The Village Velodrome Appreciation Society

Heading to Australia

2010-04-08T20:13:00.004+09:00

After four years in Japan I'm heading back to my hometown, Adelaide, a place I haven't called home for 15 years.

So my wife and I are selling off some stuff - not a lot. But if you're a cyclist in particular you might find a few things you like on sale.

Items include a very rare Campagnolo 151pcd 48 tooth chainring, Sugino 144pcd chainrings and a pre NJS lockring - perfect for a fixie. Hysteric Glamour clothing and a pair of John Moore shoes.

All the stuff for sale can be found here: http://openuser.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/user/kanki_knight

NEW WHEELS at CYCLE MODE TOKYO (The Tokyo Bicycle Show)

2009-12-12T14:14:00.004+09:00

GVGV at Japan Fashion Week

2009-10-25T14:59:00.002+09:00

It's not all about running. Some recent shots from GVGV at Japan Fashion Week...

Running going a bit better

2009-10-09T10:28:00.003+09:00

I trained 4 days this week and will probably run again tomorrow - so 5 days in one week. The most I've run in months. I have a LOT of weight to shift, so I'm keen to get back to running some decent mileage again. Sixty-three kilogrammes when I returned from Oz - I should be 58kg.

Re the City-Bay fun run. Turns out I came 9th in my age group (M39), 348th overall. My family - wife, dad, sister, niece, nephew, brother-in-law all finished in the top 25 for their respective age groups (from M12 to M66) - good going in a field of over 30,000 runners.

City-Bay fun run Adelaide, South Australia

2009-09-25T10:31:00.003+09:00

Should I feel pleased? I guess I should. After being unable to train properly since February I lined up in a 12km run in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. Long ago, I marked this race as one I wanted to do well in - and had a time of no more than 45 minutes in mind.

But poor health meant virtually no training for 7 months. I was 5kg overweight, got drunk 2 nights before and walked all day the day before. I should have had an awful run.

I went through 1km in 3.30; 2km in 7.10; 3km in 10.45. Then crumbled. But I kind of held it together for a 48.56 (12km). Which I just found out is a PB - beating the time I ran when I was 25 years old by 2 seconds!

Two small rants

2009-09-06T00:56:00.003+09:00

I try not to bang on about negative stuff, but I'm in a negative mood lately, coz I can't run.

So here goes with two things that bugged me today.

I went to a college fashion show today. I thought I might spot a future talent - always good in my field to keep your finger on the pulse. But I saw nothing.

All the clothes looked like they had come out of a manga comic, and the seats were set so far back from the stage (I was front row, but still 25m away!) that I couldn't see if what I was looking at was well made or not.

But then the prizes were awarded and I was stunned to learn that nothing had been made by individuals. It was all teams! No wonder the standard was so poor - this was fashion design by committee. No room for individual expression, no chance of stunning people with your special effort - just middle of the road, cartoon-inspired rubbish. Stupid system.

Second rant, Miyuki Hatoyama. Not cute. Not sensible. Not "a breath of fresh air". Just plain wacky - which is not good for a first lady or Japan. The international press are saying Ms. Hatoyama is breaking the mold of meek Japanese women who stand behind their men, but the same system that produces meek produces immature fruitcakes. The nation's first lady has a lot of growing up to do, I hope she does it quickly.

Not running again

2009-09-04T21:53:00.003+09:00

Well, this year my big aim was to win my age group in the City-Bay fun run in Adelaide in mid-September. I even got myself a special race bib. But that fast run is now officially not going to happen. My up and down health since the marathon in February has taken another dive, resulting in me being house- and bedridden for the past two days. The doctors say I have nothing wrong with me (gotta love the Japanese health system).

The good news is I got appointments with two excellent doctors in Australia. So with any luck I might finally find out what's up, so I can get on with getting better.

I'm really missing running, and being able to eat whatever I want.

Finally ran at Oda Field again

2009-08-15T14:09:00.002+09:00

It had been about 4 months, but I finally made it out to Oda Field to run again. I'd forgotten both how fun it is and how hard it is - I couldn't even finish the final 800m effort.

I can't go next week, but I'm going the week after that for the 5km time trial.

twitter.com/KankiKnight

My (awful) Tour predictions

2009-07-27T23:34:00.007+09:00

Well, the Tour's finished, and my selections weren't so great. I had Contador, Schleck and Vande Velde in about the right spots, and I picked the Green, White and Team winners, but I chose all the guys who had dire Tours too - Evans, Menchov and Rogers all performed below anyone's expectations.

1. Cadel Evans - 30th
2. Alberto Contador - 1st
3. Andy Schleck - 2nd
4. Carlos Sastre - currently 17th
5. Denis Menchov - 51st
6. Lance Armstrong - 3rd
7. Christian Vande Velde - 8th
8. Mikel Astarloza - currently 11th
9. Michael Rodgers - 103rd
10. Sylvain Chavanel - 20th

Plus Green jersey
Thor Hushovd - in Green

Polka Dot
Carlos Sastre - 14 points (43rd place)

White
Andy Schleck

Team
Astana

And now for a new category - Best Post-Tour Trick (click on photo for link to PEZ Cycling - www.pezcyclingnews.com)

A stab in the dark at Lance's new team

2009-07-25T00:34:00.004+09:00

So Lance Armstrong has a new team - and he's signing new riders every minute. Here's my guess at the line up

LA
Chris Horner
Cadel Evans
Jack Bobridge
Taylor Phinney
Levi Leipheimer
Brice Feillu
Mark Cavendish (depending on budget)
Mark Renshaw (depending on Cavendish)
George Hincapie (depending on all of above plus ability to forgive LA)
Simon Gerrans
plus a dozen big motors - anonymous guys like Popo who would be team leader on your average French team.

teamradioshack.com/getready/

Keirin guy takes on politics

2009-07-21T10:19:00.003+09:00

Tomohiro Nagatsuka (above), silver medalist in the Olympic Sprint in Athens, looks like joining the race for mayor of Ibaraki as the DPJ-backed candidate, according to a report in today's Sankei. Nagatsuka is said to be quite an economist with a great knowledge of how money markets work - so that's where he's been investing all his winnings on the keirin circuit.

