{"id":2593,"date":"2015-06-29T22:05:52","date_gmt":"2015-06-29T13:05:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2015-06-29\/2593"},"modified":"2015-06-29T22:05:52","modified_gmt":"2015-06-29T13:05:52","slug":"many-lessons-learned-on-yesterdays-group-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2015-06-29\/2593","title":{"rendered":"Many Lessons Learned on Yesterday’s Group Ride"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLarge Group Ride<\/span>\npausing after the first steep climb\nin the mountains above the Arashiyama area of Kyoto, Japan\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I went on a bicycle ride yesterday that involved 13 people, the largest\ngroup I'd been on to date. It was fun<\/span>, but I also<\/span> learned some important\nlessons.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 37mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/2.4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nGathering<\/span>\nSanjo-Street Bridge over the Kamo River (\u4e09\u6761\u5927\u6a4b)<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 37mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/2.4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

It was quite the international gathering, with folks from\nAustralia,\nCanada,\nEngland,\nFinland,\nJapan,\nNorway,\nPhilippines,\nand\nThe States.<\/p>\n\n

The first lesson I learned was to pay attention to what weather forecast\nI looked<\/span> at. Yesterday in Kyoto city proper the actual weather (spritzy\nrain in the morning; otherwise sunny all day) sort of matched the forecast\n(10% chance of rain all day), but our ride into the mountains was in the\nmountains<\/i>, and it rained almost the entire time.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/1.7, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHeading Out<\/span>\nlead by Nigel<\/a> and Andy<\/a>\n6:20 AM (+4 min) - 1.2 km (0.8 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 72mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nWaiting at a Traffic<\/span> Light<\/span>\nlike good cyclists do\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 72mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 1250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nScenic Route<\/span>\n6:27 AM (+11 min) - 3.4 km (2.1 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 75mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/4.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nNot-so-Scenic Route<\/span>\n6:31 AM (+15 min) - 4.7 km (2.9 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nNigel Randell<\/span>\n6:45 AM (+29 min) - 10 km (6.2 miles)\ntaken while cycling at 36 kph (22 mph)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Nigel does an amazing\namount of cycling<\/a>, including commute-to-work rides exceeding 100km.\nSo far this<\/span> year, including during the winter,\nhe's averaged 1500km (890 miles) per month.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLeading the Parade<\/span>\n6:45 AM (+29 min) - 10 km (6.3 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 75mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMinor Slope<\/span>\n6:46 AM (+30 min) - 10 km (6.3 miles)\ntaken while cycling at 19 kph (12 mph)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The pair in orange are father\/son, with the boy being in sixth grade. He had not<\/span> the slightest problem keeping with the group. They joined us only\nfor the beginning, and split off before the steep climbs, but I suspect<\/span>\nboth could have handled it easily.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nArashiyama<\/span>\n6:54 AM (+37 min) - 13 km (8.2 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I always like riding through this part of northern Arashiyama. Here\nwe're going by the Hokyo-in Temple (\u5b9d\u7b50\u9662),<\/span> which is just stunning in autumn<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

We soon dove into the forest-covered mountains, and a light<\/span> spritzy\/misty rain started that didn't let up.\nAfter the first short (but intense) climb, we took the group photo that leads this post.<\/p>\n\n

Being both wet and steep, we took the descents quite slowly...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 47mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCareful Descent<\/span>\n7:09 AM (+53 min) - 16 km (9.9 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSocial Pause<\/span>\n7:41 AM (+1h 24m) - 22 km (13.6 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

There's a tiny village halfway up the first major climb, and normally\none would not stop here, but with a large<\/span> group of varying abilities, it's\nnice to stop from time to time to keep people more or less together.<\/p>\n\n

The fastest folks arrived at the top long before me and the other\nslowpokes, and went partially down the other side and returned back up to\nthe pass not long after I arrived.<\/span>..<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 70mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 1000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHeading Home<\/span>\n8:07 AM (+1h 50m) - 26 km (16.0 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

With various family obligations, they returned home the way we came, while the rest of us continued away from the city.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPicturesque Stop<\/span>\n“<\/span>\u4eac\u90fd\u5e02\u6709\u5f62\u6587\u5316\u8ca1<\/span>\u6cb3\u539f\u5bb6\u4f4f\u5b85<\/span>”<\/span>\nKyoto City Tangible Cultural Asset “<\/span>Kawara Family Home”<\/span>\n8:24 AM (+2h 8m) - 29 km (17.8 miles)\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 30mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/2.2, ISO 250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nRandom Jovialty <\/span>\n8:40 AM (+2h 24m) - 33 km (20.7 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 75mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 2000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLovely Descent<\/span>\n8:41 AM (+2h 25m) - 34 km (21.0 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

This descent, like the rest of the planned route, follows the same path\nthat Gorm and I did<\/span> two\nweeks ago<\/a>. Like last time, I couldn't<\/span> get good shots down this\nsuper-nice descent. The rain didn<\/span>'t help.<\/p>\n\n

