Day 7, Nagaoka - Toyama: At Least It Wasn't (That) Windy

Jody and I knew what was in store for us today and we got what was promised: Rain, and lots of it.

Yesterday we rode through drizzle compared to today. Today was just ugly. We got pounded pretty hard by the wet stuff, but, as the title says, at least it wasn't (hat) windy.

We managed to ride our 200 kilometers by 4:45, after departing our hotel this morning at 7:45, making it a 9-hour day. As per usual on this ride, we didn't stop very much or for very long, almost always choosing convenience stores as our rest stops.

We usually use the restroom, stock up on food and drinks, rest for a while, and hit the road again.

The great part about stopping is that we can actually relax and chat about whatever comes to mind, since when we ride we barely talk, as crazy as that sounds. I also usually try to teach Jody some new expression in Japanese, whenever we stop, which is really fun. You should hear him speak Japanese. He talks like a robot, in super slow motion: Excuse --- me........... Where ---- is ----- the ---------------- onigiri?

The bad part about stopping is that on days like today, our bodies cool down and we start to get cold again, which makes it that much harder to get going again.

When we stop, we often look for the snacks with the most calories. I have eaten cookies with about 375 worth, for instance, as well as an apple pie today with about 475. It's amazing how many calories we consume. Well, it's amazing how many calories I consume, anyway, since Jody just eats rice balls.

A couple days ago, we were riding so far without stopping that I even rationed my food while riding, consuming about 100 calories every 30 minutes for about 4 hours. I even managed to unwrap and eat a rice ball while riding! Yeah, that was a bit wacko, but luckily nothing happened to me. Anyway, in the meantime, Jody ate nothing, nothing, and more nothing. Crazy.

Yeah, so as soon as we reached our destination tonight the rain stopped, but right now it's absolutely pouring. We expect the same tomorrow. The rain tomorrow will make today's weather look like a drop or two of water, we believe.

Um... What else can I tell you? We are riding mostly on major roads, which sometimes turn into freeway-like roads, sometimes without warning. We once ended up on one such road but realized it after about 500 meters, so we turned around. Another time, however, we didn't really notice that we were on a kind of highway until it was too late, so we just decided to keep riding, for miles and miles, alongside cars and trucks going about 80 km/h (50 mph).

I got a massage last night, which helped with my legs today, but not entirely. This is simply rough riding. Lots of the roads are bumpy, too.

Anyway, I have to get some sleep! If we can survive tomorrow, we should be OK. By Thursday morning, most of the typhoon should be past us, so we are hoping for sunshine.

Oh, and we are planning to shorten our trip by a day if at all possible, but for now, we are just worried about tomorrow.

As I type this, I tell you, I:m staring out the window at pouring rain. I hope it all passes by morning, but that is about as likely to happen as us giving up the ride.

Ain't gonna happen!

More soon!

Wish us luck!

Today's ride stats: 

Distance: 119.76 miles (192.735 km)
Elapsed Time: 7:49:36
Time in Saddle: 6:30:07
Average Moving Speed: 18.4 mph
Maximum Speed: 39.4 mph
Calories Burned: 7307
Elevation Gain: 2963 ft
Max Elevation: 446 ft
Average Temp: 69.3 F