Equinox Day

Equinox day was Sunday the 21st, and as this is normally a public holiday in Japan we get the Monday off instead. The fight between winter and spring has temporally subsided with the thunder and lightning early Sunday morning, and as usual the passing of a storm gives way to clear skies. About 9 degrees cooler than Saturday though, so back to the winter clothing for at least this ride.

There are 3 common entry points to the west / north western hills of Tokyo. Takao, Musashi itsukaichi and Ome. Today we start at Itsukaichi, 6 riders from Tokyo Cycling Club assemble however Sergey from Belarus is only playing a cameo role as hes off up Kazahari rindo, the steeper ascent of the same mountain we will climb. Lots of other riders starting from the same station today, even a couple Iron Ladies from the running club Namban rengo.

Tomin no mori is my favourite climb in the local area. Its a massive climb on a wide, smooth road which hairpins its way up and up to almost 1200m - the highest road in Tokyo! The descent down to Okutamako, the source of the Tamagawa is awesome as it is again a wide, fast smooth road but it has wide vistas over the lake below and distant mountains. Most of the other climbs around are within the forest and rarely have such large views as this mountain.

Only 5 degrees at the top, and the descent was cold. But the chill of the descent was just about negated by the rising temperature as we entered the valley, and neared the soba shop by the lake. Ive not been here since December, due to snow and cold temperatures and still the heater is welcome in this old shop. The lady recognises us all now and is happy to serve green tea, mountain vegetable soba and gives us all a bonus tangerine as a gift. We'll be back soon.

After the second mountain pass of the day, we head down Steves favourite rindo which is rock and debris strewn from the storms of the past days, and Keith must have hit a sharp rock at some point as his tyre explodes like a gunshot, and we have to stop to patch it up. Not a bad place to rest at all, warm and scenic.

We make it to Takao with depleted numbers due to punctures/tiredness and its 108km on the clock, 2000m of climbing so not a bad day. Bump into Peter at the Family Mart convenience store, hes been over Wada Touge starting at Hadano and now faces a long train journey home.
I still feel like I need some miles in my legs, it still feels like a holiday ride at this point so I have a hot chocolate, strange cheesey spam panini and snickers bar then power along past Hachioji and down the Tamagawa. Feels great, even after 150km!