Sunday, April 22, 2012

rain or shine

Today was the much anticipated spring bbq! The chilly weather, constant rain and heavy wind were just minor setbacks and did nothing to prevent our bbq from being a success! First thing to do was the shopping so the Saturday group, Shinacchi and Sugi-san met up early to take care of business.



The shopping list: 
onions, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, asparagus, mushrooms, pineapples, oranges, salmon, clams, sea snails, chicken, yakiniku, sausages, soba, potato chips, cookies, other snacks, juice, tea, water, beer, beer, beer and wine!

The menu:
Potage, homemade pizzas, dutch oven roasted chicken stuffed with vegetables and fried rice, yakiniku, grilled sausages, yakisoba, foil wrapped salmon with vegetables, grilled shellfish and lots of beer and snacks!


Hand-built log house in the beautiful mountains of northern Fukuyama


the kitchen

the master chef!

the chicken!

the ladies hard at work!

pizza making time!

batter's up!

busy in the kitchen

foil wrapped salmon, asparagus and onion!

i'm not a big fan of horumon but this was goood!

the other master chef making...

a deluxe fruit platter!

out on the deck!

gotta have yakisoba!

weird chinese guy eating the left overs!
  Need I say more? Everyone helped out doing something whether it was setting up the tents to preparing the food or adding some entertainment. Thanks to the creative innovation of the chefs and the naturally gifted mothers there was more than enough delicious food for everyone! I only wish that someday I'll be able to make these kinds of dishes and host an awesome party! Oh, now there's one more thing to add to my list of goals!.. To have my own getaway house! Cabin in the mountains or a house on the beach! There's nothing better to end the weekend than with good food, and awesome people. One more week until Golden Week! I think I can make it through! Thanks everyone for an awesome Sunday!


 










Saturday, April 21, 2012

short shorts!

I went to sleep last night fearing waking up to rainy weather and wet roads, but to my surprise the weather was good. Cloudy skies, but no threat of rain. The weather was even warm enough to put away the long sleeves and start getting out the short shorts! Is summer around the corner!?!?.. I hope not, because I'm enjoying this warm weather! The Saturday group was out and about by the time I woke up, for today I had different plans to meet up with Shige. We had planned to meet up at 9, but due to some heavy drinking from the previous night (not me) we postponed our start to 10am.


With some time to kill I figured I'd head out early to meet up with the Saturday group. After several failed attempts to make contact Pei-san called me and we decided to meet at Chou-Chou. After fueling up the Saturday group, N-jima-san, Shige and myself headed out. Since they had already completed our ride, Shige and I decided to head to Innoshima through Tosaki Port. 

 
The cool weather and the calm wind made for some much needed R&R! The Hassaku Daifuku was delicious! We turned around and headed for Onomichi, but not before taking the short-cut after reaching Mukai-shima. It was not a good idea...


Hassaku tappuri!




The next stop was for lunch and we decided shio-ramen in Onomichi would be good, but to our dissapointment it was all sold out! Right next door was a place called John, a nice and cozy place that serves burgers. We settled there and re-energized before making the headwind-filled journey back to Fukuyama.  

Teriyaki Tomato Burger w/ fries and drink - 800¥



 Total distance rode = a thirst quenching 88km. Hopefully the weather will be good for tomorrow's BBQ!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

hanami cycling!

Due to the rather long and cold winter we had this year, spring has arrived late. But the best season of the year is finally in motion and the weather has been awesome! On Friday the details arrived for the usual Saturday ride. This time none of the other frequent participants could join except for, Iceman, whose got a reputation for some fast mountain climbing! Saturday's destination: Bisei Astronomical Observatory in Okayama.

The scenic ride to Bisei!
 
Sakura Mochi for the cherry blossom season!

The morning was chilly and the roads were wet from the previous nights rain, but the temperature was perfect during mid-day. At the foot of our climb was a lengthy rolling road where the pace picked up real fast. Anske-san and Iceman went off the front leaving Pei-san and myself. Figuring there's no point in chasing them down we took the time to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms along the road.

 Before climbing to the observatory we stopped for lunch. Since it was the first visit to Bisei this year and given the warm weather there was only one thing to eat!

Coke and a Bisei burger! (the mochi is not mine! >o<)
After some rest we headed to the Observatory with a little more climbing left to go. The climbing was difficult and the legs felt heavy, but the view at the top made it all worth while!


As clear as the skies were we were unable to see Mt. Daisen in the distance, but the view was still amazing! Because I had early afternoon plans for hanami with some friends the Saturday ride was quick and we sped our way back to Fukuyama. In a short time frame I was able to get a good 100km of practice in the legs! Today's beer is gonna taste mmm good! From early afternoon a few close friends gathered for some hanami at Fukuyama castle. Unlike the cherry trees in full bloom during our ride, the trees at Fukuyama castle have passed their peak and have already started turning green. Nonetheless, there was still enough pink among the trees to cap off an awesome day with friends!


Friday, April 13, 2012

spic and span

In preparation for tomorrows ride I cleaned my chain, polished my frame and put-on my new fizik water stopper! Its been quite a while since the last maintenance check, but I think I probably need a new chain seeing as no matter how many times I wipe it it's still black.

 

 Looks like tomorrow we'll be headed possibly to Bisei. It will be the first time this year and definitely the first big climb of the year! Don't think the legs will handle, but it will be good training for sure. Hopefully I can keep up! But I doubt it since it seems like the climbers will be joining us! (ToT) 

Sunday, April 8, 2012

B TEAM!?!?

It's Sunday today and that means weekly morning practice. It's been a long time since I've been able to join practice so I thought that I'd get away with riding with C-team to ease back in to shape, but as expected no one let me.. Today's B-team included Miki, Shinacchi, N-jima, Pei (and his cosmic deeps!) and myself. The first 6 laps I felt okay and B-team kept A-team in sight, but once the pace picked up I quickly realized how bad my form is! Letting the other guys pull me I somehow managed to stay with them until the end, but I have a bad feeling my legs will be in pain tomorrow! I was too busy trying to keep up today I had no time to take any shots of the action so please enjoy these two shots!


 

Saturday, April 7, 2012

long time no see

Greetings friends!
It's been way too long since my last entry..
Busy job hunting I haven't been able to get on the bike or even update SKiNNY TiRES.. あかん. So I will give a brief summary of what's been going on since my last post! 

Pics from Fukuyama Marathon! In order to promote a more environmental friendly marathon, instead of using motor bikes that emit exhaust organizers asked Team Ken's to be the new course guides...


 After party at Kariyushi! Delicious Okinawan food, beer and Awamori!



In the Chugoku Newspaper!

Authentic German beer!

more beer!
The first ride with the Saturday Group in over a month and a half! It was a short ride, but felt good to get back on my bike! There's a few races coming up next month and the weather is finally getting warm!