Tokyo 2 Fuji Trail Running Tour

Our friends at Kuai Sports Promotions presents trail running in Greater Tokyo

Exclusive: including famous Fuji Mountain Race on 25 July 2015!

Trail runners can look forward to a new specific trail running camp in the greater Tokyo area of Japan next summer. Combining your favourite sport with a high dose of traditional culture, the local excitement for long distance running, and a touch of adventure, small groups of 35 runners will traverse breathtaking scenery for 8 days and at their own pace. And for those who cannot do without a race, the 18 to 26 July tour includes ten starting spots for the famous Fuji Mountain Race, one of the biggest trail running events in Japan and notoriously difficult for foreigners to get into. 

The Tokyo 2 Fuji trail running tour is a collaboration between Kuai Sports Promotions and local intrepid travel experts Venture, who will act as guide and support for the week. In total, the itinerary covers approx. 150km and starts at the Edo Castle in the centre of Tokyo. Via Hakone and a series of beautiful lakes and mountain tops, participants will arrive at the majestic Mount Fuji by the end of the week. Target audience are beginning and intermediate level trail runners on the basis of daily running distance (longest day is 23 km) and not on the basis of running pace. It does not matter if you are fast or slow. Following your daily runs, what is nicer then to relax those tired legs and feet in the many onsen - hot springs - of the area. To make sure you won't be bored for the rest of the day, the tour also includes plenty of other activities, such as tea ceremonies, museum visits, and attending displays of martial arts and sumo wrestling. 

The Fuji Mountain Race is not only very old (25 July 2015 is the 68th edition!) but also extremely popular in Japan. Perhaps therefore the organisers only allow 50 foreigners to join the race every year. Tokyo 2 Fuji has secured 10 starting places, that's 20% of the total! An enormous opportunity to add this trail race to your personal record list. The Fuji Mountain Race speaks for itself, it goes all the way up to the summit and has an elevation gain of 3000m over 21km. Fastest time ever was set in 2011 by Touru Miyahara, who ran to the summit in 2:27:41. 

Please take a look at the website for many more details, including prices and how to sign up. 

http://www.tokyo2fuji.com/

The 2015 dates for Tokyo 2 Fuji are: 

• 18 to 26 July 2015 (first 10 registrants get a starting spot for Fuji Mountain Race)
• 22 to 30 August 2015

More info can be obtained via kris@kuaisports.com 

The 68th edition of the Fuji Mountain Race will be held on 25 July 2015 and is part of that month's Tokyo 2 Fuji trail running tour itinerary. The race is considered by many to be the most difficult climbing race in Japan, and it is a unique entry in your personal trail running statistics!

The event is divided into two distance options: the summit course (21km and +3000m elevation gain!) and the 5th station course (15km, 1480m elevation gain), both of which start at Fujiyoshida City Hall. There are strict time constraints within which racers must reach certain checkpoints.
Visit the official race website for additional info. 

Being fervent trail runners ourselves, we are excited to promote Tokyo 2 Fuji, a collaboration project with Venture Travel, local operators who over the past decade have built a great reputation in off-the-beaten-track travel in Japan. Together we provide participants with a unique blend of sports and local traditional culture. 

At Kuai Sports, the athlete is king. 

REGISTER AND DO THE FUJI MOUNTAIN RACE

Amsterdam Half Marathon

A different weekend for the SaddleDrunkers as you can notice from the title. Yes we decided to swap shoes.From cleats to rubber soles, to take part at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon.

For me coming back to Amsterdam, it is always amazing, She is the world capital of cycling. You do not need a car around here.Even on a cold day or rainy day you can ride around, the bike market here is huge, with loads of bike variations, from 4 seater tandem like the one in the photo, or a cargo bike or for those more traditional with a classic dutch bike.

The roads,the footpaths,the tram ways are all functioning to help cyclists.A quick example is at junctions, where cars and trams stop due to traffic light changing to red as soon the cyclist press the button in the post.

