Travelogue

After failing to cross Crystal Line in night twice since December 2012, Emman and me decided to give it another go. Easy riding on Nirasaki and then towards Crystal line. Even though it was end of May we soon had to put on warm layers.

The customary dam stop. No drifters tonight!

Crystal line, sure to be open tonight

Yup, its open!

And the jungle gets us excited

Eman in jungle

I was almost expecting some wild animal to appear behind me a give a chase, fortunately not. We did see a few deer and small wild animals

Awesome!

Decided to leave this one alone …

After wrapping up crystal line we continued to a 2000 meter + mountain, idea was to see sunrise from there. This route wasnt even on the map.. which meant only one thing – carry on and explore

Even a normal farm looks mysterious in the dark..!

After wrapping up crystal line we continued to a 2000 meter + mountain, idea was to see sunrise from there.

These are fun even in night

Soon we took got off the main road in an attempt to get to the mountain top. This road was not as smooth. demanding to be very careful even in day time but we were all set to continue…

Until the road turned in to a pure offroad track!

The offroad track was climbing at almost 30 degrees and more at places. It just didnt made any sense as both Eman and myself has no experience in offroad riding. We wouldnt get on such a track even in day time but not sure what we were thinking (or not thinking), we decided to attack the track..

While climing at 30 degrees plus the track was mostly loose big size stones.

Within about 500 meters I lost my front almost twice. Finally i freaked out and started blowing horn to get Emman’s attention who was ahead of me and was already turning. We turned our bikes back but very soon I figured I didnt had the confidence to ride the nike downhill on this track. Luckily Emman was confident and rode my bike down. I waited while he went back to pick up his bike. No falls, all good!

By this time it was dawn and we decided to head back home.

Few more shots on the way back

The minami alps

Got on to Chuo, one stop for gas at Dogenzaka and back home at 6:40 AM.

GPS track

The ridge line under the GPS track on top right quadrant (along Mount Kimpu) is where we were trying to reach but had to give up…

Total distance – 405 kms

In december 2012 Emma and me had to give up Crystal line night ride due to ice on roads. We decided to give it another try given it is April already. 9:00 AM meet at Ihikawa PA on Chuo followed by blast down to Nirasaki. From Nirasaki we took route 27 to Crystal line. Temp 4-5 degrees, clear roads, we enjoyed the 27 section

The combination of my PIAA 530 plus ADVMonster LEDs is awesome

Finally we hit Crystal line. Arakawa Dam on Crystal line

Despite being dark it was quite a nice ride, lots of open and tight twisties combo

And then the disappointment

Couldn’t believe we were denied this fun again.. but the blockade was too tight, no way for us to pass our bikes thru’

So we decided to take a detour, this road is not so well travelled but atleast we were heading north

And then….

Couldnt control myself this time

Anyhow, turn back, another detour and well… the North was well guarded

Finally we had to give up. Headed back, did some more touring on Route 27 and 7, coffee break and then Chuo back home.

Where it ended this time

Total distance – ~320 kms