Yesterday's blog post "Purple" featured photos of our mountain ride with Chris King's Global Sales Manager, Jeff, who is visiting Japan for Cycle Mode and is currently here in Nagoya;
but before that, on Sunday and the Saturday before it, the shop opened at 12:00 PM due to the holidays,
and I figured it would be a waste not to go for a ride, so that's exactly what I did.
Both days had great weather with clear, beautiful skies.
The trees I saw were just starting to change color.
On Saturday, a group including staff, the CRC crew, and customers went for a leisurely 40km-plus ride.
I kept saying "What a beautiful day, isn't it?" whenever I opened my mouth; people nodded along at first, but by the end, they were just offering wry smiles. But honestly, it felt amazing!
Then on Sunday, it was just the three of us—those two and myself—going for a bit more of a "serious" ride.
Between me oversleeping and someone else wandering off mid-ride, the route changed from what we'd planned, but we arrived at the shop after a solid 80km.
It was a truly pleasant ride that day as well.
Though, I was desperate just to keep up with these two and ended up completely exhausted (lol).
This is the familiar Amasawa Pass; the thermometer on the way up from the Aichi side read 7°C.
I think it was around 9:30 AM.
But I recall the thermometer on the sunny side in Gifu prefecture, after crossing the pass, reading about 10°C.
Maybe this temperature range is just right for cycling, even if it is a bit chilly.
Yes, the temperature has dropped quite suddenly, and I really struggled with what to wear.
On Saturday, I layered a sleeveless base layer, a long-sleeve jersey with arm warmers tucked underneath, and a light windbreaker to test the conditions. On Sunday, I went for a smarter approach: "This should be fine!"
It wasn't set in stone, but for my top half, I wore the Rapha Winter Jersey and a sleeveless merino base layer, and for my bottoms, I wore bib knickers.
This Rapha Winter Jersey has a thin, windproof fabric lined inside the center front panel,
and it also features large vents running from the lower armpits down the sides. It’s a fantastic piece that makes it very easy to regulate body temperature—you can zip it up tight for descents or open everything (including the front zip) for climbs and flat sections.
The one I'm wearing is last year's color, but this year it's available in black and this sophisticated red (though, it might still be too warm for riding in the middle of the day).
Rapha
Winter Jersey ¥24,000
It also has plenty of storage space.
By the way, this one also works well in similar temperature conditions.
Rapha
Pro Team Jacket ¥29,000
Color: Black, Chartreuse
Because this is Pro Team gear, it's a sharp, race-style cycling jersey.
And finally, it has arrived at the Circles store.
Rapha
Grand Tour Shoes ¥51,000
Color: Black, White
Oh...
Right, I almost forgot; for this time of year, I recommend knicker-style cycling shorts.
It's getting a bit too hot for full-length tights, but too cold for shorts—knickers are the perfect "in-between" length for this awkward transitional season. If you pair them with longer socks, you can use them until the weather gets quite cold! So, next time, I'll be introducing bib knickers!
See you!
Yanakku