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Karey Watanabe — 2010-12-09T07:12:28+09:00

Today I went riding with some friends to show them the trails of San Osaka...what a day.. and what a ride. Sliding around in the snow was great fun .....just enough to make it a bit more of a challenge. No serious crashes, just some great laughs and slips along the way. Thanks for coming out Kris, Ian, Andrew, Peter and Katie!! Good times......

After the ride, us girls headed out on a photo shoot session. We had to take advantage of the great weather and the fact that we have Sarah back with us! Sarah, being the great photographer that she is, took some head shots for the upcoming Sweet Riders flyer ......a great afternoon spent with the girls....nice!!!!

Check out Sarah's website here....for more of my photo's of today click here.....

More Bali furniture

Karey Watanabe — 2010-12-13T07:11:58+09:00

It was James b-day this past weekend so we helped him celebrate it in style!!! We joined him at the Evergreen Outdoors Staff Party at the Mominoki Hotel and then later surprised him in costumes as "J's Angels" with birthday presents in hand.... t'was great fun!!!! I will be doing snowshoe and x-country ski tours with Evergreen and Sweet Riders this year.....stay tuned for the upcoming schedule!!!!!!!

The next day, I spent cleaning up outside and inside of the house. Trying to get everything ready before the real snow falls......and also getting my last bit of Bali furniture all set up. Here are my new cabinet, mirror and lamps. Last, but not least, a little bit of Xmas spirit......

Christmas is getting closer, and I am getting busier as usual with xmas parties and the such. Next weekend off to Tokyo for business and some pleasure mixed.

Hope you had a superb weekend!!!!

Terebi Tokyo interview!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-11-21T19:08:11+09:00

森山愛子様　Aiko Moriyama and I, she is an upcoming Enca singer.......and she was our Terebi Tokyo talent who interviewed us local Hakuba folk...
Us local Hakuba folks were interviewed by Terebi Tokyo (Television Tokyo) for a broadcast about foreigners living and working in Hakuba. It was great to see everyone out and it was a blast doing the shoot! It will be broadcast on Jan 9th 19:54-21:48..be sure to check it out!!
MORE PHOTOS HERE!

Another sweet weekend ride...

Karey Watanabe — 2010-11-21T19:00:51+09:00

Me against the world...hahahaahaa.....what a great world it is!!!! Today James and I rode up Minegata once again...on another beautiful blue sky day. We ran across some hunters, actually quite a few hunting wild pigs.......needless to say we weren't very happy about the fact we could be mistaken for one of their pray......so we had a bit of a chat with them.....our trail was clear...so off we went. Just a warning to all bikers that it is hunting season so be careful on the trails!!!!! Wear bright colors!!!!! More photo's here...

Autumn Tracks

Karey Watanabe — 2010-11-15T07:28:46+09:00

Here I am with the great crew from BEPAL Magazine, Kato San and her group took a sample lesson from Sweet Riders and we had them riding see-saw's by the end of the lesson.....super sweet ladies!!!! Thanks again for coming out and can not wait to see the photo shoot in the magazine!!!

I also attended Kei Chan's 30 Birthday party on Friday night, Happy Birthday Girl. Plus, I got some action riding in with Kris, Peter and Ayaka on Sunday afternoon. Then on Sunday evening, I went to Kaz's sayonara party as he will depart for a season in Whistler!!!! Have a great trip Kaz!!!!!

Hope all had a great weekend and here are more pictures for you to check out as well as a short and sweet vid from Sweet Riders.......

Visiting Trail Cutter!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-11-11T07:54:46+09:00

Tomorrow, Sweet Riders is heading out to Visit Trail Cutter in Ina City, Nagano. Going to check out some of Masashi's work. I am very excited to visit him and see how he operates in conjunction with the city of Ina. Something I hope to bring to Hakuba as well. I will keep you posted and let you know how it goes!!!!

Sweet Riders Halloween Party....

Karey Watanabe — 2010-10-31T07:54:14+09:00

Last minute decision to have a Halloween party... GAGA style....things got a little crazy and costume swapping began with the girls...who was the real GAGA?????? We had a witch, a cat, a devil and GAGA....enjoy the photo's here!!!!

National Holiday Ride...

Karey Watanabe — 2010-11-11T07:53:39+09:00

Blue sky.... check, bikes....check, riders and gear... check.....yippee!!!
Pre-ride top of the mountain pose.......

One of my favorite descents....tackled today by Hori San, Michiyasu, Kaz and I....super sweet is all I can say!!!!!!
Check out the this short clip of this section of this trail!!

Ridge ride.....

Karey Watanabe — 2010-10-24T17:44:58+09:00

Today, Jason, Vaughan, Albert and I did a great ridge ride, followed by Minegata 1 trail. Sweet ride and here is the link if you want to see the gps info. Now that I have an iphone, I have this sweet application called cyclemeter that pretty much acts like a Garmin. You can check out the link and see for yourself.

We rode for 3 hours today and constantly had to do bear calls. We saw so many trees and broken branches old and fresh everywhere from where the bears have been trying to find some food (not to mention tons of bear poop). So just a warning to all riders in the Nagano area, lots of bears!!!!!! Be aware and do some bear calls.......they are pretty hungry!!!! A good friend saw a huge bear last night just walking by his driveway....

Despite the bear conditions, we had a great ride and the trail was great. Long time no ride this trail.....hope everyone had a great weekend!! More photo's here..

Autumn days.......

Karey Watanabe — 2010-10-24T10:08:01+09:00

This week, my good friend Chie and her new fiance came from a visit from Tokyo. Both of them work in the food industry and I was lucky enough to sample some of their dishes! We enjoyed spending a couple of days together and caught up on what's been going on in each other lives, lately. Chie is expecting and has just finished writing her second book on Raw Food. Check out the link to find out all about what she is creating!!!

We had a nice onsen, lunch, walk in the autumn leaves and a great dinner party. Was great to have some quality time with her and her new man. Can't wait for the next visit... enjoy our photo's here.

I snuck away for a ride with Ya-Chan, and then did another ride myself.... and met some fellow riders on the trail. One from Omachi and the others from Saitama. We talked about the trails and the beautiful day and hopefully we will go for a ride in the future. Happy trails fellows.... until the next time we meet....!!!!!

Hakuba 24hr Enduro Race

Karey Watanabe — 2010-10-18T19:23:40+09:00

My wonderful team...Kei, masseuse and chef, riders Takeshi, yours truly, Kaz and Yuna.

Ok, so I got roped into another 24hr enduro race, (third year in a row, and yes, I had a cold again but, during the race it went away... knock on wood!) but this time around, I really enjoyed myself and the biggest factor was because the weather was nice. Every year until this year, it has been rainy, cold and miserable. This time around no rain!!!! Beautiful sunshine and great conditions, with a bonus of a super awesome team and group of friends who also raced! Plus, we had a volunteer chef who cooked and massaged our team because she is a sports masseuse as well! I can't forget to mention Ya-Chan who was official staff and helped organize the event!!!!

I really liked the course this year, it flowed very well even though there were some pretty steep climbs... you had time to recover!!! So thank you everyone who was involved for a fantastic weekend!!!!

While I was racing on my last laps, I was thinking of things I learned this time around in this 24 hour enduro... I thought I would share these with you....

#1. Make sure you test your night lights before riding a race, I didn't and they weren't secure on my handle bars, which almost cost me a huge crash as my light flipped up on the downhill and blinded me. Also, if you have one on your helmet, test the angle and make sure it is secure as well.

#2. When you ride the course in daylight, mark places along the course where you feed yourself as well as, drink. As you get tired, you start to forget these things and it's very important if you want to keep on going for 24 hours to refuel!!!!!!!

#3. Not only places to refuel, but also mark places to challenge yourself. This will make each lap a little bit more interesting. For example, I choose some corners and certain climbs to try and do better and better on each lap. It makes the time go faster and builds your esteem, especially when you are getting tired.

#4. Don't forget about your eyes!! The more and more tired I got, the more and more I kept looking down over my front wheel. Due to fatigue, I forgot about my golden rule of always looking at least 2-3 meters ahead... and believe me ..... I almost had a huge crash because of this... EYES are so important!!!

Last but not least #5. Remind yourself that you are racing for yourself and out to have a good time. If there is a person who seems to be in trouble, make sure you take the time to check that they are ok and not just focus on your time or passing this person. You never know, you could be this person next...in 24 hours anything can happen!!!!!

Well, it's time to get some R&R.....signing off for tonight, K. All photo's here!!!

A new teaser for Danny MacAskill!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-10-07T09:01:54+09:00

Can't wait to see this one when it comes out!! For those who haven't seen or heard of Danny, check him out on youtube!!! Sensational!!

Mountain biking with Mark and Gav...

Karey Watanabe — 2010-10-06T19:46:20+09:00

Mark had his good friend come in from London and they wanted to to go mountain biking.... so they decided to come to Hakuba and join Sweet Riders for a sweet day!!! Thanks guys, I’ll rip up the trails with you anytime!!!! More photo's here...

Riding in harvest season!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-10-03T19:23:46+09:00

This past weekend, I grabbed a ride with good friend Shawn of Iwatake. It had been a while since we last rode together. He kicked my butt needless to say and showed me how much I need to keep on riding to keep up with him!! Thanks Shawn, great ride and next time I hope to be faster and stonger!!! More pictures here.....

A visit to Tokyo and Yokohama

Karey Watanabe — 2010-10-03T19:03:45+09:00

Retro Manitou Shox, like the very first pair I had on my first bike ever, my Marin!!!!!

Tomorrow I start back at the university for the second semester of 2010. Last week, I took advantage of the last couple of holidays I had and went to visit my sponsors Oakley and Specialized in the big city. Both meetings were great and 2011 looks like it will be a great season once again! Thank you always to my fabulous sponsors!!!!

I had a good friend put me up at his family home in Yokohama... thank you Mitsu and family for taking such good care of me!! I had a great time and Mitsu introduced me to a fellow mountain biker that just happens to own the coolest bar called "Woolsey" (東京都世田谷区玉川3-9-7 ベルウッド玉川1F). He has quite the collection of bikes and is quite the rider himself. Fukushima San is injured with a bummed shoulder at the moment but we have plans to ride together when he is recovered and ready to rip, which will hopefully be soon!! Get well Fukushima San!!!

After visiting Woolsey, we had the most amazing pasta dinner, have to get the name of that place again, fantastic food and great wine!! Photo's here....

I even squeezed in a night out at a big club called "Womb" in Shibuya. A good friend was DJing
Daia Taguchi....
had a great night and can't wait for his next live event!! Go Daia go!!!!!!

So come tomorrow its back to the grind, yeah, bring it on. After a great holiday, all is good!!!!!

Jam and Paint day with Mitsu & friends

Karey Watanabe — 2010-09-15T09:12:28+09:00

Ta-dahhhhhh!!! My new bar painting done by 杉本光広, Mitsuhiro Sugimoto, a great friend of mine. Super sweet. He offered to do some painting so.... how could I resist??? Yu, Keita, Arisa, Mitsu, Ya-Chan and I had a great day, the boys jammed and Mitsu painted and Ya-Chan worked hard on her computer...check out the photo's here. Thank you Mitsu, love the design!!

Post B-Day chillout day....

Karey Watanabe — 2010-09-16T09:12:02+09:00

Frisbee sideline shot.....

After a good sleep in, we had a great late brunch and decided to head out for some frisbee... then a dip in the lake, followed by another great dinner cooked by Kei... what a perfect birthday weekend.. I am so blessed......yeah!!! Thank you!!!!!!!
Check out the action shots here...

My 43rd Birthday Celebration

Karey Watanabe — 2010-09-16T09:11:40+09:00

Great friends, great food, great drink, great music...= FANTASTIC BIRTHDAY!!! Thank you all who sent best wishes and to those who were here and did all the work..love ya!!!! Enjoy the photo's here....

5 day Nagano Ken Mountain Bike Tour

Karey Watanabe — 2010-09-16T09:10:56+09:00

Kat and Chris are over from Melbourne, Australia doing a 5 day private tour with Sweet Riders. We rode in Hakuba, Ikeda, Matsumoto and Fujimi....despite a sprained ankle and a typhoon, we managed to get our fill of great rides......enjoy the photos...!! Kat and Chris...can't wait till your next visit!!!! Check out the photo's here!!

Bali trip!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-09-16T09:10:28+09:00

Lucky me, I got to spend 12 days on vacation visiting Singapore and Bali. I only spent one day in Singapore but made the best of it by hopping on a ferry near my hotel and going to an island that had some mountain biking on it. Met a German girl named Betty and we rode around the island together.

Then I arrived at my real destination, Bali. I spent several days in Kuta and two days in Ubud. Kuta was great, learned how to surf and met some great new friends. In Ubud, I chilled out and went on a day mountain bike tour and met even more friends. Kuta was busy but the night life awesome. Thanks to my good friend Jack and his friends I had a wonderful time. I also met Victoria from Vancouver, which made it even better. Was great to have a new girlfriend to hang out with. I totally recommend visiting Bali, it is a paradise!!!! Please enjoy all of my photo's here!!!

Red Bull Holy Ride

Karey Watanabe — 2010-08-18T13:01:57+09:00

This past weekend Ya-Chan and I headed down to Kyoto in the middle of the night to get to the Red Bull Holy Ride race. Seeing it was just the first day of Obon, one of the biggest national holiday weeks in Japan, we left at 2am arriving at 7am...good timing, and we hit no traffic jams.

We were a bit tired, and Ya-Chan being the trooper that she is, drove the whole way as my personal chauffeur, mechanic and main support person. Upon arrival, we checked out the race site and walked the course which consisted of a 400 stair ancient stone stairway leading up to the famous Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto. So stoked that Red Bull could pull off this great location, especially in the middle of Obun... well done!!

The stairs were really slippery but not as steep and narrow as I had expected so I was a bit relieved. However, I knew that it would be really difficult not to crash on this course because of its traction. The stone stairs were very damp and resembled the conditions of the North shore in Vancouver. They never really dry out due to the heavy moisture in the area.

We were only allowed one practice run, then into the qualifier. The practice run was pretty scary first time to ride the stairs and test the traction. The straight aways were really fun, you could get a better rhythm when you leaned far back on the rear tire and just powered through the stairs. The corners were a different story.. super slow and super cautious.......

Since the race was open class only, which means no separation of elite, sex, etc.. just one big class, I came 76th in the qualifier out of 124 racers......I never made the top 32 cut off for the semi-finals. Only our world cup dh athlete Mio Suimasa could pull that off. You go girl.. she was knocked out in the first round but she showed fantastic girl power.....way to go girl!!! I ended up 3rd in the women's category so I was super stoked with that and the fact that I had a clean run with no crashes!!!!!!

It was such a rush, great organization, great people and a great race!!!!!! Thank you to all who supported me and organized this great event!!! Especially to Ya-Chan, Kouji and my sponsors....love you!!!!! I will be practicing stairs now for next year's event.. hopefully at the same place and same time. You rock RED BULL!!!!

Here are some of the great links from the race!!!

Ya-Chan's photo shoot on flickr!!

My photo selection on I web album I, album II

facebook photo gallery

My official race report on the Specialized Twitter Blog....

MTB DH & Jump Session at Hakuba 47!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-08-05T11:26:22+09:00

Join Shot-Project's Hori San and Sweet Riders's Karey Watanabe for a fun downhill and jump session on August 11th, from 10-15:00pm at Hakuba 47 MTB Park.

We will be riding from 10-12pm in the morning on the upper dh trails as well as practice the race course for the upcoming X-Session Asia Event on Aug 21st, 10.

Then we will break for a pizza lunch from 12-13:00.....mmmm, good.

From 13:00-15:00 we will work on the jump course located down below near the parking lot.

It will be an action packed fun day!!!

Sign up today....5 hours for only ¥6000, which includes a full day's gondola ticket and lunch!!

Bike Rentals are available, either from Sweet Riders or Hakuba 47 (Sweet Riders bikes are limited so put your request in asap!)

Looking forward to riding with you!!

Karey and Hori San

To register contact:
Karey at info@sweetriders.com
OR
Hori San at info@shot-project.com

DHing in Fujimi Panorama....

Karey Watanabe — 2010-08-05T10:44:48+09:00

Today I took guests visiting from Canberra, Australia out to Japan's Downhilling resort, Fujimi Panorama. We had an excellent day exploring the trails and Tarita and Devin ripped it up. Devin is an x racer, with tons of downhilling skill and Tarita saddled up to give it a try as well. Great job guys.. was a great day rippen it up with you both!! Cheers till next time we ride together!!

Here is a video made by Kousuke Terda from Backyard Garage at Fujimi Panorama..... thanks Kousuke! Riders are Kousuke, Devin and Karey........

JCF XC Elite finish!!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-08-05T10:44:27+09:00

Photo taken by 中尾亮宏

I was able to race and finish in XC elite this past weekend. It was so hot and humid, I thought I was going to keel over in the heat several times during the race, but somehow kept it going to finally finish a race without getting timed out. 4 hard long hot laps!!!!! Yeah, I did it!!!!

A victory at Shimano's Bikers Festival '10

Karey Watanabe — 2010-07-26T07:00:19+09:00

(Ya-Chan and Darcy Turenne)

This weekend I attended the Shimano Bikers Festival in Fujimi Panorama... I knew I had to go because two famous Canadian riders were going to be there. Darcy Turenne, free ride goddess and Ryan Leech, trials god, both fellow Canadians who are the best of the best. Lucky for me, I got to race with Darcy and become friends. She is a great rider and a great person... as well as, catch part of Ryan's trial demo.. wow, can he do some tricks!!!!

I raced the "Super D", which is a mass start downhill and witnessed several big crashes in front of my eyes... I managed to stay on the bike and make it safely down the hill in 9th place. Men and women were mixed in one class. It was a great time but I am still wary of these types of mass start races... arrrgggg!!! Dangerous........

(My new Specialized Demo 8 I )

The next day I race the DH and took a sweet victory! I was so lucky to get my hands on the new Specialized Demo 8 I ........Oh my godness, what a sweet ride..... so smooth in the corners, handles so nicely and it' s so light!!!!! Thank you to all who supported me!!! After the first run in the morning I seriously had my doubts because I felt all over the place ... but I managed to pull it together and have a pretty smooth run for my final! Yeah... and I have to brag... I was 15th in elite mens time... he he.....oh well let's see what I can do in the next big JCF DH race in September!!!!

(Yeah, top three!!)

This week is very busy for me.. final exams to give at the university and then marking and grading... help!!! However, after that I am off, yippee!!!! I race in the XC here in Hakuba on Sunday.. wish me luck.. these cross country girls are way fast......yikes....Then summer begins.....riding, swimming in the lake, BBQing etc... can't wait.. come on down and join us at Sweet Riders this summer!!!!!!!! More photo's here....

Sweet Riders Gilmore Family Clinic

Karey Watanabe — 2010-07-26T06:59:57+09:00

Today we had the Gilmore family from Singapore take their first mountain bike clinic ever!!! Joining them was Anita, a personal friend also from Singapore. We had a great day and for first timers on the bike, they did a wonderful job. Great work guys and can't wait to ride with you again!!!! More photo's here....

Hakuba 47 MTB Park video's!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-07-26T06:59:25+09:00

This was taken with three beginners we had for our first tour on the opening day of Hakuba 47 MTB Park... Hori San of shot-project and I had a great time with these guys!!!! Great job guys!!!

Hakuba 47's own ski patrols turned mountain bikers made this sweet video of the park... check it out!!!!

July long weekend...fun fun fun!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-07-20T08:12:14+09:00

This past weekend was three days long and my girlfriend came down from Tokyo with her two lovely kids. We had another action packed weekend. We went for a mountain bike ride, spent the day hanging out at Aokiko lake, hit a local party, then went canyoning!!! It all came from, "Hey, I am not coming to Tokyo this weekend, so why don't you come here??" says Karey...Noako said "MMM, mmmmm,,, OK!"
More photo's here

More photo's here....

Tokyo and Izu.....visit

Karey Watanabe — 2010-07-13T08:15:16+09:00

I had to go down to Tokyo for the 2011 Spring Collection Exhibition last Thursday. I decided to stay on for the whole weekend....on a whim. The Oakley collection was great, more lifestyle cycle wear for men but not so much for women.....

I took Minamisawa San along with me, an old friend and we ended up meeting an associate of his for a quick meeting which turned into a champagne break meeting ...lol. The restuarant in Omotesando was ¥1000 for coffee and ¥1400 for a nice glass of champagne.... well guess which option we choose. Yummy...!

Then I made a quick decision because of the rain I decided to not head back to Nagano where I couldn't ride and head to the beach where even if it rained I could still swim in the Ocean. My good friends Angela and Yasu are opening a new pension called Tabi Tabi Izu on the beach of Shimoda City so I called them up and they said come on down, and off I went! So glad I did, it was heaven. You can see by the photo's how beautiful it is there. I will go back and I totally recommend that you head down there and stay with them for a great beach weekend!!!! Enjoy the photo's here...

X-SESSION ASIA Event!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-07-13T08:14:49+09:00

Check out this great event for the first time in Japan, my best friend Ya-Chan and some other locals are putting this on. You don't want to miss it.. mark it on your calendar and see you there!!!!

Hakuba 47 MTB Park Touring!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-07-07T11:15:05+09:00

Join Shot-Project's Hori San and Sweet Riders's Karey Watanabe for a fun 3 hour mountain bike guided tour on Hakuba 47 Ski Hill's Mountain bike park!!!!

We will be riding on the jump course, as well as on the trails. We will provide light instruction at first, then we will take you for a ride that you won't forget!

Sign up today....9:00AM-12:00PM, 3 hours for only ¥3500, which includes a full day's gondola ticket, so you can continue to ride after the morning session.

Bike Rentals are available, either from Sweet Riders or Hakuba 47 (Sweet Riders bikes are limited so put your request in asap!)

Looking forward to riding with you!!

Karey and Hori San

To register contact:
Karey at info@sweetriders.com
OR
Hori San at info@shot-project.com

Touring with Liza, Brad and Ya-Chan..

Karey Watanabe — 2010-07-03T16:51:15+09:00

This weekend Liza and her boyfriend Brad are in town visiting from the States....we decided to do some cycle touring around town....despite the light rain and clouds, it was a nice break from the super hot and humid weather we have been having for rainy season. We even hit the local Gelato place....mmmmm, good stuff!!! See all of the photo's here.....

Sleep Cycle app from iphone....

