ogami dake back on the map

When Komura Pass opened last week it also opened the gateway to Ogami Dake. The steep road up to the top of Ogami Dake has likely been open for some time as it is an access road for the paragilders. However, the heavy snowfall on Komura Pass has prevented it being accessed from the Kashiwazaki side.

Ogami Dake and Isonobe are the two hardest climbs around Kashiwazaki. Isonobe is relentless from bottom to top and can be climbed in 18,19, 20 minutes. Ogami Dake has a few approaches. From the dam it takes about 30 minutes. There are three steep climbs followed by three steep descents before the long steep drag to the top. The final few hundred metres are the steepest as the road turns to concrete usually forcing you out of the saddle with all you have left.

Today was my first climb of Ogami Dake this year. Up at 4:50. On the road by 5:00. I was surprised to find the road wet and the air cool. It drizzled lightly for the entire ride. The kind of rain that wakes you up, rather than slows you down.

Komura Pass, a decent climb in itself, is only a warm up when Ogami Dake is on the cards. Up to the top. 30 minutes on the clock. The sweeping descent to the dam.

Ogami Dake. It doesn't mess about. Steep from the start. Through the hairpins. Crest the ridge. Another long fast descent. Pick up some water. Take a left. Steep again. The steepest part? Another long descent. Another left. Another steep rise. The paragliders' landing area. From here it's uphill all the way to their take off ramp. Steep too. The bike is still weighed down from TOITO (aerobars, deep rims, spare tubulars). 38 × 27 but it's difficult to get out of the 60s cadence bracket. Not too hard today. Keep the heart rate aerobic.

From the top I took the winding descent down to Sakuaraza Pass. First thing you notice is the snow. Not much sun touches this side of the mountain. And then the landslides. One after another. About 10 in total. The mud and rocks have been scraped off the road and dumped over the edge like mud off a hikers boot. There's still a crusty clay mix on the road though. Have to be careful. Perhaps this road is best left till summer.

Sakurazaka Pass was barriered off. Likely to be even worse down there so I took on the rough surfaced steep rolling terrain around Asahi no sato. A few of the steeper sections have been resurfaced which was a nice surprise.

Back home, a shower, breakfast and off to work. Does asaren get any better than this?

Friday's asaren: Komura Pass ~ Ogami Dake ~ Asahi no sato ~ Ishiguro loop

(70 km, 1350 m climbing)