{"id":2533,"date":"2015-03-05T23:53:21","date_gmt":"2015-03-05T14:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2015-03-05\/2533"},"modified":"2015-04-29T21:15:53","modified_gmt":"2015-04-29T12:15:53","slug":"another-nice-tough-bicycle-ride-in-the-mountains-around-kyoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2015-03-05\/2533","title":{"rendered":"Another Nice (Tough!) Bicycle Ride in the Mountains Around Kyoto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>4000 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nGood Times<\/span>\nMeeting new friends before a joint ride into the mountains\nSanjo Bridge Starbucks, Kyoto Japan\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

\u6c34\u66dc\u65e5<\/span>\u3082\u30b5\u30a4\u30af\u30ea\u30f3\u30b0\u3092\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\u4eca\u56de<\/span>\u306f\u53cb\u9054<\/span>\uff16\u4eba\u3068\u4e00\u7dd2<\/span>\u306b\uff16\uff10km\u306e\u5c71\u4e0a\u4e0b<\/span>\u3044\u3063\u3071\u3044\u306e\u30eb\u30fc\u30c8\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n\n

Two days ago I did a short<\/span> easy bicycle ride into\nthe mountains of western Kyoto<\/a>, but yesterday I did<\/span> something a bit<\/span> more\nambitious. As seems<\/span> to be the habit since my first ride<\/a>\nwith folks from Cycling Kyoto!<\/a>, we met in front of the Starbucks on\nSanjo Street. This time there were seven people total...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>3200 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nGorm Kipperberg<\/a><\/span>\npositive fun attitude\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>2500 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHenry Foster<\/a><\/span>\nfast\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/4.5, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nKumiko Mini<\/a> and Manseki Kanemitsu<\/a><\/span>\nManseki would be today's ride leader\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>2500 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nArthur Lauritsen<\/a><\/span>\ndedication: he brought his bike up an hour on the train from Osaka\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 640 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nJamie Anderson<\/a><\/span>\na photo from later in the trip\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Today's route would be a repeat of one that Manseki had done two days prior, so he was group lead. We got moving<\/span> at 9:20.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/5, ISO 125 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nThe First 45<\/span> Minutes<\/span>\n9:48am - taken while moving at 18 km\/h\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

We spent the first 45 minutes heading east on Route 1.<\/span> The route looks\nhorrible in the photo, but the cycling was fairly smooth and easy, without the stop and go of city traffic. I was surprised<\/span> at how not unfun it was.<\/p>\n\n

That first 45 minutes involved 350m of vertical gain, but it was spread out over 15km, so it was a relaxed<\/span> ride and we\nall stuck together. Then we turned south along a river<\/span> and was greeted by a bit<\/span> nicer scenery...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>800 sec, f<\/span>\/5, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nResting with his Pooch<\/span>\nwhile watching the scullers in the river\n10:12am - taken while moving at 21 km\/h\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1250 sec, f<\/span>\/5, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nit was fun to ride along with the scullers for a short<\/span> while\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPit Stop<\/span>\nat Sajo-Toson (\u8336\u4e08\u85e4\u6751<\/span><\/a>)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

An hour into the ride, we stopped by a cafe<\/span> for a quick<\/span> tea, but ended up eating and chatting for almost an hour.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/8, ISO 360 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nBicycle Parking<\/span>\nmost cyclists forego a kickstand to reduce weight\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I thought the rack for kickstand-less bicycles was ingenious, and I\nnever<\/span> would have realized what it was for without seeing it in use.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFirst Group Shot of the Day<\/span>\nme, Arthur, Gorm, Henry, Kumiko, Manseki, Jamie\n(taken by a waitress standing on a chair<\/span>)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Perhaps because we were a big group, or perhaps because they're cyclist friendly or just nice,\nthey gave us some sweets on the house...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n“<\/span>Terabe Mochi”<\/span><\/span>\n\u300c\u5bfa\u8fba<\/span>\u3082\u3061<\/a>\u300d\u3081\u3063\u3061\u3083\u7f8e\u5473<\/span>\u3057\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3002\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

This stuff was great... it's mochi<\/i> (like I made<\/span><\/a> the other day),\nwith brown sugar and cashews. Highly recommended. The cafe is<\/span> next to the entrance to the splendid\nIshiyama-dera Temple (which I've written about in the past<\/a>), so if you make\na visit<\/span> to the temple, avail yourself of the chance for some of these tasty sweets.<\/p>\n\n

I ended up buying a bunch to bring home, adding to the weight that I\nwould<\/span> have to pedal up the mountains when we left.<\/p>\n\n

On the way out of the parking lot, I snapped<\/span> a quick<\/span> shot of the temple gate...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nIshiyama-dera Temple (\u77f3\u5c71\u5bfa)<\/span><\/span>\nOtsu-city, Shiga, Japan\nas per my prior coverage<\/a>, this will be spectacular<\/i> with blossoms in a month<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

15 minutes later, we were finally heading into the mountains for the first (and biggest) of four major climbs...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHeading Toward Climb #1<\/span>\n11:18am - taken while moving at 15 km\/h\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