Karey Watanabe — 2010-06-28T07:26:48+09:00

Check this out after last night's all nighter to stay up for the game I slept like a log the next night..... hahah!!http://yfrog.com/mwsleepgraphbrj

Fujimi in the rain!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-06-28T07:27:35+09:00

Nothing like getting down and dirty....

no need for special mud masks when you have a natural one .......

Just like the old days.. hey Aya????

Yeah.... Abe San and Aya... we had a great day and a some great runs......was raining the perfect amount to still be able to have some fun......later on it poured..... cats and dogs.... so we finally gave up.... rainy season in Japan.. gotta love it!!!!!!

World Cup Soccer

Karey Watanabe — 2010-06-28T06:51:00+09:00

WATCH THE VOLUME, QUITE LOAD AS YOU PLAY THE VIDEO.....
Soccer World Cup has been upon us and since I don't have a tv, I haven't really been catch many games, but I did catch the Japan VS Denmark at 3am in the morning....and I was so glad that I stayed up because it was a rad game... Japan played so well.......my friend and I lucked out and got into a private party at the local Hamburger joint in Matsumoto. It happened to be the owner's birthday as well so it was a double celebration... the energy of the night was incredible.... I was so happy to be part of it. T'was a great night!! More soccer to come... GO JAPAN!!

A dedicated fan just before the game started.....

Half time shot.....

after the game....we won!!!! with super great goals as well.... Yeah Japan!!!!!!

The post game sunrise.... it was so beautiful....

Thanks Jeff!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-06-20T20:05:46+09:00

Thanks Jeff for the great video and great write up.. was a great day and you guys really rocked!!!! I am putting up your links here.. cheers...check this link out!!!

Today's local one day clinic...

Karey Watanabe — 2010-06-19T08:54:33+09:00

Well despite the clouds and the light rain, we had a great day and just finished the clinic before it really started to downpour...Jeff and Tim are locals here in Hakuba, Jeff working at the Hakuba Springs Hotel, and Tim is living here with his family running the Bear's Den Lodge. They both wanted to learn how to ride mountain bikes since there is a growing number of mountain bikers living and riding in the Hakuba area. Both first timers on the trail.. they did a great job!!! No doubt two new Hakuba MTB'ers have been born...well done guys and welcome to the MTB WORLD!!! See you on the trails.....

One day beginners clinic in Hakuba

Karey Watanabe — 2010-06-15T07:46:38+09:00

Sweet Riders will hold a beginners clinic this Friday the 18th from 10 am in Hakuba, 3-4 hours long, depending on the conditions for ¥6000. Come on down and join us.....contact me at info@sweetriders.com

Back in action!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-06-15T07:46:26+09:00

Since cracking my shoulder two weeks ago the doctor said I was ok to go if I taped my shoulder, so did that and off Ya-Chan and I went to Fujimi. Met some friends there and had a killer morning.. shoulder seemed fine....so back in the saddle.... YEAH!!!!

Free Ride Tour Dates!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-05-27T08:36:47+09:00

Join Sweet Riders for one of our free ride tours!!

We will be riding some beginner to intermediate level single track which requires average to an intermediate fitness level. The tours will be 3 hours long. We will be in the neighborhood of some great onsens/hotsprings for you to soak in after we are finished the tour.

Location: will be announced upon registration

Dates: June 13th (Sunday), June 26th (Saturday) and June 27th (Sunday)

Price: ¥6000 per tour (which includes insurance)

Time: 10:30 - 13:30pm (about 3 hours long)

To register, please contact us at least 3 days in advance of the scheduled tour date. Contact us at info@sweetriders.com

Instructors: Karey Watanabe (certified Japanese instructor & CMIC certified in Canada) & Yachiyo Maruyama (certified Japanese instructor)

Websites: www.sweetriders.com OR www.ya-chan.com

-- 「マウンテンバイク経験者者向け」----------------------------

マウンテンバイク経験者の方にはこちらのツアー！
シングルトラックやロックセクションを含む絶景トレイルをご案内いたします。
これぞマウンテンバイクの醍醐味！

・スケジュール
　６月13日（日曜）　
　６月26日（土曜）
　６月27日（日曜）

・開催場所：長野県安曇野〜白馬方面

・フィットネスレベル：ややがんばる〜すごくがんばる　

・スキルレベル：初級〜中級　

・ツアー遂行タイム：3時間　　　

・アプローチ：（舗装区間あり）

・トレイルタイプ：シングルトラック、ロックセクション等

・景色：絶景

・近隣施設：温泉あり

・保険：あり

・料金：6000円（保険込み）

・時間　10：30　〜　13：30　（およそ 3時間）

・募集最終受付　各ツアー３日前に締め切り

・問い合わせ先： info@sweetriders.com

・ツアー引率：Ya-chan 丸山八智代（AKI Factory Team/ KONA）日本MTB協会公認インストラクター
　　　　　　　渡辺キャリー日本MTB協会公認インストラクター& CMIC certified

　ウェブサイト
　http://ya-chan.com
　http://www.sweetriders.com

FOLLOW ME dvd Available in Japan!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-05-25T07:27:08+09:00

ﾏｳﾝﾃﾝﾊﾞｲｸDVD：『Follow Me』 - トレーラー日本語字幕版 from Visualize Image on Vimeo.

ATTENTION EVERYONE!!!! The new FOLLOW ME dvd is now on sale here in Japan you can order it by clicking on the link below from Visual Image for ¥3990. It is starring Thomas Vanderham and Matt Hunter, who were just here in Japan. I was lucky enough to get to meet them, great fellow Canadian riders......... Check it out!!! Get your copy today and support mountain biking and some excellent riders!!!!

Louis Garneau Cup 2010

Karey Watanabe — 2010-05-24T07:48:58+09:00

Here we are, the Old Timers Dual Slalom racers!!!! What a blast from the past... and how good was it to get together with all my old friends and rivals for this race???? Can't tell you how much fun we had this past weekend. I got to ride with Team Oakley for the 5 hour enduro, along with Raita Suzuki, Masa and staff....

Then got all suited up for the Old Timers Dual Slalom, had to pull out my retro stuff, my Custom painted Cratoni Helmet from 95, as well as my old Marin Jersey and Headshok shorts.....too much fun.

So many people got totally into bringing their old goods, bikes, wear, guards, helmets etc..was a great time!!

Enjoy all of the photo's here! Special thanks to Ya-Chan, Takemoto San and all of the Aki staff who helped make this event such a great success!!!!!

Fujimi Adventure Race 2010

Karey Watanabe — 2010-05-18T07:30:57+09:00

A group shot of all of us racers just before the start of the 50km MTB Fujimi Adventure Race...
Vaughan, Mark, Bruce, Albert, Randall and I.....

Well, after saying NEVER AGAIN, at the finish of last years race...somehow I found myself signing up for it again this year. I am very glad I did because this year's Adventure in Fujimi turned out to be a great race. We had beautiful blue sky, with killer views all around us. Even though, most of us were huffing and puffing on the climb, we still managed to take in some of the views on the way up. What a difference compared to last year's race where most of us were hypothermic from the heavy rain and cold weather conditions...! It just goes to show what a nice day of weather can do for a race......

This season, I have not been off to a good start, unfortunately. I suffered from whooping cough for almost three months and then found out last week I have a hip that is totally out of whack from my right knee that I had surgery on several years ago. Despite the lack of training and the mis-body alignment, I was determined to finish this race. That I did, and ended up 1st place in my age category and 3rd overall in the 50km MTB Women's class. Yeah!!! I was stoked!!! Not only did I have a good race, but several of my friends as well. Mark Parker, one of my best buddies for years won again this year! Going strong and even a couple of years older than me. He is an inspiration to all of us athletes out there, young or old!!! Congratulations Mark.... and to all my other friends and team mates that raced.... great job everyone!!!!!

Team Batavia Air and I...

This year we have a new team that was put together by my long time rival and friend, Aya Tazaki. I have known her since she was a kid and now a great adult and role model for other riders. Miki and Aya make up this great team and I wish them all the luck for this season!! Great job Team Batavia Air for making the podium more than a few times!!!!

Check out all of the photo's here.

Next week I will be racing for Team Oakley in the Louis Garneau Cup in Fujimi Kogen... check it out in my previous blog postings......

Enjoy the sunny weather and hope to see you out there on the trails .....signing out for now.... ciao!!!

Louis Garneau Cup

Karey Watanabe — 2010-05-15T14:14:40+09:00

NEWS FLASH....THOMAS VANDERHAM & MATT HUNTER ARE COMING TO JAPAN'S LOUIS GARNEAU GREEN CUP THIS MAY 22-23RD WEEKEND!!!

MATT HUNTER

THOMAS VANDERHAM

It is to late to register, however you can come and check out the action... just click on the link above to see the schedule of events (in Japanese only). It's very exciting to have such great Canadian talent come to Japan!! Hope to see you there!!

海外ライダーも参加決定!!

Free Ride界で有名な２人のカナディアンライダーの参加が決定しました。
トーマス・ベンダーハムさん　マット・ハンターさん

なんと5時間エンデューロ／デュアルスラロームにエントリーです！
又、当日はSHIMANOブースでサイン会も行われます。
DVDの中で豪快なライディングを魅せていたの憧れライダー達と一緒に走れるチャンスです。
楽しみですね。

又、レースに参加されない方でも、この機会に是非観戦されてはいかがでしょうか？

選手紹介

１．Thomas Vanderham
26歳　カナダ人
EVILチーム所属、フリーライダー
Free Ride界で有名で高いジャンプに定評があります。
Seasons, Follow Meに出演してます。

2. Matt Hunter
２４歳　カナダ人
Specialized所属、フリーライダー
Seasonsでは超ロングビッグジャンプを披露。
Follow Meで崖に向かって豪快なジャンプをしています。

２人ともWorld Cupなどのレースを転戦するライダーではなく、Free Riderです。
Crankworx、 Redbullなどのイベントで活躍し海外の自転車雑誌の表紙を飾っております。

Thomas Vanderham (左から２番目)

Fujimi Adventure Race tomorrow!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-05-15T14:09:40+09:00

Well, I said after last year's race.... NEVER AGAIN!! But...that was then and this is now...after you finish a race in really harsh conditions you tend to say these kinds of things...lol. Tomorrow it is time again for the Fujimi Adventure Race... I am doing the 50km mountain bike ride. The weather forecast looks good... yeah... sunny but a little chilly.. I can handle that over rain any day. I will get back to you after the race and let you know how it goes.. in the meanwhile.. please send some strength vibes to me this Sunday if you can!!! Cheers!

Today's ride!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-05-09T22:16:37+09:00

Welcome to Hakuba, that is what the sign says......we are so blessed to have this beautiful place around us.... !!

Yesterday, Ya-Chan and I rode in Fujimi Panorama, got some good downhill runs in... feeling fast.. hope that is a good indicator for this season.......then, today.. we rode up one of our favorite trails and met some friends on the way.... so sweet!!!! A great weekend indeed...... check out all of the photo's here.....enjoy!!

Photo shoot and downhilling Japanese style

Karey Watanabe — 2010-05-06T10:00:43+09:00

Ya-Chan thumbs up!!

Today we had a photo session with a good friend Andy Kelly. He hasn't shot mountain biking much before and wanted to give it a try from his usual snowboard shooting......after that, we joined some other fellow riders for some downhilling drive ups Japanese style. Nick has a k- truck which is perfect for driving us up with the bikes.... not quite like the big rigs we have back in Canada but work all the same!!! Enjoy the photos here...

So far this golden week has been so sweet. No rain, only warm sunny days perfect for riding and being outdoors. I was able to get some good milage into my legs and enjoy the spring weather as well. Plus, I even got a bit of spring house cleaning in!!! Very needed.. but my excuse was because we have had such cold weather.. but I think spring is finally here.. (my big cherry tree out back has just reached full bloom.. yippee!!)

Sweet Riders Mystery Tour

Karey Watanabe — 2010-05-03T12:56:04+09:00

Our group shot from day one of our Sweet Riders Mystery Tour......had a killer day with incredible weather and the trails were in mint condition!! Masashi San and Fumi San challenged our mystery trails with great triumph!! Well done guys... more photo's here...
Here we are with our guest riders Albert and Matt!!! As you can see we had another great blue sky day for day two of our mystery tour.....with brilliant views all around.....great ride and great day!!!!! More photo's here

Ride & Meet 2010!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-04-28T11:36:19+09:00

This past weekend was fully action packed!!! Started off on Friday night with Ya-Chan and Mitsu coming over to help pack and get ready for the next two days... After packing we were able to chill out and Mitsu did some drawing and came up with this sweet design.... perhaps the next Sweet Riders Logo????

Saturday morning we were up early and head out to Fujimi Panorama for my high-speed cornering clinic in the morning. Uehara San, Takeyama San and Mitsu all excelled with flying colors.... There were so good that we were able to finish early and get one run in together on C course!! Fun, fun... and great work guys!!!!! In the afternoon, Brett, Matt, Rick, Mitsu and I tore it up on all three courses A, B & C....was so great to get on the dh bike again!!! Kudo's to Mitsu once again for his first day of downhilling some serious trails and not crashing and riding like a pro.......nice!!!!

Sunday we were near Mt. Fuji for the Ride & Meet 2010...a meeting for all guides in Japan to gather and share their stuff while giving tours to 100 customers at the same time. Was a great meeting, fantastic weather and just a great day overall!!! Thanks to all who came out and worked so hard for this event!!!!
ALL PHOTO'S HERE!
Now I better get off to work.... more later... think I am going to be late!!! arrrggggg!!!!!!

High Cascade Park Session Day 1

Karey Watanabe — 2010-04-18T18:32:31+09:00

This weekend brought us some fresh end of the season powder!!! Nobody expected to see more snow on April 16th...it was a new record, hasn't happened in 41 years!!! I took advantage of it to get those last couple of powder turns in before completely switching over to the bike......

A big event just happened to be taking place at the same time in Happo. Japan's top skiers and boarders gathered for the High Cascade Park Session, tons of photo's were taken, as well as footage from a heli.....can't wait to see the video!!!!! Joining me on this day was Tim our from Redbull since his company was one of the main sponsors. Enjoy the photo's here we had a great time!! Tomorrow it's back to Monday.......another week begins.....!

High-speed cornering clinic

Karey Watanabe — 2010-04-14T10:28:49+09:00

HIGH SPEED CORNERING CLINIC MAY 24TH, 2010 IN FUJIMI PANORAMA, NAGANO

Time: 9:00 - 11:30am
Meeting Place: In front of the Gondola ticket center
Price: ¥2500

Content:
A clinic focused on High-Speed cornering. Learn Sweet Rider’s “look, lean, and extend” cornering techniques and then corner like a pro-rider!

Goals:
To develop good technique for LEANING the bike into a corner
To use bike and body separation for counterbalance and stability
To maintain neutral position for keeping traction with both tires.
To develop braking techniques before and during cornering
To pick the best line through corners.
To use all of the above in a high-speed corner

Necessary Items: a bike, a helmet, a pair of gloves, and optional protective wear like knee guards. Sweet Riders has some items available for rental, please let us know in advance if you should want to rent anything.

Price: 2500 yen

To register email us at info@sweetriders.com

日時　2010年　4月24日　（土曜日）
　　　　　時間　９：００am　～　１１：３０am
　　　　料金　2500円
　　　　　ゴンドラチケット代／保険　（各自）
　　　　　集合場所　富士見パノラマリゾート　ゴンドラチケット売り場前
　　　　　　　　　　http://www.fujimipanorama.com/summer/index.php　
　　　　　講師　　キャリー渡辺（SPECIALIZED）／丸山’’ya-chan’’八智代(KONA)

　　　　コンテンツ　
　　　　　SWEET RIDERS の走りを見ながら一緒に練習してコーナーを好きになろう！
　　　　　クリニックのゴールはハイスピードコーナリングを習得します。
　　　　　　　
　　　　ご用意頂くもの
　　　　　マウンテンバイク／ヘルメット／グローブ／プロテクター／ニーガード／
　　　　
　　　　当方でレンタルできる物
　　　　　プロテクター／ニーガード（お早めにお問い合わせ下さい）
　　　　
　　　　お問い合わせ先
　　　　　info@sweetriders.com

Sweet Riders Mystery Tour

Karey Watanabe — 2010-04-12T21:16:14+09:00

SWEET RIDERS MYSTERY TOUR

Join Sweet Riders as they take you on two separate mystery trails that guarantee to give you some great mountain biking. Not only will you enjoy riding but you can meet some new fellow bikers as well! The trails will be announced only to those who register for this event. Don’t miss this opportunity for a sweet mountain bike adventure.

DATE: MAY 1-2nd , 2010
LOCATION: Hakuba, Nagano
SCHEDULE:

April 1st, 2010
1:00pm - 4:00pm: Meet the group and head out to the first mystery trail of the tour.
6:00pm: BBQ party. After the first ride, enjoy chilling out with the others while watching some great mountain bike videos,
8:00pm: Day one is finished

April 2nd, 2010
8:00am: Breakfast
9:00am: Meet the group and head out to the second mystery trail of the tour.
12:00pm: Lunch time
2:00pm: Mystery Tour is finished.

PRICE: 20000 yen
Rental bikes, helmets, gloves, knee guards available if necessary. Please contact us ahead of time to insure your reservation for the above mentioned items, as they are limited.

TOUR OPERATORS:
Ya-Chan (Yachiyo Maruyama) Sweet Riders Kona http://www.ya-chan.com/

Karey (Karey Watanabe) Sweet Riders Specialized www.kareyw.com or www.sweetriders.com

REGISTER BY SENDING US A MAIL AT info@sweetriders.com (entry cut off is April 25th)

SWEETRIDERS 　MTBミステリーツアー
　　　　　　　　　　

　　　私達と一緒に極上のトレイルライドをしませんか？
　　　どこのトレイルへ行くかはシークレット。ドキドキワクワクのミステリーツアー。
　　　ライディングの後はみんなでアフターパーティーを楽しみましょう！
　　　皆さんのご参加、お問い合わせお待ちしております。

　　　
　　　日時　：５月１日（土曜）２日（日曜）　１泊２日
　　　開催場所　：長野県北安曇郡白馬村方面
　　　募集締め切り　：４月２５日

　　　スケジュール
　　　５月１日（土曜）　午後１：００集合～午後４：００　ミステリーライドツアー
　　　　　　　　　　　　午後１８：００～BBQ & アフターパーティー（MTBビデオ鑑賞等）
　　　　　　　　　　　　ライダー達と楽しい時間を過ごしましょう！！

　　　５月２日（日曜）　午前８：００　朝食
　　　　　　　　　　　　午前９：００～午後１２：００　ミステリーライドツアー
　　　　　　　　　　　　午後１２：００～ランチタイム　（トレイルで食べましょう）　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　午後１４：００　解散

　　　料金　：　20000円（１泊３食付き、保険込み）
　　　宿泊先　：　B&B SANTANA 五竜　http://www.hakuba-santana.com/
　　　レンタルバイク：　有り（要予約）
　　　お問い合わせ先：　info@sweetriders.com

ツアー引率：Ya-chan (yachiyo maruyama) sweetriders KONA
http://ya-chan.com
Karey (karey watanabe) sweetriders SPECIALIZED
http://www.sweetriders.com

Spring in the air.....

Karey Watanabe — 2010-04-10T20:29:53+09:00

Our beautiful mountains.......in the early spring.......for a few more photo's click here

Since I have been at home still recovering from a nasty cold that has lingered on since February.....arrrrgg...
I had some time to get the spring gardening done. Since next Monday, I am back to full time work at the University and my other various jobs.....so busy!!!! Have to get the last minute things around the house done this weekend......hopefully by next weekend, I will be fully recovered and able to jump on my bike and do some riding!!!!!! Enjoy the early signs of spring.......

A Girl's Day Out Video!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-04-06T20:37:27+09:00

Ikeda Riding....

Karey Watanabe — 2010-04-04T19:08:01+09:00

This weekend I finally got some training rides in.....One day with Albert, Vaughn, Randall, Mitsu and I..excellent 3 hour first Ikeda ride!! Cheers guys... was such a great day, thanks!!!

The next day Ya-Chan and I had a girls chill out day....we started out with some instruction for Ya-Chan on high-speed cornering.... then we hit the trails....had an excellent healthy lunch.. and finally went to the look out on top of Mt. Takagari.....such a great day... and such great views... enjoy...

Ya-Chan taking in the views.....More photo's click here!

Post Free Ride Games!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-03-30T09:54:37+09:00

This weekend took Sweet Riders to Sagamiko's newly managed "Pleasure Forest". There are new trails and all of the trails have been fully worked over and ride very smoothly now. We had a private lesson with Kobayashi San who turned out to be a very good downhiller! Great riding with you Kobayashi San!!

The event itself also ran very smoothly...thanks to Nakazawa Gym, The Trail Store, B.C. Porter and all of the others who came out and worked hard for this event!! I had such a good time despite the freezing temperatures on the second day. I was just so happy to be riding my new Saphire and meet my friends. I was the only pro woman racing that day, but there were several out in the women's class, which is great to see. The race itself was so much fun... the course a challenge, short but so sweet!! My first lap time was 37 seconds, only 3 seconds off the boys so I was stoked.... and for my second run, I wanted to go faster.. but little by little I got tired by the afternoon.... being on antibiotics didn't help... arrgg but I ran the second run just 40 milliseconds later than my first time... oh well..I tried my best and this was great training and a good way to start the season......!!!!! There are more photo's here... please enjoy!!

The top 3 ladies of the Free Ride Games.... congratulations girls!!!!!!!!!!!

Free Ride Games!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-03-25T14:59:57+09:00

Sweet Riders in Sagamiko March 27th-28th, 2010

Free Ride Games Event!!!