The canal & the bikes

I am always amazed by this city, and, not especially by the Red Light District Area or the coffee shops,but for the vibe, for the nature, the art, and especially by the friendly dutch people.

Where, they are willing to help you at any costs,even interrupting their doings. They are chatty & funny, and Amsterdam makes you feel at home, warm & welcoming.

The food it is also amazing with a variety of international cuisines culminating the Dutch Cuisine. 

SaddleDrunk Running vest are available to be pre-ordered.

The Half Marathon it self was great, predominantly flat,but a great strong wind in certain areas.

I did not train for it.I knew I had my cardio from cycle training and the mental strength to finish the event.

My physiotherapist Stewart, from W5 Physio, always advised me that I might occurred some pain in my legs to due to using different group muscles from cycling.

I was doing well to be sub 1 hour and 40 minute.But just after mile 10, I started accusing some pain in my legs, or i should say some heavy feeling in them. Therefore, I decide to slow down and listen to my body,conserve my resources and making sure to reach and cross the finish line.The time was ok,1 hour and 51 minutes, next time i will try to train more with running shoes.

A recycled barge,used to be a bike parking area.

I have learned few points to avoid next time, reference on running an half marathon.

First, never run on an empty stomach. The start of the Half marathon was at 1320,therefore I had plenty of time to have a nice breakfast in the morning. But one thing led to another, that I was at the start with no breakfast and no food,apart from some nuts,raisins and bananas.Only one person to blame,Me.

Another point, it was that I should not drank beer or wine the night or day before the event, even in minimal quantities.I am not that young anymore,so in the morning I might feel difference than 20 years ago.My fault again.

Amsterdam Marathon, a long Street party

Last a great advice for any individuals sports is to stay focused in your race,your event in your comfort zone. Don't listen too much on the outside, don't feel the peer pressure,listen to your coach if you have one. Be yourself, be strong, do not get ruined by other external factors. You are the only one that knows your body,listen to it, achievement will be reached.

Remember to be Intoxicated with the Freedom of Running.

The Espressos Running Crew, funny characters.

Ciao for now.

SD

Cycling Muscles at Work

This week topic is from a SaddleDrunker, Alessandra Perbellini. She is Italian personal trainer and a remedial massage therapist based in London with high level experience. She work all areas of London, and she has a variety of clients under her arm. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any queries for treatments and body strengthening work. 

This is what she tell us.

One of my cyclist client bluntly 'complained' about the cash spent on treatments every month, without realising how outrageous was his motive behind the argument! In fact as a cyclist you are aware and you accept that you can spend lots of money on buying a new bike, new components and new wheels that eventually can improve your speed. Much less of this awareness is towards treatments such as Sport Remedial Massage Therapy that could make you, a more efficient and less injury prone cyclist.

Nice Tan

Cyclists (myself included)  are generally plagued with overused injuries where the pain gradually increases,  then we get used to it and over a long period of time we start breaking down.... A Sport Massage will help the body in many different ways: with tension, inefficient muscles, muscular imbalances which make the body more prone to fatigue, flushing waste products through muscles and generally assessing the body fitness for the ongoing challenge that is cycling!!!

Muscular imbalances has been proved to be the most common issue amongst cyclists and we are talking here about muscles that work as agonists and antagonists, meaning that when the quads for example are activated, the hamstrings will automatically relax because they have been told by the neurological system not to work, with  consequence that will become inefficient and totally untoned, jellylike muscles! Overall it will affect posture and cycling techniques.

The same principles are applicable to other muscles most commonly Gluteus maximus, medius and minimus around the hips that have the role to stabilise the pelvis to create harmony between leg and knee during each stroke (cadence). When muscles are unstable, the stroke become inefficient so lateral movement may result, along with chronic knee overused syndrome. Another common pitfall is the never-enough-stretched Piriformis and Psoas causing the hips to go out of place and ultimately, knee injury. And the Back! If Glutes are weak, the lower back muscles are used as the main muscles, followed by the hamstrings.  They all affect the posture which shorten Pectorals, Latissimus dorsi, Trapezius and scalenes and neck muscles Sterno Claido Masto become tight and hold the head at bad angle.

