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The Tour de France has begun! This year, Stages 2 and 3 already have a bit of a mountain-stage feel to them. Nice!
The first thing I do in the morning is watch the highlights. They always make me think, "I really need to get back on my bike."
As it happened, my wife and daughter were planning to visit a library about 35 km away.
"Perfect! Give me a ride there!"
So we loaded my bike into the car, and today's ride began from the library in Omachi.
First, I rode around the back side of Mt. Oguma and headed toward Kashimayari Ski Resort. From there, I turned onto the forest road on Mt. Oguma.
It looked like it had stopped raining only a short while earlier. The road was still damp, and the green tunnel of trees overhead glistened from the rain.
What a beautiful sight.
I just kept turning the pedals, soaking in the fresh greenery after the rain.
By the time I started descending, the sun had come out, and the leaves glowing in the sunlight were breathtaking.
After descending to Lake Kizaki, I headed toward Miasa. Climb, enjoy the descent, then climb again.
The final climb was out of the saddle to my usual pass. From there, it was all downhill into Hakuba.
By then, I had found my rhythm and just kept spinning the cranks.
Past Iwatake, through Tsugaike, and finally back to Mahoroba Club.
Four hours after leaving the library, I was home.
Distance: 62 km
Total ride time: 4 hours
Total up and down: 2,500 m
Yep... that's exactly the kind of terrain we have around here!
So that was my first proper cycling ride of the season, and it couldn't have been a more satisfying day.
Bring your bike and come ride with us.
Let's ride together!
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