The rain also didn't help one rider, Dario, who for unknown reasons lost\ncontrol on a slow<\/span> straightaway and met the ground. \ud83d\ude41 <\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.7, ISO 1250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFixing a Boo<\/span>-Boo<\/span>\n8:43 AM (+2h 26m) - 34 km (21.1 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I was really impressed with how Antti<\/a> (from Finland)\ntook control of the situation, tending to the road rash in a no<\/span>-nonsense\nway, then tending to the bicycle (making sure it was safe to ride), all the\nwhile tending to everyone's emotions. He brought<\/span> calm and direction where\nit was needed.<\/p>\n\n

Many good lessons here for everyone.<\/p>\n\n

We didn't have much in the way of first-aid supplies with us\n(which is to say we had nothing; I had<\/span> a few<\/span> Band-Aids, but they were of no use here),\nso Antti made do with what we had. My little<\/span> towel became a protective<\/span> wrap.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>60 sec, f<\/span>\/1.7, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPutting a Happy<\/span> Face on It<\/span>\nwhen pride is certainly wounded\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Dario was certainly in discomfort for a while,<\/span> but a day<\/span> later\nhe's already saying he's ready to ride again with us soon.<\/p>\n\n

Back to yesterday, in going over the bicycle to make sure it was safe to\nride, Antti adjusted a few<\/span> bolts with a small<\/span> multi-tool thing he had. I\ndon't<\/span> think anyone else had anything like that, and this was another lesson\nfor me. Mechanical issues can pop up any time, so I should<\/span> have some basic\ntools with me. If I was<\/span> going to spend the weight to have some tools, I wanted<\/span> to get something that would actually be useful, so I ordered<\/span> this Crank Brothers\ntool<\/a>. It's a little<\/span> heavy and has mixed reviews, so here's keeping my\nfingers crossed.<\/p>\n\n

We continued as a group until we got to a turnoff<\/span> that lead back to\nKyoto. I had intended<\/span> to return at this point anyway, since I had<\/span> family\nthings to do myself. Four of us headed back via a small<\/span> mountain road.<\/p>\n\n

Then I got my first flat as a cyclist.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSad Tire<\/span>\n9:29 AM (+3h 13m) - 45 km (27.8 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The others were in a rush just to get home in the cold rain, and there was nothing they\ncould do while I changed<\/span> the flat, so I told<\/span> them to continue on.<\/p>\n\n

I'd never changed a flat, nor even seen it done except in a couple<\/span> of\nYouTube videos that I watched<\/span> some months ago. But it turned<\/span> out to be\nstraightforward to change the tube, and aside from the most dirty I think<\/span>\nmy hands have ever gotten, there were no problems.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/2.2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nChange in Progress<\/span>\n9:40 AM (+3h 24m) - 45 km (27.8 miles)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 43mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLooks Like a Half<\/span>-Eaten Carcass<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The new tube was in and filled, and I was<\/span> about ready to put the wheel\nback onto the bike when I had<\/span> the bright idea to actually check the tread\nto see whether I could<\/span> find what caused the flat. If there<\/span> was a nail<\/span> or\nsomething in there, it'd just pop the new tube right away.<\/p>\n\n

I wasn't quite prepared for what I found<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 28mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1000 sec, f<\/span>\/2.1, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nRidiculously Bad Shape<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

This is not a tire that's just gone bad... this tire has apparently been\nbeyond bad for a long<\/span> time. This wear extends around much of one half of\nthe tire, and it's unfathomable how neither I nor<\/span> the mechanics who have\nworked on my bike over the last months have not noticed it. This is worse\nthan first noticing you're pregnant because the baby just fell out.<\/p>\n\n

I knew immediately that I was in trouble, because with a huge<\/span> hole worn\nthrough the tire, there was nothing to protect the tube. I actually<\/span> got a\nfew<\/span> very-careful kilometers on it, enough to get to a convenience<\/span> store and\nwash my hands, but it soon was flat again.<\/p>\n\n

I was 50km (30 miles) from home, in the middle of nowhere, with a bike<\/span> I couldn't<\/span> ride.<\/p>\n\n

Thankfully, my father-in-law could come and pick me up. I pushed<\/span> the\nbike to a michi\nno eki<\/a><\/i> (\u9053\u306e\u99c5) that was conveniently close and waited.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 43mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/7.1, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nDad Saves the Day<\/span>\n11:50 AM\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I went on a bicycle ride yesterday that involved 13 people, the largest group I'd been on to date. It was fun, but I also learned some important lessons.<\/p>

It was quite the international gathering, with folks from Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Japan, Norway, Philippines, and The States.<\/p>

The first lesson I learned was to pay attention to what weather forecast I looked at. Yesterday in Kyoto city proper the actual weather (spritzy rain in the morning; otherwise sunny all day) sort of matched the forecast (10% chance of rain all day), but our ride into the mountains was in [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,1,2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2593"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2593"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2593\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}