日時＊　３月27日（土曜）　9:00～11:00
場所＊　プレジャーフォレスト相模湖　http://www.sagamiko-resort.jp/
内容＊　’’’’Englishで XCコースライド’’’’
　　　　もっとレベルアップしたい方が対象です。
　　　　このクリニックはクロスカントリーの練習やトレイルライドに使われる英語の表現を中心に構成されております。
　　　　実際にMTBの動きを入れながら行います。ライディングテクニックはコーナリングを予定してます。
　　　　★Let's hammer!!!! (レッツハマー!！とは、最後の力を使ってゴー！！ペダルを止めずにブーンって感じ）

受付＊　8時50分にSpecializedブースへお越し下さい。
　　　　クリニックの受付はご予約下さい。　info@sweetriders.com

レンタルバイク＊　お客様のご要望がありましたらレンタルバイクもご用意しております。
　　　　　　　　　お早めにお問い合わせください。　Specialized or KONA
　　　　　　

クリニックの所要時間＊２時間

講師＊キャリー渡辺（Specialized）　丸山’’ya-chan’’八智代(KONA)

募集人数＊12人

費用＊　2500円　（保険代含む）

御持ち頂くもの＊　バイク、ヘルメット、ボトル、グローブ　その他個人装備

問い合わせ先＊　info@sweetriders.com

Date: Saturday March 27th

Time: 9:00 – 11:00 am

Course Description: Sweet Riders English XC course ride. This ride is for riders who would like to polish up on their cross country riding skills and learn some English terms and expressions along the way. For example, we will work on some cross country cornering techniques and learn how to say “ Let’s hammer!”.

Meeting Place: We will meet at the Specialized Booth at 8:50 am. If a rental bike is needed, please let us know and we will try to arrange a Specialized or Kona Demo bike for you to use during the course

Course length: 2 hours of riding and instruction.

Number of people: 1~12

Cost: ¥2500 per person, including insurance. Please pay at the Specialized Booth at the designated meeting time. There will be no cancellation fee for this special event.

Registration: Please contact Sweet Riders at mailto:info@sweetriders.com?subject=Sweet Riders English XC ride

日時＊　３月27日（土曜）　14:00～16:00
場所＊　プレジャーフォレスト相模湖　http://www.sagamiko-resort.jp/
内容＊　’’’’Englishで DHコースライド’’’’
　　　　もっとレベルアップしたい方が対象です。
　　　　このクリニックはダウンヒルの練習に使われる英語の表現を中心に構成されております。
　　　　実際にMTBの動きを入れながら行います。ライディングテクニックはハイスピードコーナリングを予定してます。
　　　　★Rail that berm!!!! (レイルザットバーム!！とは、コーナーに向かってブーンブーンって侵入する感じ）

受付＊　13時50分にSpecializedブースへお越し下さい。
　　　　クリニックの受付はご予約下さい。　info@sweetriders.com

レンタルバイク＊　お客様のご要望がありましたらレンタルバイクもご用意しております。
　　　　　　　　　お早めにお問い合わせください。　Specialized or KONA
　　　　　　

クリニックの所要時間＊２時間

講師＊キャリー渡辺（Specialized）　丸山’’ya-chan’’八智代(KONA)

募集人数＊12人

費用＊　2500円　（保険代含む）

御持ち頂くもの＊　バイク、ヘルメット、ボトル、グローブ　その他個人装備

問い合わせ先＊　info@sweetriders.com

Date: Saturday March 27th

Time: 14:00 – 16:00 pm

Course Description: Sweet Riders English DH course ride. This ride is for riders who would like to polish up on their downhill riding skills and learn some English terms and expressions along the way. For example, we will work on some high speed cornering techniques and learn how to say “ Rail that berm!”.

Meeting Place: We will meet at the Specialized Booth at 13:50 pm. If a rental bike is needed, please let us know and we will try to arrange a Specialized or Kona Demo bike for you to use during the course

Course length: 2 hours of riding and instruction.

Number of people: 1~12

Cost: ¥2500 per person, including insurance. Please pay at the Specialized Booth at the designated meeting time. There will be no cancellation fee for this special event.

Registration: Please contact Sweet Riders at mailto:info@sweetriders.com?subject=Sweet Riders English downhill ride at Sagamiko

My new Saphire!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-03-17T18:54:04+09:00

Went out for a quick first ride on my new Specialized Saphire 2010 model!! Only on the road but it rode so smoothly.....very happy!!! I can't wait to take it out on the trails this weekend. Will let you know how it goes but I am sure it is going to be great! Any volunteers available to come out and help build trails in Ikeda this weekend??? If you are, drop me a mail.. we desperately need some helpers!! Thank you.. more later!!

Sweet Riders Demo Video!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-03-17T18:53:32+09:00

Here are some of the things we do at Sweet Riders.....

There is still time to sign up for our Free Ride Games Event!! Email us today to join in on the fun!!
３月27日はクリニックです。　まだまだ募集中！！　英語も自転車も両方体験できる良いチャンス。

お待ちしております。（写真をクリックしてね）

My new Oakley "Trouble" Sunglasses!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-03-17T18:52:51+09:00

Here are my new Oakley's... Ladies this model is called "Trouble" I fully recommend them.......new model this year!!!!!!

a smile for you..

my rockstar look...lol!!

Bamboo Cafe ride.....

Karey Watanabe — 2010-03-14T19:12:25+09:00

After struggling through zillions of receipts to get my taxes sorted today....Ya-Chan and I decided to take a well deserved break and head out for a ride to Bamboo Cafe. What is Bamboo Cafe you ask? Well it is Hakuba's great little coffee spot near the station and serves some awesome Java!!

So I really wanted to ride my new bike but we ran out of time to adjust the rear derailleur because of limited sunlight so I gave up on that notion and grabbed my pink bike. Wow, first time on the bike in over a month... felt so refreshing... always reminds me why I love to ride so much!!!!!!!

Great afternoon, good hot chocolate and a finally got a bit of exercise in since the long standing cold thing!!! Hope you all had a great day as well!! More photo's here...

A nice chill day!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-03-12T19:02:56+09:00

Today I was able to have the whole day to myself.... slept in because I am still trying to get over the last bit of my cold.... did all the bedding laundry.... washed the kitchen cupboards, dusted and cleaned the top of the fridge...(big job)... then it was time to make myself a healthy meal.....mmmmm... I love Japanese okura...mixed with brown rice, green peppers, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, a dash of red wine, diced carrots, egg, and avocado.......mmmmmmm it was delicious.

Then I should have started doing my taxes but I was pretty tired and got into watching the movie "The Blindside" .....was a really good feel good movie..... fully recommend it! Then it was off to bed in clean fresh smelling sheets!!!

Chill days are great once and a while!!!!!!!!

Avocado Toast & Java!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-03-10T16:20:00+09:00

Today I watched the powder snow dump all day from my kitchen window..sigh...even had my friends call me to come up on the hill.... but since I have been suffering from a cold for the past month... I decided to do the smart thing and try to fully recover and hope that on Friday, my next day off, there will be just as much powder again.

So, since I had some spare time and didn't feel like doing my taxes, (which have to be in by March 15th.. arrgggg) I made this silly video.. enjoy... ha ha!

click here to view the video!!!

Gangster 1920's style...

Karey Watanabe — 2010-03-08T20:51:26+09:00

I was lucky enough to be invited with several other fellow English teachers to the annual Japanese Bartenders Association Meeting..however this year's theme was 1920's gangster style....I panicked..what would I wear???? One of my favorite shops in Matsumoto, called Paradise...had the goods... what you see in the picture came from there....I transformed into Goldie!!! The party was so much fun and very formal....met some wonderful people and enjoyed a fantastically organized event. Mr. Hayashi, the owner of Bar Coat and the Old Rock Pub in Matsumoto put this great event on. I want to thank him and his staff for a wonderful evening. Mark B, thanks for inviting me!!! Enjoy the photos here!!

the smaller posse....Mr. Will, Miss Tana, Uncle Kelton, Goldie and Mikey.......more photo's here!

Bye bye.......sniff sniff

Karey Watanabe — 2010-03-04T08:24:44+09:00

Well March has come and it was time to say good bye to all of the friends who visited and were staying in Hakuba for the winter season..... Good times and great people......cheers to you all for sharing such good memories.....Jess, Sarah, Paulo, Dan and several others....have a great spring!!!!!

February Fun!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-02-22T21:59:26+09:00

I have been lucky to have so many visitors here in Hakuba this month...Sarah is back from New Zealand, having lived in Hakuba for 3 years previously....Jess is here visiting family from Vancouver (which she does every February), we always have a great time when she is in town....and my friend Paulo from London. He is visiting for two weeks and has never seen this much snow in his life before....so we decided to show him some sites around Omachi Shrine and Sanosaka, ...enjoy the photos here.....

Sarah, Jess Paulo and I hit Omachi Shrine for a quick visit.....beautiful place, especially in the snow....

The next day we decided to go for a walk, Ya-Chan, Paulo, Jess and I headed out and since it was Paulo's first time in so much snow, being the Londoner that he is... he was awed by it all........

Yes, Hakuba does rule!!!!!

Lab Sessions 4 was a great success!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-02-16T09:35:28+09:00

Ya-Chan, Ken Ken and Sam pulled off a great event..... we had some fantastic riders both mountain bike and boarders and a great crowd come out..... The evening bmx show was incredible... as was the party... check out all the photo’s here....
Lab sessions 4 UFO 02/10 part 1
Lab sessions 4 UFO 02/10 part 2
Lab sessions 4 UFO 02/10 part 3
Lab sessions 4 UFO 02/10 part 4

Check out Kozo’s incredible flip and then see who the MC is after him, ha ha......

Yuck!! My annual February cold.......

Karey Watanabe — 2010-02-09T12:52:36+09:00

Tis the season for colds....and it seems that no matter what.... I always get a bad one in February of every year. Can’t complain, only had one cold this winter so far.... knock on wood......heh heh!

So downing the cold-fx, vitamin c, ginger tea and using lots of tissues.....take care everyone.. you don’t wanna catch this one!!!!!!

Hopefully up and running back into action in a couple of days......it’s ok anyway....because it’s just been raining anyway......lol.....more snow please!!!!!!!!

Another great couple of powder days...

Karey Watanabe — 2010-02-08T12:21:29+09:00

Photo taken by Sarah Mulholland
Dan, Danni, Sarah and I had another great day on the slopes after a huge snow storm that continued for two days and brought so much new fantastic powder...... have so much grading to do but thanks to my great friends who are helping me I was able to get out and enjoy some of this powder!!!!!!
More pictures here.....

Grading time.......

Karey Watanabe — 2010-02-08T11:59:15+09:00

Grading time at Shinshyu University....so many papers and exams... any volunteers???? Hee. hee...

Hair Cuts & Color by Jess!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-02-04T08:30:38+09:00

Ya Chan and I with our new hairdos..... Jessi is in from Canada visiting for a month and lucky for us she is a rad hairdresser..... she gave us great cuts and color.... check out the photos here.....

The three of us looking hot!!!!!!

A New GShock Phone!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-29T22:41:43+09:00

Ok everyone!!! I got a new phone and it’s up and running.....please call me or mail me with your details... I lost all my data... thank you so much..
09015008251
kareyw@ezweb.ne.jp

Magical Clouds!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-28T22:41:03+09:00

I couldn’t resist catching this amazing cloud formation above our mountains.....

from a different angle...

In sepia....

a panoramic view....

in sepia again......

OMG!!!! My phone!!!!!!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-29T22:40:25+09:00

What's the most boneheaded move you have ever done?? Bet you can't beat what I did last night....flushed my cell phone down the toilet at the wine bar..... arrggggg!!!!!!!!! So if you are trying to contact me, wait till tomorrow... I should have a new phone and the same number if all goes well with AU today......yes, I am an idoit....lol...

It plopped out of my back pocket as I turned around to flush... and right into the toilet bowl....

I saw my little man that was attached swimming as hard as he could and I tried to rescue him as I plunged my arm in the bowl....but....the current was faster than my arm and bye bye.. gone .......6 years of data...arrggggggggg!!!!!!!!

me in shock after watching it go down... and yes.. I sanitized my hand and arm after the toilet plunge........shite!!!!!!!!

Check out Ya-Chan's Event!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-28T08:22:14+09:00

ついに、みなさんへ発表できます。

スノーボードのコンペティション（技術を競う）の中でMTBのトップライダー達が
ワンメイクショーをやったり夜はゲストバンドやDJのパーティー＆プロBMXライダーのショー
朝から翌日まで盛り上がりますよ！！

詳細のウェブはこちら。http://www.dsp-enterprises.com/
プレスリリースはこちら。http://www.bikedaily.net/

観戦や詳細は下記をご覧下さい。

　　　　　　　　 Lab Session4 観戦の御案内

　　　　
　　開催期日：2月13日（土曜）
　　開始時間：9：00～　スノーボード／バイク（セッションタイム）
　　　　　　11：00～　16:00 スノーボードコンペティション　
　　バイクショータイムについては、各クラス分けしたコンペティション
　　の間に３回行います。
　　　　　　
　　　　　　16:00～18:00　プロスノーボーダーによるショー
　　　　　　18:00～22:00 　表彰式　Live band/Dj BMXショー
22:00～23:00 　大抽選会
　　　　　　23:00～6:00 　　アフターパーティー
　　　　　
　　開催場所：長野県白馬村MORE Resort ホテルけやきの樹
　長野県北安曇郡白馬村北城4721
　　　　　　　 www.more-resort.com
駐車場：ホテルけやきの樹　施設内50台
　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　
　　料金●スノーボードコンペティション出場者　2500円（保険込み）
　　　　●イベント観戦者　無料
　　　　●表彰パーティーLive band/Dj BMXショー入場　　2000円
　　　　●アフターパーティー　2000円
　　当日受付もございますが、以下の簡単ご予約サービスをお勧めです。
　　１）ご希望のチケット　２）枚数　３）氏名　４）電話番号
　　をkonagirlsclub@yahoo.co.jpまでメール送信するだけで予約完了でき
　　ます。当日受付にて予約済みの旨をお申し付け下さい。
　　（但し予約は2月5日まで）
　　
　　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　宿泊の御案内

　当イベントはスノーパーク、ショーステージが一つの場所に集約されて
　おります。宿泊施設内でのイベントとなりますのでこちらでのご予約を
　オススメ致します。
　　　〒399-9311
　　　　長野県北安曇郡白馬村北城4721
　　　　ホテル　けやきの樹　　0261-75-5155
　　　　ウェブ　 www.more-resort.com
　　　　メイル info@more-resort.com

My first road ride of 2010!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-28T08:14:48+09:00

Mori San on the bridge towards Ikeda

Today I met fellow ski patrol, Mori San for a road ride. It was an early start and very cold on the way to meet him. I was very happy to have arrived 5 minutes early at the 7-11 so I could try and defrost my fingers and toes before the real ride began. Mori-San arrived and off we went... we did the Ikeda, Azumino, Hotaka route and road for exactly 2.15 hr together. It was a great blue sky day and the mountains stunning without any clouds around them....

Check out the sky....

He made me push which was great... I have found a new training partner and am very happy.. thanks Mori San for a great ride...

All smiles for Mori-San

I must mention that it was the first time for me ever to try road shoes and road pedals....in all of my 16 year career, I have only ever worn mtb shoes and pedals on my road bike. So today my new Specialized Shoes and pedals were awesome. Now I know what I have been missing all this time ha ha. Thanks Specialized and to DJ for sending me the shoes!!!!!
My boot covers

My new Specialized S Works Road shoes, especially for Ladies... they rock!!

After our ride we enjoyed some warm coffee and parted on our different routes home!!

OMG!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-28T07:47:37+09:00

(the little lady who ate 41 plates of sushi!!)

So I entered the Achan Sushi the other afternoon and I noticed this girl who had a vast number of sushi plates around her... I sat down and started my meal and kept waiting for her friend or boyfriend to come out of the bathroom....there had to be another person for all those plates....

(Her piles of plates)

Then the sushi chef asked her, “How many plates have you had so far...?” and she replied, “38”.
My jaw dropped as I realized it was only her and all of those plates....and the sushi chef encouraged her to try for 40...so she did and actually ended up having 41 plates of sushi. She was such a small thing, I couldn’t believe where all that sushi had gone... I had to ask her for her picture.... she agreed but wouldn’t give me her name....

(my piles of plates)

Wow, is all I can say... Ha ha!

Hakuba blue sky powder day!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-24T22:18:42+09:00

Weeeee, made it up just in time to catch some friends who were heading out for some powder....
needless to say, had a great Sunday with some beautiful blue sky, warm weather, great friends and some of Hakuba’s finest untouched powder!!! I lead a great life....HAKUBA RULES!!! More photo’s here.....enjoy

Video of Keigo’s powder here...

Video of Craig’s jump here......

and a poem inspired from days like today..... I hope you like it.....

Nature’s gifts.....

Out on a blue sky day
for me there is no other way

feeling the sun shining on my face
for me there is no better place

breathing in the clean mountain air
for me there is so much nature to share

when I climb up to the mountain top
for me the panoramic views never stop

as I stand and take in the scenery
for me in the summer it's outstanding greenery

sitting by the river as the water flows by
for me in the autumn brilliant leaves fly

getting off the chair and seeing snow so white
for me in the winter it's a grandeur delight

when the flowers sprout up all around
for me in the spring there is nothing more profound

it's natures great gift of these glorious seasons
that gives all of us life's mystical reasons...

Snowshoeing with Jen....

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-22T20:16:35+09:00

Jen and I out for a snowshoe this afternoon......had a bit of an episode last night when I came home to find the upstairs sink water pipe leaking....and huge puddles of water dripping everywhere.... so that was a bit to clean up and get fixed... thanks Kouji.. so this morning was a late start but turned out to be a great day!!!

We had a bit of an adventure...Jen almost fell in the river at the crossing......and I did a massive faceplant on a downhill... super fun and what a way to have a girls chat and get a good work out!!!!! More photo’s here...enjoy!!!

New Specialized S Works road shoes!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-22T20:16:09+09:00

They arrived!! My new Specialized S works road shoes... my very first pair of road shoes ever.. I usually use mountain bike shoes on my road bike, but now I got these babies!!!!! Can’t wait to try them out next week... have to go to Matsumoto since there is so much snow here in Hakuba... should be great, will give you the full report next week...wow I am excited... I actually feel a little like a roady..... lol!!!

Zorro!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-19T08:48:26+09:00

This morning I woke up with some swollen eyes... let me recommend this mask!!! It does the trick.. just put it in the freezer for 15 minutes, then walla.... on to the face until it cools down.... lol.......does the trick..!!

More Hakuba Snow!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-18T07:13:02+09:00

I started assistant ski patrol again this weekend. I liked it so much last year that I went back...and my first day saw three good injuries....a snowboarder collision that ended up with a snow board slicing the others back with a nice gash.....then two broken arms....ouch, big day today!

That night Ya-Chan and I had a girls night, stayed home, drank some wine, had a nice dinner and did girl things like doing each other’s make-up, chatting and dancing around in the kitchen. We completed the night by sleeping in the next morning.. it was heaven. We then had a great breakfast and head outside for a walk. Our destination was 7-11and our mission ice cream!!!!! Was a beautiful day and a great walk. Finally, we relaxed and watched a movie.. It’s complicated with Merryl Streep and Alex Baldwin... was a fun movie....

So I hoped you enjoyed your weekend.....now it’s back to work today.. signing off until later... Karey!!!!

Oakley Fall&Winter 2010 Collection!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-18T07:09:13+09:00

Last week brought me to Tokyo to check out the new 2010 Fall and Winter Collection.. some great glasses, goggles and wear coming out for 2010!!!! Stay tuned......

I was also able to head out to Fussa city where Nakazawa Gym bike shop is located. A very quick trip but we are planning to do some joint events together.... so this will be announced also very soon......

Tokyo was chilly, but a totally different world....no snow... compared to Hakuba........so hope to get some riding in the non-winter zone soon!!!!

Hakuba Snow!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-11T17:45:51+09:00

Sweet Riders in the Snow!!!

Welcome to snowy Hakuba!!!! Once again it is back to the Hakuba we know and love. Last year saw the worst season in 42 years according to the locals here.... but this year....we are off to a great start....so much snow and more forecasted to come this week!!!! More pictures here...

After arriving back from Canada last Tuesday evening, I was surprised to see how much more snow had fallen.....right the next day it was snowing and I had to get my butt up there... twas a great way to get over the jet-lag....enjoy the snow pics....

XMas and New Years in Canada!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-11T17:45:16+09:00

I was so lucky to be able to go to Canada for the winter holidays. I got to spend Christmas with my family and New Years with Sarah, Brian and new baby Cora. My 2 weeks were filled with great visits and being reunited with old and new friends. My good friend Ross, who I haven’t seen since my wedding, dropped into Edmonton since he has recently moved back to Canada from Singapore. I got to meet his new lovely family! Cheers Ross...

Also got reunited with my friend who I have know since before Kindergarten. Linda and I have kept in touch over the years and this time I could finally get in a quality visit.. thanks Linda and family!

Of course my immediate family as well, was so great to see everyone and spend some time catching up!!

Thanks to all, I hope you enjoy the photo’s....Xmas here, New Years’s here....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-07T07:21:42+09:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!! MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING PEACE, LOVE AND HAPPINESS TO EVERYONE AND LOTS OF SWEET RIDES ALL OVER THE EARTH!!!!!

p.s. my new year’s resolution is to update this site as much as possible, so stay tuned for Sweet Riders 2010 new schedule of events and tours.....it is going to be a great year!!!!!!

Machu Picchu and other albums up!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2010-01-07T07:21:19+09:00

Just before the new year I finally finished all of the Peru trip photos, click here for access to all of the albums, 1-11.....It was a fantastic trip and I truly recommend it to all mountain bikers...the tour I used was called

check it out!!

Peru albums 3-5 up and published

Karey Watanabe — 2009-11-14T12:28:51+09:00

here is Peru part 3 album.......

Here is Peru part 4 album......

Here is Peru part 5 album......

24 hours in Hakuba!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-10-20T10:12:15+09:00

Team Sweet Riders, Yuki and I. after the 24 hour race in Snow Harp, Hakuba this past weekend. It was a great surprise since we came in first after I had to miss almost the entire race because I became ill. Just back from Peru, still pretty exhausted left me with nothing for this race. After I started, I realized I just didn’t have any power so I had to excuse myself and catch the next 16 hours in bed. My teammate Yuki battled it out on her own!!!!! Great job Yuki!!!! Next year I will be ready to go!!!!!!! Cheers to all who rode and came out to the race!!!! More photo’s here....

Peru, part 2

Karey Watanabe — 2009-10-18T21:35:23+09:00

Our second day in Lima, and our 2nd ride.... on this day we had approximately 24 flats!!! The trails were awesome, but the thorns the size of needles, sucked!! It made it a truly epic 5 hour ride......enjoy here.

Peru, part 1

Karey Watanabe — 2009-10-18T19:34:11+09:00

After a long trip there and back, here are the first batch of photo’s from my trip. Let me tell you the long travel time was well worth it!!! Sacredrides.com, thank you for a sensational experience!!! I had the best holiday with fantastic people, times and places!!!!! Cheer to the members of our team!!!!!! Here is part 1 of the photo’s....... more to come, slowly, lol!!!!

