MagSeven

Is this the ultimate East Coast park rat? Or a simple misunderstanding?

The park at Teine is poor to be honest. Some years they have it up at Highland, and sometimes down at Olympia. The only constant is that it isn't very good. (This year it'll be up at Highland, which at least gives a good view and potential for great photos off the kicker with a city background.) Asari (near Otaru) has the best park in the Sapporo area.

Most of the island did I think, it was just you city folk who missed out! We're just down the road from you, this is what I saw when I pulled back the curtains this morning. There was around 5cm or so on the car. I was whistling a happy tune while I brushed the snow off it this morning! Stoked.

Snowing here now. Not slushy/sleet but quite dry!

I can see 3 different ranges of hills from my work, depending on which window I'm looking out of and how clear a day it is. It does mean I look out the window and daydream a lot, but it's awesome in the winter when I know I'll be hitting the nighta in a few hours! Should be getting snow tomorrow in the hills, then Monday and Tuesday probably down to sea level!

Strawberries mate!

7 man is the early bird price. I reckon it's a good price for a November to May (June last year) season and 5 hills. I've got the K Pass too. Should be a decent crew riding Teine this winter!

Nope, no other adjustments. I don't really have any problems with my arches or anything, but I find the footbed holds my heel better in the boot, prevents heel lift and just gives a better fit generally. I think if you don't get a good fit with an off the shelf footbed, then it's time to get something more bespoke moulded to your foot. I guess if you have flat feet it might be better to get a custom footbed? My superfeet have lasted a LONG time, 5 or 6 seasons, 2 different pairs of boots, at least 300 odd days!

Yeah just the standard green ones trimmed to fit inside my boot liner.

Same here. The difference in support that a footbed gives over the standard manufacturer's insole is significant.

Randomly was awake and felt a very slight tremor here.

Sierra (That's both)

Different routes, lots of great scenery here keeps it interesting. Quiet roads where it's safe to have a conversation. If I'm alone, a single earphone with music or podcasts. I find if I set off knowing I'm out for a long ride, the time tends to go by quite quickly. I really enjoy the feeling of covering distance by bike.

I recommend Brooks saddles. Handmade in the UK from leather. The first few rides are torture, but after they're broken in, it's like riding on air! We often have a spare seat in the car. More than happy to give you a lift Tubby!

Have been cycling and running over the summer. Longest ride was 175km, and regularly doing 100km rides. In the run up to the winter I've started stretching daily. I've really noticed the increased flexibility. I've always been relatively fit, but in recent years would get quite stiff after exercise. Now I can bend and flex like I could when I was a teenager. I'm hoping my skiing will benefit this winter!

Blister Gear Reviews give some of the best in depth and unbiased reviews, in my experience.

Still some snow up on Tarumaezan near Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido after the cold snap we had in the week:

I think Sam's Bike has moved to near Tsukisamuchuo subway. It's an awesome bike shop if you're into that kind of thing.

Murasaki Sports is pretty good I believe.

Tomamu good a good layer of snow. Tubby you were there a few days too early!

Its snowing here.

Yeah it's at Zenibako on the way out to Otaru. It's visible from Rt 5 and the expressway.

Are you going to hit the opening at Onze on the 11th? I've never been, but am slightly tempted. Probably won't need the Fish though, or the beacon! Will definitely see you down there when Rusutsu opens!

Yeah, gorgeous weather! Looked like you had a good one in Tomamu over the weekend. Forecast for tomorrow looks interesting - looks like we might get snow down to 800 metres or so!

I'm just going to post a few pictures from yesterday's Yotei hike as the views on the way up and from the summit were spectacular. We got so lucky with the weather, the previous days had been stormy and very unpleasant. Clear skies all morning and fresh snow on the summit. Leaving Kutchan at 5:00am We hiked from the Hirafu side, so when we got to the top, we had to hike around the crater to get to the summit itself. Looking down into the crater. I really hope to ski this someday! View down to Lake Toya with the ocean beyond, and beyond that Komagatake is the mountain