again, listened to my Ipod mini and just rode steadily.

30km ish in 1hr
Avg HR = 154 BPM

Year to date = 12,199 Km

It was a kind of a spur of the moment thing. I met Fujimaki san at 10 and we rode slowly to Mt Hakodate, then up along the road.

The weather was perfect, calm, about zero and overcast. The snow on the road was solid and pretty grippy.

After enjoying the view from the top, we rode along the top of the mountain to the lookout above Cape Tachimasaki. Then down along the walking trail to the road near the base. At first, because my brakes were a little wet it was a little tough trying to control speed, but after that it was pure fun. There was a series of switchbacks which, if you used the rear brake and swung the back wheel out, you could slide around really smoothly. I wanted to go and do it again but didn't want to ride for more than 3 hours again.

Then we rode back!

25km in 3hr
Ride time = 2hr

Year to date = 12,169 km

written 23 December

Peter and I met at 8:30, rode the bottom of Shirotai and met Malcolm. During winter the road is closed to all traffic, so after we slid under the large heavy gate we were undisturbed by cars and motorbikes.

The snow on the road was initially patchy but soon became consistant. Icy ruts left by access vehicles under the recent soft snow were a bit of a problem as our wheels suddenly slid away from us. We rode slowly but steadily - it's so much harder than riding in summer with a road bike!

As we ascended the snow became deeper and the number of car ruts decreased. It became important to keep balance and pedal really steadily. Finally it became impassable, with the snow reaching almost to the axles.

Turning around, we all discovered that we had absolutely no braking power. Frozen and iced-up pads are not very effective! We did the next couple of hundred metres very slowly as things warmed up and we could control speed a bit. From there it was a whole lot of fun as we wove our way down the hill, dodging the easy to spot icy patches and ruts.

But we all took a tumble at some point! Malcolm got his foot stuck in his pedal a coule of times and made a very graceful rolling 'dismount'. Peter got his front wheel stuck in a deep rut while descending. And I, on request, lost both wheels as I attempted to slide gracefully under the gate.

From there, we parted ways and Peter and I rode home together, out bodies and bikes getting quite dirty from the wet road grime.

40km in 3hr 30min
Ride time = 4hr 30min

Year to date = 12,144 Km

It was dark and the lights around the park next door to our apartment were not on so I did an hour on the indoor trainer. No intervals, just a steady, uninterrupted hour. 5min warmup, 50min at about 150 - 160BPM then 5min warmdown.

30km in 1hr
Avg HR = 149 BPM

Year to date 12,104 Km

After what seemed like a long time, I took the waterpipe (aluminium road bike) out today. It was cool(-2 degrees) sunny and windy but completely ice-free. Perfect.

At first I rode to Toi, which was easy with a decent tailwind behind me. I was just about to stop for a rest at the beach there when I saw another rider coming from the other direction. Without thinking, I turned around and we rode back to Hakodate together.

It turns out that he's a student from Osaka, studying at a uni here. He only started riding last month (that's right, last month!) but was able to ride with me the whole way back, into the wind, at a decent pace. He had a good bike but no decent clothes, not even a facewarmer, so he was pretty cold.

Apparently he has been riding alone down to Fukushima, about 60km away. Keen!

56km in 2hr
Avg HR = 148 BPM
Ride time = 2hr 30min

Year to date = 12,074 Km

Today I went on a mountain bike ride with Malcolm and Fujimaki san behind Akagawa dam and back down to the Shindou along the forestry tracks. It was not so cold this week so most of the snow had disappeared. It was cold today and much of the trail was ice, but the lower part was just mud. Our bodies and bikes got really muddy.

On the way back Fujimaki san and I stopped at a carwash and sprayed our bikes clean. It worked really well, and hopefully no water got through the seals and into the wheel and bottom bracket bearings. The clothes were not so easy, even after a good wash my tights dropped a little pile of mud onto the floor.

I guessed the distance today, but it was an important day because I passed the 12000 km mark for the year. Last year was 7678km, so this year was significantly further with much more intensity. Hopefully next year can be as good!

And I didn't lose my new phone.

25km in 2hrs

Year to date = 12,018km

I did an hour on the trainer.
OK, a little more detail. 5 mins warmup, 40min at 150 to 160BPM then a warmdown. Nice, steady, uninterrupted.

30km in 1hr (maybe)
Avg HR = 147 BPM

Year to date = 11,993 Km

Buggerbuggerbuggerbuggerbuggerbuggerbugger. I couldn't find my phone (refer to yesterday's entry if you have no idea about what I'm talking about).

