rides, rides, rides

This weekend has been a weekend of theme parks. Yesterday we went to Echigo Hillside Park in Nagaoka. Tulips of all colours are in full bloom. Luke and Ibuki got into the spirit of things doing a bit of Dutch “cosplay”. My requests for a “Dutch wife” were not deemed funny by the lady on reception...

It was a really hot day. Shinobu got the worst of it with a bit of heat stroke. She spent much of Saturday night at the hospital getting an IV drip. She seems to be getting better now though.

This meant I had to cancel today's 200 km ride. The final icing on the cake for TOITO will have to be done next weekend instead.

I traced a fair bit of the route in the car as I took Luke to Myoko Sunshine Land for the day. We were there from 930 in the morning to 230 and didn't even stop for lunch. Rides, rides, rides. It's amazing what some of the old guys operating the machines would let me and Luke ride on. I was feeling queezy but Luke just wanted “One more time! One more time!”

We got back at 4 to mum who was feeling much better. “Why don't you go for a ride?” When was the last time I heard this!? Being encouraged to go for a bike ride? I must be in the good books! I don't need to be asked twice...

Did a quick Takayanagi loop. This is standard bread and butter stuff for the cycling community in Kashiwazaki. Some hills, some flat, few cars, a natural spring, a shop... the perfect ride when you've got a couple of hours to spare.

I was only 20 minutes into the ride when I snapped a spoke on the climb above Ukawa. The third in the space of a couple of weeks. The wheel needs an overhaul. I opened the brake arch as far as it would go but the tyre was rubbing on the chainstay. Turn back or press on? Always press on!

A wobbly wheel, one brake and a swish swish noise all the way back to Kashiwazaki. And a crazy head wind too. A physical AND mental test!

I dropped the wheel of with Enosan tonight. How lucky we are to have Enosan there 24-7...

Sunday's evening spin: Takayanagi loop

(58 km, 450 m climbing, 32 kmph)