SBK Japan

11 Sep 2008

Arrived in Japan and crashed with at my friend Naoya's house in Tabata.

12 Sep 2008

Retrieved the bike from my friend Ryoko, which was parked with good neighbours while I was gone (she has an R8 and an M6 in her garage!). Battery still all right and it started right up. Went down to Ishii-san and borrowed his tools to sort out a few things on the bike. That blew most of the day. Finished with a nice takoyaki dinner prepared by Naoya and his Mom.

13 Sep 2008

Nice weather today, but bloody hot. Late start, but Gerard and I decided to head for the hills in search of cooler climes. Just a pleasant ride up to Saku in Nagano on R254. Nothing noteworthy, except that I seem to have inserted the ETC card upside down. Some mumbling from the speaker when I entered the Kanetsu, then the gates didn't open when we got to Yoshii IC. Didn't stop to discuss it, so saved 2,200 yen. 8)

Met up with Ide-san, his GF and another couple for dinner. Crashed at Ide's pad for the night.

14 Sep 2008

Today was the day for the big annual Tokyo Riders camp/BBQ at Matsubarako in Nagano. Headed down there in the morning to start setting things up.

Got the cabins sorted first.

Then the food area.

More people started showing up after noon.

Hell of a good turnout! Around 43 people, including some non-TR riff-raff.

This was our most successful event yet! Great to see so many old friends and some new faces too. Good food, lots of drinks, good company, lots of tall stories!

Managed to survive the night without getting throttled for my snoring.