Off to Peru for two weeks!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-09-25T02:26:40+09:00

I am off to the Sacred Valley in Peru, the Andes and Machu Picchu from Sept 25-Oct 12th.... so excited I leave tomorrow... so stay tuned for all the details when I get back... you can check out the itinerary here....

Benny's Birthday Ride...

Karey Watanabe — 2009-09-25T01:04:37+09:00

Benny’s birthday ride in Minekami, Gunma... MTB Japan...great times, great ride.......was lucky enough to grab a ride from Hakuba with Hori Kun and Take San.....then met old and new friends with a bonus day of fantastic riding.... threw in a big unexpected big crash that ended with a my name branding “Karey’s corner” lol!! No injuries just dirt on my new Specialized thermal jacket...but it washed out, thank goodness... thanks to everyone who came out and those that worked the ride!!!! Cheers MTB Japan, you rock!!! More pictures here!

Private lesson..

Karey Watanabe — 2009-09-08T01:02:05+09:00

Paulo Whitehouse on his first ride ever, being a Londoner and all, he actually did quite well, lol.....those city folk... no really, he tackled some serious single track on his first day ever......great work Paulo....more photo’s here...

Birthday morning ride with Matt...

Karey Watanabe — 2009-09-07T00:51:21+09:00

Gave Matt a call today and asked if he wanted to join me for a ride, and he said yes....so off we went, what a way to start off a birthday..... perfect morning ride.... thanks Matt.......

My Birthday....29th ha ha.....

Karey Watanabe — 2009-09-07T00:51:20+09:00

Happy 29th to me, Happy really plus 13, to me.... thanks to Kouji for the awesome b-day wine... and the people at the river who decided to have a party the same day as my birthday... more pics here.....

Aizawa Hospital Medical Course

Karey Watanabe — 2009-08-08T17:14:06+09:00

Here I am with the great group of medical students at Aizawa Hospital, along with Dr. Hashimoto and Dr. Barron and his great family. After 5 days of intense English with Dr. Barron and myself these young doctors did a great job of working hard to improve their English. Here at our final dinner party, we enjoyed the success of the past week. I must say, you guys worked hard and were a great group of students... thanks so much for the great experience!!! Next week is week two with a totally new group of students.... stay tuned for that update......K. More photos here

JMA Jr. Kids MTB camp

Karey Watanabe — 2009-08-09T16:53:12+09:00

Here we are at the Japanese Mountain Bike Association Jr. MTB camp. On this day we had a Sweet Riders Instructional clinic for 90 minutes. We rode the course together and went over some points about climbing and descending. Because of the intense rain over the whole month of July and August, the course was a mud fest. It didn’t stop these kids from having fun and riding like the pro’s through the mud!!!

We had a great time, thanks guys, you are going to be great future riders!!!!!!

Hakuba Two Day Intermediate Clinic

Karey Watanabe — 2009-07-28T09:58:07+09:00

Here we are in 47 enjoying a Red Bull break after working on some skills this morning. This weekend again, due to the heavy rain, day one had to be cancelled. Day two, cloudy with sun in the afternoon, turned out to be a good day. We worked on skills in the morning and then rode the new Hakuba 47 MTB course in the afternoon. The course was very muddy and slippery after the full week of rain but we managed to survive and have fun riding the trails down. Great work you guys!!!! Enjoy more photo’s here!

Japanese Nationals 09

Karey Watanabe — 2009-07-28T09:57:55+09:00

The women’s DH Ellite Podium, Mio Suimasa took the Champion title for the 10th time!!! Tomo Chan and Keiko in 2nd and 3rd place respectively! Congratulations ladies....
MIo's 10th National Championship Win!

Because I am a Canadian, I am not able to race in the Japanese Nationals, as with and countries national race. Today I got to observe and watch my rivals.....it was great action in this muddy DH race at Fujimi Panorama......

Men’s elite DH podium, Kenji took first place for the first time!!! Kaneko San and Idegawa San in 2nd and 3rd respectively. It was a great day for Kenji, lots of hard work and many years of training for today’s result. Congratulations guys!!!!

A night out with K&K

Karey Watanabe — 2009-07-28T09:57:41+09:00

It was the time for a night out. After the event we had both worked really hard and I got my paycheck.....so off we were to one of Hakuba’s finest places.... The Le Neige Hotel.......

We enjoyed a 5 course meal and a great bottle of wine. They even have a pick up and drop off service in a Mercedes van. We couldn’t resist.....the food was delicious, the drinks too and of course we were able to sit down and unwind after a very stressful couple of months preparation for the Jump Jamboree. Enjoy the photos, just click on the above photo for the link....

Sweet Riders Jump Jamboree demo clinic

Karey Watanabe — 2009-07-18T08:26:07+09:00

Today we had a bit of rain....but it didn’t stop us from having a great day!! Sweet Riders had special guests today. We had Nathan Bennet from MTB Japan and Nori & Ki Chan from B.C. Porter take our clinic. Both MTB Japan and B.C. Porter are fellow mtb tour and instructional clinic companies. Bennet operates out of Minekami, Gunma specializing in tours, and B.C. porter operates out of Chiba, specializing in tours and clinics. I recommend checking out both of their websites.......It was a pleasure to have them attend a Sweet Riders clinic. We had a great day learning about how we all teach mountain biking skills, we talked about different techniques of teaching and compared notes. We only had two hours for the clinic, and then we were off to hit the new trails of 47 Hakuba.

We were joined by Yans and Okkupi San two famous riders in Japan. We had a blast. Some of us, years ago use to race the 47 dirt road from top to bottom as a downhill. Yans suggested we have a non-pedalling race and off we went. The six of us raced from top to bottom with no pedalling power, super fun and it brought back memories of the old days on the same track....

Jerry Tokunana also joined us. He does chiropractic adjustments and came out to help out at the event. Anyone have back problems?? I recommend Jerry, he has helped my back many times!!! Once again, thanks to all whom came out. It was a great weekend!!!

Jump Jamboree at 47!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-07-13T23:08:20+09:00

We had a great day with some fabulous riders for our Jump Jamboree at Hakuba 47 ski hill...

First of all, it rained all week and the weather forecast was really bad....right up until Friday afternoon....it finally stopped raining (because rainy season here in Japan is about 2 weeks later than usual arrrggggg...) on Friday at 2pm....then the weather forecast changed to cloudy and sunny for Saturday.....thank god, but the damage had been done, it was pretty late in the game.... we prayed for people to turn up.....

They did, we had a killer hot day starting with the sun poking it’s head out by 10 am....but we had to suck up the water and puddles on the course to get it ready for opening time at 12pm.....the boys worked very hard and the course ended up to be in prime condition.........

So the dual race was so much fun... I actually participated at the last minute and it was such a rush, heart rate must have been over 180 and the adrenaline sure kicked in, especially because my partner was this really awesome kid, who was super fast, I didn’t have the heart to try and pass him, and his smile when he won was brilliant..... we will have a great future rider......

The King of Dirt was really exciting with Kozou San doing two back flips....unfriggen believable....great going Kozou San......

The other riders put on a great show as well....our star rider Yuta took a wrong turn on the way to Hakuba and got stuck on a mountain road and had to be winched out.....but finally made it to give a great surprise jump show with the other riders....

The tunes were great, Red Bull DJ’s cranked some great tunes, and then local DJ’s Reuban and James showed their stuff.....

All in all, I had the best time because I, myself nailed the jumps like I have never done before... it was the power and the pressure of the other riders, we all felt it and we all styled the jumps....so stoked!!!! Thanks to all who came out and our fantastic sponsors.....spectators.....riders..... let’s do it again in September for the MTB Jamboree!!! Until then....CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE....album 1, album 2.

Red Bull Car Coming to the Jump Jamboree!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-07-09T08:14:00+09:00

Here is the Red Bull DJ car, and it’s coming to our Jump Jamboree!!!! Come on out and help us have a great event this Saturday July 11-12th in Hakuba 47!!!

The turntables......

Pretty sweet I’d say!!!!!!

MJ RIP!!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-07-05T21:53:30+09:00

Sweet Riders Evergreen Outdoors Clinic

Karey Watanabe — 2009-07-05T21:53:01+09:00

Our Sweet Rider’s Evergreen Outdoors Staff Crew..in beautiful Hakuba....14 members!! Great group, and great riders....

Celebrating day one down with some sponsor prizes, beer and a bbq...

yeah, we had a great day.......

Day two warming up with a good stretch...

Day two ride, Iwatake, our pipe shot....

our pipe and funny face shot....see all the photo’s here, album 1, album 2 and album 3

Hakuba Two-Day Intermediate Clinic

Karey Watanabe — 2009-06-23T07:12:59+09:00

Here we are on the trail at our favorite photo spot!! You can see by the smiles all around that we are having a great time. The weather was great for day one and the participants improved and all accomplished the downhill flawlessly!!!! No crashes just whoops of joy!! We truly had a great day that was finished off with a great chicken BBQ put on by Track’s Bar. Then, we had a prize giveaway from our fantastic sponsors, Shimano, Speciailized, Kona, Tacx, and Redbull Japan. After that, Koui gave a maintenance session that the participants studied eagerly, even took notes....then we got into really relaxing, having a few beers and enjoying the wonderful live music..... Unfortunately, day 2 had to be cancelled due to the heavy rain. So we decided to do another maintenance session and then head to Kuzo Onsen. We did just that and then had lunch in Omachi and said good bye until next time!!! Thanks to all who were involved for making this a great Sweet Riders Event!!!! See all of the photo’s here!!

Hakuba One Day Ladies Clinic

Karey Watanabe — 2009-06-08T21:56:42+09:00

We had another fantastic ladies clinic!!! We had a sunny day and great hard work by our lovely ladies. We did have a crash today but, all was good. Sometimes it comes with the territory. Ladies great job today!! More pictures here!!

Fujimi Panorama & Fischer's Secret

Karey Watanabe — 2009-06-01T06:20:04+09:00

Last Weekend’s Stuff:

Well, since I got my new Specialized Demo 8, I had to get out and practice for next week’s race. Was having lots of fun on it even though the weather wasn’t so nice...... The race day came and I felt pretty good, the qualifier was my first run and made some mistakes but was hoping to correct those in the final. Rain was off and on, and after the qualifier, it stopped raining for over two hours and was looking like a dry final run, so I changed my tires back to normal tires instead of the mud one I had on the front for the previous run. Rain tires are not my favorite on rocks and this course has a few.....

However, once in the gondola on the way up, it started to pour rain.......lots of rain so I was thinking oh no!!! I tried my best but unfortunately didn’t have the confidence with my dry tires in the slick wet grass and rode too cautiously.....which means slow.......lol, anyway I ended up fifth and a bit disappointed because I was a chicken.....but determined to get back in the saddle and practice more to rip it up for the next Fujumi race in September........

The next day, I was resting and it was raining again, but a friend of mine invited me to do a photo shoot. This friend and I have been chatting on the net for about a year now and finally we set a meeting to meet face to face. His name is Ian Miller, in the mountain bike community he is a well known magazine editor and photographer, check out his stuff here. NIck Kowal, another local Hakubite, (who runs a pension called Powder Lodge) and I, were going to do a photo shoot with Ian. I was stoked, this was a great chance to work with a professional from Canada......

Can’t wait to see the pictures he took, here are a few I took........enjoy. As soon as I get his shots they will be up on the site!!!!

Well I have to run off to work now.....hope it’s not to rainy where ever you are, like it is here.......have a great week!!!

Louis Garneau Cup

Karey Watanabe — 2009-06-01T06:19:49+09:00

Mark at the finish of the 6hr enduro....

Us chilling after the race

Team Sweet Riders

What a great event this was!!! The venue, Fujimi Highlands, was perfect. Sunny day, mountain views all around, 900 participants, great sponsors and great fun!!!!! Mark and I were team SweetRiders in the 6hr Enduro race. Was great fun but along the way Mark got a flat and also had to work extra hard when i was off practicing and racing in the Dual Slalom event held at the same time......but we thought the course was great fun and enjoyed ourselves!!!!! We both did the night criterium race as well. As guest riders for the event we were entered in all the events and had an action packed day that ended off with an Oakley BBQ and party. Fun, fun and more fun..... Enjoy the pictures here!!!!

More News!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-05-20T22:14:27+09:00

Sign finally going up......

Yeah, pretty Sweet!!!!!!! These are real, no more graphics........

Local Rider Mick of Powder House Lodge kicking a sweet tail whip on the first jump of the course built for the Hakuba 47/Sweet Riders Jump Jamboree Event July 11-12th, don’t miss it!!

Big Mick’s little boy Kai, like father like son!!!!

Local Rider M San also kicking it........

Fujimi Adventure 1st and 6th!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-05-19T23:02:22+09:00

Here I am at the rainy start of the race...looking very energetic and eager.........at this point.

Kouji and I before the start, looking very nice and clean wearing white......

The only time the sun came out, for about 2 minutes, Kouji stopped to take a quick picture at the top of climb no. 1....there were 3....over 1600 meters we climbed in elevation......wow....it was quite the adventure. I don’t know how many muscle spasms I had, I actually lost count, and the number of times I thought of quitting.....but I persevered.....and continued, despite the freezing rainy conditions......

The finish line....

Oh my god I made it.....

am I alive???

yes, I am, barely....cold........very cold.....

I won’t tell you how hard the race was, you can tell by my face. I am absolutely exhausted here......and so grateful to have made it to the finish line. It was a journey, over 3 hours for me, in the worst weather possible.....but, nonetheless another mountain bike adventure to go down in the history books. If I do this race next year..... I only hope for sun next time around......cheers to all of us who finished this crazy race!!!!!!! Congratulations to my team mates for placing in the top 3 and to Mark Parker who at over 40, can still kick some major young butts. Great going on 4th overall Mark!!!!!

Kouji coming in!! Great job, on a 150cm suspension bike yet!!!!

Mark wizzing around one of the top corners.....

Thank you to 信州ふぉとふぉと館 for suppling most of these great shots!!!!

I just found out that I came in 1st in the over 40 women’s category and 6th overall, yippee, so happy!!!!!

Uniqlo is selling Specialized T-Shirts!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-05-13T20:39:40+09:00

Hurry, hurry!!!! Get your self to Uniqlo and pick up one of these hot Specialized Corporate T’s!!!!!! Get one while the getting is good!!!!!!!!!

A visit from Specialized!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-05-11T00:02:20+09:00

Specialized’s Sato Shuhei came out for a meeting and a ride this past weekend. We had a great day for riding, over 25 degrees and a nice light breeze. Showed him a bit of Hakuba, I think he wants to come back.......Great weekend but busy getting ready for all the upcoming events. Hope to see you there!! More photos here....

Hakuba is awesome.....

47 Jump course almost finished!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-05-11T00:00:39+09:00

The jump course at 47 is almost finished!!!! Here are more pics....

Watch out!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-05-10T23:57:12+09:00

Watch out!!!! Urushi is now out, and believe me you don’t want to get it!!! This was only one of the spots I got it.....I have several more and it means no sleep. Constantly itching and it oozes as well...arrgggg, better know back home as poison ivy. However, it is stronger here in Japan. So my fellow riders beware!!!!!!

Golden Week Activities

Karey Watanabe — 2009-05-05T12:23:47+09:00

Hakuba one day clinic!!! Five beginners who mastered all the basics, including a pretty steep downhill!!!! Way to go guys!!! It was a great day with instruction in the morning, a lunch break and then a group ride through Iwatake’s great singletrack. You all received A+ ‘s today!!!! More photo’s here

Had some time to chill out on Aokiko beach. The water is still low enough that the beaches are still out. Kind of wish it would stay this way. Riding, then chilling at the lake, plus a great soba lunch......I love Golden Week. All ready for tomorrows clinics and tours....

Still love riding Aokiko, too much fun....

Ikeda Poker Rally 09

Karey Watanabe — 2009-05-01T08:03:16+09:00

Wow, what a fantastic event. Hats off to Randall & Midori for doing an excellent job!!!! Team Two Queens and a Joker had a great day. We began by riding the closest course first, Crazy Eights and then hitting Royal Flush. We had no problems and hit all 5 check points on the course, or so we thought. Then we headed to the Ikeda Circuit and decided to have a snack break since it was lunch time and almost two hours had past since the start. After our lunch break, we hit the last section of the course and had a blast. We were able to hit all nine check points and get nine cards, we were stoked and we had over 30 minutes left to go!!!! We stopped along the way to take some great pictures, admire the scenery and chat with other participants.

When we checked in, we found out that we misread one of the checkpoints and had to lose a card, bummer but oh well, our brains were in the riding mode, not the thinking mode, ha ha. We ended up with a pair of Aces that just wasn’t going to cut it. The winning team Fast and Furious had four of a kind and won ¥72000!!!! Congratulations to Albert and Mark, being the fastest guys out there and the luckiest!!!! Well done!!!

This event will happen again next year, you don’t want to miss it, mark it on your calendar!!!!! More photo’s here

Sick rider!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-04-28T10:58:43+09:00

Inspired. Danny MacAskill from dave on Vimeo.

Matsumoto Ride!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-04-25T10:04:56+09:00

So this is what the white sign looks like from a distance, we used to be able to see it from our window at the old Matsumoto house....

and this is what it looks like up close. It took me an hour to ride up today, a bit longer than usual but nevertheless it felt great and then I could look out at this view......
It was a great day and a good training ride. Sometimes I am lucky enough to get a long enough break from work to hop on my bike and get a ride and onsen in....before the next class. Lucky me....

The Watanabe Hanami Tree!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-04-26T10:03:19+09:00

THE WATANABE CHERRY TREE!!!! We have our very own tree in the backyard. Tried to have a hanami party this weekend but the weather was crazy.....so we moved it indoors, thanks to all who came out!! Happy Hamami!!!

Jump Jamboree Course in the making!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-04-28T10:03:00+09:00

Here is the start of the course where the KING OF DIRT will be decided. The canyon jump is where we will have the best jumpers show their stuff!! My goal is to be able to make it over it by the end of the summer, lol!!!

Kouji keeps a watchful eye over Hasegawa San’s tractor skills........

It’s looking good!!

Full view from above, as you can see its going to be a great playground!!!

the first berm.....

Kouji hard at work, now the fine tuning and raking begin!!! Volunteers needed!!!!!

Golden Week Special!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-04-19T10:53:09+09:00

GOLDEN WEEK SPECIAL DEAL
ONE DAY CLINICS!!
Held on May 2&3rd

Take a day clinic or why not make it a two day clinic? Instructional clinics in the morning, touring in the afternoon followed by an optional bbq. One day ¥6000 per day + BBQ & Lunch, Two day, including one nights accommodation, breakfast, bbq, two lunches & clinics/tours ¥20000
Accommodation provided by SANTANA LODGE!
FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE ONE OR TWO DAY CLINICS CLICK HERE

CHECK OUT THESE FABULOUS BIKES AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL FOR ONLY ¥1000 PER DAY

SPECIALIZED MYKA s size

SPECIALIZED Hardtail Era M5 s size

SPECIALIZED ERA m size

Hanami Ride!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-04-19T08:08:16+09:00

Join us for a day of MTB and BBQ!! April 26th Ride starts at 10:00am, course is Minekata, Hakuba. BBQ and hanami party begins after the ride, around lunch time. Even if you miss the ride, come out for the hanami party under Sweet Riders very own Hanami Tree!!!!! Hope to see you there!!!

New proposed signs for Sweet Riders!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-04-19T08:07:49+09:00

Thanks to all of you who came out for the Sweet Riders Bike & Gear Swap last weekend, thanks to you, we are ordering new signs as pictured above for our new building/base in Hakuba! Cheers!!!

Insane video of pump tracks!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-04-02T13:30:13+09:00

Insane video by Leafcycles, wish we had pump tracks like these in Japan!!!!

Leafcycles - a trip to atown from Crowny-Entertainment on Vimeo.

Poker Rally!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-04-02T12:57:26+09:00

Once again it is time for the Ikeda Poker Rally, don’t miss this one, it’s a great event with great prizes!!!! Sweet Riders will be there competing for the big money!!!! Register now....at raninjapan@yahoo.com!!!
Click on the pdf link below to see the enlarged pdf file!! Sweet Riders will also be doing an instructional clinic for beginners from 8:45-9:30am for ¥500, join us for a great day of MTB fun!!!
Poker ENGVer-1

Bike and Gear Swap....

Karey Watanabe — 2009-04-02T12:51:25+09:00

Thank you to all who came out to our Sweet Riders Bike and Gear Swap!! Thanks to you, our profits were enough to buy new signs, this is the sample picture of our new signs.....will let you know what the real thing looks like soon!!!!

Takeo, Randall, Pepper and I on our ride on Randall’s new trail for the upcoming POKER RALLY!!! It is going to be super sweet when it’s finished!!!! Great day, great ride, great friends!!!!
More pictures here.....

Keigo and Daisuke's Trial Demo

Karey Watanabe — 2009-03-23T11:25:33+09:00

Check out Keigo & Daisuke’s Trial Demo Video here!!!!

Outdoor Bike Demo 09

Karey Watanabe — 2009-03-23T11:13:08+09:00

Here we are at the Outdoor Bike Demo in Sagamiko!!!!! These are the group photos from our morning demo clinic......great work everyone!!!!

On Friday we didn’t have such good weather but on Saturday the weather gods shined for us!!! We had a great morning Demo clinic and an afternoon English mountain bike touring session. Thanks to all of you who came out and supported Sweet Riders and our mountain biking community!!!

Enjoy more photo’s here!!

Shenanigans Party!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-03-02T15:25:27+09:00

Sweet Riders is sponsoring this fun event in Hakuba, at Tracks Bar!!! It’s a costume party so don’t miss it!!!! More info here

Bike & Gear Swap

Karey Watanabe — 2009-03-01T23:55:25+09:00

Come down and join Sweet Riders for a BIKE & GEAR SWAP!! March 28th, 10-4pm at Sweet Riders head office in Hakuba. For more info contact info@sweetriders.com

Recovering.......

Karey Watanabe — 2009-03-01T23:54:31+09:00

Well I recovered and had an action packed week. I went to Tokyo for business meetings, then back to Hakuba to work two days as assistant ski patrol and a night out on Sunday. Bad news, my cold came back for a third time and this time it was tonsillitis!!!!!!!! Arrrrrggggg, so that left me with 5 more days of rest and relaxation while taking antibiotics for the third time. Not too good for the body so I have to really rest for a while to let my body’s natural immume system recover........

