#TDAIHJ Day 27 Shiiba to Hitoyoshi

Posted on by Mustbesomethingbro

Tuesday 28 October (Kyushu island)

Strava Flyover Virtual Summary: https://strava.app.link/4N4ZzfoVQXb

Cold start to the day – wore leggings, arm warmers, warm under vest, and outer vest
After a few hundred metres, there was a short climb on a busy narrow road to help warm up.
Then an extended reasonably flat stretch following the edge of the lake/dam.
Often in the shade so still felt cold despite pedalling.

Discovered that the rear brake was no longer very effective but a quick adjustment had it working fine again.

Around 20km mark took off leggings and outer vest prior to main climb – which turned out to be not too bad.

Fresh water source partway up the climb.
View from a bridge.
A pause for some “Forest Bathing” in the sun.
Temporary stop for roadworks – the controller had explained “just wait few minutes, two trucks fill up then you can go”
Whilst I was waiting, the controller, having seen a number of riders pass through, clarified with me how to wish us riders well: “Have a nice ride”.
Put leggings and jacket back on at the top of the climb for the descent but still got cold.

Met up with Brian and Ruth at a vending machine near bottom of the main descent. Two warm milk coffees and a few minutes standing in the sun warmed me up.

Only a few signs of life at our “Coke stop” to warm up.

Reasonable run onto lunch. Almost the last ones in 

Post lunch – dressed for warmer weather though it remained on the cool side of warm which is better than the hot side of warm to cycle in.

Lots of short climbs after lunch i.e. ups and downs for the first part then pretty much levelled out.

Cresting one of the post lunch climbs.
Ralph (waiting for Dan) giving encouragement.
Tea country – curious to know the function of the wind turbines in regard to the crop
Final stretch on the “bike path” – also used by small cars and motorbikes
Egrets (?) snacking in the wake of the tractor ploughing the field.

The day’s ride felt easier than the previous two days. Again there was no carryover tiredness in the legs which was pleasing. Equally as encouraging was how the heart rate kept low to moderate and/or dropped quickly post climbs.

However, on paper at least (according to elevation gain, distance, and excluding variables like weather) the three days was the hardest block of riding of the tour completed and whilst the legs felt fine, there was some accumulated mental and physical tiredness. The rest day was needed to enable the body to refresh and maintain effort for the next set of riding days.

No chain malfunctions as continued cautious approach and not changing down to the small chain ring under load.

Got into hotel around 3pm.

Fortunate to secure the use of one of the two hotel washing machines just after I had my shower. Then I had Haldun (bike mechanic) check my brake pads – still plenty of wear in them. I oiled the bike chain and tried lubricating the rear wheel spokes to eliminate ongoing clicking sound – at least it means the wheels are turning. Michael lent me his bike lock until the end of the tour so no need to look for one on the rest day.

Gathering for Andrew’s birthday – with cake!
Back to sharing with Padraig. The room was an interesting mix of western beds and a tatami mat area (with the option of futons to sleep on).
Room view

Decided to have a quick and easy but more than adequate dinner from the supermarket cross the road from the hotel – as always good value. Later on walked to Lawsons (convenience store) for an ice-cream.

3 thoughts on “#TDAIHJ Day 27 Shiiba to Hitoyoshi”

Leave a Reply