Bridget and Sarah’s Tour-de-Kyoto, Part 1
Sarah and Bridget and their new friend with slightly creepy eyes in Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan -- Hiyoshi Shrine (日吉神社) -- Nantan, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 44mm — 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Sarah and Bridget
and their new friend with slightly creepy eyes
in Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

A couple of Aussies on a cycling vacation in Japan contacted the Cycling Kyoto! group on Facebook looking for interesting rides in the area. A group of us ended up going on two rides in two days with Sarah Knights and Bridget Slocum, hard-core amateur cyclists that compete on the national level in Australia.

As it turns out, they're also fun people.

Manseki Kanemitsu and I met the girls near their hotel and moved across town toward the mountains to the west, picking up folks along the way....

Picking Up Kumiko me, Kumiko Naka , Sarah, and Bridget photo by Manseki Kanemitsu -- 堀川鞍馬口(バス) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Manseki Kanemitsu
DMC-SZ9 at an effective 26mm — 1/400 sec, f/3.1, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Picking Up Kumiko
me, Kumiko Naka, Sarah, and Bridget
photo by Manseki Kanemitsu

After also picking up Mone Sakura, we headed toward the Arashiyama area of Kyoto, past Hirosawa Lake...

Scenic Scarecrows taken while cycling at 30 kph (19 mph) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/2015-09-13/2616 -- This photo is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (non-commercial use is freely allowed if proper attribution is given, including a link back to this page on http://regex.info/ when used online)
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 37mm — 1/16000 sec, f/2.4, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Scenic Scarecrows
taken while cycling at 30 kph (19 mph)
Unprecedented The first time (since I started cycling in the spring) to be on a ride with this many ladies taken while cycling at 23 kph (14 mph) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/12800 sec, f/1.7, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Unprecedented
The first time (since I started cycling in the spring) to be on a ride with this many ladies
taken while cycling at 23 kph (14 mph)

Some of the photos above have that overprocessed look, because they're overprocessed. I'm still not comfortable with my new cycling camera and find it all too easy to bump the settings out of whack without realizing it, so these photos were all wildly underexposed. It's only through the magic of shooting raw and compensating in Adobe Lightroom that I could recover anything. The HDR-ish look can get old very quickly, but can perhaps be cool in moderation.

After leaving the city there's an immediate short but intense climb to Rokucho Pass (750m at an average grade of 10%). I was happy to have made a new PR, and Bridget took the QOM (Queen of the Mountain — the fastest female recorded at Strava for a segment), her first of many. The comparable achievement for men is, of course, KOM.   I don't have any.

This hill is followed by a short descent of epic twisties. I went down early to try to set up for some shots of the others coming down, upon which I discovered the aforementioned camera-setting issues. I was in the process of trying to fix them when Sarah came barreling down, so I screwed up the shot. So, again, I rely on some overprocessing to try to eke out a result...

Saved by the Smile the photographic quality is “ Meh ” , but the smile makes the photo -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 30mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.2, ISO 800 — map & image datanearby photos
Saved by the Smile
the photographic quality is Meh, but the smile makes the photo

As far as recovery processing goes, on technical level I had better luck with this shot of Manseki a few months ago.

With the blotchy sunshine splattering through the trees, it probably wasn't the best choice of a spot to begin with. The blotchy sunshine creates trouble for the camera, but did create a wonderful mood for the ride...

Light Mountain Climb -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 75mm — 1/125 sec, f/4, ISO 1250 — map & image datanearby photos
Light Mountain Climb
Above Japan-Rail Hozukyo Station where we're going to meet Eric Findlay JR保津峡駅の上 -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/160 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Above Japan-Rail Hozukyo Station
where we're going to meet Eric Findlay
JR保津峡駅の上
The Gang's All Here Kumiko, Sarah, Bridget, Mone, Eric, Manseki at JR Hozukyo Station (JR 保津峡駅), Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan -- JR Hozukyo Station (JR保津峡駅) -- Kameoka, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
The Gang's All Here
Kumiko, Sarah, Bridget, Mone, Eric, Manseki
at JR Hozukyo Station (JR保津峡駅), Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

The plan was to ride north to the quaint village of Miyama, essentially repeating this June ride with Gorm. From the train station the road rises in a long climb up and around Mt. Atago. Mone had to be back in Kyoto early, so she returned after the climb, while the rest of us continued north.