So I have been hanging at home, reading, watching movies, kind of pigging out on snacks, as ya do when one’s sick........and will be good to go soon!!!! Click here for more pics!!!

Third attempt to finish an avalanche course..........arrgg!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-02-08T22:12:40+09:00

Here we are plugging away up the mountain. This was my group from the 5 day avalanche course I was taking this weekend. Now I have to give you some background on this.......every avalanche course I have enrolled in has never been completed because I have always gotten sick!!!!!! The first attempt, I broke down with the mumps, the second bronchitis, and this time around a nose and throat thing. Of course these are spread over a period of three years but every winter season at the time of the courses I get wacked......arrrrrgggg.

So my day five of this months attempt went sour again. Bummer, I will complete it sometime again in the future........arrgggg, anyway enjoy the photos, was a stunning day.......

A bad joke!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-02-02T17:33:22+09:00

On my way up to Misuzuko, I saw this on the side of the road???? Who would take someone’s bike laundry and dump it on the side of the road, halfway up the mountain????? Anyone, having any information as to who the owner is...... kindly step forward???????

My new bike, my mountains and my morning.............YEAAHHH!!!!

My new part time job!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-02-03T17:32:42+09:00

My new job, an assistant to the Japanese Ski Patrol at 47 Ski Hill. Yes, I am now working for the other side, its true!!! I now work on Saturday and Sundays making rounds with the ski patrol and making sure all the foreign guests have no language barrier problems. While I do it I get to refresh my first aid skills and hang around some great people. Hope to see you on the slopes!!!! Pray for more snow!!!!!!
My end of the day view at 47, not bad hey?????

Girls just wanna have fun!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-02-04T17:31:34+09:00

My student Kana and I at our sayonara starbucks meeting. I have been teaching Kana since she was a little girl. She is now busy preparing for entrance exams for university. My how time flies!!!!! Loved teaching you Kana, take care!!!!!!

Girls just wanna have fun!!! Dessert anyone??? Couldn’t resist after an early morning ski, could u????

Happy New Year!!

Karey Watanabe — 2009-01-02T06:48:13+09:00

Better late than never, first update of the new year. Wow, already Jan 15th, half gone of the first month of the year. Where does the time go???? I was in Canada over the xmas and new year holidays. Busy, busy visiting family and friends. Had a great time in the great Canadian cold weather, -35 and wind chill -42 yikes...... so needless to say no skiing for this girl, we did get some walks in though, and enjoyed the blue sky but, chilly temps.

Back in Japan at the moment and went right back to work then an avalanche course.....fun fun. Kouji and I finally got a day off together and enjoyed the new fresh 60cm of powder that day......lots of pics so here they are enjoy and back at you soon.....
reunited with the Hawkings
dad’s 70th
New Year’s at the Chateau Lake Louise
avalanche course and SNOW

Meeting an Olympian!!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-12-14T09:55:15+09:00

This past Friday evening I was invited to attend the “Last Man Standing Presentation” by Steve Bradbury. I had heard that he was Australian’s first gold medalist in Men’s Short Track Speed Skating....it didn’t really click at the time who he really was......

He introduced himself to me and the next thing I know my friend Tony was asking to get a picture with him and I jokingly said to Steve, “Should I know you? Are you somebody famous??” and he just laughed. Well the blondness did it to me again. He is Steven Bradbury, the last man standing from the Salt Lake City Olympics....... here watch

Do you remember seeing this?? I do... anyway, I was privileged to hear him speak, as he is one of the five owners of the new Aqua Alpine Hotel hear in Goryu, Hakuba. Steve your speech was inspirational, especially as an athlete myself, cheers and all the best in your new investment in our town Hakuba!!!!

Rocking it.....

Karey Watanabe — 2008-12-12T09:54:25+09:00

Well, should be a rock'en weekend!!! Have a good one!!!

'Tis the season

Karey Watanabe — 2008-12-14T09:53:29+09:00

'Tis the season, so wishing you all a nice Christmas Season!!!!!!

Back at it.....

Karey Watanabe — 2008-12-11T09:53:05+09:00

Ok, so since my body eruption happened
which left me totally drained......(everything came out, in every direction)
I have come back to life.

(the sole three die hards of the X-Mas bash)
I have had a Pre-X Mas Potluck bash at the house, which was great food, drinks and friends again, but still left me a bit tired. More sleep, off the alcohol and rest has proven beneficial these past few days. I actually finally got out for a ride!!! After an interview at 47 ski hill, making it official that I have a new job on the weekends for the winter, and buying some ski gear from friends, Kouji, Sarah and I found some time to hit the mtb trails since there is no snow!!!!!!

Weeee, what a day and what a comeback. Was so nice to be back on the bike and feeling alive again..... so here are some pictures of the last week, enjoy because I have to get out there and ride again, since it is another killer day...... ha ha......ciao!!!!!

Arrggggg!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-12-09T09:51:21+09:00

Lately this is how I been feeling...so I haven't updated my site, been under the weather for a week or so now.... stay tuned for a much better feeling monkey......

First Snow!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-11-24T09:50:41+09:00

Ok, here we have it. The first dump and it was great!! About 75-90cm fell on the top and it provided a great day of pow with a stable base. We really thought it was going to be wet and heavy snow but it was actually great fluffy stuff!!! We know this was just a glimpse of what is yet to come.... bring on more snow!!!!!!!!

Josh, Yasu and I on the quad up 47,,,,,, couldn't have stopped any of us from smiling today.....

Josh's interview, lol

Group shot with the view.......thumbs up!!!!!!

Just Chilling.....

Karey Watanabe — 2008-11-22T09:50:05+09:00

Ha ha, here we are just chilling out in our new pad,,,,, it is so nice to finally have our own place....even though it is a bit chilly, it's all good!!!!

Even better since I am going snowboarding tomorrow...... yeah you heard it sliding tomorrow morning early with Josh!!! Then heading to a 70's party.....at a friend's place....James is having a housewarming party and it's 70's style, should be some great pics coming up!!!!!!!! Stay tuned......

Bamboo Bicycles?????

Karey Watanabe — 2008-11-21T09:48:17+09:00

Ever heard of a bamboo bike????? Well now ya have it, and they are hand crafted in CANADA....... you have to check out this site.....http://www.evolvebicycles.com/
Way too cool, Santa...... you know what I would like for Xmas.........

The Season Final

Karey Watanabe — 2008-10-21T09:50:22+09:00

Over all JCF National DH Series Champions, Ryo and Tomo, Congratulations!!!

Women's final DH race Top 3, Tomo, Mio and Keiko, great ride girls!!!!

Men's Top 3 in the final DH, Junya, Adachi San, Shibata San, great job guys!!!!!

Sports Ladies DH Top 3 Congratulations Ya-Chan on 3rd place!!

Well, the 2008 MTB Season has come to an end. My last race ended with a 4th place finish. Starting off the season with a major injury and then trying to come back late in the season was tougher than I imagined. The summer included my event and a huge move which took a lot of my energy. I was coming back late in the season with no real downhill training and on a new bike. My results weren't bad, but I wasn't satisfied with my riding style. I never did seem to get my rythym back that I had last season.

It gives me inspiration for next season. I hope to train hard this winter and be ripping it up again next year! At 41 years young, Nakagome San won the final XC and the National Series XC title. She talked about how her riding and training keeps her young during her speech on the podium. She reminded me again that anything is possible at our age if we just focus and really work hard for our dreams. Thank you Nakagome San for your great reminder and congratulations on your fabulous victory!!!!!

Adachi San, also gave me inspiration. Coming back from a huge injury mid season to take the final race was incredible. Adachi San you are one of my hero's. Congratulations.........!!!!!!!!

Last but not least, is another great rider, Tsujiura Kei San. He also came back from an injury mid season and kicked ass at this final race. He dashed out front in the first lap and kept his 45 second lead on the two following him for the rest of the race. Well done Kei!!!!!

Watching all of these great riders and all of the others who come out and race year after year, sometimes not even reaching the podium, deserve great credit. We mountain bikers are a special breed. Cheers to all of us out there, riding our guts out, sustaining injuries, mud,crashes, disappointments, etc, but keep coming back for more!!!!! WE ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep the rubber side down my fellow riders and enjoy the fall....... best riding of the year.................K.

Jump for joy!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-10-14T09:49:14+09:00

Well, it was a great weekend and you can see how happy we are!!!! Jumping for joy because of the awesome weather for this past long weekend. Friday was a day of preparation for a tour with Ya-Chan and I as assistants to the former MTB Olympian Kanako Kobayashi. She had a tour of 120 people organized along with the city of Omachi for Sunday. Ya-Chan and I were 2 of the 10 assistants for the ride. It took 4 hours and was a bit long but a great day for an easy ride. We got our workout when we had to ride back to the starting point which took us less than an hour, but we hammered it!!!!!! MORE WEEKEND PICTURES HERE!

Monday was another perfect blue sky day and Kouji, Ya-chan and I went out for a local ride after having a great thanksgiving dinner the night before at Tracks bar with over 30 others.... MMMMM turkey, twas goooooooddddddddd!!!! Thanks for the spread Troy and Sakiko. We later rocked it out to a fantastic band from Nagoya, played Canadian tunes and you could tell the true Canadians by the way they started bouncing on the dance floor when they played The Hip!!!!!

Next week it is off to the final race of the season.......it is a tough one, going to rip it up hopefully!!!! Until then, have a great short week!!!!!

A 2nd Place in my come back race in Wing Hills!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-09-29T12:44:35+09:00

Here I am at the #3 Japanese Series Downhill in Gifu, Wing Hills Ski resort. I got 2nd!!!!! I am soooo stoked to have podiumed on my first race back into this season. As many of you know, I had surgery to my right thumb in early April. Took a long time to heal and I was so nervous to hit the race scene again. Always in the back of my mind now, is my surgeon telling me if I go down and injure my thumb again, he is not so sure he will be able to repair it for a third time......so it was really tough mentally to find race pace again. I had a terrible qualifier, but managed to somewhat pull through in the final.

I went into this race exhausted by last months move, on a new machine and just recovering from the surgery. I knew I wasn't ready physically but thought maybe mentally I could pull it off. I didn't practice a lot for that very reason. I wanted to save my energy for the final!! Race day I planned to run the qualifier as my practice run and smooth out some things in my head, unfortunately I had some trouble as I caught the girl ahead of me quite early on the course and couldn't pass her easily in the slippery single track. Anyway, I hit some sweet lines in the final and was also, out of control and sketch in some others. I think the power of racing just took over and I made it down the hill in one piece and was elated to have at least hit race pace a couple of times and feel the magic of racing once again.

My new bike feels sweet!!! I had some Japanese comments like, "Hey Karey, you're racing on that??? But that is just a Demo 7 not a full DH rig??? Will you be alright????" Ya, I was alright and my bike rules!!!!!!! Thank you Specialized!!!!! Thank you to all of my other kick ass sponsors as well!!!

Izuka San deserves a great round of applause, she had a great race and a well earned victory!!!! Congratulations girl!!!!!!

We had a visitor from New Zealand join us, Glen Haden of Two Stage. He is here for two weeks and it was great to chat and feel connected to the western race scene again. He was stoked with the course and had some mean competition. He was 1st in the qualifier and took 2nd in the final. He told me he had some loose corners, however congrats Glen, on taking 2nd in your first Japanese race. To Ryo, who took first and Adachi San who took third, you guys rock!!! Welcome back from injury Adachi San!!!

To my dearest friend Ya-Chan, congratulations on your 3rd place in your first ever DH competition!!!!!! Great job girl!! Running the elite course by mistake 3 times did ya well, ha ha!!!!!!

Us proud downhiller chicks with our medals!!!!!!!! Watch out, here we come Fujimi!!!!!!!!

Sweet Riders MTB Jamboree 08

Karey Watanabe — 2008-08-23T11:40:25+09:00

In cooperation with Mitsuwa Cycle Shop
PHOTO'S HERE!!

Happo Hike

Karey Watanabe — 2008-09-19T21:04:02+09:00

Who could have asked for a better day to hike Happo???? We had a blue bird day with no wind and killer views. Mom was a trooper and made the long climb up to the lake with Kouji and I. It was exhilerating and spectacular all in one!! Can't describe it in words just have to check out the photos here!!

B-Day Bash!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-09-19T21:03:52+09:00

Here is the pre-birthday bash photo, the early birds.... check out the pictures here!! Kelton, thanks for helping me paint the bathroom!!! Ya-Chan and mom for all the cooking!!!

Mom's visit to Japan

Karey Watanabe — 2008-09-19T21:03:42+09:00

How many daughters have their mom's come over half across the world to help them move??? Well, that is what my mom did, a mom of champions!!!! She came over for 12 days and we had the action packed visit that we all expected. After arrival, we had to get the new pad into a state for my B-Day Bash. That was a lot of work.... arrrggg but in the end it payed off. We had the neighbors and lots of friends join us for the celebration.... enjoy the pictures here. Thanks to all who came out!!!

Evergreen Jam Off

Karey Watanabe — 2008-09-19T21:50:50+09:00

Sweet Riders participants at the Jam off!! Had a great day for the demo clinic, had all beginners who did a great job learning new skills!! Cheers guys!!! Hope to ride again soon...

Also at the Jam Off were many performing artists... Sabunyuma, an African drum and dance group were among one of my favorites.... check out the pictures here. Mom also got to help me out and enjoy the performances, thanks again mom for all the assistance!!!!

Sweet Riders Day Clinic with riders from Tokyo

Karey Watanabe — 2008-08-23T09:07:42+09:00

After my friend Suzie arrived from Canada, the very next day she was slammed into doing a clinic with me. We had a group of 6 come from Tokyo, including our very own BOSS from the Specialized Concept store. We started the morning off with a skill session in Hakuba 47, then had a great lunch around Aokiko lake and later hit the trails, as well as the water!!! Fantastic day, and thanks Suzie for being such a great sport and coach!!!

Coaches Suzie and I...

Up the last part of the hot and steep climb up Aokiko...

The final cool down in the lake!!! Thanks for coming out guys, you were an amazing group!!!

Party Specialized Style!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-08-23T08:56:33+09:00

After all of our hard work for the 4 day conference, it was time to let off some steam. That we did with a few too many beers!!!
Great people, great times!!!! Enjoy more PHOTOS HERE!

Specialized Dealer Conference 2008

Karey Watanabe — 2008-08-23T07:44:49+09:00

How often do you get to meet cycling legends??? Well here I am with Mike and Ned of Specialized USA. I got to meet and ride with the both of them. The dealer conference was hot but great. Everybody stuck it out in the hot and humid weather and test rode as many bikes as possible. Was a great event. Met some fantastic people, thanks for coming out.......MORE PICTURES HERE!!

Summer Fun!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-08-03T23:04:18+09:00

This summer has been crazy busy so far, from building my own kitchen cabinets to jumping in the lake,,,,, enjoy the rest of the pictures here!!! At this point my apologies, but just too busy to elaborate...........

Reno's

Karey Watanabe — 2008-08-03T23:03:20+09:00

Our new unit bath, it is soooo nice....

Had to have a seat in the tub...

Mmmmm, can't wait to officially try it out...

Our new Ikea bed, mmm, so comfortable, thanks to Kouji for building it when i was away in Canada.......

Me the carpenter, putting together all of our IKEA cabinets...

The great plumbers.... slaving, and digging our new sewage system....

Our new kitchen floor almost finished, thanks Ian for working so hard...

Wow, the new cabinets in place, now for the doors and the counter top.....
geez, reno's are fun but take time. I wish I didn't have to sleep then I could get it all done..... sooner... arrrrgggg!!

Hakuba 47 Ski Hill Jump Park now open!!!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-07-04T00:04:10+09:00

Check out the new jump park in 47 Ski Hill in Hakuba..... it's open now!!!! Ride, ride, ride!!!!!!

And the renovations begin!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-06-29T23:51:13+09:00

Had a bit of a rotton spot, but it was all fixed by our great Canadian carpenter Ian Beattie within two days!!!!!! Thanks Ian, the new floor looks great!!!

This was the kitchen on Saturday.......

This was the Kitchen on Sunday afternoon, after Kouji and I removed it to get ready for our new unit bath!!!! So much work, so little time.....
any volunteers would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Money, money, money...must be funny, in a richman's world!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-06-29T23:48:44+09:00

Here we are holding part of our life savings, after withdrawing it from 82 Bank. First we get to touch it, smell it, hold it, then hand it over to the owner of the building we are about to purchase...... easy come, easy go...........

But, as of last Wednesday, we have become the official owners of Popple Pop Property!!!!!!! Yeeeee haaaaawwww the fun begins now........
(the title may show our age, any one recognize the lyrics?????)

more of the inside rooms

Karey Watanabe — 2008-06-29T23:48:08+09:00

the stairway up to the second floor.....

the 2nd floor hallway

2nd floor bathroom (future Ikea sink and cabinets)

toilet...(future new toilet....)

storage room, (future master bedroom)

our temporary bedroom

1st guest room, minus the strange bed and green rug?????

2nd guestroom

Hakuba 47 Jump Park is underway!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-06-18T20:30:22+09:00

A sneak peek at what is underway at 47 Ski hill for this summer. A new jump park, Sweet Riders very own Kouji Watanabe on the job with design and construction, more news when it comes!!

Azumino Ride/Ya-chan's Event

Karey Watanabe — 2008-06-10T17:21:51+09:00

Ya-Chan's event was fantastic!! 15 people came out and we rode over 40km through the Azumino region!! We sampled local snacks and food along the way. Be sure to join us for more of these events in the future!! More pictures here.

A sneak peek inside.... more of the entrance area The main area, still a lot of stuff to clear out, and fix up.... any volunteers!!!!!????????

Karey Watanabe — 2008-06-16T17:20:39+09:00

Well here is a quick peek at the inside of our new building. It has been very busy with all of this going on, back and forth to the bank, carpenters, plumbers, owners, realtors etc, bare with us on the lame updates.....

Sarah inside the front area

the back area

more of the entrance area

The main area, still a lot of stuff to clear out, and fix up.... any volunteers!!!!!????????

Hakuba Rides!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-06-16T17:19:46+09:00

Have been spending some time in Hakuba riding these past few days. We have had awesome weather and too much fun!!! Check out the pictures..........

After the rides we chilled out in the onsen, and played with Albert and Kumi's new puppy..... what a great day!!
Post ride fun here!!!!!

Big News!!!!! Sweet Riders has its own building now!!!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-06-04T09:48:03+09:00

Popple pop will become officially Sweet Riders property very soon!!!! We are very pleased to announce that Sweet Riders will have its own building that will become its base for running all the fun things we do! Renovations need to be done and much more so when its all ready, stay tuned for the official house warming party which you will be invited too!!!!!!!!

We will be living and running a business out of here so we are very excited. This is what it looks like now, after some hard work, time and money we will gradually be giving it a facelift as well as a tummy tuck, ha ha!!!!!!

My new baby!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-06-04T09:41:15+09:00

My new Specialized Ruby Expert Road Bike, sweeeeeetttttttt!!!! I am in love!!!!!

June 21-22nd Two-Day Co-ed MTB Clinic in Hakuba, Nagano!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-05-28T22:47:55+09:00

This clinic will cater to individual riders skill levels and will include an opportunity for riders to choose some skills they would like to spend a little extra time on. Experience the group learning power and see how far it can increase your riding confidence!!

We will focus on skills such as neutral position, ready position, bike body separation, straight line riding, climbing, descending, braking, shifting, basic front wheel lifts, 1/4 punch front wheel lift, manuals, slow speed cornering, switchbacks, wheelie drops and if time permits, high speed cornering.

Saturday:
8:30-12:30 we will have 3 skill sessions
12:30-1:30 a lunch break
1:30-3:30 an instructional group ride
5-6pm a BBQ dinner
6-6:30pm prize giveaways
6:30-7:30pm a maintenance session
7:30-8pm sign up for the Sunday's skill sessions
Sunday:
9-12 we will work on the skill sessions chosen by the riders
12-1 a lunch break
1-3pm an instructional group ride
3-3:30 evaluation form filling out time.
Then it is time to close the camp and say good-bye until the next time!!

Prices are ¥25000 per person, which includes one night's accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, a BBQ dinner, a maintenance session, two full days of instruction and instructional group rides, as well as some great prizes from our fantastic sponsors! The location will be in Hakuba and the riding areas will be chosen according to the number of participants and their levels..... Sign up today, you don't want to miss out on this great group learning opportunity! (contact me here to register info@sweetriders.com)

P. S. This clinic will take place rain or shine!!!!

Touring Event!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-05-23T09:28:52+09:00

Join Ya-Chan and I for her touring event. June 7th, touring around Azumino!!! For more details please mail me at info@sweetriders.com
お知らせです。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　安曇野ツーリング　

　普段着で自転車に乗ろう！！　B級ローカルフードを食べる会

　　ローカルライダーおススメのB級グルメを食べながら安曇野を散策
　　する１DAY ツーリング
　　参加者の使用バイクは小径車、ロードバイク、MTBなど問わず。
　　施設内を歩くのでSPDは禁止、レーサーパンツの着用も禁止。
　　あくまでも普段着感覚で！　

日　　時：　　６月７日（土）
　　　　　　　雨天の場合は中止
　　　　　　　６月８日（日）予備日

集合場所：長野県安曇野市豊科南部総合公園
開催場所：長野県安曇野市近郊
　ツーリング所要時間：全長約４０Km　およそ６時間
　募集定員：２０名
　　　　　　　（事前申し込み、定員になり次第終了。）
募集締切：６月１日（定員に満たない場合は当日も可）　　　　　　　　　　　　
　レンタル車：有り／(問い合わせ下さい)
参加代金：２０００円（保険料／おやき代／ソフトクリーム代　
　　　　　　　　　　　込み）上記以外の飲食は自己負担
問い合わせ先　：konagirlsclub@yahoo.co.jp　
協　　　力　　：（有）アキコーポレーション
協　　　賛　　：モンベル　／　Life is good
後　　　援　　：日本マウンテンバイク協会
　　　　　　　　SMILECYCLE.COM

詳細については、問い合わせ先へご連絡ください。
ファイルを送らせていただきます。
楽しい事、美味しい事の１DAYツーリングです。

ご参加お待ちしてます。YA-CHAN

A nice Hakuba b-day hike!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-05-19T08:01:46+09:00

Kouji and I went for a nice hike on Sunday afternoon in Hakuba. It was a nice break from having to work all day Saturday at the university doing make up classes for the days I missed due to the thumb surgery. We had a killer day and hiked and walked for over 3 hours. It is Kouji's birthday today, so we made up for it yesterday since we both have to work today.....

