Nagano

It's been a while since my last update...
The photo insertion often stops working and it was eating away my motibation to update this blog.

Anyway, going back one week on 7/30 was the 6th race of the JCF National XC MTB Series held in cool Nagano. As it was the site of Winter Olympics several years ago, there are plenty of mountains, and it's actually cool here...in the morning/evening that is.

The course profile looks like this (this is 4 laps of race data).
You go up alot, come down to where you started, up again little bit more and come back to the start line. Simple, isn't. I acutally like this coures since downhill is all twisty singletrack with a couple of drop-offs. Climbing is also wide so you can set your own pace.
1st climb...steep, huge...almost 1km (0.6miles?) in length, super steep 1st half of it and eases off in the 2nd half. No big deal?
Actually the main problem with the 1st big climb is the sun. It goes straight up the ski slope...ski slope does't have trees...sun hits directly on your back and neck. For this reason, this is one of the most feared climb in the entire JCF cirucuit. Talking about over 90F (over 30C) temp and 80% or so humidity, and the sun.

Anyway, I just got off of 1 week trip in England, came back and pouring rain for another week to loose 2 weeks of training. Not being sure of my state of condition (I knew that I was well rested, though!), I went super conservative in the first half, keeping around at 40th place with whopping 160 starters! (summer vacation...)
Felt okay, so started to up the pace...but I knew that I wouldn't be able to climb the big one in high tempo the entire way, so I look it easy in the 1st steep part, and pick up the pace in the 2nd half. This effectively shortens the climb to half, and I'd actually catch up to those who passed me in the lower parts and even the those in front of me, in the latter stages of the lap.

This is all good, and in the 4th and the last lap, I give it all I got, basically and just suffered through it to pick up at least 10 spots to finish 16th.

The important point is that I finished strong, and that is always a good feeling.
Anyway, this still puts me at 40th ranking in the Expert field Natinally, so I'm not going to make the cut to go up into the Elite ranks.


Thanks to Jon Bruno, the IF Grassroots manager/rider/fit form naked guy for getting the new outfit.
It looks great.


From now 24hr race is really what's happening for the MTB side, and after that it's cyclocross time! I'll certainly enjoy that, and see if I can climb up to the podium one day, and also get that top 10 overall ranking.
Better start runnin'...


Okay, so attachment of photo still doean't work...

what world cup???

Just as my three teams for the World Cup make the exit (three countries I have lived...Japan, US, and Brazil), the Tour started. Though, I'd be curious to the results and hi-lights, I doubt that I will be staying up to watch the Tour (usually airs live from 22:00 to 24:00) then keep stay up to watch the World Cup (which is from 1:00am or 4:00am). That's just too much for recovery.
So, I'll just watch the Tour. I know more playere there anyways.


Anyway, the Tour starts with or without the big players. It shows that the Tour does not need the big names. People will still watch it, because there is always enough drama. They'll get the idea as Tour fever will go on all the way to Paris, and forget and not miss Ullrich or Basso in the end.
So, thanks to them, the Tour is now totally open and just became most unpredictable Tour, maybe ever! What a nightmare for those who bet. Now they have to really distribute their money well.

I'm totally biased towards US riders, so my pick is Levi Leipheimer to win it then Valverde, then Goerge Hincapie to fill the last spot. Notable finish will come from Cadel Evans, Denis Menchov, Andreas Kloden. Surprise top 10 will be Dave-Z (yeah!), and Chris Horner. Landis will retire with Yellow, due to....something. Cunego will not ba a factor, this is not a Giro.

I'm required to cheer for the pocket rocket McEwan, Horner, and Evans as they ride with Cateye meter and HRM.

Hushovd's injury at the end of the Stage 1...watching the video, I realy don't think it was the PMU hand, but something more solide like a beer bottle. It looked more like "thump" impact when he was struck. Also can see somebody's hand come out behind the PMU hand, and something splashed...anyway, it could've easily been lot worse.


Oh, yes, I went out on a night ride tour in ancient volcanic peninsula of Izu and did some initial testing of the proto-type Double/Triple Shot Pro. They are very nice, indeed.