But it was a beautiful ride, the snow was a little harder than yesterday and it was a little easier to climb. Also, it was colder, so my water bottle froze a little.

I followed yesterday's course exactly and although looked hard for my phone (red phone against white snow shouldn't be too difficult to spot) am convinced that it has either been picked up by some kind lumberjack or driven deep into the snow by his 4WD.

So on the way back I went to the local police station and gave them the details. It involved writing the information in duplicate (they kept both copies!) but the guy seemed friendly enough. Then this evening I went to the local phone shop and put a 'stop' on my account. Just in case the lumberjack wants to call his mates in the Appalachians or somewhere.

I'll wait til the weekend then make a decision about getting a new one.

Oh yes, this was about the ride, wasn't it....

35km in 2hr 30min
Ride time = 3hr

Year to date = 11,963 Km

I met Malcolm and Peter at the university and then headed on our mountain bikes to Akagawa dam then along the forest roads which follow the river up into the hills. The whole way was snow and ice paved, and because a couple of cars had been along recently, nicely packed.

The road was always uphill which meant that speeds were low and also that we had to be careful with traction. Leaning too far forward meant that the back wheel spun out, losing speed quickly. At some stage we passed two 4WDs which had caused the nice paths for us, and from there it was a lot harder to ride smoothly. But possible. We took a few photos on our mobile phone cameras...

But after a few hundred metres that changed to deep snow so we turned back. Riding at conservative speeds on these roads is great fun! Although there is little braking power with snow-packed rims, it didn't seem to matter. (One day it will, though!). It was interesting to see and feel the snow condition slowly change as we descended.

Near the dam we took a right turn and detoured along a wet and icy trail to another exit point, returned to the uni to fill water bottles and farewell Malcolm, then went home.

But when I got home I noticed that my phone was not in my pocket. I called it a couple of times but couldn't get a ring tone, which convinced me that it fell out of my pocket onto snow while descending after taking the photos. So I will go back tomorrow and see if I can find it! What a pain in the arse!

Maybe 35km in 4 hours

Year to date = 11,928 Km

Written 9 December

It snowed a lot on Wednesday and although it was warm yesterday (4 degrees or so) it hadn't melted all of the snow and ice around the place. So I went alone to Mt Hakodate to see how the road to the top was.

Sensational.

The first couple of hundred metres were a little patchy but after that the snow was firm and smooth. The road had been graded which meant that the snow was only a few centimetres deep but that was enough. I really enjoyed riding up and down, though it was pretty cold not pedalling!

25km in 1hr 30min

Year to date = 11,893 Km

written 9 December

In winter I ride my mountain bike which doesn't have a speedo so I have to guess the distance. But even if it did, the distance would be incomparable with riding on a road bike in summer. The rolling resistance of a mountain bike with spike tyres (at lower pressures) on a mixture of snow and ice is significantly higher than a road bike on a normal road.

So even though the distance is less the workout value is maybe more.

Anyway today it was snowing buckets so I rode up past my school to the Miharashi garbage tip then back. Maybe 15km? Felt like 40.

15km in 1hr
Avg HR = 145 maybe

Year to date = 11,868 Km

Written 26 November

After the previous night's spectacular election in Australia, I was feeling good for a ride today.

There was no snow around and it was a balmy 10 degrees so I headed out on the waterpipe (aluminium frame Pinarello) and did a simple lap of the new road past Shirotai, across to Ono, then Kamiiso and back to Hakodate. An even 45km.

I rode steadily and although tried to keep my HR at about 150 it seemed to be comfortable at about 160 too. No problems!

45km in 1hr 30min
Avg HR = 152 BPM
Ride time = 1hr 45min

Year to date = 11,853 km

Written 26 November

There was still lots of snow on the roads, and it was cold. Furthermore it was a national holiday so no work. I made the most of the situation by riding up Mt Hakodate on the mountain bike with spike tyres.

It was beautiful riding, the road was a little snowy and there was enough grip to climb smoothly. A few other people were walking up and they were surprised to see a crazy gaijin riding past.

I took a few photos from the tip, the air was very clear and there were only a scattering of clouds. Descending was a little dodgy as the snow disabled my rim brakes somewhat. I found the best way was to ride in the dee snow along the side of the road which controlled the speed, while feathering the brakes to keep snow from building up between the rims and pads. It seemed to work well, but I didn't have a lot of braking power. Without pedalling it was also really cold!