We got to see this guy, staring down at us from in the trees, he was so cute. He's a Japanese Kamoshika, which is a kind of antelope.

Kouji sitting by the river for our picnic lunch.

Had to snap this one, check this garden. Is this a ski town or what???? Ha ha.......

Tokyo Post Surgey

Karey Watanabe — 2008-05-14T13:46:11+09:00

Well here we are Sarah, Alley, Liza and I at TGIF's for dinner on Black & White Ladies Night in Tokyo. It was two days after my surgery and I was feeling pretty good. The day before I had a big meeting with Oakley and I was still in pain for that one, but it had to be done. Painkillers were pretty good, ha ha.....it turned out to be a great meeting so I was really happy that I didn't cancel it after all. The ladies night was really fun and we looked pretty good in our black and white. We were joined by others, later on in the evening. Thanks to all whom came out!!!!

The next day Sarah dragged my butt to the Mori Art Center in Roppongi Hills. The Turner Prize Exhibition was on display. Me, being the uncultured person that I am, really just wanted to relax, but in the end decided to go and was so glad I did. Wow, I was really impressed and blown away by the art. I recommend it for anyone. It's on display until July 13th, here in Tokyo.

A lone observer of the great view from the Mori observatory, Tokyo Tower in the background.....

Check it out, 8 Ferrari's in a row, they were on their way back from Fuji Speedway where 480 of them gathered to try and break the world record!!!!!

Golden Week Pre Surgery

Karey Watanabe — 2008-05-08T13:45:25+09:00

Sarah and I joined the Festival called Shionomichi in Otari Hakuba over golden week. It was their 50th annual walk. It was 10 km long and actually took place over three days. We only did the first day. What a day it was. It is walking the historic salt road from the Japanese sea to the inland. Can't tell you how scenic it was....the pictures will speak for themselves....enjoy!!!! (Sarah took some and I took some, the good ones are hers!!!!)

Some of the dressed up folk on the walk.....

Met some great new friends and did a great hike. Thanks Layla & Kerry for a great day!!!

ouch!!! 6 stitches!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-05-14T13:43:49+09:00

Well I survived the thumb surgery!! Hurts like hellllllllll, but hey, life is good!!!! Sorry a bit painful to type. More later ya'll, peace out!!!

First time I saw my scar after the surgery.....pretty ugly.......but the doctor says its healing nicely, and tested the repaired ligament and all is good!!!!! Now the countdown until I can ride again begins.......3 weeks for the splint, then rehab.....then riding, yippeeeee!!!!!

Ikeda Poker Rally!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-04-30T11:05:49+09:00

The Ikeda Poker Rally was a great event. Over 50 participants came out and we had a perfect blue sky day for it!!! I couldn't ride of course but I was able to hike one of the trails and take some pictures of the event. The top prize for the best poker hand was ¥60000!!!!!!!! Congratulations to the winning team and to Randall and Midori for their great event!!!

Here are the photos!!!

OUCH!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-04-30T11:05:32+09:00

Mark and I were tearing it up at Fujimi last Sunday. Just got my new bike and wanted to break it in for next weeks season opener race in Hakodate Mtn. Unfortunately, I decided to do that "one last run" and crashed. I went down and hyper extended my thumb while landing. Bammmmm, I knew immediately that it was serious.... crap another hospital trip.

In the emergency, after x rays, it was discovered that at last year's final race in Sena when I crashed in September, I had ulitimately broken my thumb and severed my ligament. Stupid me, never went to check it out. I knew it was bad..... but ..... anyway, now I know and have reinjured the exact area and have to have surgery on May 8th. The doctor will go in and repair the ligament with a 3mm titanium anchor....never to walk through a customs area freely again lol!!!!

I will be out for 3 weeks after the surgery with an aluminum cast, then after that I start rehabilitation. So I think I am looking at 1.5 months before I get back on my bike again. Bummer, but at least I know I can ride again, it could be worse!!!!

In the meantime I have already started hiking to keep my butt in shape!!! This up coming weekend is Golden Week in Japan, so we have some holidays. Kouji and I will go to Hakuba to hang out and get things organized for the MTB Jamboree in August. Hope you all have a good week!!

Kyoko and I before the crash!!

My severed ligament x ray,,,,,, arrrgggg!

My surgery contract in Japanese.......

Sea Otter Classic Vid's!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-04-23T09:33:40+09:00

Day 4 Video - Expo and DH

Monday April 21st, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Posted by: adam
Theo whips up another great video for the final day of Sea Otter 2008. Sunday was warm in the morning with some wind in the expo area later in the day, but 150% better day than Saturday.

Sea Otter Day 3 Video

Sunday April 20th, 2008 at 12:44 AM
Posted by: adam
Coverage of the Dual Slalom event from day 3. The weather today was a bit colder than the previous days, and the wind and dust was a force to be reckoned with.

Happy Hanami!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-04-22T09:22:09+09:00

This week the cherry trees were in full bloom, we had a lot of rain but some blue sky days crept in. I did some great solo rides and was able to spend the weekend chilling out afterwards at some cherry blossom parties. MORE PICTURES HERE! I also had my great cameraman and good friend Kyoko out to Matsumoto to do a photo shoot for this year's Sweet Riders MTB Jamboree Poster. We didn't have a blue sky day but made the most of it.... pictures here.

For some reason the allergy thing got me this year. It is my first time ever to suffer from allergies, but it is not fun. Now I know what Kouji and many others have been going through every spring. YUCK!!!!!

Been back at work at the university and have a great bunch of new students this term. It is looking all good.

Kouji and I are trying to purchase a building in Hakuba to turn into our very own MTB center. It is all up to the bank now. Please wish us luck!!!

I am off to Tokyo once again this Friday for more meetings to get some other exciting projects underway, including our August MTB Jamboree. Weeeee, should be a great summer!!!

Enjoy spring!!!

Happy Spring from Sae, Liza, me, Ya-chan and Shoko!!!!

Nobeoka and Tokyo Road Trip

Karey Watanabe — 2008-04-13T20:21:15+09:00

Here is the beautiful sunset from Nobeoka Station in Kyushyu. I went down there to teach for INTEC Japan and had a blast. I met a great crew and had so much fun working with them. It was a three day intensive seminar given to 245 new employees of Asahi Kasei Company. My long time friend Andy, recruited me and I am so happy that he did. I have been teaching here in Japan for 15 years now and was so happy to find out that a lot of material that I have been teaching to my students appeared in the Intec course manual. I guess I have been on the right track after all, ha ha....

Here we are, the crew of Intec after a long day of hard work....chilling out

My first plate of Fugu (Japanese Blowfish), took me 15 years to try it, it was delicious....
I got to spend a night in Tokyo and went out to this restaurant, danced at a great club called Sheesha and met some more new friends!! Life is all good. More pictures here....

Now it is back to the grind with University starting for me tomorrow, busy busy........

Solo Rides!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-04-05T09:14:22+09:00

My view from the top .....

My tired legs after the climb....

Spring is here.........

Peace to all!!!!

The Tri-Modal in Hakuba

Karey Watanabe — 2008-04-06T23:18:40+09:00

Here is Miss Sweet Rider hanging out with Sarah, Riku and Tess at the Trimodal Event put on by Evergreen Outdoors. The Trimodal is an event where there are teams of three or individual entries. The team of three or the individual must do three runs, one on snowboard, one on skis and one on telemark skis. The team with the closest times for each run, is the winner. Same with the individual category. The course was full of great things, like rolls, corners, jumps and the infamous water trap at the finish line. Great job Evergreen!!!

This year Sweet Riders was a sponsor and didn't enter a team. Miss Sweet Rider was out to cheer on the participants and deliver some prizes. It was a great event and we couldn't of had better weather. A killer blue sky warm day!! Check out the pictures here

The water trap at the end of the course. This year it claimed no victims.......everyone cleared it!!

Miss Sweet Rider is now changing back into her English Teacher role and heading to Tokyo tomorrow to catch a plane to Kyushu. She will take part in INTEC's company training seminars. She will be gone all week. Stay tuned for more updates next week!! Until then enjoy the first signs of spring and happy hanami!!!!

P.S. her detox has taken a new turn, she quit the diet after 21 days because she learned the diet was virtually impossible and found the answer called Threelak!! For anyone who might attempt a yeast detox, please check out this product!!! It is the way to go!!!!

More Sweet Vid's

Karey Watanabe — 2008-04-04T12:10:39+09:00

My favorite is Atherton Racing Farmer Jack, check it out!!!!

A fun training weekend!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-31T10:02:22+09:00

Here is Randall on the new bridge in his great selection of Ikeda trails. Randall has been working hard to connect his area's trails. He has done a fantastic job and they are almost ready for next months Poker Rally Event (See previous blog writings for the ad) The trails are full of technical hard climbs which are a great challenge, then followed by flowing banked downhills, which you can't help going yahooooo all the way down. Sweet Riders will soon offer special climbing clinics and tours in this area. Want to become a skilled climber!! We have the trail and climb for you!! Stay tuned for the upcoming dates soon to be up on the site............

I had such great fun on this trail that after I head to Hakuba for the rest of the day, I decided to ride these again the next day. So I called some people and we got it organized and did it all over again the next day but twice and long and twice as hard!!!

Me on the bridge and if you look real hard you can see my tongue sticking out of my mouth!! LOL!

Me on the bridge the second day!! No tongue to day!! Ha ha....

Here we are in the middle of our ride after a long steep climb up, Ya-Chan, Albert, Mark and I. Unfortunately, Randall couldn't make it today and Kouji had to work!! It was a great weekend and Sweet Riders is in the works of some exciting plans. When they are 100% confirmed, there will be a big announcement!!! Keep your fingers crossed that bankers can be nice people, heh heh!!!!!

A cute couple!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-25T23:57:42+09:00

They thought no one was watching, saw them kissing in the hall way!!!! lol!!!!!

Outdoor Bike Demo 08!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-24T21:11:22+09:00

Sweet Riders had a great two days at the Outdoor Bike Demo this year. With 500 people out on each day it was a great weekend. On each day we had a demo clinic in the morning and a mini tour in the afternoon. We had some great participants including the Kanai Family that came out for their second year in a row! Thank you to all who came out. It is great to see we have some growing interest in our cycling industry....... Enjoy the pictures here...

Papa Kanai San with Coach Ya-Chan on the straight line riding

Hiroto Kanai all smiles finishing the switchbacks.....

A group shot in the morning after the clinic.....

A final group shot after the afternoon ride......

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-21T00:34:50+09:00

MySpace Graphic Codes

Great Video!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-21T00:34:35+09:00

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-18T10:22:27+09:00

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

Yeast Detox!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-16T23:12:57+09:00

Yes, it says CANDI GONE II, Candida Cleansing System.....I am officially on a Yeast detoxification program for 15 days....but will continue most of the diet and routine for 2 months at least. It is time to bust that Yeast. On day three and it is not easy. Today was my worst day, felt like a slug, dizzy, no energy, very drained..... arrrg!!! I know it will be totally worth it in the end. Tried my first work out today without my usual sugared up energy drink, wow, what a difference..... it wasn't good.

I am hopeful that it is gonna get better....ya know, no sugar, no bread, no alcohol, no fruit, it is pretty rough. Wish me luck!!!

Other than that, I am madly trying to get my taxes done(due tomorrow morning ha ha), and prepare for next weekend's upcoming Outdoor Bike Demo Event. Sweet Riders will have two clinics on both Saturday and Sunday. Come out and join us, ride your favourite brand mountain bike, or just have a great time!! It is located at Sagamiko Picnicland near Tokyo. For more info check out www.bikedemo.jp It is all in Japanese though. If you have any questions just mail me here at info@sweetriders.com.

While I was in Canada, my mom bought me this book as a present. It is really good, I am in the middle of it and learning so much. I recommend it to everyone!! REALLY good stuff, I am on the way to a better me, yeahhhhhhhhh!

Take care and happy calculating!!

BIKE RANCH GRAND OPENING!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-10T09:21:18+09:00

My good friend Raita Suzuki who retired from professional racing has just had his grand opening at his new bike shop, please stop by if you are in Matsumoto!!! A great new shop!

Gold Cup 08!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-10T09:20:43+09:00

I love my new Specialized ERA!!!! I raced on it for the first time this past weekend and it was great!!!!

Ya-Chan and I went down to Aichi Prefecture to race and do a Sweet Riders mini clinic. Here we are in our new team colors for 08!! Pretty sweet!!!! We didn't expect to find all of Japan's elite XC female racers in attendance..... so it was really like an official JCF XC. We were a little nervous..... but needless to say we finished the race and I didn't get lapped!! That made me very happy and it was the first time I wore a POLAR heart rate monitor (thanks to my sponsor) in years and I got to see my maximum heart rate again....wow what a shock! The last time I saw that was about 10 years ago.......

After the race, we were both pretty wiped but we had clinics to do so off we went. We ended up doing three clinics ....... it was great fun! Thanks to those who participated and thanks to Ya-Chan for all her help and efforts!!!

Driving home which takes about 4 hours, we cranked up the tunes and hit the highway, until next year's gold cup enjoy the rest of the pictures here!

New Event!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-08T09:01:34+09:00

My good friend Randall Middlebrook is putting on the Ikeda Poker Rally, check this out and come on down, should be a blast!!!

Poker Rally Flier English

Poker Japanese Ver

My trip back home!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-03-08T09:01:09+09:00

My flight to Vancouver was great. I had a whole row to myself and was able to pop a sleeping pill and get a good 5 hours of sleep in!! If you know me, you'll know that is very rare.....I arrived in Vancouver and headed straight to Sue's house. We had a lunch date and I freshened up and we headed down to Grandville Island for some chow. We had a great lunch and caught up on 3 years of absence..... She had to go back to work and I did a bit of window shopping down 4th ave, it was great to be back in my old stomping grounds. Later on, Sue drove me to Caley's place where I just crashed, the jet-lag had finally hit me.

Had a great sleep and spent that day walking around downtown Robson Street then meeting Sylvie for a walk around Stanley Park and dinner in Yale Town. It was a great day and also so great to catch up with Sylvie!!

My third day in Vancouver was spent having a very nice sleep in chill morning, hanging at a local coffee shop then later going shopping with Cale. We had great fun doing the girls thing in the mall and then Lisa and Dave came over and we went for a great dinner. I had another great evening with my fab friends!!

After leaving Vancouver, I headed to Edmonton for a week or so. Caught up with Tasha and her fellow firemen on a Friday night and we had some drinks and saw a great live band down at Blue's on White Avenue. After several shots and dancing up a storm it was time to call it a night.......5AM??? geeeeeezzzzz

The next day not feeling so well, mom, dad and I headed down to the Crowsnest Pass. We spent the next 5 days there. It was really nice and we had warm weather!!! I was lucky to hit a warm spell. Mom and I had some great walks, hung out with Laurie and Graham, had a day at Fernie on skis. Yes, on ski's, my first time in 15 years and it was fantastic. I tried some of the new "Chubbies" as they are called, the fatter ski's and wow, too much fun. After some playing I set out to get some things done. The real reason for coming to Canada was business, so I got all of that done too. Busy 5 days..... have some new plans in store... but will have to wait to let the cat out of the bag.......

Leaving the pass was hard to do, it is so beautiful there.....however, on the way home we stopped into Calgary and met Sue and Sarah for lunch. Thanks for coming out guys, was great to see you and have a quick lunch and chat!!

Back in Edmonton, it was time to hang out with my brother and his family. We had great fun going out for a Canadian style breakfast, taking the kids bowling and chowing down on Grandma's great cooking!! I played with my nieces and nephews and I just felt so warm and fuzzy being with the family again! Then it was time to say good bye to Edmonton and have my last night in Vancouver!! More pictures here!

Mom and Dad and I in the Edmonton International Airport, pretty great looking parents don't ya think! I have to say how proud I am to be able to go to the gym with my parents, how many other 40 year olds go with their parents to the gym??? Mom and Dad you are my idols!!! More pictures here!

Me with the girls on my last night in Vancouver. It was so much fun! Everyone, thank you so much for coming out and making my trip so wonderful. It was great to see all of you and catch up on your lives!!! Take care and all the best until the next time I come to Canada!!! Love you all!!!!

Snowshoeing on the Venus Line!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-02-17T22:06:54+09:00

Ogasawara, Ya-Chan, and I headed out yesterday for this great blue sky snowshoe day!!! It was a tough one, especially after training hard the day before. The snow was thigh deep and we took turns tracking. After two hours we were exhausted!!! It was super fun!! Thanks guys, had a great time. More pictures here!

Today, being my last day before I head off to Canada for two weeks (Feb 18-Mar 5th), I spent the morning in some sick powder at Cortina Ski hill in Hakuba. Since Kouji was working till late last night and early this morning, I headed out there last evening after snowshoeing to give him a big hug and good bye for two weeks. It snowed over night and I couldn't resist the invitation from Jason and Mick to hit Cortina for a couple of hours the next morning. I am so glad I went, thigh deep powder and constant face shots.......couldn't seeeeeeee, but it was heaven!!! Now I am packing and getting ready for tomorrow's departure. I am off to Canada to visit my family and do some business. I will update this site after March 5th. Until then, enjoy and have a great couple of weeks!!!!

Hakuba Snowshoe!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-02-16T11:39:00+09:00

Randall, Kouji, Albert and I head out to enjoy some peace and quiet and avoid the busiest Chinese New Year Weekend of skiing in Hakuba. We choose the right thing. Snowshoeing!!! We had a great afternoon wandering around snow harp eventhough the boys had to wait for my out of shape butt!!! Thanks guys. It was a great day. Enjoy more pictures here!!

Sweet Riders Shot Girl appears again!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-02-16T11:33:26+09:00

This time she appeared at the Mominoki Hotel Pub!! She sold 48 shots, and made some good coin to support Sweet Riders!! If you see her out and about, make sure to buy a shot from her and help support her cause!!!!

Oakely 08 Fall and Winter Show

Karey Watanabe — 2008-01-26T17:56:26+09:00

Sarah and I were in Tokyo last week to attend the Oakley 2008 Fall and Winter Product Show. I asked Sarah to join me and was so happy that she did. I managed to make her my assistant for the day, ha ha, thanks girl!! We had so much fun trying on new clothes, goggles and glasses from the new Oakley lineup.

The previous evening, we met Sarah's friend Alice, and my friend Kyoko for dinner at TGIF (thank god it's Friday) in Shibuya. Had a great western meal including potato skins and a hamburger. Later, after dinner we decided to try and find my friends surf bar. After some searching we found it. What a great little place tucked away in the seedy area of Shibuya. Will definitely recommend this place and go there again!! Thanks Natsuki!

After the Oakley show, I had several other appointments with sponsors which were all very positive for 2008. So many things to get going so little time, any volunteers to help me out????? Just kidding, it will all work out and stay tuned for the exciting plans.

This weekend, just chilling at home, need some rest and down time. Next weekend, I am going to complete my avalanche course!!! Take it easy.... VIEW ALL PICTURES HERE!!

Shingo, Sarah myself and a a very tanned Oakley staff member

Seki San and I

Check out these sexy glasses!!!

Sarah Mulholland, one of my best buds, looking pretty hot in new Oakley for women!!

I must mention that this hot chick has her own hot website called www.basecampphotography.com
You must check out her fabulous pictures!!!!!

A funny for you!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-01-26T17:56:00+09:00

A friend sent this to me, had to laugh, its the haircut of the year!!!!!!!!!

Winter Photo Shoot

Karey Watanabe — 2008-01-20T22:06:33+09:00

Hide San and Kyoko came from Tokyo this weekend to help me out and take some new shots of my new bike!!! We had a great day, a little cold and more snow than we expected, but got some nice shots. I love my new bike, it handles like a charm, can't wait to get some real riding in on it. Photo shoots are fun but hard work, it's like making movies, many retakes!!!!! Check out the new pics that Hide took of us over the weekend HERE!!! They are great!!!

After being outside in the cold all day, we jumped in the bath and started to get dinner going. Oga San came over and we pigged out with pasta, fish, potatoes, cheese, bread, salad, wine, crackers, chocolates, cookies, and rice cakes, oh my god! Later, to get over our fullness, we had some laughs playing with photo booth.

Check these crazy pictures out here....way too fun!!!

The next day, Ya-Chan and Oga San, braved it out after a few hours of sleep and hit the road for an early training session. You guys go!!!
The rest of us chilled out and had a great lazy morning over a big breakfast with several cups of coffee. We worked on the new pictures and did some computer work. The last thing we did was take some head shots for my new sponsor. Thanks all for a great weekend!!! Off to Tokyo tomorrow for the Oakley 2008 Fall and Winter Show, yippeeeeeeeee!!!!! (after work that is.... of course) See ya on Wednesday!!!

Head Shots!!

Yes, I am Specialized Officially!!

A nice head shot, thanks Hide San!

A serious shot!

ARAC Course

Karey Watanabe — 2008-01-15T22:29:11+09:00

Sweet Riders head coach left her mark on the first 3 days of the ARAC course. (Advanced Recreational Avalanche Course) Unfortunately, fighting a cold throughout the whole weekend left me only participating in half of it. However, the parts that I was able to attend I learned a lot and am really looking forward to the remaining two days of the course on the 2nd and 3rd of February. I would like to personally warn those going out in the back country to board or ski, to really have some knowledge of what is happening with the snow. It is really an eye opener to learn about weak layers of snow and what can happen when they give way. The day I missed, that morning a class 3 avalanche happened off the top of Norikura, Tsugaike Ski Area. It was massive, thank god it happened in the early morning when no one was around!!! Avalanches happen so KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!!!!! Enough of the preaching, here are more pictures here!!

Sarah, Bill, an excellent AVALANCHE specialist and our teacher, and I. Thanks Bill!! It was great to learn from you!!!!

YEAH, I AM SPECIALIZED!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-01-11T18:29:42+09:00

Here it is, my new pink Specialized bike, isn't she sweet????? Can't wait to give her her first burn.... will have to wait after this weekend's avalanche course!!!!! Can't wait, thanks Specialized Japan!!!!

YEAH, I AM SPECIALIZED!!!!