Credit to someone online

So..........

Stretch daily

Release tension with Sport Remedial Massage monthly

Activate, strengthen your  bum!

I lost a bit of weight

HAPPY CYCLING REGARDS!

Thank you Alessandra for your deepest contribution.Until next time be safe on the road.

Ciao SD

Winter Cold rides amongst us.

The winter has finally arrived here in UK and again it is he time of the year to think what to wear, eat, drink for a ride.

There are few points to cover which are quite important, that I like to remind everyone to follow, if possible, for your own safety.

I will start with one of the most causes of cyclist crashes or silliness. The name is famous and worldwide known as, Strava. Why? I am not going to teach you rocket science but I should think you get to the point without my explanation. A lot of riders nowadays cycling daily, aiming to get a fastest segments, a KOM, a QOM, a challenge. The bravado kicks in the human brain and it forgets to consider other road users, turning riders into hooligans of the road. Why sprint between traffic lights 50 metres apart, looking like unleashed lions, crossing red lights causing havoc to other road users. The Other day, I saw a cyclist checking their computer without realising there was a static car ahead and boom (yes like Batman). People are more concerned about showing off to others what they can do, yes you can do that, well done. But cycling is freedom to be on the 2 wheels enjoying the surroundings.

Credits to Batman

The next point is personal safety, which includes wearing helmets. I know exactly it does not look cool and it messes your hairs up. But please wear it, I have seen a few head split in half, like a cracked egg. Few day ago I rode with this young guy, called Chris, strong and fast legs at the age of 14, and an amazing hair cut, he could be the future of British cycling but he does not like to wear an helmet.

Credit for this image to http://www.biggreenjewish.com

Days are getting shorter, then strong lights are important to be seen, to see obstacles in the road. I know some can be expansive but nothing is more valuable than your life. I personally love Lezyne lights, which are efficient and affordable.

Dirt, mud and grit are coming back, keeping company together with other debris on the road discharged by other road users and non. My advise is to go on a thicker tyres, like a 25mm, to provide extra security, but I also know that some of you might disagree with me saying that it is too hard to spin it around. Come on now, we know that cycling is pain and flabbergasting when goals are achieved. Also it could be a good excuse for training. I deeply recommend Thickslick Tyres by Freedom Bicycles.

Available to purchase in UK

The final point of our preparation for the cold months, is to provide you the correct clothing.

There is a lot of brands out there selling nice fancy, sexy, cool looking clothing, proper cycle porn, but my question and intriguing point is "do those items do what they say do on the label" for the price you pay.

Well, you might call it propaganda on our behalf, but SaddleDrunk apparel does the job it says on the label, made in Italy, stylish, cool at an affordable price. Please do not forget to visit our online store (please ignore the models used!).

We have now also in stock SaddleDrunk Custom Ekoi Sunglasses ,that are also available in clear lenses ideal for the winter ride that provides protection for your eyes.

Special Edition price £50

Be safe on the road and share the road with others.

SD

SD newly appointed Black Inc Wheels Ambassador for UK

Here at SaddleDrunk HQ we are pleased to announced that we have been appointed us UK Ambassador for Black Inc Wheels.

Style,Perfection,Beauty

Our aim at SaddleDrunk is to bring the best products available to all cyclists.

The product line is divided into the following categories,

Black Thirty wheels, in Clincher is 30 mm, Tubular is 35 mm

Black Fifty wheels, in Clincher is 45 mm, Tubular is 50 mm.

Black Eighty wheels, in Clincher is 75 mm, Tubular will be 80 mm.

Making the clincher shorter improve a better acceleration, hence the handling differences and acceleration are very similar to the racing tubulars retaining the aerodynamics of the deeper siblings

With matt and plain finish, make it self stand out amongst the other brands. 

You can try a pair of wheel set. After your test ride you can purchase them via Black Inc website here.

Warranty and wheel bag will be provided to any pairs of wheels purchased.

Do not hesitate to contact us at SaddleDrunk for any further informations.

SD.