2009-07-12T12:37:00.003+09:00

How my Tour selections are going so far

1. Cadel Evans - currently 18th
2. Alberto Contador - currently 2nd
3. Andy Schleck - currently 9th
4. Carlos Sastre - currently 16th
5. Denis Menchov - whoops, currently 28th
6. Lance Armstrong - 3rd
7. Christian Vande Velde - currently 8th
8. Mikel Astarloza - currently 17th
9. Michael Rodgers - oh, dear currently 162nd
10. Sylvain Chavanel - currently 47th

Plus Green jersey
Thor Hushovd - in Green

Polka Dot
Carlos Sastre - 0 points

White
Andy Schleck - 2nd

Team
Astana - 2nd

My Tour Top 10

2009-07-04T14:48:00.003+09:00

1. Cadel Evans
2. Alberto Contador
3. Andy Schleck
4. Carlos Sastre
5. Denis Menchov
6. Lance Armstrong
7. Christian Vande Velde
8. Mikel Astarloza
9. Michael Rodgers
10. Sylvain Chavanel

Plus Green jersey
Thor Hushovd

Polka Dot
Carlos Sastre

White
Andy Schleck

Team
Astana

Ikejiri Gallery to hold keirin bike exhibition

2009-07-03T22:21:00.003+09:00

Ikeijiri Institute, an old school-turned-gallery and workshop in Setagaya, near Ikejiriohashi Station, is holding an exhibition of Katakura keirin bikes since the 50s. Well worth visiting.

www.r-school.net/program/gallery

Fixed gear bikes in Tokyo

2009-06-22T19:49:00.004+09:00

It's been awhile since I loaded up some pics of bikes spotted on the streets of Tokyo. Enjoy...

This is one of the best looking Level's I've ever seen. The Tokyo-based atelier run by Shiko Matsuda has been building frames since 1975 and has been an NJS-approved frame-builder since 1980. He's a nice guy too.

This frame is a smoked grey over chrome, finished off with Sugino 75 cranks, a pretty nazzy Shimano 1/8th inch oval plate chain and, of course, Matsuda-san's signature.

The bars are Nitto RB-021 matched to the very rare Nitto badged stem from 1983 (?)

The Level had an Araya ADX-1 rim on the front. A great rim. Very narrow - just 19mm wide, it weighs 330 grams. This was the rim used by Koichi Nakano for some of his world championship wins.

And on the rear, a Wolber Profil 20. A rare rim in that it's made of a magnesium alloy. These weigh somewhere around the 300 gram mark. They were released in 1985.

This bike is a bit of a mess, but the frame is a killer - a Katakura Silk, handbuilt by Tadashi Arai, one of the gods of the frame-building world.

Sugino Super Mighty cranks - nothing wrong with them.

An old Bridgestone frame, obviously an ex-racer's bike, it's sporting Araya 16B rims laced to Dura-Ace hubs, a drop stem and tubs, but...

It's got a pair of mad Nitto B617AA "moustache" handlebars on it.

Don't know much about this bike - I just liked the chainring

What's this frame? An old San Rensho? A lugged Makino?

Nice chain too - hollow pins?

Running again part 2

2009-06-16T16:19:00.002+09:00

I've done two runs in three days, including a 30-minute run with no knee pain.

Not running much yet

2009-05-31T19:30:00.003+09:00

My health and my knee have been up and down since two weeks before the marathon. I'm only managing irregular 20-minute runs, but I did do an ekiden last weekend. Five km in 19.35. Terrible time, but it felt good to compete again.

Running again

2009-05-12T15:54:00.003+09:00

Well, some six weeks after injuring myself in the Tokyo Marathon it seems my right knee is willing to let me run again. I've done two runs in three days and haven't had to walk. It's still too early to know if I'm OK again, but it seems I'll be able to get back to good mileage again soon. Need to get fit for September - I think I can just make it.

Lance a bit pants on Twitter

2009-05-05T15:16:00.002+09:00

Lance Armstrong has blocked Cycling Weekly on Twitter because they questioned whether it was right that he participated in a small race not (in theory) open to top pros called the Tour of Gila.

I guess that also means his "black book" of people he won't talk to has been reopened, and Cycling Weekly is back on the list (he took them off the list to give them this interview, which won the interviewer an award http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Lance_Armstrong_exclusive_interview_article_273248.html).

So, the LIVESTRONG anti-cancer message is now no longer received by the UK’s best-selling cycling publication. Who wins?

Still injured

2009-04-22T15:32:00.002+09:00

Well, the marathon was a month ago, but I still can't run more than 15 minutes without pain in my right knee.

Tyler Hamilton

2009-04-18T01:22:00.002+09:00

Busted a second time for banned drugs, U.S. champion Tyler Hamilton has left cycling (but would have been banned for life anyway).

He refuses to speak about his past, but he's full of excuses for the present.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/8004759.stm

Well done Tom Boonen

2009-04-13T18:46:00.003+09:00

Yesterday, Tom Boonen won his third Paris-Roubaix - the world's hardest one-day cycle race.

For the race Boonen used handmade Dugast tubulars instead of his sponsor's tyres.

Tornado Tom lived up to his name.

Boonen doesn't forget the fans, even after a tough ride (seen here in the Tour de France)

The Lance question

2009-04-13T11:05:00.002+09:00

As a cyclist, I often have friends and colleagues ask me "So, do you think Lance ever used drugs?" The problem of course is most people want a one sentence answer like "He's the most tested guy on the planet, he never failed a drug test, of course he was clean." But the answer I really want to give is READ THIS:

http://velocitynation.com/content/interviews/2009/michael-ashenden

A tale from 2003

2009-04-07T23:55:00.003+09:00

Back in 2003, I made a trip back to Adelaide to see family and friends. After a night spent at the Exeter pub with a few mates I was making my way back to the train station when I spotted someone who looked familiar. I realised it was a cyclist I'd seen on TV quite a bit.
It was probably the beers that made me go up to him and say hi, but he didn't seem to mind. He talked to me about his racing - he'd recently won a world championship in the keirin event - and was telling me about his training. He even asked if I raced.
All I was expecting was a quick exchange - one of those awkward "Good on ya mate, love your work" type exchanges you have with celebs. But he was a nice guy, and he walked along with me for a good 10 minutes. Chatting like we'd known each other for years.
A couple of hours ago, the cyclist Jobie Dajka, was found dead in his house. Aged 27. News reports say he battled depression, aggression and with the bottle. But that night I met a really down-to-earth, well adjusted guy.

Post-marathon

2009-03-31T16:24:00.002+09:00

I finally got to the hospital today to get this glandular problem worked out. Good news is I'm basically very healthy - white blood cell count, lungs etc all healthy. More results next week.

My knee is slowly recovering from the marathon (bad ITB pain). I can walk now, and cycling is fine. I'll give running a try later this week.

On the hunt for 10km runs now - need to run as many as possible before a big 12km run in Australia in September.

Tokyo Marathon 09

2009-03-22T19:54:00.002+09:00

Well, I finished. And considering I was really wondering if I should start, that has to be a good thing. I also set a new PB - 5 minutes faster than in London Marathon in 2005. But I was hoping for a lot more. I trained pretty hard for this - at least one 2 hour run per week since December, a fast 2 hour run three weeks back, and a 3 hour run. Plus all the rest of the little ones that make up the mileage. In the end it was bad luck, I got hit by a virus of some sort - glands, ears, head all hurt - and began cramping at 30km.

I'll be back next year...