Disc brakes would be the way to go but I can survive without them.

Again not a long ride but it's such a bigger effort on snow and ice.

30km in 2hr

Year to date = 11,808 Km

Written 26 November

It was snowing buckets today. I went to Kamiiso on my mountain bike with spike tyres, which was really hard work. It takes a lot more energy to ride in snow!

I met Fujimaki san and we rode on the indoor trainers for a while, then I had to go to work.

All up, a pretty fun indoor/outdoor session!

(say) 30km in 1 hr
no HR (no battery)

Year to date = 11,778 Km

Written 26 November

On this Sunday it was a bit windy and rainy and I went to Kamiiso in to the wind for a while but it started to snow and the road was wet so I cut it short and came home.

31km in 1hr 15min
No HR meter
Ride time = 1hr 30min

Year to date = 11,748 Km

written 26th November

Wow, it's been a good break from cycling and journalling! I've been riding to work and around the place but nothing really long nor intense. Just keeping the legs turning over, and trying to maintain a little fitness for winter. I have put on a little weight, am now 76kg up from 73kg.

On this day I went with Akahama san to Shirotai (some part of it in snow, which was fun). From there to Ono, where by chance we met with Malcolm then back around to the bottom of Shirotai again then home. A nice ride!

65km in 2hr 35min
Ride time = 3hr

Year to date = 11,717 Km

written 30 October

After last night's halloween party I woke up at 5 to 9. Got dressed, had a quick breakfast and met Kodama san at 10 past 9. We rode to Peter's then as 3 to the bottom of Shirotai where Akahama san was waiting. Cat was struggling with my dodgy directions so the other 3 climbed ahead while I went back to Nanae to meet her. No problem.

It was a truly stunning day, no wind, clouds or pollution. There were quite a few cars on this usually deserted road, which was a pain while trying to descent at normal pace with Peter!

Near Onuma Akahama san and Peter went off to Shikabe on a long ride (Akahama san has a race in two weeks and wanted to do a tough one beforehand. I was tempted but with no races to train for, the motivation just wasn't there).

Cat, Kodama san and I did a lap of Onuma at a steady pace, getting good at rotation riding very quickly. Then we met Kodama san's wife and went at a nicely relaxing pace along the country roads, then to Lucky Pierrot where we had icecream and a long-overdue chat.

Cat had to zoom home for a concert so we zoomed back to Kamiiso. When I got home I ate and drank lots, and didn't feel as bad as yesteday. Easy pace rides still take a lot of energy, especially in dry weather.

87km in 3hr 35min
Avg HR = 139 BPM
Ride time = 5hr 20min

Year to date = 11,652 Km

written 30 October

It rained on and off last night but was only cloudy this morning and the roads drying quickly. I met Mori san, whom I met at the Challenge Run a couple of weeks ago, and rode out to Tetsuzan, Menagawa, Toi then home.

We took it easy, chatting and enjoying the classic autumn scenery. It was coolish but too warm for my hard-core winter jacket.

Even though it was not a really hard ride, I didn't eat enough after it and got a bit of a headache which lasted until the next morning. Not a good move to misunderestimate these things.

Long live Bushisms!

75km in 2hr 50min
Avg HR = 137 BPM
Ride time = 3hr 20min

Year to date = 11,565 Km

written 22 October

After a couple of false starts I finally went on a group ride with Cat, an American english teacher who lives in Kamiiso. The only thing is that it wasn't much of a group - just the two of us! It was quite cool, windy and rainy as I rode out to Kamiiso. After we met I suggested that we ride into the wind towards Moheji but it wasn't much fun with the traffic.

So we took the back road to Kamiiso Dam then to Ono and the as yet un-signposted Organic Cafe! I'll never forget her surprise at seeing such a beautiful room after climbing the stairs from the dirty and dark barn. We had a nice chat with the owner too, and she gave us some freshly made tempura.

Time was ticking along so we headed back along Route 227 to Meiho bike shop which was closed and a supermarket to see Chiharu. So, Cat, it was great to meet you but a shame it's so close to the end of the season. You're welcome to join us anytime!

52km in 2hr 10min
Avg HR = 133 BPM
Ride time = 3hr 45min

Year to date = 11, 490

written 17 October

Malcolm organised a MTB ride into the hills along the forestry roads - we had been talking about it for months and it finally happened!
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65km in 5hr
Avg HR = 130 BPM maybe
Ride time = 7hr

Year to date = 11,438 Km