We're finally going Li-Ion. It's light, small, and expensive! I hope Jeff and Sloane will be happy with it...we should be able to send you a couple very soon.

For these light tests, it's always hard to judge the quality unless it's clearly different. And those photo comparisons with reflectors...I don't think so. Although it is the easiest and most understandable method of letting buying see the difference, it's just not real enough. How do you know if the exposure and shutter speed of the camera was exactly the same, and the time of the day? It's not controlled unless you do it in a complete dark room.
So, if you see magazines, individuals do that...take it as a reference and not make it a buying decision maker.
We're trying to figure out exactly how to logically express the quality of lights to the potential buyers.

Anyway, we'll be using one of these soon, and see if it would help any...it sure won't be able to tell the brightness comparison or anything, but you will be able to see it being used in real life situation. I think resolution is only good for internet use...

rain season is here

The yearly rain season is here for real this time. It's a great time to be a meteorologist. This week is all rain! June to end of July is the standard rain season here in Japan. Once this is over comes the humidity and heat and becomes unbearable.

Actually, I don't mind riding in rain season so much since it's a lot cooler than the sunny days and there are more riders skipping training rides...meaning if I try hard during this month, maybe I can catch up to them...maybe.
What I don't like is taking care of equipmetn and shoes afterwards. Also, commuting to work is not pleasant either. Usually take the train if raining in the morning.
I still have no idea how I'm supposed to drain water out of the rim...these new factory built fancy wheelsets have no holes in the tire side, so it's almost impossible to drain.
Trying to drain out of the designated drain hole...yeah, good luck. The designer really thought it out for the user! They just felt like they had to put somethign there...


This weekend was actually a big race weekend. MTB Japan series in Akita prefecture and Road had the National Championship. See, this is how the race scene works here. You race MTB, cannot participate in the Road Championship. Really feel sorry for the pro's here, JCF does not care enough for the racers.
Anyway, I skipped both (well road is not really my specialty), since both would require flying out there and that would be too much.
Instead had a decent workout this weekend. Climbing repeats in Saturday and some endurance workout Sunday, in pouring rain. And it felt good.


In Japan there are certain signs you need to know so you stay out of trouble. Here's a definite one. 1st year drivers license holder must put on this silly green/yellow magent sheet (seen on the right side of the plate). It's a spring green leaf design to represent newness. So you be considerate and not give them a hard time.

And then when you reach a certain age (70, I think), you then must put on this orenge/yellow one (seen on the left top side of the plate). It's a falling lead design to represent...well you get the message. So, again, you'd be considerate and not give these old folks a hard time on the road.
Well, this guy is both! Yeah, better keep that distance, especially in this rain.
Actually, this might be a great way to avoid road rage...humm.  

Too much travel...

I've been tucked away (not so) deep in Shenzhen, China for some new exciting products.


Lights, you'll see them soon on our mighty Cateye Enduro team of Jeff Kerkove and Sloane Anderson back in the states, and computers and HRMs, to various teams including folks at Davitamon Lotto and Fidea, and of course our IF teams.
I'm sure they'll test these to the limits, announce all the great things to the world, and tell all the bad things...to me only, secretly!
We are going deep into the high-end stuff, baby!!!
But it takes so much effort spec'ing them...

Anyway, whenever I go over to Hong Kong and China, I lose some fitness level depending on how long my stay is. I could bring my bike, perhaps, but out and riding is nearly impossible, unless I really really want to risk my life honing my messenger skills.


So, my last ride was 1 week ago in the mountains right behind our house, the mount Rokko. It's quite epic actually. Excellent climbing, and scenic.






Lots of twisty descent, and repeated up/down and can really drain you if pace is not kept right.

There are lots of excellent MTB trails here in Mt Rokko, also.

I need to go hit them and let you in on it later.

Oh, man, my fitness level is at a sorry level...and yet to have a good race either!

This much travel and no trip to Giro or Tour de France...