5 days until the marathon

2009-03-17T10:31:00.002+09:00

Actually feeling a bit nervous. Every little pain scares the hell out of me. Can't work out what socks to wear on the day. Don't know what to eat in the morning. Worrying about getting heavy but also about not eating enough. Is that a cold I feel coming on?

Steve, thanks for the comment, I'll be looking for you, please forgive me if I'm capable of little more than a grunt as I pass.

11 days until Tokyo Marathon

2009-03-11T18:46:00.003+09:00

I did a track workout today. 1,200; 600; 1,200; 600; 1,200. I tried out a second pair of new shoes and liked them, so they'll be the ones I use on the 22nd.

I'm still not feeling 100%. My first 1,200 felt awful.

I tried to use my new Garmin 405, but it's not at all intuitive, so I had no idea how to even get to stopwatch mode (does it even have one?)

Twitter

2009-03-05T00:31:00.000+09:00

Wondering why cyclists Tweet more often than runners.

18 days until the marathon

2009-03-04T15:40:00.003+09:00

Two years ago, I developed an injury just before the Tokyo Marathon and couldn't start it. This year I took a different approach to training - the number one rule being, if I felt a problem beginning I took a day off.

Now it's just dawned on me that I've completed my hard training. I'm tapering for the marathon now, and that means I'm unlikely to develop an injury. Basically, barring a terrible misfortune, I've made it to the start line!

24 days until Tokyo Marathon

2009-02-26T12:15:00.003+09:00

Walking a tightrope at the moment with my training for the Tokyo Marathon. Both Achilles tendons would like very much to cause me difficulties, my knees need daily icing and the lymph gland on the right hand side of my neck is a bit swollen and sore. But two more long runs and I'm into recovery mode.

Runners on Twitter

2009-02-08T22:05:00.001+09:00

Finding runners on Twitter has proved much harder than finding cyclists. And the runners who are on Twitter tend to Tweet less often. Someone should so a study...

Anyway, here's some runners on Twitter

twitter.com/Flotrack (Track website)
twitter.com/track_news (very good)
twitter.com/tashadanvers (British hurdler)
twitter.com/PreRaceJitters (Track website)
twitter.com/TysonGay (appears to be the real deal, but no Tweet since Beijing)
twitter.com/nyrr_pro
twitter.com/runningtimes
twitter.com/runnersworld
twitter.com/USATrack_Field
twitter.com/JeffGalloway (Olympian)
twitter.com/ShannonRowbury (Olympian)
twitter.com/treyhardee (Olympain - decathlon)
twitter.com/bryanclay (Olympic gold medallist - decathlon)
twitter.com/joshcoxrun (US 50km champ)
twitter.com/RunBlogRun

Where are all the British athletes? Australian athletes? Japanese athletes? If anyone knows please post your finds below.

Cyclists on Twitter

2009-02-06T15:16:00.003+09:00

I've been following Twitter a lot lately, and I've been enjoying the Twitter posts by various cyclists around the world. Here's a list of the cyclists I'm following:

twitter.com/PhilLiggett - Commentator Phil Liggett
twitter.com/ghincapie - George Hincapie
twitter.com/kmoerenhout - Koos Moerenhout
twitter.com/taylorphinney - Taylor Phinney
twitter.com/axelmerckx - Axel Merckx
twitter.com/velonews - Velo News magazine
twitter.com/ChristianVDV - Christian Vande Velde
twitter.com/LizKreutz - Liz Kreutz photographer
twitter.com/tourdownunder - Tour Down Under
twitter.com/bikeworld - Bike World (very good)
https://twitter.com/dzabriskie - Dave Zabriskie
twitter.com/carlossastre - Carlos Sastre (real?)
twitter.com/christianmeier - Christian Meier
twitter.com/KankiKnight - Japanese cycling/product news
twitter.com/TeamSlipstream - Team Slipstream
twitter.com/EdwardPickering - Cycle Sport writer
twitter.com/SRichardsonCW - Cycling Weekly writer
twitter.com/lionelbirnie - Cycle Sport writer
twitter.com/neilroad - Road Magazine
twitter.com/jimochowicz - Jim Ochowicz
twitter.com/mickrogers - Michael Rogers
twitter.com/TwitEndurance (very good)
twitter.com/steephill Steephill TV

...and there are others I choose not to follow, such as Ivan Basso, Lance Armstrong and the Ouch! team of Floyd Landis.

You might notice I've included my site: twitter.com/KankiKnight
I focus on Japanese design, but I always pass on news about Japanese cycling products from Shimano, Araya, Bridgestone etc.

Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon / Marugame Half Marathon

2009-02-01T14:09:00.003+09:00

Moroccan runner Adil Annai took a fine win in the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in a personal best time of 2.10.15, while in the arguably more competitive Marugame Half Marathon Mekubo Mugusu won in a time of 1.00.37.

Results
Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon
1. Adil Annai 2.10.15
2. Seiji Kobayahshi 2.10.43
3. Keita Akiba 2.10.53
4. Scott Westcott (Australia) 2.12.56

Marugame Half Marathon
Men
1. Mekubo Mugusu 1.00.37
2. Daniel Gitau 1.01.34
3. Atsushi Sato 1.02.24

Women
1. Mara Yamauchi 1.08.29
2. Yuri Kano 1.09.24
3. ?
4. Reiko Tosa 1.10.58

A good 5km

2009-02-01T01:40:00.002+09:00

I turned up to Oda Field in Yoyogi Park on Wednesday dreading the idea of running 5km. My neck was hurting a lot - some kind of glandular pain - and I felt weary. But I figured I'd give it a go.

Then, after running 2km, my shoelace came undone, but I kept going.

And I was rewarded with a half-decent time - 17.33. My equal second best time. Of course, now I wish I'd run just a bit faster. Sub 17.30 would have been nice. But all things considered, I can't complain.

Did a good 2 hour run the next day.

Keirin rider Keisuke Tejima dead at 33

2009-01-27T10:37:00.004+09:00

Top keirin rider Keisuke Tejima has died. Tejima was ranked among the top 18 riders in the nation. Some websites are hinting that he commited suicide.
Tejima won the SS Cup Minori in 2008 and raced for Japan in Copenhagen.

Two months until Tokyo Marathon

2009-01-23T00:38:00.002+09:00

I was happy to be able to run 2 hours today. But instead of occasionally being able to run a Long Slow Distance I've got to get in some solid weeks of training. It's only 6 weeks until I need to think about tapering. I just hope my knees and ankle hold out!

I'm Tweeting

2009-01-19T21:42:00.013+09:00

I've begun Twittering on art, architecture, design and travel in Japan. I'll be posting on bicycle design a lot as well as some running oriented stuff such as buildings used in the '64 Olympics and new shoe designs from Japanese brands.

You can find me here:

www.twitter.com/KankiKnight

Nengajo cards

2009-01-16T14:45:00.004+09:00

Here in Japan Christmas is a time for couples - a bit like Valentines Day is in the West. Few people send Christmas cards. However, January 1 is a big day for families, and in the lead-up to this day the whole nation swaps postcard-style greeting cards, called nengajo.