The Rice Crop Looks Ready for Harvest taken while cycling at 44 kph (27 mph) the harvest will make for photogenic trips later this month -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/1000 sec, f/4, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
The Rice Crop Looks Ready for Harvest
taken while cycling at 44 kph (27 mph)
the harvest will make for photogenic trips later this month
Sarah Likes Flats and Downhills taken while cycling at 25 kph (16 mph) ( I had to hold her back for the photo op. Sorry Sarah.) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1/200 sec, f/4, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Sarah Likes Flats and Downhills
taken while cycling at 25 kph (16 mph)
(I had to hold her back for the photo op. Sorry Sarah.)
taken while cycling at 25 kph (16 mph) -- Nantan, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1/200 sec, f/4, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
taken while cycling at 25 kph (16 mph)
Camera Assistant -- Hiyoshi Shrine (日吉神社) -- Nantan, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Camera Assistant
Cyclist's Friend -- Hiyoshi Shrine (日吉神社) -- Nantan, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Cyclist's Friend

I missed most of what Manseki explained about this statue next to the Hiyoshi Shrine, but it had a bunch of stuff for cyclists, including a log book for visitors that Sarah is writing in. Behind the statue were a few bicycle-related things one could use like chain oil. I'm not sure what it's all doing there, but it made for a fun photo op.

photo by Manseki Kanemitsu -- Hiyoshi Shrine (日吉神社) -- Nantan, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Manseki Kanemitsu
DMC-SZ9 at an effective 30mm — 1/250 sec, f/3.3, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
photo by Manseki Kanemitsu
photo by Manseki Kanemitsu -- Hiyoshi Shrine (日吉神社) -- Nantan, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Manseki Kanemitsu
DMC-SZ9 at an effective 58mm — 1/160 sec, f/4.2, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
photo by Manseki Kanemitsu
photo by Manseki Kanemitsu -- Hiyoshi Shrine (日吉神社) -- Nantan, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Manseki Kanemitsu
DMC-SZ9 at an effective 30mm — 1/250 sec, f/3.3, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
photo by Manseki Kanemitsu

The statue is next to the Hiyoshi Shrine (日吉神社), which is also good for a photo op...

Hiyoshi Shrine (日吉神社) -- Nantan, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Road Block The road is closed, but bicycles can probably get by. We'll find out. -- Nantan, Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/4, ISO 1250 — map & image datanearby photos
Road Block
The road is closed, but bicycles can probably get by. We'll find out.

I think this descent on Route 477 is one of the most beautiful descents in Kyoto, comparable to the southwestern descent from Mochikochi Pass. Just beautiful and relaxing (so long, at least, as no one crashes).

Unfortunately, it started to rain lightly (we hit the unlucky 10% on a day with a 10% chance of rain), so we had to take it particularly slowly, but it's just as well because with the road being closed to traffic, sticks and other debris had accumulated more than normally.

Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO 3200 — map & image datanearby photos
taken while cycling at 16 kph (10 mph) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 30mm — 1/40 sec, f/4, ISO 3200 — map & image datanearby photos
taken while cycling at 16 kph (10 mph)
“ Not Yet ” My answer to “ Have you ever crashed while photographing backwards while riding ? ” taken while cycling at 21 kph (13 mph) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 30mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.2, ISO 2000 — map & image datanearby photos
Not Yet
My answer to Have you ever crashed while photographing backwards while riding?
taken while cycling at 21 kph (13 mph)

I held them back with the camera for long enough, and they took off...

Off Like a Shot taken while cycling at 40 kph (25 mph) -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 25mm — 1/400 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200 — map & image datanearby photos
Off Like a Shot
taken while cycling at 40 kph (25 mph)

The rain got stronger so I stopped under a tree to put the camera into a waterproof bag, but first waited to snap shots of Kumiko and Eric...

Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 43mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.5, ISO 320 — map & image datanearby photos
Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 65mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 500 — map & image datanearby photos

It was my first ride with Eric since the long ride to Obama at the start of the summer where he got two flat tires. As we rode together lazily downhill, I made the mistake of asking whether he'd had any flats since.

Big mistake on my part for disturbing the wa of the tire gods... literally 15 seconds after his answer of No, none at all since then, his tire suddenly deflated with an insistent hissing.

Not Again! -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 70mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1000 — map & image datanearby photos
Not Again!
Getting Out of the Loggers' Way -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 49mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.7, ISO 1250 — map & image datanearby photos
Getting Out of the Loggers' Way
Why The Street Was Closed this short section was cordoned off on both sides, for reasons that remain a mystery -- Kyoto, Japan -- Copyright 2015 Jeffrey Friedl, http://regex.info/blog/
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/1.7, ISO 3200 — map & image datanearby photos
Why The Street Was Closed
this short section was cordoned off on both sides, for reasons that remain a mystery

We hoped our troubles would be behind us after making it past the silly closed off area, but the unexpected rain and Eric's flat were just the beginning.

Continued here...


One comment so far...

I noticed that the screaming-attention-getting-yellow of the Cyclist’s Friend statue looked dim and bland next to your shirt. 🙂

You mean “next to your smile”, right? 🙂 —Jeffy

— comment by Marcina on September 14th, 2015 at 10:27am JST (8 years, 7 months ago) comment permalink
Leave a comment...


All comments are invisible to others until Jeffrey approves them.

Please mention what part of the world you're writing from, if you don't mind. It's always interesting to see where people are visiting from.

IMPORTANT:I'm mostly retired, so I don't check comments often anymore, sorry.


You can use basic HTML; be sure to close tags properly.

Subscribe without commenting