Mon/11/07 06:06 PM
This past weekend was spent in Tokyo.
I went to the Tokyo International Cycle Mode to do the annual
networking thing with sponsors and friends. Friday night, Ya-Chan
and I met up with my old friends Andy and Nate. It was great to
catch up and spend some time with them in Roppongi. Then, the next
morning we were off for day one to the show. It was a busy day and
of course involves a night of drinking with our sponsors. I was
invited to the OGK sponsored athlete dinner party. Thank you OGK,
it was great fun and very delicious!!
The second day was even longer, and more tiring, however it was
great that we had so many people turn out for the show. Bigger
numbers than last year, so everyone is excited about the cycling
scene for 2008. I will tell you more about next year's plan soon.
It's in the works now!!
Finally, after the show Ya-Chan and I exhausted, made it to
Shinjuku for a much needed r & r dinner before catching the
train back to Matsumoto. Unfortunately, our last train leaving at 9
pm was delayed due to an accident so we were even more tired when
we arrived back to Mats. It was a tiring but exciting weekend!!
Looking forward to 2008 with some great movement in the cycling
industry!!

Me with the man himself, Mr. Gary Fisher. We had a good chat since
we have met so many times at previous shows but this time
officially introduced. Keep on doing what you do Gary, we love you
for it!!

The 2007 JCF Series Champions, all of us!!! Congratulations. It was
the first time for the individual series title awards to be given
out in both XC and DH categories. Last year, it was only given out
for teams. Here here, was glad to be involved as the first one out
on the stage!!!

Emi, Hiroka and I having fun!!
MORE PICTURES HERE!
Mon/11/07 06:10 PM
This past weekend was spent helping a
friend and having a private MTB lesson. I helped a friend do some
moving on Saturday morning then met Ya-Chan for a great lunch.
After that I headed to Hakuba to prepare for the next days private
MTB lesson. A friend of a friend from France studying Japanese in
Tokyo wanted to try some mountain biking. I said come on out and he
jumped on the train and here we are.

Matthieu practicing some balance skills.....

practicing some bike body separation.

With this smile, I think I succeeded in converting him into an
official MTBer!! For being a first timer, he did really well on the
bike. Good job! We had an afternoon private lesson in Hakuba. I
decided to ride the Hakuba Iwatake singletrack trails. They are in
great condition right now and it was a perfect afternoon for
riding....

I did manage to get in a bit of jumping fun as well. We warmed up
on this mini jump park near Donguri grounds in Hakuba then off to
the trails. On the way back, I just had to finish off the day with
some rounds of jumping, fun fun.......

As we were driving back, we saw these in the parking lot. Just had
to stop by for a picture, look at all of these cars??? They were
having some kind of weekend meeting........