I think I'm going to make myself feel better by ordring a IF Ti Planet Cross or something, what do you think? I really like Ken Bloomer's paint job on his cross rig.

recovering...i think

Okay, sunday's 100km training ride wasn't too bad. I think my last race was just from fatigue. Well, I better think of it that way, otherwise, I'd have no solution...
Rode by myself, so I didn't have to match anybody's pace when my condition is not known.

Anyway, couple of weeks since the new law went into effect. More or less quiet than I expected. Just a couple of people getting arrested for getting too emotional with ticketing guy...

But take a look! This is a welcoming sight on the highway near my house.
Usually, you'll see cars, not quite all lined up, but enough so you frequently have to dodge into speeding lane...














But go further into the city (actually on my way home thsi time), and things are not quite changed...

This is a golden opportunity! Ticketers' dream catch!
This Ferrari was coned off, I guess trying to make it look like it's different from other cars and should not be ticketed, or something.
Apparently, it's a client of shop right in front, as the security guys was really really staring at me while I took some shots.
Ferrari or Corolla, I don't care...they get in the way of bicycles.

But is it custom made to fit you like my Independent Fabrication???
You really should get it custom fit for that price!


Oh, here are my daily rivals I face to/from work... there are many out there! Actually they're a very good pacers, if you choose wisely.


So, for those that are actually interested in the World Cup, Japan had a hugely dissapointing game last night (well not quick as bad as the USA...). Leading 1-0 until 10 minutes to go, somehow managed to loose by a score of 1-3!
That must be what it felt like to the Swedish cycling fans last year in the penultimate stage of the Tour de France, when Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank) totally blew it in the ITT and lost it all.

Oh, well, we just prey for miracle again. I'm saying "again", since it really was miracle during the World Baseball Series earlier this year, when Japan won it all.
The conditions that had to be met for non-competing opponents was so unlikely that the teams were out shopping or something when they realized that they were still alive.

Against Croatia and Brazil remains....that's one big miracle you're talking about.

Giro in May, World Cup in June, Tour de France in July...not good for my sleeping habit.

no harmony

6/4(sun) was the 3rd race of the Japan MTB XC series at Fujimi, Nagano. Being little over 2 hours from Tokyo area, it gets one of the biggest attendance. Expert field had 135 starters or something. I guess, XC is still pretty healthy.

I had over 4 hours of driving. Usually this is easily manageable distance, but this time, for the first time we are traveling with me, Mari, Guinness (30kg lab), and 3 month old daughter. This would be her longest drive of her short life so far, testing her endurance. Although, it would require frequent stops, I'd say she handled it pretty well...good job, Saho!

Took new southern routs for the first time since Meishin Freeway we usually take is going through resurfacing and traffic was expected. It goes through city of Iga and Koga of Mie prefecture. These two neighboring cities are where supposedly Ninjas came from. I don’t know the details, but these two cities being so close, yet Iga and Koga Ninja’s had contrasting styles.


Anyway, at the race site in Nagano, it's hot and dry, 135 starters in Expert, the course's changed from last year to make it more climbing oriented. To be honest, I was ready to place top 10 easily. I haven't been feeling too bad, and feelings were good overall. To summarize the course, they really did a bad job redesigned this.
They make us climb what would be killer long twisting butterly single/double track, and come stright down the grassy ski slope. Actually all the descents are straight shot down the ski slope, super fast, barely any corners.
The result is that, time-wise you're spending climbing 3/4 of the lap. It's 5.5km x 6 laps, totaling 33km.


I did not get a good start as I got tangles up with anther rider's jersey, placing around 40th in the first gentle start climb. Wait in line at the top, entering single track due to bad traffic... by the time I got in the rhythm, I'm riding around 23rd.

1st half of the race was mostly doing catch up, and didn't feel too bad, thinking can take top 10 with this heat and length.

In a meantime, Guinness guards my car…

What happened in the 2nd half...unexplainable. Did I bonk? Fatigued from training? My legs would be hurting and just can't put any power into them. I would be breathing through my nose on climbs, yet my legs are gone
Taking Clif Shot or Cytomax wasn't improving the situation at all.
I could've quit at this time, but just rode through the rest of the race...it's all mental at this point.

