Sunset Sakurajima

Timed my ride just right this afternoon. There are some absurdly beautiful views to be had here! I was lucky enough to get just the right combination of light and an eruption at two different spots on opposite sides of the volcano...

How's that for a slice of fried gold?

Bringin' in 2014

2013 - A year in summary (according to Strava):

Distance: 7,512.0 km
Time: 413h 52m
Elev Gain: 148,887 m
Rides: 146

The last 2-3 months I got almost no riding done (and physically I sure do know it!) but I managed to get one last one in to bring in the new year. Since I'm in Kagoshima for the next few weeks, there was really only one choice...



I rode around Sakurajima - an active volcano - in pitch darkness. Nearly nailed a wild boar at speed on a descent and rode through a cloud of volcanic ash (that I couldn't see until I was in it because it was dark). Then picked up a couple of beers and some fried chicken (at least half of which got fed to stray cats), sat by the bay and watched the fireworks and listened to the ships sound their horns at midnight. Good times all round.

Happy new year, everyone!

A series of unfortunate events

After sleeping an absolute ton yesterday, I actually woke up feeling pretty good early this morning. My desire to go and ride somewhere - anywhere - got the better of me and I set out on a nice flat route to see how I really felt. You know... maybe I can complete Festive 500 after all!

Winter treats: hot canned cappuccino and corn soup

I think the 'story' of this ride is best told by detailing what I was thinking at each stage. So, with approximate distances, here is the series of thoughts and realisations that led me through this morning's fun-fest:

• 0 km - "Man, it's cold out here!"
• 5 km - "I feel pretty good! This should be a fun ride."
• 10 km - "Fat, knobby cyclocross tyres were probably a bad idea."
• 20 km - "I'm already attempting to sing along, out loud, to 80s power ballads. I do not care."
• 30 km - "These new winter bibs are giving me a wicked chamois wedgie."
• 40 km - "My legs are far more tired than is reasonable for this distance..."
• 45 km - "Canned sweetcorn soup is the worst thing. Also, I don't feel that great."
• 50 km - "Is it possible to simultaneously vomit and crap oneself while riding a bike? Because I feel like that's a distinct possibility."
• 60 km - "It is beginning to rain. I don't really care."
• 70 km - "Emergency time: I need to scarf down an energy gel to get me home."
• 71 km - "There is remarkably little difference between gels flavoured 'Tropical Fruit' and 'Dog Shit'."
• 80 km - "10 km on, I can still taste that gel..."
• 85 km - "That ride was the worst idea. How did I survive?"

LESSON LEARNED: Don't ride when you have a cold.

...

Well apparently my Festive 500 plans have been changed to "Wake up with stuffy nose and scratchy throat; cancel all riding". Guess I won't be getting that second badge, in all likelihood.

Festive 500 approaches...

Been a really busy couple of months (and still is) with a whole host of stresses, but Christmas is nearly here and that means... Rapha Festive 500!

I have something really crazy and/or stupid planned this year. Stay tuned.