Friday, May 17, 2013

草津温泉とヒルクライム – Hill-climb in Kusatsu Onsen




アップするのを忘れていたが、ゴールデン・ウィーク後半は草津温泉で過ごした。54日の草津はさすがに人が多く、中心部は渋滞で車が数珠つなぎ状態だ。

東北旅行の終着地が横道に入って草津温泉というのにはちょっとした訳があるのだが、折角ここまでOnixを担いで来ているのだし、素晴らしい天気ならやはり白根ヒルクライムをしない手はない。2週間前に友人がチャレンジ参加していたツール・ド・草津は前日からの大雪で中止となった同じルートだ。何より風景が素晴らしいし、自分の脚力でも1時間半あればゴールできる。今回は急がず出来るだけペースを維持するよう心掛けて走ってみたら1h24m09sの自己新タイム、平均時速は8.97km/h、ケイデンスは52rpmだった。回転力を強化して9km/hをクリアするのが課題なのは明らかだが、元来ヒルクライムにそんな入れ込もうという気がない。いずれ乗鞍にチャレンジしたいという気はあるんだけど。

ダウンヒルは防寒の重ね着をして19m54sで走破。連休なので多くのサイクリストが登ってくるのとすれ違った。 




On way back from Tohoku, we did not directly return to Tokyo and stayed in Kusatsu in the latter part of Golden Week holidays. During these days, unusual number of tourists visited here and cars were completely jammed in the town.
Since I was carrying Orbea Onix bike in this trip, it was logical to attack the Mt. Shirane on such a wonderful day. About 2 weeks ago, a friend of mine had registered in “Tour de Kusatsu” hill-climb bike race which was unfortunately cancelled due to the heavy snow. Even with my poor legs, it is usually enough for 90 minutes to reach the summit. As the data showed, it took only 1h24m09s this time, a new record for myself, with the average speed of 8.97km/h and the cadence of 52rpm. I only focused on simply maintaining a certain pace rather than hurrying, but on the other hand it is apparent that some improvement in the cadence is essential for breaking the barrier of 9km/s speed. I basically hate hill-climbs but still hope to go to Mt. Norikura. I put a down jacket on and went downhill with the record-breaking 19m54s during which time I saw many bike riders were climbing. 


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