Because of my job as a writer I tend to get bombarded with cards from all of the creative folk and press agencies that I've worked with during the year. This year is the Chinese year of the cow, so interior designer Sinato sent me a really funny card with beef steaks on it; British architect Asif Khan sent a very festive card featuring his Tetra Lights, and architects KDa opted for an excellent 'tear-along-the-dotted-lines' bull with enormous horns.

My favorite card? Well, I'm biased, but it had to be the Nike one. Instead of cows, they went for an old black and white photo. But check it out...
It reads "Don't look back, look ahead" - a quote from Nike co-founder and world-beating coach Bill Bowerman.
But does anyone know who the runner Bowerman is talking to is? Bill Delinger? Jim Bailey?

Enjoying my running

2009-01-15T22:44:00.003+09:00

I'm really enjoying my running at the moment. Losing 1-2 kilograms has made me realise I can go faster with less effort - it's making my track sessions a lot more enjoyable.

I got my time and result for the Okutama ekiden that was held in December, and I was pleased to see I set a new club record, and was among the fastest 25 runners for that stage.

At the track last night we did 4 x 1,600m. Hard mentally, but I ran almost exactly even splits: 5.27, 5.23, 5.25, 5.25.

This Sunday is Shibuya Ekiden, a short and fast race of 2.8km. I'm feeling a little stale, but I hope to feel good on the day - I think we can podium.

Never heard of the S107 molecule?

2009-01-14T17:31:00.001+09:00

Some world-beating athletes may have...

http://sport.ard.de/sp/weitere/news200901/11/neue_wunderdroge.jsp

Best time of the year

2009-01-13T01:08:00.002+09:00

January and February are my favorite months in Tokyo. The skies are blue, the weather is perfect for running and I just had my birthday. This is also when the events I like best are held: Shibuya Ekiden, CalfMan Duathlon and more.

Like many people, however, Christmas and the New Year period meant interupted training. So my weight has crept up again and my fitness is waning. Time to get serious about running again!

Running in Kobe

2009-01-05T13:17:00.003+09:00

I'm currently down in Kobe - and I'm finding the running scene is a little different here.

First, the runners are friendly. I ran 2 hours on Saturday and an hour today and got a wave from every runner I passed. I like that.

Second, the air is better. Kobe is by the sea, so I can run along the beach, well away from traffic.

Third, there are hills within easy reach. I did a couple of hill sprints today on a climb that was the perfect length and gradient. Locating a good climb in much of Tokyo is almost impossible.

And finally, Kobe is not so concreted and tarmacked. For maybe half of my run I was able to find grass or dirt paths. Much kinder on the ankles and knees!

Speaking of ankles, my achilles is hanging in there. Not getting worse, so hopefully it's OK.

Women's keirin

2008-12-26T23:53:00.001+09:00

If you want to see some of Japan's best female track riders in Tokyo, head out to the Keio Kaku velodrome on Jan. 3.

More information here: www.girls-keirin.com

The Japan Keirin Association's 'David Brent' moment

2008-12-25T19:18:00.003+09:00

Keirin in Japan is a male dominated sport. Why? Because women's keirin was shut down by the authorities more than 40 years ago. Now, the association has belatedly realised the error of its ways and is promoting a six-race series for women.

Now, just like the The Office's David Brent, they couldn't possibly overcome all of their sexism at once could they. So the series name? "Girl's Keirin"

Let's promote women yet belittle them at the same time. Can you imagine "Boys Keirin"?

Achilles

2008-12-21T22:08:00.001+09:00

Why does my achilles feel fine when I run but sore when I don't? I've done no miles for three days and the achilles feels a little worse. Still nothing ice and rest can't fix.

Oda Field in the rain

2008-12-17T23:30:00.004+09:00

Bit of an odd night of training tonight - it was cold and very wet.

The plan was 2km, 1km, 2km, 1km - but I missed the start of the first 2km, so I ran it as a warm-up.

Then I ran 3.09, 6.51, 3.14.

I felt OK, but I didn't realised my 3.09 was actually rather quick.

My achilles is just bothering me a little.

Calfman Duathlon - Feb. 8

2008-12-15T00:06:00.003+09:00

Well, I've entered the Calfman Duathlon, to be held at Showa Kinen Koen in Tachikawa City, Tokyo, on Feb. 8.

Last year, I did it slowly, because I was not at all sure I could even finish the thing. But this time I think I'll throw caution to the wind and go for it.

I've got a new Zipp 303 front wheel that should save me a bit of time and I'm getting some good tyres (hopefully Veloflex Carbons).

As things stand I now have one race to look forward to each month - January will be Shibuya Ekiden; February is the duathlon; and March is Tokyo Marathon.

I really hope there's no snow for the duathlon like there was for the last one.

Tokyo Marathon

2008-12-12T22:24:00.001+09:00

In the last post I said Tokyo Marathon was 12 weeks away. I never was very good at maths. It's more like 15 weeks away. It's also made me realise my tough 100km week might have happened a bit too early.

Training's going really well

2008-12-11T22:27:00.003+09:00

I daren't tempt fate, but my training is progressing better than ever before. I'm injury free bar a few little niggles (including a left ankle that's felt tight for months) and I'm getting stronger and faster quickly.

My weight has dropped to the low 59kg range (from 62-63 only four months ago) and I've managed six weeks in a row doing at least one run of more than 2 hours each week plus other long runs of around 90 minutes. This week, I've done a race, then 2 hours, 90 min x 70%, and 90 min x 90% (until I cracked at 83 minutes and slowed).

Tokyo Marathon is around 12 weeks away - a bit less - so I can fit in 10 weeks of solid training if my body continues to let me and, hopefully, my weight also will continue to fall.

Okutama Ekiden 2008

2008-12-08T11:23:00.011+09:00

This year's Okutama marked its 70th running. And maybe there's a feeling of faded glory attached to the event now. It's still a big event, but the top professional and university teams chose to run elsewhere on the day, leaving the event to the weaker Hakone teams and second-string pros. So, this is still no fun-run.

Perfect conditions greeted us in the mountains west of Tokyo. The weather was cool and crisp, but the sun made running in shorts, singlet and gloves possible.

Okutama is a proper ekiden in that it runs from eki (train station) to eki. I was third runner on our team, so I had to catch a train out to my start point. It seemed my whole day was about catching trains - I caught my first one at 6am from near my house, and at 10am, I was still riding a train to the start.

My start point was a very low-key affair. A small laneway became a makeshift changing area. Blue coated officials set about marking the main road through the town of Kori with tape and setting up tables. Three portaloos serve the needs of 120 nervous runners. The area transforms into a sea of university tracksuits - mainly the distinctive green of Asia University, which fielded five teams, and the dark blue of Tokyo Metropolitan, which had three teams.

