Notes
Chilly and windy - like typhoon windy! Almost didn't even bother leaving the house...
Out form the in-laws' palce and struggled head-on into a wall of wind through Higashi Kagura, then climbed up past Hana Kagura onsen and made it to the Lake Chubestsu tri course - originally, this was the goal turnaround point.
Felt really tired, nothing in the legs after fighting the wind, but knew what had to be done. Sucked up a few big ones and took it to the 'Dake. Kept telling myself just one more corner and I'll turn back and head for home. The Asahidake road is 12k and holds a big gradient for most of the way. Almost quit, lotsa times. Wind howling, but kept at it and all of a sudden was within 2k from the ropeway!
Made it up the final steeeep section and was freezing. Everybody else wearing winter clothes and I roll in a sweaty mess in summer cycle gear... Pie-holed a butter corn croquette and killed a coke before heading out for a long descent.
Just rolled out of the parking lot and boom, torrential downpour - so cold and stinging at 60kph. SLOW on the slick corners and finally back to sea-level along the tri course where it kept pissing down, but the temp a lot more bearable. Couldn't handle the squelching, so had to lose socks along the way - sweet along the tri course - aero in the rain!
Made it home absolutely bagged and soaked to the bone - that was a sweet ride. Always planned on climbing that sucka on two wheels someday. Done - slayed the 'Dake!