10 grueling minutes and 140m of elevation gain later, I had arrived<\/span> at the spot Manseki\nhad said is “<\/span>where the tough part starts”<\/span>. Crap, I was already<\/span> ready for it to end<\/i>! \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/10, ISO 180 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nWhere we Had Been<\/span>\n10 minutes prior\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I stopped for a rest, and to enjoy some of the 2.5kg of sports drink I'd bought at the convenience store\njust before starting the climb. I also removed<\/span> my already-drenched-with-sweat jacket, sweater, and gloves,\nand shoved them into my pannier:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/2.2, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLopsided<\/span>\nthe nice flat road heading ahead was to be the road not taken...\nthe main route headed up\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I have no idea how I got in front of Manseki, but he likely either had\nstopped for something, or was just pacing himself smarter than I was,<\/span>\nbecause he came riding past while I was<\/span> resting....<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>2500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.2, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nManseki Grinding it Out<\/span>\nputs people ⅓ of his age to shame\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

After a three-minute rest, I headed back up. The slopes<\/span> were as\nunrelenting as they were ridiculous, continuing without respite. I had to<\/span>\nlaugh (figuratively... I didn't<\/span> have the energy to do so literally) at this\nscene:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/2.2, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nI'll Try To Restrain Myself<\/span>\nthe vertical sign way up the hill says “<\/span>slow down”<\/span>\n11:38am - taken while moving, barely, at 5 km\/h\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Seven minutes and 64m of elevation gain later, I finally<\/span> joined the rest of the group at the top,\ninterrupting their long rest... Henry (and others, I'm sure) had made it 10 minutes before me.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1250 sec, f<\/span>\/2.2, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nChilling at the Top<\/span>\n11:44am - taken while moving at 7 km\/h\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The ride up involved 286m of elevation gain in 2.8km (an average slope of 10.3%). It took me<\/span> 25 minutes, four of which were resting.<\/p>\n\n

Going down was easier, but three more big ascents awaited.<\/p>\n\n

I headed down a bit before everyone else and set up to take pictures of\nfolks as they went past, but it was a mostly<\/span> wasted effort because I\nscrewed<\/span> up focus. I seem to<\/span> have zero ability to learn the focus modes of\nthe camera beyond the basic “<\/span>S”<\/span> mode. I thought<\/span> I had<\/span> “<\/span>C”<\/span> mode down, but\nthe results below are a clear<\/span> indication that I don't.<\/span> \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n\n

\u79c1\u306f\u5148\u306b\u964d\u308a\u3066\u3001\u9014\u4e2d<\/span>\u3067\u6b62\u307e\u3063\u3066\u3001\u30ab\u30e1\u30e9\u3092\u6e96\u5099<\/span>\u3057\u3087\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\u7686\u306e\u5199\u771f<\/span>\u3092\u64ae\u3063<\/span>\u305f\u304c\u3001\u30d4\u30f3\u306f\u304b\u306a\u308a\u9593\u9055<\/span>\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002 \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nJamie<\/span>\nmore in focus than most\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nKumiko<\/span>\nout of focus \ud83d\ude41\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nArthur<\/span>\nso-so focus\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>250 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHenry<\/span>\nmy camera lacks focus, but he doesn't\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>250 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nManseki<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nGorm<\/span>\nThe least in focus... sorry Gorm\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/3.2, ISO 180 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHeading Up Again<\/span>\n12:20pm - taken while moving at 5 km\/h\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/3.2, ISO 800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPass #2<\/span>\n12:23pm - taken while moving at 7 km\/h\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The second ascent was longer (3.1km) but less elevation gain (238m), but it was 23 minutes of pain for me.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/3.2, ISO 1250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHeading Down<\/span>\nthe sense of steepness seems to be easier to capture when aiming down\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/3.2, ISO 2000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFun<\/span>\n12:26pm - taken while moving at 19 km\/h\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The third ascent was insane... 118m of elevation gain over just 880m of distance (an average slope of over 12%). It took me<\/span> 7½ minutes.<\/p>\n\n

Having followed the others the whole time, I had no<\/span> idea where I was<\/span>\nbeyond “<\/span>mountains south-east of Kyoto”<\/span>, but just before the pass I was<\/span>\nsurprised to come across a scene<\/span> I recognized<\/span> immediately:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>640 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 2000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nI've Seen This Place Before<\/span>\n12:35pm - taken while moving at 6 km\/h\nKiyotaki-gu Shrine (\u6e05\u7027\u5bae)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

\u30a2\u30c3\u3001\u3053\u306e\u795e\u793e<\/span>\u3092\u898b\u305f\u4e8b\u3042\u308b\u3001\uff14\u5e74\u524d\u3002<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Apparently I hadn't posted any photos from that 2011 visit, but the\nphotos from “<\/span>Slightly Mysterious Stairs\nInto Mountain Overgrowth<\/a>”<\/span> came from a short<\/span> distance away, just beyond\nthe pass I would<\/span> reach in 30 seconds..<\/p>\n\n

That early-summer outing in 2011, with Paul Barr and Katsunori Shimada, produced a bunch<\/span> of posts,\nincluding<\/p>\n