Panasonic LX100 at an effective 31mm — 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Manu Mohan
at Osaka Castle, after having cycled 54km from Kyoto
Manu Mohan and Manseki Kanemitsu joined me on light ride to Osaka Castle and back. It was my first ride with Manu since we tackled Seryo Pass three months ago.
Manu's bike is a folding commuter bike, which is not really appropriate for “real” cycling. It's too small for him and the range of gears is limited, but the ride to Osaka is not challenging except for its length. The round trip is more than 100km.
His rear tire seemed a bit low on air, something that would rob him of speed and power. If he had a normal road bike we'd be able to use our pumps to fill it, but his commuter bike used a different kind of tire valve, so we planned to look for a bike shop when we got to town.
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Roadside Service
Takuya Kawasumi, owner of Whoo bicycles in Kyoto, lends a hand
Coincidentally we crossed paths with Takuya Kawasumi returning from a ride. He owns a bike shop and had a pump that could work; he kindly filled Manu's tire. Talk about service! Thanks Takuya.
A bit later we stopped for a short rest under the cherry trees at the entrance of a wonderful park that I wrote about eight years ago in “Cherry Blossoms in the Middle of Three Rivers”. I've been meaning to go back... must make a note to do so next spring.
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
taken while cycling at 24 kph (15 mph)
There's a nice cycle path running the bulk of the way between Kyoto and Osaka. I wrote about it a couple of months ago in “Cycling Along the River from Kyoto To Osaka Castle” so I won't repeat it all here, but in summary it's safe, often pretty, and usually interesting.
... except for the stupid gates that are supposed to let bicycles pass without letting motorcycles pass. As I wrote in the post linked in the previous paragraph, I hate these gates.
I was shocked when Manu just lifted his feet and sailed through without touching his feet to the ground nor the gate. That takes guts!
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 37mm — 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Almost Half Way
though Manu doesn't know that at the time
taken while cycling at 23 kph (14 mph)
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 32mm — 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
View From Above
view from a flood-control berm well above the path (which is beyond the golf course)
taken while cycling at 16 kph (10 mph)
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Vintage Manseki
Manseki's bike for the day was a classic race bike from the 1980s, and he wore a helmet in the style of the same era, so he wanted a photo that sort of captured the vintage look. Maybe I overdid it a bit? 🙂
You can see the bike more clearly in this post about my first 100km ride five months ago.
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 72mm — 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Approaching Osaka
taken while cycling at 22 kph (14 mph)
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
The 50km Mark
taken while cycling at 20 kph (13 mph)
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Along a River in the City
taken while cycling at 22 kph (14 mph)
A lot of folks we passed, like the lady in the photo above, wore full-face masks. It used to be only sun-shy women did, but a lot of men were wearing them now. It might be to avoid the sun, and perhaps could be some kind of defense against allergies, but in any case it's a bit weird.
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Another Approach to Sunscreen
taken while cycling at 21 kph (13 mph)
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 75mm — 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Arriving at Osaka Castle
10:31 AM (from start: 3h 8m / 53 km / 33.0 miles)
It was an impressive feat for a bike like that, especially since it's way too small for him. As you see in all these photos, he has to ride hunched over.
After a short rest at Osaka Castle, we turned around to go home, but first stopped by a bike shop to check why Manu's tire was slowly going flat again.
It turns out that the tire valve was bent. Cycling is a sport for the rich; it cost Manu 100 yen (US$0.80) to have it replaced.
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 25mm — 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Returning to the Yodogawa River
which will be our home for the next 49km back home
This was my first time to return from Osaka along the river. I suppose it depends on the day, but today the headwind was strong and noticeably slowed us down. I suppose we must have had a tail wind on the way down that I didn't notice, but we all certainly noticed the headwind.
The headwind and the hot sun conspired to keep us pretty slow, but Manu always had a smile.
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/2000 sec, f/8, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Only 42km To Go
taken while cycling at 19 kph (12 mph)
Almost two and a half hours later...
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
100km!
taken while cycling at 20 kph (12 mph)
Manseki had a slow leak that he was hoping to avoid dealing with until he got home, but near home he had to stop to put some air in it...
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Minor Maintenance
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/400 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
I'm Supervising
photo by Manu Mohan
A bit farther on, Manseki turned off to head to his home. It was Manseki's first ride with Manu, so Manu got a special goodbye...
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Great Ride”
I knew we were back in Kyoto when I started to see ladies in kimono along the river...
Panasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1/320 sec, f/5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
taken while cycling at 22 kph (14 mph)
Overall the ride was 108.6km, and is Manu's longest ride.... so far. 🙂