My nerves are jangling I line up at the start to wait for my second-leg runner to appear. All of the runners crush toward the road, each hoping the next runner to appear will be from their team. A few are caught unware and have to burst through the pack of waiting bodies and out onto the road to collect their sash. Numbers are called out in Japanese of course, so I was concentrating hard to make sure I heard mine. But I spotted my teammate heading toward me before my number was called and was on the line in good position with plenty of time.

I grabbed the sash and ran. Two runners were ahead, so I began almost sprinting to get them, then realised that I had 6.5km of uphill to come. Heading out at 3.15 pace was not advisable. I caught my two runners early, then got a third, and then saw a group of three more runners starting the first big climb. I couldn't work out how fast I was running, but I caught my three runners and only one could go with me.

The climbs really dragged, but hills are great for your form - they make runners run a little better. I could hear one guy right behind me so I decided to see if I could shake him off. I accelerated but it didn't work, so I settled into a groove and focused on the runners ahead, and oddly, the runner behind lost contact at that point. I ran alone for a while. The crowds on the road were thin, but very encouraging for the foreign guy.

Soldiering on, I picked off a few more runners who looked like they'd overcooked it earlier, and I was wondering where the finish for my stage was. I'd been told that "a tunnel" marked the end of the course, but what I hadn't been told was there are four or five tunnels on the course. I picked up the pace after the first tunnel, but then saw a second and realised I couldn't be near the end. The tunnels made everything sound very strange. All I could hear was my feet slapping on the ground and my laboured breathing. I was like a Kraftwerk song - all synthetic breathing sounds and Teutonic beats.

A couple of kilometers came and went, then I saw police lights and realised that this meant the fast guys were on the return leg. Amazing. So far ahead. An Asia University runner came flying past. I listened to the tap, tap, tap of his shoes as they skimmed the ground. He was not only turning over his legs twice as fast as me he was also travelling much further with every step.

A few more of the top guys raced passed, then a big bunch of runners - everyone of them straining. They all looked like they were actually running a bit beyond their limits and were hoping the others would crack first. They were battling for about fifth place, so I guess I was looking at a group of 15.20 5km runners running outside their comfort level - I'd love to be able to experience running in a group like that.

When I did reach the final tunnel I recognised it - it's a very long tunnel lit with orange lights. Three runners were ahead of me and I was determined to hand over my tasuki (sash) ahead of them.

I picked up speed, but I soon realised I was being a bit ambitious. I had over 50m to close on the closest runner in red shorts and he was chasing the runners ahead of him. The tunnel came and went without any of the runners coming back to me. I closed to about 20 meters at the end of the tunnel and despite a tired sprint I handed over the sash a few meters behind the red-shorted runner.

I was pretty stuffed at the end. At Hakone Ekiden (Jan 2) you see runners spectacularly collapse into the arms of waiting helpers, and I had always thought that this was partly for show, but on crossing the line I felt just like them. I was coughing and felt awful. But instead of being wrapped in a team coat and assisted like a wounded soldier away from the course, I just staggered to my bag, put on my stuff and made my way to the train station to get back to the start/finish line.

The event is great, and it makes you feel special to be running in such exalted company, surrounded by pros, timekeepers, team cars and the like. But it's a lonely event. I ran pretty much by myself for 6.5km. I had no idea how fast I was going as there are no kilometer markers, so it's an odd event in terms of judging how you went. I think I ran well - no one caught me and I chased down quite a few runners. And 24 hours later I still feel some leg soreness and tiredness, so I guess I pushed hard enough - although I didn't feel like I had one of those 'special' days.

This event is special though and well worth the number of train journeys involved.

Getting fitter?

2008-12-04T13:33:00.002+09:00

In June last year I did a 6 x 1,000m session at Oda Field. My times were:
3.23, 3.17, 3.22, 3.27, 3.22, 3.27.

Last night I ran:
3.19, 3.19, 3.13, 3.12, 3.19, and pulled out of the last one after 500m with stomach pain.

But if I can overlook the last effort it seems to show a definite improvement.

MASH SF

2008-11-30T12:16:00.002+09:00

I see I was recently added to the MASH blog roll. Does that mean I'm a hipster now?

www.mashsf.com

New 5km PB!

2008-11-26T23:46:00.002+09:00

Today, at Oda Field in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, I ran 17.32 for 5km. The time is only 1 second faster than my previous PB, but it's a major breakthrough for me. It felt easy all the way and I never went into oxygen debt - so I know I can do a faster time. I've upped my weekly mileage and lost weight - and now I can see it's paying off. This was my only PB of the year.

I'm doing Okutama Ekiden on Dec. 7; Shibuya Ekiden on Jan. 18 and Tokyo Marathon on March 22. Hopefully, my times will keep improving.

Great news for Japanese cycling

2008-11-26T01:47:00.005+09:00

Former national road race champion Yukira Arashiro has been signed by French team bouygues Telecom, which is great news because Bouygues will field a team in next year's Tour de France - and Arashiro is a "rouler" - the type of rider made for stage racing, long breakaways and rolling terrain.

The rider has certainly put in years of hard work, riding for the Vang team before getting picked up by Dutch/Japanese team Skil-Shimano.

But now he's in the big league riding the big races - perhaps Paris-Nice, Route du Sud, Paris Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. The races you can see on TV - races young kids in Japan can watch on J-Sports. I hope Arashiro scores a few wins so we see more kids go get on a bike.

Tokyo International Womens Marathon

2008-11-16T16:44:00.007+09:00

Results of the 30th and final Tokyo International Womens Marathon

1. Yoshimi Ozaki (2.23.30 - new PB)
2. Yuri Kano 2.24.27
3. Mara Yamauchi (2.25.03 - new PB by 7 seconds)
4. Yoko Shibui 2.25.51 (faded badly near the end)
5. Salina Kosgei 2.30.34

Ozaki came home very strongly, going from 3rd to 1st at about the 38km mark.
Shibui, who led for much of the race, faded badly as she moved from 1st to 4th. At around 38km her pace had dropped from 3.30/km to 3.40/km, but appeared to slow even more.

Cycle Mode Tokyo part 3 - Road bikes and TT rigs

2008-11-14T22:13:00.009+09:00

Tom Boonen's bike

Oscar Freire's bike

Great hidden rear caliper on this Cherubim

Interesting lug on this Anchor

Something for the trackies
The best looking frame of all?

Cycle Mode Tokyo part 2 - Mini velos, Cervelos and velos

2008-11-12T00:18:00.006+09:00

Cycle Mode Tokyo

2008-11-09T23:29:00.003+09:00

Great news!

2008-11-08T00:03:00.004+09:00

Been mad busy lately, 14 hour days, but finished my work and got the news today that I'm running in the Tokyo Marathon. Last time I was selected I got injured, so I'm hoping for better luck second time around.

My wife didn't get chosen for the marathon - also for the second time, so I feel a lot of responsibility to do well. I hope to run under 3 hours - and would love to hit 2.50. But just to run in this marathon is a great thing.