Mitsuwa Cycle Bonenkai!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-01-07T13:31:21+09:00

A bunch of us local cyclists gathered for the Mitsuwa Cycle Shop Bonenkai!! Just before new years we had a year end party with the staff, customers and others from the shop. Was great to see everyone and new news!!! Mitsuwa and Sweet Riders will do a joint event this year!!!
Yippee!! Stay tuned for more details......more pictures here

New Year's in Tokyo!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-01-08T13:30:45+09:00

Here are five the of the best new year babes around!!!! This year I opted for something different at new year's. For four years now I have spent new years eve in Hakuba, so this year decided to hit a friends party which Marie organized, in Tokyo. Long story but a friend, Hugh, has this amazing mansion on the 26th floor with almost 360 degree views of Tokyo. This is where I celebrated the new year with some new friends. We had a blast, great countdown and didn't even make it out to a second party......

The next day I went to the Meijijingu Shrine in Yoyogi Park. It was so full of people, you wouldn't believe. Just went to see the crowd and of course say a private prayer for myself for the new year. Bought myself a omamori, which is like a good luck charm, and hopefully it will bring me the best of 2008!!! My motto for this year, is "Bring it on......hoping for health and happiness throughout the year for everyone!"

Hope you all had a great new year!! Enjoy more pictures here....

Hakuba Powder Days!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2008-01-09T13:30:30+09:00

Sam, Sarah, me and Andy after a killer day on our own huge kicker jump!!

Me in my new Oakley again and my Burton Fish. Made the day so much nicer!!

Me in the air after building a huge kicker off the back of Happo!!! This season, I have been out a few times and the Hakuba powder never seems to cease!!! I had two fantastic powder days and a day of jumping with some buds. Unfortunately, when I went to Tokyo for new year's, I missed one of the biggest powder days ever, New Year's Day. However, some friends said it was too much, and actually one good friend got stuck up to his neck in fresh powder and had to be rescued!!!! I know there will be more to come and look forward to the rest of this season.

This weekend I am going to take the English ARAC course. It is a five day advanced intensive avalanche course in Hakuba run by Evergreen-Outdoors, owned and run by good friends of mine. So I hope to be over my cold and ready for this course.

Other than that, I am back to work and so busy trying to plan this upcoming MTB season, stay tuned for some great future plans and events!!!!
MORE PICTURES HERE!!!

Oakley on Board for 2008!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-12-23T23:32:43+09:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!! This was taken at the Yokota Army Base in Tokyo. I stayed there with my girlfriend Luna. It was my first time. Wow, it is like you are in America. I was in Tokyo for more sponsor meetings and am happy to say I am on board with Oakley Japan for another year!!!! Thanks Oakley!!!

American size pizza, mmmm, it's been awhile!!!!

Winter is here again!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-12-17T12:36:54+09:00

Yippee!! Winter is here!! Check out this new powder we got last Saturday night!!! Sorry for the late update but last weekend I was busy in Tokyo and very busy all week. This weekend I was able to get out to Hakuba for one day in the snow. Since it was my first day out, I took it easy and only boarded in the morning. That was well enough, we had thigh deep powder all morning and my Burton Fish was the best choice of the day. Can't tell you how much fun it was surfing those powder waves!! Hopefully back in Canada, you are doing the same!!!

This week, lots of Christmas parties, and one more trip to Tokyo. Still trying to wrap up the sponsors for next year and do some planning for Sweet Riders Schedule next year. Hope you are all enjoying this holiday season. More later!

Me, Aya, Kumi and Sarah chilling in the Highland Hotel outdoor onsen after a great powder day!!! View more pictures here!!

Hiroshima!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-12-04T12:36:52+09:00

Ya-chan and I went to Hiroshima for my friend Kazu's Bicycle Bash Event. It was another one of our missions. We had a great drive down and made good time. We decided to go to to the A-Bomb Park and Museum. I have always wanted to go and Ya-Chan went once in High School and wanted to see it again.

It was a very moving experience for me. I learned a lot at the museum and was pretty shocked after learning why they chose to drop the A-Bomb on Hiroshima.

When visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, my emotions came to a head. When I stared down at the A-Bomb building through the monument, I felt a slight breeze, and then I cried and had a moment for the victims of Hiroshima. It was a good moment and I was so happy to have visited and experience what I did. I recommend it to anyone given the chance.

In the evening, Kazu and his wonderful girlfriend took us to a local Okinomiyaki restaurant. It was so delicious. Never had the original Hiroshima type before. mmmmm. The christmas lights of Hiroshima were some of the best I have seen in Japan. I love this city.

The next day the event got under way and we had a rainy cool day, unfortunately. The clinic was great with 14 participants. But later in the day, I had some very bad luck. I had to say good-bye to my van. It had head gasket disease and I decided it was best to let it RIP in the best place ever, HIroshima City.

Ya-Chan's husband saved the day by driving all the way down to pick us up. Can't thank you enough Tsuyoshi!!! Thank you so much Ya-Chan and Tsuyoshi and all of the others who supported and helped me through this ordeal.

We returned safe to Matsumoto the next day and now I am frantically searching for a new car. Santa Baby, please be kind to me this year!!!!
MORE PICTURES HERE!

The long weekend!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-11-27T12:44:06+09:00

Well this about sums up the long weekend. It was a beautiful three days filled with blue sky, great food and drink, great people and a fantastic ride. On Thursday night, I was invited to Charle's place for a special dinner. Charle's dinners are always so good, so I knew I was in for a treat. We had a great dinner with some fine wine and spent the next morning chilling and then hitting an onsen.

On Friday afternoon, I then headed out to Hakuba for another dinner. This time it was for Yanik's Sayonara party. A bunch of us gathered at Hiro and Nick's pension the Powder House in Hakuba for a great evening. Yanik made a delicious persimmon sauced salmon with bok choi that stunned us all. Thanks Yanik! We wish you well on your journey and you will be missed! It was another superb evening.

Saturday morning, it was a little slow, but we all headed off for a nice walk. The day was warm and the sun shining. Was great to get some fresh air. I had some business in the afternoon and then was headed back to Matsumoto. Since Kouji was away at a junior high reunion party, I decided to head to my good friend Kelton's for another great evening.

Kelton made one of his famous non recipe dinners, that tasted so good. We relaxed by the fire, and I got to take a bath in his new jacuzzi and then we watched a Joni Mitchell DVD. Joni you rock babe!!!

Sunday, since it was another blue sky day, I wanted to ride. So since I had just met Marie, a fellow Canadian rider from Canmore, at Yanik's party, I called her up and we decided to hit the mountains. We had a fabulous climb with killer views and a great long downhill. Thanks Marie, it was a sweet ride!!!

What can I say, I have great friends, and am very grateful for this weekend. Kind of goes along the lines since it was Thanksgiving weekend in the States..... thanks again to all and hope you had a great weekend yourselves!!! VIEW ALL PICTURES HERE!

Photos from Flickr!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-11-21T10:24:40+09:00

These pictures were all taken by !!! Thank you very much!!!! Great pictures!!!

We are going to Hiroshima!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-11-19T19:06:35+09:00

Check out this event!!!! We will be there, so should you!!! If you live in the area, we hope to see you there!!!
Sports Land TAMADA ByCycleHiroshima
There will be a clinic on 12/1st and a pump track race on 12/2nd!! Come out and join us for some fun!!!!!

Tokyo International Cycle Mode

Karey Watanabe — 2007-11-19T17:48:07+09:00

This past weekend was spent in Tokyo. I went to the Tokyo International Cycle Mode to do the annual networking thing with sponsors and friends. Friday night, Ya-Chan and I met up with my old friends Andy and Nate. It was great to catch up and spend some time with them in Roppongi. Then, the next morning we were off for day one to the show. It was a busy day and of course involves a night of drinking with our sponsors. I was invited to the OGK sponsored athlete dinner party. Thank you OGK, it was great fun and very delicious!!

The second day was even longer, and more tiring, however it was great that we had so many people turn out for the show. Bigger numbers than last year, so everyone is excited about the cycling scene for 2008. I will tell you more about next year's plan soon. It's in the works now!!

Finally, after the show Ya-Chan and I exhausted, made it to Shinjuku for a much needed r & r dinner before catching the train back to Matsumoto. Unfortunately, our last train leaving at 9 pm was delayed due to an accident so we were even more tired when we arrived back to Mats. It was a tiring but exciting weekend!! Looking forward to 2008 with some great movement in the cycling industry!!

Me with the man himself, Mr. Gary Fisher. We had a good chat since we have met so many times at previous shows but this time officially introduced. Keep on doing what you do Gary, we love you for it!!

The 2007 JCF Series Champions, all of us!!! Congratulations. It was the first time for the individual series title awards to be given out in both XC and DH categories. Last year, it was only given out for teams. Here here, was glad to be involved as the first one out on the stage!!!

Emi, Hiroka and I having fun!! MORE PICTURES HERE!

A nice day for a ride!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-11-15T12:29:15+09:00

Rae and John soon to be from the Crowsnest Pass in Alberta, visited us here in Japan, we met them in Hakuba, with their friends from Kyoto and had some fun. We had a great dinner, talked about the Pass, and planned our ride for the next day. The weather gods were on our side, we had a great blue sky day. We headed out with some other friends Charles and John, and spent the afternoon in the beautiful mountains of Minegata. Couldn't have been a better day or a better ride!!! Cheers John and Rae, enjoy your the rest of your trip!!! MORE PICTURES HERE!

Hakuba private lesson!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-11-05T18:04:47+09:00

This past weekend was spent helping a friend and having a private MTB lesson. I helped a friend do some moving on Saturday morning then met Ya-Chan for a great lunch. After that I headed to Hakuba to prepare for the next days private MTB lesson. A friend of a friend from France studying Japanese in Tokyo wanted to try some mountain biking. I said come on out and he jumped on the train and here we are.

Matthieu practicing some balance skills.....

practicing some bike body separation.

With this smile, I think I succeeded in converting him into an official MTBer!! For being a first timer, he did really well on the bike. Good job! We had an afternoon private lesson in Hakuba. I decided to ride the Hakuba Iwatake singletrack trails. They are in great condition right now and it was a perfect afternoon for riding....

I did manage to get in a bit of jumping fun as well. We warmed up on this mini jump park near Donguri grounds in Hakuba then off to the trails. On the way back, I just had to finish off the day with some rounds of jumping, fun fun.......

As we were driving back, we saw these in the parking lot. Just had to stop by for a picture, look at all of these cars??? They were having some kind of weekend meeting........

Hakuba Autumn Leaves

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-28T19:38:45+09:00

Saw some beautiful leaves today in Hakuba check them out here!

Halloween in Hakuba

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-28T19:09:45+09:00

Wonder Woman!!!

Happy Halloween.......from Wonder Woman......

I made the local newspaper!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-25T23:23:54+09:00

I made a very local newspaper, picture kind of sucks but the explanation is good!!! Thank you Chunichi Shunbun, especially Akemi Yamamoto for doing this article on me!!! Cheers! A closer look here Chunichi HomeService038

Tokyo Motor Show!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-25T23:23:10+09:00

Which do you see first? The car or the babe???? Both are pretty sweeeet!! This Monday evening found out suddenly that my cousin Rolf was in Tokyo. He was on a business trip working for Mercedes Benz and I just happened to be able to jump on the train and meet him on Wednesday. He was leaving on Thursday. Got to see his show and then check out all of these great cars!!! It was a first time experience for me. It was so much fun, and now I can say I have been inside a Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Lotus, Porsche, Jaguar, Audi and so many more!!! Anybody who wants to buy me a Christmas present, any of these will do!!!!! Had a great time, unfortunately, don't have pictures of Rolf and I yet, they are on his camera. When I get them I will put them up!!! Enjoy the rest of the pictures here!!

MMMMM, loving it

Kareyw.com revamped!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-17T21:29:42+09:00

For those of you who have been missing my old Kareyw.com site, I have decided to rebuild it and get it going again. You can find it here www.kareyw.com Any comments or advice would be appreciated!! Enjoy, K.

Two of the greatest mountain bike racers in Japan retire!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-16T10:43:56+09:00

Nogunen & Raita, we salute you both!! Both of your careers have inspired us over the years! Thank you so much for all that you have given to the sport! I can't think of two better ambassadors for our sport! You will be deeply missed on the race circuit! We look forward to your future developments in the mountain bike world! All the best and happy retirement!!!!! Love Sweet Riders, Karey and Kouji Watanabe!!

MY 3rd JCF DH Series Title!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-16T10:40:38+09:00

I am happy to report that I have taken my 3rd Japan Cycling Federation Downhill Series Title!!!! In the fifteen years of racing I have won the series 3 times, but this last one has definitely been the best for me. At 40 years young, it feels pretty good!!!

This last race in Sena, Ishikawa was a real tough one. I knew from the beginning it would take everything I had because I wasn't in top form. I hadn't ridden my DH machine since the last race in August. Not a good thing, it was super tough to find my race groove in only one day. Being too busy is no excuse so I just bit the bullet and gave it my best shot! Unfortunately, in the qualifier I had a huge superwoman crash with my bike flying over me down an embankment. I rushed to pull my bike back on the course after shaking my head and was off with crooked handle bars to take 4th place in the qualifier????

After checking the bod, I had to ice my right knee, it swelled up real nice. After downing some painkillers I was determined to finish well in the final. Could barely bend my knee to spin on the pedals but it is amazing what painkillers can do!!! I was doing really well until I hit the lower technical single track and missed my line which caused me to hit a pole with course tape which ended up wrapping around my handle bars, arrrrrggggggggg!!! I knew this was gonna cost me the race but I untangled myself and gave it 110 percent and I had another small crash. I finished fifth with a huge feeling of disappointment.............

After getting my emotions under control, I congratulated all of my fellow racers and decided to chalk this race up as being just not my day. You win some and you lose some. However, I was so stoked to find out I didn't lose my title!!!! This season I was 3rd, 1st, 1st and 5th in all of this seasons races respectively. I end the season as THE 2007 JCF DH SERIES CHAMPION!! It doesn't get any better than this!!!!! Thank you to all of my sponsors and supporters, without you, none of this would be possible. LOVE YOU ALL, K. MORE PICTURES HERE!

Misty Spider Webs!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-04T09:46:19+09:00

October misty spider webs, cooooooool!! Just in time for Halloween!!!!!!

Ouch!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-03T09:40:20+09:00

Ouch, let this be a warning to all those who keep wine glasses on the counter while washing the dishes! Ha ha, Kouji warned me several times that one of these days, this would happen. I was washing some dishes, bumped the drying rack and boom, next thing I know a wine glass is smashed on the floor and I am bleeding.....

A trip to the emergency, first gave me two stitches, then in the afternoon, one came out. Had to go back and then I got four stitches????? What's up with that??? Anyway, beware of flying wine glasses!!!!!

Perfect day for a ride!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-09T09:29:42+09:00

After our clinic, the next day was just as beautiful so we headed out on a training ride. Kouji took us to two new trails. The first trail started with a long pavement climb leading to a great flowing switchback downhill, wheeee!! Then, the second trail was up a shorter, but steeper climb near the olympic cross country ski track in Hakuba called Snow Harp. This track lead us to a wonderful view and ridge trail. The scenery really looked a bit like the Canadian Mountains. It was a great ride. I was pretty wiped but Kouji and Ya-Chan convinced me to come with them to the local outdoor shop to check out the fall sale. I ended up buying some great wool socks for the winter. The next event for the day was to get ready for the Canadian Thanksgiving dinner put on by Tracks Pub. Thanks Troy and Sakiko for putting on a great dinner, the turkey was delicious!!! About 35 people came for the dinner, then we had some live entertainment by Sabunyuma Drummers and Dancers, local guitar players Will and Martin, and even a belly dancing show!! Happy belated Thanksgiving to all!! MORE PICTURES HERE!

Next weekend we will head to Sena Park Ski Hill in Ishikawa Prefecture for the big season finale race. Wish us all luck!! Until then, take care, K.

Sweet Riders One-Day Co-Ed Clinic in Aokiko

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-09T09:23:59+09:00

Sweet Riders one-day co-ed clinic in Aokiko Ski Hill, Nagano Prefecture. Today we had three fantastic participants who came out from Tokyo and Nagoya join us for a great sunny day clinic. We spent the morning working on skills, which saw the riders improve greatly. After a lunch break, we reviewed some skills added some new ones and hit the trails. Bert, Dirk and Mika, you did a great job, thanks for coming out!! It was a great day, enjoy all of the pictures here!

A short, but sweet visit back to Canada!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-10-02T09:00:21+09:00

Well here I am with Mom and Dad! We had a great short 10 day visit to the homeland! Kouji and I arrived pretty exhausted after having just finished the Sweet Riders MTB Jamboree 48 hours prior and then were on a plane headed to Canada. Needless to say, we needed some chill time. We were jet-lagged and had to delay our planned visit down to the Crowsnest Pass. We had a great couple of days with Mom and Dad, went for a great walk with them down in the valley and just caught the fall colors at the right time!

Spent a great day with my brother and family visiting a corn maze field with the kids. Was super fun and I recommend it for anyone!! Took us an hour to find our way through the maze, then we were tired and hungry and head for some Boston Pizza!! Later we even hit a bowling alley, was so strange to bowl 5 pin again!!

Then, we finally decided to take a short trip down to Calgary to visit the Hawkings. We went to a bar that had a huge selection of different beers and we went wild!! MMMM, Canadian beer tasted soooooo gooood!!! It was great to see all of the Hawkings, unfortunately, we didn't get to see papa Hawkings but heard he was off to play some golf! Brian and Sarah, great times!!!! Thanks again! Our last couple of days were spent shopping, relaxing, riding along the river, chilling with the family and a quick visit with Tasha!

We had a great lunch with some long lost cousins which was a great surprise!! Was so great to see you guys, unfortunately we didn't take any pictures! Thanks so much Elli, it meant a lot to us!!! The last day we visited a kid wonderland called Chucky Cheeses. If we ever have kids we will definitely have to take them there! Our trip had come to an end and we found ourselves back on the plane back to Japan. Short, but so sweet!

Once again I am reminded of how blessed I am to have such a great country, family and friends,,,,,love all of you!! Take care and VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS HERE!!!

Sweet Riders Demo Clinic at the MTB Jamboree!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-09-18T23:34:53+09:00

photo taken by Hideyuki Suzuki of Edgefotos

We had a great event and a great demo clinic. We had 9 fantastic participants whom all improved vastly over the 2 hour clinic. All of them rode the see-saw!!! Great job guys! The event was blessed with almost no rain this time. We had new attractions such as Yoga from Satomi, African Drumming and Dancing by Sabunyuma, Canoe tours by Evergreen Outdoors, and a great surprise jump show by 660SS!! Thanks to all of you that came out, and all who helped, supported and worked this event. It was a success because of all of you!

It was a lot of hard work as usual, but seeing the smiles and converted new mountain bikers made it all worth while. Kouji and I are off to Canada tomorrow for a long needed vacation. This site won't be updated for 10 days, please bare with us!! We need some R&R!!!! Hope you all had a great weekend, more in 10 days!!!! K. MORE PHOTOS HERE!

Thanks Haruko!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-09-07T21:32:55+09:00

My favorite birthday flowers from my great mother-in-law. Thanks Haruko!!

Yuta's rock star outfit!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-09-08T23:29:08+09:00

Do you recognize this rock star???? it is YUTA in disguise, ha ha. After my birthday, we headed out to Fujumi Panorama for the MTB event presented by Wada San to do some PR for the upcoming MTB Jamboree, had to take a picture of this, it was priceless!!!

My official 40th B-Day Bash!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-09-07T09:20:50+09:00

Akiko, Kaoko and I in birthday boa's!!! It sets the mood for the fun we had!! Had a great crew of friends come by for my 40th B-day Bash at Cocteau's Cafe last Friday night. We had a great dinner, great dancing and great times!! Thanks to everyone who came out!! It turned out just how I had hoped; super fun!!! Will have these great memories to add to my collection, thank you again!!! FANTASTIC B-DAY PHOTO'S HERE!

Off to Aokiko this weekend to get ready for another big event. The Fall Sweet Riders Jamboree will take place next weekend on the 16-17th, don't miss out, more good times to come!!!!

B-Day's all around!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-09-03T13:38:08+09:00

This week saw me over at Kimmie's and Mei Mei's house for a grand birthday party, there were four of us celebrating our 50, 40 birthdays! We had great food, great wine, great people and great fun, what more could you want from a birthday!! See the pictures here!

On a different note, watch TBS for KUNOICHI at 6:55pm this Wednesday night, I may be on TV for a brief time, Yippee!! Don't forget this week's b-day party, contact me for more info, and also don't forget our MTB Jamboree coming up on the 16-17th!!!! LOTS OF ACTION, don't miss out!!!

Another Victory!!!!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-08-20T09:24:55+09:00

What can I say????? Oh my god, I won!!! I had to get someone to pinch me, I won with a full field of women, a dream come true. Thanks to Mio who got a flat, I was able to take first place. I am gonna gloat this whole week and take this experience with me to Kunoichi, and hopefully kick some ass there too!!! More later!!! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaawwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!

Won a season's pass!!!!!!!!

A super action shot by Hideyuki Suzuki, edgefotos!!! Thank you so much Hide San!!!!!!!!!

Summer Vacation!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-08-16T13:03:41+09:00

Ya-Chan's B-Day Pictures here

The holiday week began on Friday night when we celebrated Ya-Chan's 33rd birthday and made it an ongoing celebration over the next few days. I was still not feeling fully recovered after my cold but made the best of it. Summer Vacation only comes once a year, right??? We rode bikes, swam, ate, drank and did it all over again. Even managed to complete our mission of hitting the 3 day trance party at the top of Tsugaike Mountain, super fun and super hot!!! More pictures here, hope all of you are enjoying the summer heat!!!!! I am off to a race this weekend. Wish me luck!!!

Sweet Riders PR Day!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-08-06T09:41:35+09:00

Ya-chan and I doing our Sweet Riders thing at the Fujimi event. It was my first day out after having been sick and inside the house for a week. It was a hot day but we got lots of PR done and hopefully spread the word about our upcoming summer clinics and event in September!!

Here I am with the organizer Wada-San and his wife and Rage Oshima and Hiroki. The announcement booth for the 4 X event.

My current state of affairs!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-08-02T19:04:44+09:00

Summer colds suck!!!!!!!!

My lovely kleenex mountain of garbage!!!! My nose is killing me!!! Send me some vaseline.....

