Mt. Fuji Hill Climb Race

Brompton and I were a part of the Mt. Fuji Hill Climb Race, one of the largest cycle events in which 8,500 cyclists participated. There were not only Japanese but also a lot of Taiwanese people and Belgian, English, Swiss and others.
http://www.fujihc.jp/english.html

Though it had rained since last night, the clouds started to go away.

About the time of my starting, already no rain.

Ready, set, ....

Go! The riders had to went through the 25km distance and 1,255m elevation of Fuji Subaru Skyline heading for the 5th station of Mt. Fuji at an elevation of 2,305 meters.

What sturdy people they are! I cannot beat them.

Because the number of participants reached more than 8000, there were quite variety of people.

This rider with this costume, Hatsune Miku, is very famous. He is very fast rider though he always rides a granny bike, not at all an expensive sport type one.

What! I saw this type of bike for the first time. It seems that his friend did not reach the goal but he did!

Reached at an elevation of 1405m.

The point of the second station 1596m.

The point of the third station 1786m

From the hight of beyond 2000 meters. A wonderful view.

Go Brompton!

Goal!

When I changed at the goal place I met two pretty guys in costume. Right: Miku Hatsune and left: Ikamusume (a squid girl). Both are very popular characters amongst Japanese computer nerds.

After a while, riders who had arrived at the goal were divided into several groups. Each group was time by time instructed to down the hill as a group.

After a comfortable and thrilling downhill ride at high speed of average 38km/h, there was an udon bowl (Japanese noodle) treatment.

At the awarding ceremony, I was surprised that there were 31 participants who are older than 70 and reached the goal. Most of them are faster than me!

Why don't you come and join the Fuji Hill Climb Race next year?