5km in 17.57

2008-10-30T00:24:00.002+09:00

I was glad to do a half-decent run tonight at Oda Field. Had awful stomach cramps but managed to hang on for an OK time.

Oh, and in case I don't blog again before the U.S. presidential election

ø„¸¨°º¤ø„¸¸„ø¤º°¨¸„ø¤º°¨
¨°º¤ø„¸ Obama „ø¤º°¨
¸„ø¤º°¨ for president`°º¤ø„¸
¸„ø¤º°¨¸„ø¤º°¨¨°º¤ø„¸ ¨°º¤ø„

I just wish the world got a vote.

One that got away

2008-10-26T21:10:00.007+09:00

Today, I ran the Green Ribbon 3km at the National Stadium in Sendagaya, Tokyo. The weather was perfect (for running) and there was a really good turn out.

I lined up with sore glands in my neck from a lingering virus, but felt OK.

At 3pm the 10km runners set off, and at 3.15pm the 3km runners (my group) were to set off. However, as the 10km runners were doing 2.5km loops, it meant that when our gun sounded the 10km runners were already passing us.

I had no idea where the course went, so I tucked in behind what looked like fast guys as we ducked and dived through tired 10km runners. A few guys in T-shirts and long shorts sprinted up the road, but I let them go as I was pretty sure they'd fade later.

My group soon sorted itself out, so I sat behind the second placed guy for a lap. We picked up all but one of the guys who had run ahead and I could see the last one, still about 40 meters up the road.

On the second lap I considered going after the guy up front, we had only made up 20 or so meters on him, but I decided to give it my all on the last lap instead.

With half a lap to go it was now or never, so I moved across the road to pass the second place guy without him noticing. The road was now not only clogged with slow 10km runners but also little kids doing a mini-ekiden. I was getting tired and avoiding runners who only came up to my knees was a scary duty.

I entered the stadium about 20 meters down on first place. It looked impossible, but I thought I had a lap inside the stadium to reel him in. I raced around the 10km runners on the outside of the track, looking for my quarry, but he had gone. And I soon realised why...I was meant to have turned right onto the track on the third lap, not left. My attempt to win was over.

I feel stupid for not realising that I should have gone right. It makes sense now, but at the time - wearied by the running and confused by all the different events being held at the same time - I hadn't considered the third lap might be different.

I can't say that I enjoyed the race. Making fast runners share a narrow course with slow runners, walkers and, most worring of all, small children is dangerous and unnecessary. I heard of other runners that went off course too - some ekiden teams followed the 10km route. I never found a rhythm and on two occasions I had to stop, so this run is pointless if you're after a good time - and that applies to the 3km and the 10km, as the fastest runners lapped the field twice over the longer distance.

I think I'll avoid all runs with the word "ribbon" in the name in the future, as the Run for the Cure Pink Ribbon* run is just as badly organised, with the walkers sent off ahead of the runners, causing mayhem for everyone when the two groups collide.

Sometimes I wonder if these events are planned and put on by runners, because they don't seem to be put on for runners.

EDIT: I've been informed that the Run for the Cure no longer lets the walkers go first. However, the 10km runners are sent off 5 mins before the 5km runners. So the 10km field gets a clear run, but the fast 5km runners catch the back of the 10km field at the halfway mark. An improvement nonetheless.

Whatever it was seems to be going away

2008-10-25T10:25:00.002+09:00

Well my glands around my neck are still making me look a little chipmonk like, but whatever the virus I had was seems to be going. I'm even toying with the idea of racing this Sunday afternoon.

Hmmm

2008-10-20T22:33:00.003+09:00

Yesterday was meant to be a new PB for the 10km at Takashimadaira. Instead, I found myself walking back to the finish line after just 6km. I'm really run down, with a fever, sore throat, sore lymph glands and no energy. I've slept for over 20 hours since returning home from the run yesterday morning. I hope whatever I've got is a passing problem.

Fast(ish) 10km

2008-10-06T19:56:00.002+09:00

I went for a hit-out around the Palace today. It's been ages since I ran there. My plan was two laps at under 20 minutes per lap - and I wore my heart rate monitor because I've never really known exactly how fast my heart rate is at 4min per km pace.

I was a little surprised that it shot up to 185bpm quite quickly, then edged up to 186. At this point I feel like going any faster is really going to hurt, and I soon found out it does - 188bpm feels awful. I feel glad, however, that the old rule of "220 minus your age" doesn't seem to apply to me when calculating my lactate threshold. I think my lactate threshold is 188/189.

Running again

2008-10-05T22:06:00.002+09:00

Back to regular long runs. Still have a bit of a problem with my ankle, and my hip (piriformis) is very tight, but I can run every day without any major issues.

Dark days for the Tour de France

2008-10-01T09:53:00.002+09:00

Re-testing began Monday on samples taken from riders at the Tour de France this year. It is said two 'big name' riders and 12 others are under suspicion. Names have been named but I'm not going to do that here. If the names mentioned are found positive I really don't know how cycling can move forward. Some of the guys mentioned are (were?) my heroes, so I really hope there's no truth in the rumours.

More on Lance - this time his charity

2008-09-21T15:18:00.003+09:00

Some fascinating figures here. Turns out Lance Edward Gunderson Armstrong's Live Strong charity allegedly has the lowest possible efficiency rating, and it is said to have made a loss of over $5 million in FY06 (which seem to be the latest published figures, hmmm). I know that many people who know little about cycling think that Lance is a god, so I've added a few links below.

Boulder Report

Investigate Lance

Investigate Lance "The Facts"

Weight Weenies forum

Wikipedia

(see "Allegations of Drug Use")

Note: These Web sites don't reflect my views 100%. In particular, Investigatelance.org makes allegations that seem unverifiable. Yet they all give you an indication of the alleged potential problems of Lance heading the Tour organization.

Lance to buy the Tour de France

2008-09-20T14:53:00.004+09:00

Multi-millionaire cyclist Lance Armstrong is tipped by the Sydney Morning Herald as a potential buyer of the Tour de France organization. This would surely be the final nail in the coffin for the sport. I, for one, will not watch an event owned and run by this awful man. (click on the title for the article)

I'm pleased to see I'm not alone: http://cyclingfansanonymous.blogspot.com/

A pleasing review

2008-09-17T15:19:00.002+09:00

I got a nice review of my Wallpaper City Guide to Kyoto yesterday...

You can see the review here

Bad news for keirin fans

2008-09-15T21:05:00.000+09:00

Beijing Olympic triple gold medallist Chris Hoy has pulled out of the international keirin series in Japan in October with an injury (hmmm, really an injury or a more lucrative offer?)

However, Ross Edgar will take his place and he'll be racing against Australia's Shane Kelly and, I believe, Dutchman Teun Mulder.