Finished somewhere around disappointing 50th. Will have to figure it out for the next big race, which will be the National Championship.

Got home, and Guinness says..."I'm done"...hey, I'm the one who raced! 

new law enforcement starting tomorrow

I'm rewriting 5/31 entry since I could not attach any photos.




Starting tomorrow (June 01), a new law enforcement for bicycle riders and illegal parking will take place. I really doubt that the detail has been understood by citizens, so we'll see what happens tomorrow.

I'm sure there will be many mishaps or some type of retaliation. Anyway, both are actually very welcomed items.

1. Illegal parking situation. Up through today, you can park anywhere you want, basically without getting a ticket, as long as you move the car few inches every 10 or 30minutes. There is no "instant ticket". A police officer must mark you car's position, then come back after 1o or 30minutes, and if it's still there at the exact same position...you get a ticket.

And handicapped spot??? Well it's still not a law...so technically they cannot ticket you. How crazy is that. So, they're really going to clean up the road by making police ability to instantly ticket any car.
This sounds all great, but nothing is perfect... Because it would take too much resource increase, police would actually outsource the job to qualified companies who will ticket cars on behalf of the police... It's no arrest, but giving untrained public company right to ticket people??? Yeah, I can see those scary Osaka guys listening to them "non-police" folks with not even a stick to fight with. There will be many escapees.
Also, they went as far as to include delivery trucks! So, now delivery companies will man each truck with 2 people, so one can stay in the truck...great, that is just going to sky rocket the already expensive shipping cost. It's all black and white.

Anyway, this should help me ride much easier, since parked cars are a huge hazard. I'll take photo tonight and tomorrow night at the same section of the street where illegal parking capital of central Osaka.


2. Bicycles. There is no rules in regard to bicycles. It's crazy out there. Riding in wrong direction, no lights, cell phone in one hand, umbrella on the other hand, riding on the side-walk, kids on front and back, running red lights...look up "chaos", you'll see photo of Japanese on bicycles .

You might actually say that they are one of the most talented bicycle riders. They will literally type e-mail on their cell phones while riding through traffic. I'm not talking about sport bikes, it's called mama-chari (mom's bicycle). It's pratically treated as disposables.

So now, police are going to crack down on them. The details are very grey. Bicycle laws are so obscure, you can interpret it any way you want, especially to where you are allowed to ride. So, it's going to come down to how that particular police man feels like at that moment.

This is actually a welcome proposition, but I have a hard time seeing police effectively stopping those bicyclists.
1. There is no way, police cars can match the finesse of bicycles
2. There is no way those un-fit police men on clunkers to catch any of the cyclists, even mama-chari. They'll dissapear into thick Osaka crowd and...gone. From what I've seen in the past, these small laws...fade out without being effective as a long term, because police will eventually get tired of dealing with little things like that.

We'll see.  

product development

Today was meeting with one of top Japanese pro, Ken Hashikawa of Matrix Powertag. Many Japanese riders in the past and most rider now days join the European peloton with a help of industry power, some certainly would not have been racing in the top team if it wasn't for the sponsor's marketing stategy to have a Japanese rider or Japanse industry's money.

Like Masahiko Mifune, Ken is one of those guys who hopped over to European racing scene by himself with just a bike and a duffel bag.
The difference? The hungry factor. These guys have nothing to lose, so they get beaten up, spit out of the peloton, etc, etc, but keeps coming back for more. Eventually, hard-earned place in the peloton is rewarded.

So, it's much more intriguing talking with these guys, and they have a lot to say about thing. It's no different when it comes to products. They learned to do and figure everything out by themselved, so it's natural that when you give them some new products, they always have something usuful to say.

Another pattern with these type of riders is that they are extremely active in sending positive message to those trying to get to the pro ranks, and keen on developing riders, instead of just using their fame for business.

That's why we select these guys and keep supporting them.