Rainy Season at Panorama

    I usually don't ride Panorama in the rain, living near bye lets me pick the good dry days and stay clean. Yesterday I had a 16 year old from Australia here and we only had the one day to ride. I pulled out the rain gear, put the bikes in the car and got a quick start before I started to hesitate about riding in the rain.
 As we were riding up the Gondola, Henry could not hide his excitement. He keep telling me about the 1 minute DH tack that him and his friends practice on. He was shocked to find that he had a 7 , 5 or 4 kilometer course to play on. First we rode C-course and I warned him about it getting a bit slippy further down but it took him one crash to learn himself . After is minor crash he was ready for the day, we rode all day in some ugly weather , I realized that I was going a bit slower than normal but actually felt like I was riding really well , you have to concentrate 100% when the conditions are not perfect and it really is good for your focus. I hope next time the course is dry I can keep the focus and get some good flow happening ! I won't wait another year for my next rainy day session!

 

KIds Train

Yesterday I took Dayna my 8 year old to Panorama MTB Park for a bit of fun. We met Yuka-chan, 9 and her Dad just as we were getting on the gondola. We talked a bit at the top and then did a run down C-course together. I was amazed to see how well the 2 of them could ride and found myself wishing I could have been doing that at such a young age! Today Dayna asked me to take him back again as soon as possible!!

First Crash of the Year!

 I usually fall off my bike once or twice a year , this year my first tumble was a good one! Even better was Mike from visiting Japan for some riding got it all on Video. I ride this section all the time but somehow I got it wrong on this day. Happy to walk away with only some blood flowing!
  Enjoy

4 Days in the Mountains

  I just had a 4 day mini camp with Jonas from Belgium. we spent the 4 days riding in the mountains that surround us here in Nagano. Jonas is a very fit 26 year old and he and I put in some good kilometers and lots of vertical. I lost a couple of kilos and feel a little bit better on the bike just a few more and I might actually be in good shape. I realized during this time that I had been spending more time on the Mountainbike lately and had forgotten how beautiful the riding is around here.  Jonas was riding my Classic Tange Tubed Italian Colnago road bike , check out the picture , nice fit Thanks Jonas!

Golden Week

 We still have a few days open during Golden Week , drop us a line and come and spend a day riding Yatsugatake.