FUJI PROJECT (8)


For a few weeks now I've been thinking about a project for this summer. A sporty one. 

My goal is to start from 0m, Yokohama altitude to the top of Japan, the Mount Fuji, 3776 m.

In one day and by my own strength.

Meaning riding my bike from Yokohama to the fifth station of Fuji San (last place the cars can reach) and then climbing to the top.




Yokohama in red, Fuji San in blue.



To make it even more fun I'll be riding a Fixed Gear bike :-)

Now, being the 111th Anniversary of Fuji Bikes this year I then had the idea to link this event and my project. Therefore I told about it to Yoshie San (from Akibo - Fuji Bikes Japan) who I met again recently at the Fuji-Cyclingtime presentation. So Fuji Bikes Japan lend me a Fuji Track Comp bike and I will bring it to the top of Mount Fuji!! Yeah baby :-) (if everything goes well...that said)  Of course I hope for a good weather this day for a cool bike photo session at the top of the volcano -_-; 

I plan to do this at the end of August, leting me 2 months time of training (I already started with my usual bike and some running). And this morning I received the Fuji Track Comp! Thankfully this bike is quite light, around 8kg builded of Aluminum and Carbon.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4756441195_1aed0028f3_s.jpg



http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4757077456_6a74b87477_s.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4757077520_8427a497d2_s.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4757077584_f5e1ebd9cf_s.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4757077634_a527c6dcbe_s.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4757077686_8d568449af_s.jpg

As you can see the bike is already mounted with brakes which kind of breaks the line of the bike. Rear one is totally useless being a track bike but as always when it comes to bring a track bike on the road there're rules issues. I always keep the front brake on my Fuji Feather but I don't see any reason to have a rear one. Plus the "shot lever" is quite good looking I think. So maybe I'll change the set a little bit also on this one, might save some grams as well.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4756441583_637053a264_s.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4756441683_1d40901a56_s.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4756441725_fed6fa769d_s.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4757077908_ccbd143245_s.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4757077974_c0e154a3cf_s.jpg

Pedals are old ones that I just use now for testing purposes, I will change them for clip pedals.

Basically my training will be quite close of the triathlon trainings I used to do few years ago. Only difference : it's no race so I don't need to be fast but just ready to have enough endurance and strength for the whole day. (It is actually also a challenge that will lead me to a come-back to triathlon competition. I love this sport I used to practice it in France and really want to get into it again.)
To keep track of my training I started to use RunKeeper. Any user around here ? Don't hesitate to "friend" me.

If you think you can join me on the challenge, don't hesitate to contact me! As we say in French "Plus on est de fou, plus on rit" ( = The more, the merrier).Be prepared for something like 5-7 hours of bike and then the ascension for about 3h/5h. Yep a long day! (of course you don't have to carry your bike to the top ;-) 
Sponsors are also welcome!! (why not)
I will document the project more in details with future blog/twitter updates, plus live pictures and twitter updates and maybe live streaming from time to time on the D-Day. 

Mt_Fuji_061008-02

Views of the Fuji San from Yokohama, found on Flickr.

Blue Yokohama

Links : 
http://www.akibo.co.jp/

- http://www.fujibikes.jp/

Posted on : 2010-07-12 10:50:33

By Snacktreat At 2010-07-04 00:13:49

http://www.bikeghetto.jp

Dude, great ride plan. I'd love to ride with you, let's go for it. I did the ride out to fuji from yokohama, and also i did the ride from the base of fuji up to the 5th station. Fixie of course. Anyway bro, lets ride.

By Jerome At 2010-07-04 18:44:47
from Yokohama
http://www.jeromesadou.com

Great!! I'll contact you soon by e-mail! [nice blog that you have by the way]

By chucks At 2010-07-07 16:24:05
from Hokkaido

Nice blog. just wondering if there is anywhere in Tokyo where I can rent a fixed gear bike? My in-laws live in Tokyo and when I am there I always burrow a mama chari, but would defintely like to try a fixie in somwehere like Tokyo.