Sad news

2008-09-12T21:42:00.000+09:00

Yesterday in Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture, keirin cyclist Kei Uchida, 27, crashed and died while racing. Uchida was a great rider. Pro since 2002, he was incredibly strong. He could ride a 200m in the low 11s, yet at the 1995 World Championships he lined up for the individual pursuit and finished in 4.47.601, he went to the Asian Games a year later and rode 4:44.264. He also excelled in the keirin, riding at World Cup level.

It's kind of weird bit of synchronicity, but his old racing bike is on sale: http://columbus.craigslist.org/bik/800215256.html

Well done Masahi Ishii

2008-09-09T18:24:00.003+09:00

Masahi Ishii won the 1km time trial at the Beijing Paralympics in a time of 1.08.771 on Tuesday. An amazing time. This guy rides in the cerebral palsy category, and yet he can ride a kilometer in a time more than one second under the time a rider must do to qualify as a keirin rider.

Ishii actually was a keirin rider before a car hit him, leaving him injured. The amazing thing is he's riding as fast, or faster, than many current pros.

Well done Ishii.

Nice Bomber Pro

2008-09-05T22:33:00.001+09:00

Of all the keirin frames made in Japan there are three that I like the most - Makino, Cherubim and this one - a Bomber Pro. Try to ignore the awful saddle and rims.

Hakone

2008-09-02T01:17:00.000+09:00

I went to Hakone today to see art, but I wish I brought my bike. Such a beautiful setting, and some great mountain climbs up steep, narrow roads.

Want an iPhone? Think again

2008-08-27T17:00:00.005+09:00

Just when you start thinking Japan has got over its racist attitude toward foreigners it kicks you in the face again.

SoftBank, the mobile phone company I've been with for almost three years, will not sell me an iPhone on the standard plan. Foreigners who have less than 15 months on their visa - even those who get a new visa each year like me - most pay the full price of the phone upfront.

Of course, SoftBank's reasoning is all foreigners want to come to Japan, get a three-year work visa, get an iPhone, then rush off to another country without fulfilling the contract. Idiots.

2008-08-19T14:09:00.003+09:00

"I am against drugs, but you still want the truth. They are not doing it to be a bad person; it’s because they see others doing bad things, and there is the temptation. Then you are in the middle. You have the relationship with the press, and they are attacking you and the athletes and you have to protect the athletes, because they are still young people. OK, they make a mistake, but it’s no reason to kill them."

This quote is from an interview by Paul Gains in the Jan/Feb 2005 issue of Running Times magazine.

Now for the sad part - these words were spoken by Jos Hermens.

Who is Hermens? Well, I've mentioned him once before on my blog. He is a sports manager, but more than a manager. He takes a very hands-on role in the lives of his top athletes. He sometimes chooses their doctors, he helps them with their preparation, and he defends them if they get caught doping. "They're young...they made a mistake" - would you send your son or daughter to be trained by a man with this mindset? What kind of "mistake" is doping? Why do some of his young athletes feel it is OK to dope?

And what did this mindset achieve? A lot of results to be sure, but this is the man that managed world 100m champion Katrin Krabbe, banned for using clenbuterol; Grit Breur for using clenbuterol; Hezekiel Sepeng banned for using anabolic steroids; and Alem Techale, who collapsed and died while running - aged 18.

Of this death Wikipedia says: On January 4, 2005, Kenenisa Bekele's fiancee, 18-year-old Alem Techale, died of an apparent heart attack while on a training run with him. Although it was initially stated that no autopsy was performed, Techale and Bekele's manager, Jos Hermens, later said that an autopsy had revealed nothing conclusive about the young woman's death.

Jos Hermens also manages Kenenisa Bekele, who won the 10,000m at the Beijing Olympics.

Bronze medal for Kiyofumi Nagai

2008-08-16T21:31:00.003+09:00

Though no one in Japan was able to watch it, Japan's Kiyofumi Nagai took bronze in the keirin today. I hope it means NHK television will show some cycling in the future - while Japan was winning bronze, NHK was showing replays of yesterday's action.

Nicole Cooke on her Olympic gold medal winning ride

2008-08-16T13:16:00.005+09:00

A bike that could get all of us riding

2008-08-16T10:58:00.001+09:00

What a great design - light, fast and perfect for people are aren't so sure they can ride up that killer hill or the 10km to work.

Peter Coe and Nicole Cooke

2008-08-11T01:10:00.003+09:00

Sebastian Coe's father, Peter, died today aged 88. Peter Coe has had a big impact on my running because he wrote what I consider to be the most readable and easy to follow book on running, simply called "Running for Fitness."

He trained his son to two gold and two silver medals at the Olympics and also lectured around the world on running and coaching.

But this sad news came at the same time I found out Nicole Cooke won the women's Olympic road race. She is the most deserving winner I know of. Like Paula Radcliffe she was a champion but she didn't have a title. Now she has the medal she richly deserves.

Olympics

2008-08-07T00:23:00.002+09:00

Really looking forward to the Olympics. Looks like the track cycling events are going to be an Australia vs Britain showdown. The Aussies are all fit and they'll definitely pick up some medals, but will it be gold?

New ways of doping

2008-07-28T20:42:00.001+09:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/index.shtml

Japan's track cycling team for Beijing

2008-07-20T14:45:00.005+09:00

Japan is sending 12 track riders to Beijing, with some good prospects among them.

Top medal contender is Masashi Ishii who managed to do an almost unheard of double when he won gold in the kilometre time trial and road race at the 2007 UCI Para-Cycling World Championships. (For runners among you, that's like winning the 1,500m then winning the marathon). Oh, and just incase you think these guys are slow - Ishii has ridden a 3min 41.3sec three kilometer and a 1.09 kilometre. He's quick. In Beijing, the medals will almost certainly be split between Ishii and Chris Scott from Australia.

Masashi Ishii training hard for a swag of gold medals

A dark horse for a medal is Satomi Wadami. The 21 year old from Tottori Prefecture has been improving very fast this year, winning both the Devonport Wheelrace in Tasmania against a strong international field and taking gold at the World "B" Championships.

Satomi Wadami in her Tottori racing strip

The two guys with the most weight of expectation on their shoulders, however, are Tomohiro Nagatsuka and Toshiaki Fushimi. When they won silver in the Athens Games people were surprised. But this time, with the help of new coach Frédéric Mangé, a 3-time world champion, they should be even faster.

Nagatsuka and Fushimi in the team sprint event

Makoto Iijima is going to struggle, but he'll be up there. He's ridden a long European season, so he's put in as many miles as anyone else he'll be up against.

Makoto Iijima - has been putting in the miles in Europe

Like Wadami, Kazunari Watanabe travelled to Tasmania to race in a tough series of races and performed well. I am presuming he will team up with Nagatsuka and Fushimi in the team sprint. A medal is a real possibility.

