Yooooooo.....Been a While...

I've been very slowly getting my デブ arse back into bike riding again after a couple month break due to some strange sensations brought about by trying to change my riding position (way higher seat) and pedaling style (pelvis rotated forward). What were the sensations.....exactly like this: http://www.tipna.org/info/documents/BrochurePNE.htm

To "fix" the problem, instead of taking any too drastic measures, I just decided on good old stretching, r&r and time off the bike seat!!! Things have gotten a lot better, but not close to being fully "cured" yet. But, about 3 or 4 weeks ago, I just couldn't take it any more and HAD to get back on the bike.....riding for only short bouts initially, but up to over 3 hours recently...with a MUCH lowered bike seat...

Last Thursday, I got my first dose of some fast riding (due to seeing David on Lagoon) and now I can finally start to feel the fitness kicking in!

Yesterday after work was a good day. I got on the bike at 5:22 and even though I got to ride only 40ish minutes till the sun set...I rode pretty strong for the whole time. Towards the end I decided to do some super fast spinning and then this song by Orange Range came on which is PERFECT for super fast spinning...since it gives you some short breaks interspersed with some super MANIAC spinning tempo sections!

OrangeRange - Matsuri Danshaku

Although I only lasted for about 1/3 of the song yesterday...in a few weeks, I think I'll be strong enough to do the whole song!

ワタシノニッポンノトモダチ。。。

During this year's century bike ride I got a chance to hang out on three nights with my good (and famous) friends from Japan, Kushima-san, his wife, and their hardcore triathlete friend Maki-san. Kushima-san and his wife are very famous throughout Japan being published 2 times in Japan's Cycle Sport magazine for their stories about riding around Oahu in 2005 and 2006: http://www3.plala.or.jp/kushima2/bike_tour.htm .

On the Thursday before the Century ride, the 3 of them rode around the Island and it was VERY HARD. 180kms, strong head winds, and 3 heavy showers made for an 11 hour torture fest. Then, on Sunday, they did the entire Century ride.....according to Kushima-san, the 160km Century was "easy" compared to riding around the Island. Talk about being in FANTASTIC shape...I guess I shouldn't be surprised as they are ALL avid triathletes! Here's the story of Kushima-san's time in Hawaii: http://www3.plala.or.jp/kushima2/hawaii2007.htm.

One night, we went over to Pho Bistro which makes the most ichiban Vietnamese food in town...but...when I went to pick them up...I was SO SURPRISED!!!!!...perhaps we should have gone to a Japanese restaurant instead???



Then to recover from the Century Bike Ride, we went over to Side Street Inn for a little Hawaiian Style Izakaya action...

Then another night we went over to a "true" Japanese restaurant that is NOT in Waikiki. Here we are walking over to Imanas Tei...

Of course, we had to wait for 20 minutes or so...


With lots of "real" Nihonjin in the house, you know it has to be really good...sanma, sake, jyagaimo, beer, salad, yakitori, etc. etc...some of the best authentic Japanese food in town. Lucky I had Kushima-san and company with me, else I would have never known how to eat (or even order) "Jyagaimo"...I remember NOT knowing how to eat it when I went to Kyoto...

We satisfied a little "sweet tooth" at Bubbies ice cream shope...

A fun time was had by all...aloha till we meet again...じゃまた

Links to my other 2007 HBL Century Bike Ride Posts: http://serikaku.blogspot.com/search/label/2007%20HBL%20Century%20Bike%20Ride

2007 Century Bike Ride Pics...

Some cut and paste pics from the HBL Century Bike Ride...real pics at: http://www.hw.jalux.com/hcr/index.html

Rolling into the finish...

Climbing Makapuu...

Coming in on Kal Highway...

Good friends from Japan - Rt. to Lft. - Kushima-san, wife and Sado Island 1/2 Ironman finisher Maki-san.

2007 HBL Century Bike Ride...

Stepped out of bed much earlier than my usual weekend wake up time (7:30am) for the 2007 edition of the Honolulu Century Bike ride which happened to start at 6:30ish am. Got the wheels rolling solo from Triangle Park at about 9:00am and took two short cuts: one over a very windy Hanauma Bay, and the other bypassing the Waimanalo back roads. Got out to the 50 mile (45 mile?) turn around a little before 12 noon in about 2:40ish ride time.

Like being in Japan...

Not seeing any musubis being provided for all the 4,000 Nihonjin in the goodies tent, I crossed the street over to 7-11 for some supplies. Witnessing the last spam musubis disappearing before my eyes, I cut into the pay-line to grab the LAST one...upon hearing a Nihonhin say, "aawwww." Being the good island host that I am, I insisted "please please" that he take the last one. Luckly for me, there was one last "new item" hotdog musubi hiding on the side.....

Ate my half of my hotdog musubi here on the stone wall...note the 650c wheeled steel frame...and mine...

Me chilling out in what little shade there was at the finish. Caught one flat on the way back in Kailua...which was really handy cause it let me rest my upset stomach...eat the rest of my musubi...and get in about 160 arm curls using my dependable Ti mini-pump...

After the flat, I suddenly felt really good and rode really solid all the way back to the finish. Kicking back, on my back, to the best view in the house after 151km in 5hr 23min ride time...

My friends from Japan, Kushima-san and wife at the finish. With the weather conditions, there were a ton of flats - Kushima-san had 3 flats!!! Maki had 1 flat!!!