A Few Rides Between Tyohoons
Typhoons have a certain binary nature to them. First nothing, then all of a sudden all hell breaks loose, and then…it’s over: the wind stops and the sun comes out. After hunkering down for a few days, I was anxious to get going.
I had to adjust the schedule, which necessitated a train ride. The Shinkansen part was uneventful, but when I transferred to the local train things got interesting. I was going to Matsusaka. And normally I write my itinerary in my book and show it to the ticket agent with times, connections, and each Line name. Well, this time I was rushing so I simply said I wanted a ticket to Matsumoto. Matsumoto is nonwhere near Matsusaka. 90 minutes toward the wrong destination I realized my mistake. So 90 more minutes and two transfers I was on my way to Matsusaka. Travelers Note: many city names sound alike to the Westerner’s ear, so be careful!
The ride today was another route with great roads and punishing, but wonderful climbs. This road was a bipass around a series of long, uninviting tunnels. What I didn’t know was that it had a long section of 10 to 12% grade. Plus, it had been hit by the typhoon a few days before, so there was debris from the trees all over the road. Still, a great climb.
I’m guessing these trees blew down from the wind
My GPS has been indispensable. I can’t imagine doing a ride like this without one. But today for the first time, it told me to do something that was impossible. It suggested I make a left turn on this “road”. I came up with an alternate plan.
Most of the route was on roads like these
These cars have nothing to do with my ride. I was sitting in front of the grocery store having lunch looking at this row of cars in front of me. I realized that since I’ve been in Japan, I have not seen one- not one -dirty car. And remember, this area was hit by a typhoon a few days ago so you would think that a curtain few might be dirty. But no. And then there’s the parking. Not like Santa Fe, where half the people park over the the line. Not here!
robert j. mang cycling/travel 
Wonderful!! Love that shot with your bicycle and the train…ah, adventures. Stay safe.
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