Kazunari Watanabe wins in Tasmania

Other riders in the team are Tsubasa Kitasuru and Kiyofumi Nagai (both sprint squad); and Tatsuyuki Oshiro, Mutsuhiko Ogawa and Masaki Fujita (all Paralympics) and one more, who I think will do well: Sakie Tsukuda.

Sakie Tsukuda (centre)

Fixie event in Osaka

2008-07-12T21:23:00.001+09:00

If you're in Osaka around mid-August, head to this: http://trackheads.exblog.jp/m2008-07-01

One thing to note, it's at a club called Noon, but racing and the event itself is to be held around midnight.

Bikes for Beijing part 2

2008-07-03T00:40:00.004+09:00

A bicycle you'll see a lot of in Beijing is the Cervelo P3.

The Danish , Polish and, I believe, Canadian teams will be using this frame in Beijing, and it's my favorite.

Here's some more photos.

The top photo is from the Cervelo website, click on the photo to be taken to the website.

Bikes for Beijing

2008-06-28T00:01:00.008+09:00

With the Olympics rapidly approaching, national cycling teams are taking possession of their bicycles. While many nations, including Britain, are keeping their machines under wraps, a few nations have let the press take a peek. Here's what some of the key medal contenders will be riding.

France
The French sprinters and time trial riders will be on the "Look 496 Pekin" - said to be 30 percent stiffer than the previous team frame - which was also one of the stiffest available.

Japan
The Japanese riders are coached by a Frenchman, and many have already been seen riding French Look frames, but a few will be lining up on a Bridgestone.

The United States
The U.S. team has picked up LEW wheels as a sponsor, and the paralympic team will be riding Ruegamer frames, however, many of the top riders will be riding frames supplied by their individual sponsors, such as this Felt frame being ridden by Taylor Phinney.

Australia
The Australian madison and point score riders will be given these brand new frames called the Blade. Made by Bicycle Technologies (BT) they will weigh 6.8kg, yet they're still very stiff and aerodynamic.

The Netherlands
Finally, the bike everyone's been talking about, as ridden by world sprint champion and record holder, Dutchman Theo Bos. This frame is said to have cost half a million euros. That's an exageration I'm sure, but a lot of time, effort and cash has gone into making this bike for the world's fastest rider. (And no, that's not Theo in the photo).

Please click on each photo to see the page they came from.

For those who remember Michael Rasmussen from last year's Tour de France

2008-06-24T16:04:00.001+09:00

Here's hoping for a clean TdF 2008 (and an Australian winner).

Only two weeks to go...

Not often you see a result like this

2008-06-23T00:32:00.002+09:00

World Mountain Bike Championships

1 Christoph Sauser (Switzerland)
2 Florian Vogel (Switzerland)
3 Ralph Naef (Switzerland)

Plus, final stage of the Tour of Switzerland, on at the same time, first place: Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland)

running again - just

2008-06-16T21:18:00.002+09:00

My achilles pain has gone on the right side, but it's just there on the left - 2 out of 10 pain when I'm NOT running and no pain when I am. Did 1 hour today and yesterday. Seems to make no difference to the pain I feel. Yesterday my legs felt really tight, today they felt OK, but not good.

More roadies and fixies in Tokyo

2008-06-13T23:03:00.012+09:00

Bridgestone with a Brooks

Sorry for the grainy images of this Gan Well Pro. I took it late at night with my cell phone. But check it out. An old Gan Well Pro tourer in mint condition.

A brand spanking new Panasonic, almost all NJS with new Dura-Ace. Someone's doing well.

This Levant is pretty badly looked after, but it's got a carbon Corima front rim. A $350 front rim!

This bike was parked near the Dolan. An average looking road bike - but look at that front wheel. Araya Tita-Ace NJS rim.

If my left leg was a car...

2008-06-07T18:45:00.002+09:00

...I'd have to take it to the wrecking yard. Ran again this week, because my achilles had improved. But three 30 minute runs later and I've got pains in my ankle, foot and both sides of my knee - all on the left side.

A film about cycling that should appeal to everyone

2008-05-31T21:43:00.001+09:00

A friend of mine posted this to me, and I ignored it at first, thinking it's just another YouTube video. But as soon as the opening scenes begin, you can tell this is something different. It's intriguing, well-shot. And the ending is so tragic it brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it.

I went to this race in 2001. It's as crazy and fun as it is depicted here - the one thing you can't get from the film is the smell - hotdogs and tobacco. How the riders breathe I really don't know. Anyway, set aside 10 minutes, turn up the sound and watch this great video.

Injured

2008-05-26T18:46:00.004+09:00

My achilles is not getting better, and my massuer is getting worried, so I can't run. Today, I did a 35-minute walk. I felt like such a loser - walking sucks. I did learn some new things about my area though - fashion designer Issey Miyake's factory is near my house - I never knew that. And I found quite a big temple too. So maybe there are some good reasons to slow down - you get to see stuff. But all in all, I feel about as happy as the little guy above...

This video really captures the freedom and fun of riding a fixie in Tokyo

2008-05-25T18:04:00.001+09:00

The great soundtrack helps set the mood for this video. I wish I could do the tricks these guys do. The no-handed wheelies they're doing halfway through this vid are close to impossible.

Missed events

2008-05-20T13:12:00.006+09:00

In Australia and England there are a lot of running and cycling events you can enter on the day, or maybe just a week before. But in Japan, running events sell out months in advance. So I'm always finding out about events too late.

This week, I found out I missed a chance to race at Oi Wharf in an amateur bicycle race that will be run before the Tour of Japan arrives. Then yesterday, I found I had missed the cut-off date to run at Nittaidai University on June 1 in a 5,000m time trial - I'm going to enter the next one though.

If you'd like to run at Nittaidai, check out the list of times, distances and dates below. There are different categories for different runners - but it seems they're all quite fast. (Click on the information to make it bigger).

I'm mildly injured again. My achilles got worse Sunday, so I took yesterday off and I won't run today either.

Anyone want to run this?

2008-05-19T11:36:00.001+09:00

A trail in Spain with a difference

Tour of Japan

2008-05-17T10:40:00.005+09:00

The Tour of Japan starts in Osaka tomorrow and makes its way to Tokyo, via Nara, finishing next Sunday. The Tokyo leg starts in Hibiya at 11am and ends at Ooi Wharf. It's well worth watching - Tour de France stage winner Leon van Bon will be riding, as well as some great riders from Australia.

Check out Cyclingnews.com for more details, or go the the Tour of Japan website: www.toj.co.jp

But Millar wasn't the first to sling his bike

2008-05-16T18:36:00.004+09:00

Scottish rider David Millar (see post below) broke his chain then ditched his bike, but back in 1997 Bjarne Riis, the 1996 Tour de France winner, suffered two mechanical mishaps.

Since then he has admitted to taking EPO, so perhaps there was a bit of divine justice at work.

Speaking of drugs, this letter from Victor Conte is dynamite: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/athletics/7403158.stm

David Millar in the Giro d'Italia

2008-05-15T15:10:00.001+09:00