Cheers,

Chuck

By Joe4therecord At 2010-07-09 16:35:39
from Kansai ,Teaching English
http://jadij.blogspot.com/

I wish you could get a camera crew to go with you. This would make a cool video

By Jerome At 2010-07-12 22:43:11
from Home ,Drinking tea
http://www.jeromesadou.com

Chucks : I am not sure, I've seen a rental shop with quite good bikes one time (they have also
a cool restaurant), maybe they also have some fixed gear or more probably single speed. I'll try to check.

Joe : maybe not a real camera crew (unless someone is volunteer) but don't worry we will manage
to shoot something... so I'll be able to watch it in my old days :-)

By goukadesign At 2010-07-31 18:21:10
from England ,Eating chocolate for breakfast
http://blog.goukadesign.co.uk

Good luck with the journey Jerome :), I wish I could do the same one day and see some of the awesome views from Mount Fuji-san you will see.

By whywastetime At 2010-09-02 03:09:10
from India Now, Japan in October then London
http://whywastetime.wordpress.com/

Jerome buddy when's the fuji ride happening? I've been following your blog for a few months now and stoked on your attempt of the mountain. Really keen to see how it all panned out.

I am coming to Japan for a couple of weeks in October, riding from Osaka to Tokyo (via Mount Fuji) and whilst there was hoping to do a review of bike shops along the way (particularly in Tokyo). I've seen your reviews of Kalvinka and a couple of other places which gave me the idea to do a similar thing for the guys back in London.

Anyway, let me know about the fuji ride. Keep your your good work on the blog, its a been a great tool for me in anticipation of my trip and I look forward to more of your updates.

By Jerome At 2010-09-02 07:36:36
,Waking up
http://www.jeromesadou.com

Hi,

Fuji ride went pretty well last week-end. I am now in he process to sort photos and videos for a big blog post. It should be online by the week-end. Ping me when you are here!

FUJI PROJECT JOURNAL - 1

Training is going on pretty well. Yes, the heat makes it harder but anyway it will be hot also on d-day. I do running, cycling and even some swimming sessions. Cross training is the best to get back in shape without hurting your body with repetitive routines. With cross training all our muscles got involved one day or an other so one can get in shape in a smoother and less traumatic way.I start to feel better and better. Saturday I took the Fuji Track Comp and rode from Yokohama where I live to... Read more


Posted on : 2010-07-19 21:08:31 - Comments : 6

FUJI PROJECT

For a few weeks now I've been thinking about a project for this summer. A sporty one. My goal is to start from 0m, Yokohama altitude to the top of Japan, the Mount Fuji, 3776 m.In one day and by my own strength.Meaning riding my bike from Yokohama to the fifth station of Fuji San (last place the cars can reach) and then climbing to the top.Yokohama in red, Fuji San in blue.To make it even more fun I'll be riding a Fixed Gear bike :-)Now, being the 111th Anniversary of Fuji Bikes this y... Read more


Posted on : 2010-07-12 10:50:33 - Comments : 8

FUJI-CYCLINGTIME TEAM PRESENTATION

About 10 days ago I was invited by Stephan Forest, Manager of the Fuji-CyclingTime team to their presentation party. It took place at the Canteen, just next the CyclingTime bike shop in Soho-Odaiba. They asked me to shoot the party as well as the riders for their Homepage.It was also a good opportunity for me to meet the people of Fuji bikes Japan as well as the leaders of CyclingTime.comThe shop and location are really nice. Let's see what they had in there.Team jersey for sale.I still have a S... Read more


Posted on : 2010-06-23 00:27:01 - Comments : 2

BICYCLE SHOPS IN YOKOHAMA

It's been a while that I uploaded some bicycle related article here. So time to catch up a little bit. [an other article should follow tomorrow or monday]As I needed to buy some new tubes I visited the Y's Road shop in Yokohama. It was a good occasion to check their fixie corner. As I said in an old post this shop is not specialized in fixed gear bikes but more on road race ones. In this category they have everything you can dream of. As for the fixed gear bikes I was a little bit disappoin... Read more


Posted on : 2010-06-19 18:40:42 - Comments : 3

TOKYO FIX IPHONE APP

Today I downloaded the Tokyo Fix iPhone App. It was released just recently by Ollie Magazine, a street culture mag it seems. The app costs 230 yen which is reasonable. Here are some screen-shots showing you the main functions of the app.                                                      &nbs... Read more


Posted on : 2010-05-10 22:28:52 - Comments : 1