![\"JA-Sasebo-07SEP14-28\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.mountainbikebill.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/JA-Sasebo-07SEP14-28.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIt rained early\u00a0Saturday and had been sunny ever since so I decided to test the waters on one of the prominent mountains in the area, Akasaki.\u00a0\u00a0 The trail has seen some maintenance earlier in the year so the tread was in good condition and the trail was well brushed. I could tell during the climb that traction could be a problem on the descent as plenty of finesse was required on the climb\u00a0to keep from breaking the rear wheel loose.\u00a0\u00a0 The views from top were exceptional.<\/p>\n
The descent of this trail was\u00a0however still pretty slick and made for a squirrely descent, particularly in the turns.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Notice in the photo above there is some four fingered braking going on.\u00a0\u00a0If I would have known my work project was going to be extended by nearly a month, I would have brought my bike over.\u00a0\u00a0 On the plus side this rental is completely unforgiving so it forces you to handle the bike precisely.<\/p>\n After way too much fun on the \u201ceasy\u201d descent, I passed on this trail under the guise of discretion is the better part of valor.\u00a0\u00a0 I opted to spend the rest of the ride scoping out trailheads and crossings off the back roads of the area for future exploration when the trails are drier.<\/p>\n This sign unfortunately does not say \u201cHiro-San\u2019s Texas Style\u00a0BBQ 100 meters ahead\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 There are lots of wild boar in this area and I believe the signs either says beware of boars or indicates a typical boar crossing.\u00a0\u00a0 Ummmm Bacon!<\/p>\n Shirahama Beach was the apex point of this ride.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A snack and a little bit of chilling was in order before it was time to start a good bit of climbing on the return leg.<\/p>\n I have come across about half a dozen of these land crabs here in Japan.\u00a0\u00a0 I was a good half a mile from the ocean and at least\u00a0100 feet plus in elevation.\u00a0\u00a0 These are the basically the same kinds of crabs you see around the rocks in most stateside beaches but these guys have adapted to thrive away from the shorelines here.\u00a0 Mr. Crabs here was pissed.<\/p>\n A view of Kujyukushima from Tenkaiho Park. I have ridden on all of these peaks at one time or another with the exception of the volcano looking peak to the left, Mt Atago.\u00a0\u00a0 It is still on the list.<\/p>\n This is literally the lawn mowing crew at this park.\u00a0\u00a0 The grounds keepers\u00a0stake out the goats and once they eat down their circle they move the stakes.\u00a0 Pretty cool.<\/p>\n Got Grass Will Mow!\u00a0 (Will through in fertilizing your\u00a0lawn for free)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n