PATAYA MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR

Spacial thanks to David D’Agostino.

Article from David #1 or Go to see Article from David #2

September 4, 2008 I stepped off the USS Kitty Hawk to seek new experiences.  I took advice from a great friend and support from with wife to take time for myself.  I decided a week in Whistler, BC was the ultimate get away and adrenaline rush.  I visited a friend in Washington then took off to Whistler. 
                                         
The trip was a six day and night adventure.  I camped out at the Riverside Camp grounds a mile away from Whistler.   I had time to think and with little crashes and few lifelong injuries I live without regret. 
I flew back to Japan to move out my family from Yokosuka, Japan and drove to Sasebo, Japan.  With little to expect we found a nice house and settled in. Our house is ten km from the base at the base of a mountain with some trails.  With little to do in Sasebo I began to build a trail.  Some of it has been destroyed by someone that was nice enough to break my bridge and jump.   So now I am concentrating on just making the single track needed to ride without stopping but doesn’t require man made help. 
                  
It has been fun building the trail with my boys!  I didn’t get to ride in Hong Kong when we went in November because I didn’t bring my bike.  Bummer, I love riding in Hong Kong. 
For December and January I got to ride a bunch in Sasebo and even took my bike to Tokyo for a 10 day trip.  I did a nice ride near my mother-in-laws house in Tokyo but the high light was going with Tony in Ogusi Yama again!!  I called up Tony and we hit the trails.  I miss the trails around Yokosuka and even the ability to race in Yokohama and Tokyo area. 
                                            
After our amazing trip back to Sasebo with cool sights I got to ride a few more times in the month of January.  The day before heading off for a month I took my Giant for a ride of a trail that I saw on Google Map near my house.   It turned out to be a nice fire road and a six mile climb.  Great ride, cold and as you see it was snowing!! 
    Snow on my bike.
A view from my house -        

I got underway and with a little research I found a nice section of trails in Okinawa called the Spider Loop from the Okinawa Mountain Bike Association webpage.   I have visited the area and local trails a few times for day and night rides.  The trails rock as long as it hasn’t rained!!! 
                    
The Essex took off to Thailand to do training and had a four day port visit.  First day was designated a rest day and with prior planning with the Morale Welfare and Recreation department on the ship I had a full day mountain biking tour set up.  So I thought the only smart thing is to ride three days in an environment that I am not acclimated for!  The heat was sick and I had an amazing ride!!  I got to meet Ae from Bangkok; I highly recommend riding with him if you’re in the Bangkok area. 
              Beautiful single track, sand and dirt, FAST!
Day two was me, Ae and Jane (German cyclist and great guy), great day and the day ended with a great lunch!
         Nice downhill section.      
The second day we started with three girls.  One decided a short ride was nice and decided to go home after flying over the handle bars and jamming her finger.  The rest of the day was just me, Ae and Jane.  Awesome ride and I have to say we pushed hard that day.  Lunch was worth it!! 
The third day started out at the MWR stand waiting for five other people that never showed.  So without a worry of the lost 30 minutes I headed to the trails for the third and last day.   Ae and I were the only two that day and ended up putting almost 18 km in on two loops.  I sucked down over a gallon of fluids and couldn’t stop smiling.
 3rd day, both loops!
          
After an epic three days I slept well, took a few days to recover and I was happy to be heading home.  I stopped again in Okinawa and this time I got ride in the mud. 
            
I did my first night ride in a while, same muddy conditions.  My lights rock and thank my wife for understanding that I need to ride after on and off loads at night!!

     
This is the new section of 5 km around a base.  The trail is perfect single track and can be ridden wet or dry.  It was a blast and I did two laps in daylight and one night ride!!  I will hit this trail every time I go to Okinawa

   
My night set up.  Night Rider Halogen light for my helmet and a Princeton Tech 3 light on my handle bars. 

Remember to always wear a helmet!!

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