6th place at San Osaka's XC!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-29T21:01:23+09:00

Wow, what a feeling, it has been such a long time!!!! Finally, I finished an elite race and in sixth place!! So stoked. It was a brutal course, rumored to be the steepest climb in the JCF race series. Elite had to do 4 laps at 5.5km per lap, I was hoping for only three but no luck. I have been training hard despite drinking a few beers at Sarah's sayonara party two nights previous, so I set my goal to finish the four laps without being timed out!! To my surprise, I did just that!! Yeaaaaaah, great sense of accomplishment, pretty proud of myself. Enough about me. Kouji, Mark and Ya-Chan all rode at the same time. Since expert men and elite woman start at a 5 minute difference. Koji did his best for not having trained very much recently, and Mark came in Second!!! Congratulations MARK!!! Ya-Chan was still suffering from a cold so she couldn't do her best, wishing her a speedy recovery!! Look out Japan's elite XC riders, here I come again!!!!!! See more pictures here!!

A Sad Departure!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-27T20:40:50+09:00

Sarah and I at her Sayonara Party!!!! We had a great crowd come out and see her off!! Sarah I will miss you..... where will I be without our 2 hour daily skype sessions, weekly dance nights and recently our riding days????? Have a great time back home and thank god you'll be back next winter!!! Love ya girl!!

The send off team, Genki, will miss you too!! Happy travels bro and happy studies back in Toronto!!

Nabeline Party!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-18T20:38:30+09:00

Here I am with my students from my Nabeline Class. We are enjoying a welcome party for some new members at my favourite Izakaya, Suise!! Always a great time.....what can I say, I have a great life!!

A night out with Kyoko and Hideyuki San in Tokyo!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-24T20:34:19+09:00

I enjoy my Tokyo visits because my great friend and teammate always shows me a great time and puts me up at her great pad as well!! Thanks Kyoko!!! We went out to one of her long time friends izakaya and sampled some delicious dishes!!! MMM, can't wait for my next visit. We had great food, great drink and great conversation!!!

Kyoko's poison, Japanese shochu, strong stuff, couldn't even smell it, all the more power to you girl!!!

Tokyo train ride

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-25T20:29:31+09:00

Here I am on the train in Tokyo. Had to go in to have a meeting with my sponsors. Just wanted to let you get a peek of what I see when I am on the train. It is a cell phone fantasy world now, what would people do without their phones???? The next generation, mmmm, not so sure it is a good thing.

Had a great morning at the Oakley 2008 Spring and Summer Apparel & Accessory Show. Got to try on next year's wardrobe, I am such a lucky girl!!! Check out some of Oakley's great Apparel, I totally recommend it!! www.oakley.com

A rare sight!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-17T20:26:37+09:00

Mmmm, decided to splurge and go for a chocolate banana Sunday after riding that huge climb yesterday!!! What better motivation to do it all over again???

A ride with a climb even Lance would give second thoughts to!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-16T23:20:58+09:00

Here we are before the pain began. Still in the flats on our way to a ride that Kouji and I had never done before. We heard it has a brutal climb but a super fun downhill. Randall and Albert had ridden it two weeks ago.

Here is me, just after the first climb on the pavement, little did I know what lie ahead. After this point we headed up the hill, and I mean up! Geez more like straight up. Unfortunately, (actually I think luckily) Kouji's derailer broke about 2/3's into the climb and he had to head back down. Us remaining, then continued on.......me almost falling over, or passing out one or the other.....finally made it to the top after intermittently, pushing, riding, stopping to catch my breath, in that order several times! Ok, all you climbers, boy do I have a challenge for you!! The downhill however, made up for the grueling uphill. Super sweet flowy, corners and fast switch-backs all the way down,,, wheeeeee, it was too bad Kouji couldn't have been there to enjoy it with us!

My new tat!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-16T23:15:39+09:00

Pretty cool huh? Ha, fooled ya, it is only an airbrushed body paint tattoo! It lasts for about a week. I liked the design and have never had a real tattoo so I thought what the heck?? I was at my friends BBQ and this guy was doing these tattoos, so I decided to go for it. Now, he will come to our fall MTB Jamboree and set up a body paint tattoo booth! How good is that? The event is Sept. 16-17th, come on by for your very own tattoo!

Hiking with Charles!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-13T18:59:59+09:00

Today, Charles and I headed up to one of our favorite hiking trails since we both had the day off. It was a bit of an adventure as we had some bad luck and some good luck today. Let's go with the bad first......when I pulled into the parking lot, all of a sudden my antifreeze started to splat and spurt all over the place, oh oh, it all overflowed and I was baffled???? What the hell? There was no indication what-so-ever on my dash board in regards to overheating, no radiator sign, so what then? We decided to let the car cool down, because it was a super humid day, go on our hike and deal with it when we got back. ( I have a membership to a road service here in Japan so I wasn't super worried) Our hike started out good but unfortunately, both Charles and I had worn bicycle socks in our hiking boots, because of the humidity we were both thinking cooler...., wrong move, we both got blisters within 20 mins, we hung with it for a while, but eventually they got really bad, and we both decided to end the hike early. It actually worked out better because we had more time to deal with the van situation awaiting us below at the trailhead. To make a long story short, it ended up being that I just didn't have enough water in the radiator in the first place, seems, the radiator cap is a bit worn, so the water has been evaporating more rapidly that usual. LUCKY!!! Only had to pay $45 to get the coolant replaced!! So our hike ended a bit early, got some nasty blisters, the Van acted up, but all in all we had a great day, could have been much worse!!!! Always think positive is my new motto!!! Is it working?? Later, K.

Organic Veggies from my Garden!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-13T17:56:04+09:00

Here we go!!! A green pepper, eggplant and basil all from my garden.....mmmm what shall I make with them??? Got it....

Check it out, my organice pasta sauce, mmmmm, it was really good, wish I had more space so I could grow even more veggies!! Hopefully next year.

It was all a DREAM!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-08T22:19:33+09:00

Can you see this pack of riders??? These riders are Japan's top XC & Road Elite..... and I am at the end of the pack!!!!!! This picture was taken at about 8:20 am, we started at 7 am, ok I must be dreaming right???? NO, I was really there and really rode with these guys!!! I asked Kouji where he wanted to ride the night before and he suggested we ride with the Azumino Group Road Ride because our friend Raita Suzuki had told him about it. Kouji doesn't get many chances to ride with Raizou, so I hesitated, but finally agreed to join the ride. When we arrived to meet everyone at 7:15 am, I was dumfounded as I looked around at the group, all of Japan's elite riders had gathered by chance for this ride. ARRRRRGGGGG, I thought I am gonna die today!!!! So we started our ride to Hotaka, about 40 mins to meet the other Azumino Riders, there was about 10 of us at this time. When we arrived at Hotaka another 15 riders or so joined us, including my training partner Ya-Chan, and Adam, who had just recently won the Utsukushigahara Hill Climb about a week ago. Ya-Chan and I looked at each other and wondered how we were gonna survive this ride????? We lasted until the first climb, Ya-Chan's heart rate was over 180, I knew mine was about the same, and had been for the last 30 mins. We decided to leave the group as the real climbing had yet to begin. Thank god we did. All of those pro's and all of their testosterone brought on a huge training ride competition. Ya-Chan, Kouji(who was still getting over a cold) and I decided to ride to Aokiko and then head back home. Our ride was about 100kms today and we were totally satisfied with the rest of our ride away from the pack!!! We considered it a feat in itself to have lasted as long as we did. Afterwards, we heard that today's pace was much faster than the normal pace because of days special attendees, wow, what a day!!!!

After arriving at Aokiko Ski Hill, we checked out the new baby goats that have recently joined the Aokiko goat family. They were soooo cute!!

My view on the road ride back home from Aokiko!!!

Ohhh Canada......

Karey Watanabe — 2007-07-02T20:51:24+09:00

Oh Canada, Happy Belated Birthday!!!!! How I miss thee!!! Hope everyone back home had a great day! Didn't celebrate it here unfortunately, forgot about it really, oh my where is my patriotism??? Some things you just forget about here in Japan, will have to go back to hanging a Canadian Calendar up in the house, so anyone wanting to buy me an XMAS present back home, you know what to buy now....

Friday night, was really tired but headed out to Hakuba for a 902 special summer party, it was going off there, great dj's was hard to leave early but I did. Ya-Chan and I had planned on training on the San Osaka course again for the upcoming race. Glad I went home early because we did train hard!!! On saturday night, Kouji arrived back from taking his 5 day wilderness first aid course. He really learned a lot and now understands what I went through when I took it in Canada a while back. Sunday, we all went riding, it was another tough training day, then we soaked in a nice onsen (hotspring) afterwards followed by a not so hot meal, won't go back to that place, small servings and just plain not great....won't mention the name of the place....but Santa plays a role in the name. Anyway, back to the grind this week..... more later,,,, K.

More from the Garden!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-06-27T17:41:29+09:00

Can you believe it? Me a gardener??? Yep, that is right, lettuce, cucumber and peppers all from my garden!!! Can't take all the credit though, a good friend helped me choose the soil, a mixture of 3 types, including an organic mix, and look at how my garden grows!!!

Now it's time to eat the salad, mmmmm, fresh veggies and tofu!! Nummmy for my tummy!!!

The Castle and Me!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-06-27T17:38:47+09:00

Can you find me??? What a day for a great 3 hour road ride, just decided to take a picture because of it and luckily there was a foreign guy just about to take the same picture, I asked him to take mine and walllaaaa!! He happened to be pretty hot too, lucky me!!! Ha, great day today!!

Today's rain ride in San Osaka

Karey Watanabe — 2007-06-24T21:40:33+09:00

Today, despite the rain, we toughed it out and trained on the San Osaka course (XC that is) for the upcoming race in July. Nasty climbs but great single track on the descents. It was a great ride today, and the rain was actually nice!!! We rode mostly in the trees, so we didn't get totally drenched, but were able to practice our riding in the wet skills!!! Great work today, Ya-Chan and Kouji. Team Sweet Riders is back on track!! K.

My first broccoli from the garden!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-06-24T18:45:28+09:00

Here it is!!! 100% natural home grown broccoli!!! Made a vegetable stir fry with my broccoli and some green peppers from the garden as well. I never knew how much fun a garden really was until now. I am growing lettuce, broccoli, eggplants, green peppers, cucumbers, asparagus, blueberries, tomatoes and other various herbs and spices!! It is great fun to watch them grow and then pick'em and eat'em!! Yum, yum, I recommend starting your own garden if you don't already have one, and if you do, any tips would be great since this is my first season ever.....

Sometimes it happens

Karey Watanabe — 2007-06-20T17:52:00+09:00

ARRRRGGG, I have injured my Sartorius leg muscle. I am copying Ya-Chan's idea of using this kind of diagram. When I fell on my right hip the other day on the bridge, I bruised that muscle in particular. Thank goodness it is not a major muscle and it only takes 3-4 days to heal. I am off the bike until this Friday. Whew!! That's a relief, I found all of this out when I went to my trusty masseuse, Yamazaki San, last night for a somewhat painful healing massage. Just a note for when you get injured!! Make sure you get a proper diagnosis and allow the appropriate recovery time to take place!!! Take it from an expert "learned the hard-way" person!!! I am looking forward to Friday though!! Cheers! K.

Shots from Hideyuki Suzuki's Photo Shoot for Bicycle Club!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-06-19T12:00:16+09:00

check out some of Hideyuki Suzuki San's fantastic shots here!!

Sweet Riders OUCH!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-06-17T18:54:02+09:00

Can you see which cheek is bigger???? Remind you of Popeye at all??

Well we had a killer weekend weather wise, but riding wise, we had some good crashes. If only the event would have been this weekend we would have had blue sky both days!!! Oh well, you never can tell with the weather. Saturday was a photo shoot at Aokiko for Bicycle Club magazine. It was a perfect day for it and can't wait to see the pictures. Unfortunately, for my good friend Ya-Chan, it wasn't her day. She had a couple of bad crashes and she is out for a while resting it up. Have a good rest girl!!! Sunday saw some of us back at Aokiko for just plain fun. It was my turn to have a bad crash. First run of the day and I came off Jason's Hangover bridge. I lost my balance and couldn't get my foot out quick enough and bam, on to the planks with my cheek, arm and hip!! OOOOOH, this picture is of the primary colors, should get more interesting tomorrow. So the Sweet Rider chicks are gonna have to rest a bit and recover. What can I say??? It is all part of our sport!! Cheers, hope you had a great weekend!! Later, K.

A bunch of smiling faces, despite the rain at the MTB Jamboree last weekend!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-06-12T01:02:02+09:00

Check out the fantastic pictures taken by Hideyuki Suzuki!! We rocked even in the rain!!

ARRGG, the cross country was tough!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-06-05T15:18:27+09:00

The cross country was hot and so tough!! But I finished 3 laps before getting timed out. Really wanted to be timed out after two laps but that didn't happen! I was last!! I gave it my best shot, my legs were dead from the DH race the day before. In a way, I was satisfied because I knew I had given everything in order to win the DH the day before, so I was doing the XC for training purposes only!! MORE RACE PICTURES HERE!!

Yeahhhhhhh!!! I WON!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-06-02T21:30:28+09:00

Getting my gold medal!!

Myself, Tomoko 2nd and Kyoko 3rd!! Yeah, I am sooooo haaaaaappppy ! I really wanted to win this race and I did. The day before during practice, I crashed and smacked my head in the crazy new rock section. It was quite challenging, like something I would ride in Canada level wise. So I figured I'd better ride like the true Canadian I am and win!!! The night before my head hurt and I was feeling like someone hit me with a baseball bat in several places from the rocks I had landed on. I was even contemplating whether or not to race the next day. I decided to wait and see how I felt in the morning.

I didn't sleep super well because of the baseball bat issue but decided I wanted to try a practice run and see how it went. In the practice run I cleared the rock section and decided I could do it and rested up for the qualifier. In the qualifier, I came in third, I was all over the place in the corners and went off course twice but cleared the rock section. My time was 3:26. I knew I had to pull up my socks in order to win and smooth up in those corners!!! In the final, my foot kept coming out of the pedal but I managed to pull off a pretty good run and knocked 7 seconds off my qualifying time!!! Super stoked, elated, on top of the world were the feelings at that moment!!! Soon to be 40 but still able to put up a good fight with the youngens.....

Me on my winning run!

Tomorrow I have another battle, I will race the XC in elite class, my goal is to have fun and get some great training in. I will be smiling thinking of my win today!!! Later, K.

testing

Karey Watanabe — 2007-05-28T20:11:21+09:00

Two more projects finished at Aokiko!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-05-28T08:08:42+09:00

DAY ONE PHOTO'S HERE!!

Check out Kouj's smile in this shot!! That is because he is riding Sunday's accomplished project. This weekend I headed to Aokiko to do as much building as possible for the upcoming MTB Jamboree in two weeks. I was super stoked because we got two major projects finished. We had helpers come out and give us a hand. Thanks so much guys, Tony, Ryan, Jeremy, Genki, Sarah and Chris. We finished T's Bank on Saturday and Naoe's cornew on Sunday. Lots of hard work, planning and sweat went into these projects but it was well worth it!!! Watch the VIDEO HERE!!!! DAY TWO PHOTO'S HERE!!

New Oakley Swag!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-05-24T20:03:49+09:00

Just got my new Oakley Swag from Oakley Japan and so happpppppppppyyyyyyy!!! Great products, just had to tell the world, check out the fashion show here!!

Louise Garneau Cup and Mt. Fuji

Karey Watanabe — 2007-05-21T08:45:16+09:00

Here we at the Louise Garneau Cup!!! Check out the pictures of Mt. Fuji!!!
3 Victories were taken by Sweet Riders and a 4th place for Kouji!!! Congratulations to all!!

Kouji's 40th!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-05-13T12:13:17+09:00

Kouji with his birthday harem, was a great night with fabulous food, drink, friends, dancing etc, enjoy the pictures, a few albums
Album 1 Album 2 Album 3 Album 4

A Pre-Birthday Ride!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-05-13T12:10:20+09:00

Here we are on a great ride pre-party!!! Pictures here!

Hakodate Action!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-05-11T00:06:14+09:00

A shot from MTBSTYLE!! Great pic guys, THANX!

Another from MTBSTYLE!!

Here is an action shot that Ya-Chan snapped of me during the race!! Nice pic girl, thanks!!

3rd Place at the Season Opening Race!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-05-06T22:38:28+09:00

Here I am with a great look of satisfaction on the podium with Mio and Hiroka!! Mio, as usual took first place and I was hoping for a second but Hiroka beat me to it with a 3 second faster run!! It was harsh considering I had caught a cold this week, and did not feel like racing one bit. We, Ya-chan, Kouji and I, arrived Thursday afternoon after driving in typical Golden Week traffic, (huge delays on the expressway, felt like an inch worm, moving inch by inch along the road) and I decided to skip practicing since I was still feeling pretty crappy..... Friday morning, after a great camp style breakfast, I decided to suit up and give it a go. To my surprise I felt and rode really well. The forecast for race day was 90% rain, so I decided not to overdo it and only do four practice runs. On Saturday morning there was no rain and we were all relieved the weather forecast had changed and it looked like we were going to have a dry race. I was happy about that and decided to do a practice run early in the morning. OH Oh, I was so tired and all over the place on my bike I had a huge superwoman crash, with my bike landing on top of me, ouch! No serious injuries, just the normal bruising and my confidence a little shaken. I had to take the qualifier a bit slow just to get my balance back. I did just that and hoped that I could regain some more strength before the final. I had 2.5 hours to rest it up. With my ipod blasting I did a good warm up and got in the race mind set and decided to give it my best shot since I have been training so hard these past few weeks. I managed to take off 7 seconds from my qualifying time and came in third with no crashes!!! I knew I had missed three corners to be exact but I was stoked to be in one piece and make the podium!! A great day!!

Sunday was forecasted to be 100% rain, so I was pretty iffy about racing the XC since I was so tired and had just gotten my voice back. Got all suited up in the morning for the race but decided not to do it on the condition that I would probably just get my cold back in these weather conditions. I definitely made the right decision. Just supporting Ya-Chan and Kouji for their race was hard enough!! Standing around in the freezing rain and wind, geez.... here here for all the race supporters today!!!! Kouji did well and unfortunately, Ya-Chan had a flat that couldn't be repaired. They both rode hard and all in all we kicked butt this weekend!!! Turns out it rained all across the country today, so everyone had a rainy day!!! Golden Week is officially over and it is back to the grind tomorrow morning. Hope you all had a great weekend!!! K. MORE PICS HERE!

Tulip Girls!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-04-29T22:24:52+09:00

Ya-Chan and I in Holland!! ..... Just kidding, but it felt like it anyway. This tulip garden is on one of our road bike routes and right now it is the perfect time for viewing!!! This week has been filled some great rides!!!! We have been training hard this past week for the upcoming season opening race next weekend in Shiga Prefecture (which is located 4.5 hours away)!! Since it is officially "Golden Week" in Japan, we will leave next Thursday morning and do some "official" holiday camping at the race site. Let's hope the weather holds out. I will race in the DH on Saturday, then with Kouji and Ya-Chan in the XC on Saturday. Pretty insane???? Yes, but I am determined to do both races, wish me luck! More pictures here!!

This is from yesterday's Ikeda rain ride, officially the ride was cancelled early morning due to the rain, then put back on again after it cleared up two hours later. Then, finally upon everyones arrival, it started to rain again, but by this time we were psyched to ride RAIN or SHINE!! So off we went and it turned out to be an epic fun ride!!! The single-track in Ikeda was rad!! Thanks to Randall and his helpers, for the new network of trails and the great trail cleaning!! It was just an overall fantastic ride with some great climbs, and swooping fast banked turns on the way down. To top it all off, Randall's expecting wife (Congratulations!!!) Midori, had whipped up a fantastic lunch which was served upon our return!! Couldn't ask for a better way to end an epic ride!! What a day!!!! View more pictures here.

I'M FAMOUS!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-04-22T22:10:09+09:00

For those of you who can read Japanese, check out the article about yours truly!!!

Back in the DH Saddle today!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-04-22T19:01:44+09:00

Back on the DH again!! Today was the grand opening of the Fujimi Mountain Bike Park, actually, only the lower part was open due to the remaining snow. Passes were only ¥2000 so Kouji, Ya-Chan and I were planning on camping out Saturday night and hanging for the weekend. We rode the old cross country trails to warm up and ended up finding the snow remains of this kicker snowboard/ski jump. Me, being the kid I am, I had to try it, then Ya-Chan and Kouji jumped in as well.

Me

Kouji

Ya-Chan
It was pretty fun and challenging at the same time!! I cleaned it twice yipee! After that, Ya-chan and I did some down-hilling runs. It was her first time on a DH bike. She did great. Then we put our pink wigs on and did some PR for our upcoming Sweet Riders event. We handed out flyers to everyone in the parking lot personally. Hopefully, some of those people will come out!! The weather started to change and we dished the camping idea and headed back to Matsumoto. Just so happened that one of our sponsors was staying in Matsumoto and was heading back as well. We all met for dinner and drinks and had a fun night out on the town!!! We hit club Alec for the first time and Ya-Chan and I were suddenly thrown on the stage of this live performance by this rocking band!!! Geez, forever young..... after dancing our butts off we headed home for a good night's sleep. Sunday saw Kouji and I do a local ride here behind our house. Was a great workout, little by little getting those cross country legs back. Which is all in good faith for my upcoming first double entry race May 5-6th. Yup, going to do both the downhill and cross country events this time. Figure, since I am going to hit the big 40 this year, might as well give it my best this season!!! Hope you had a great weekend as well.....k.

Ya-Chan's downhill debut!!!

She looks the part and I found out she plays the part as well. She did a super job for her first time on the DH machine, even tackled A course, which is the most difficult in Fujimi's DH Resort. Great job girl!!! Maybe I have brought you over to the DH side now....... heh, heh. She did have a wicked smile after our runs and happened to mention how much fun it was.......this is how new DHer's are born!!!

My new RUSH!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-04-20T14:45:51+09:00

Here it is!! My new baby!! My Cannondale Rush with Sweet Riders colors!!! Doesn't it look good????? Had it's virgin ride last weekend 3 hours up and it climbed like the machine that it is. On the downhill, weeeeeee, was all I could say!!! Looking for a rush when you ride??? This bike is the ticket!!!!!

Matsumoto Castle!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-04-15T21:16:39+09:00

Today's cherry blossoms at Matsumoto Castle. Was a beautiful day, warm and sunny, perfect for the blossoms. Had a nice chill day walking around and both Kouji and I got hair cuts!! Hope your weekend was good!! More pictures here!!

Spring is here!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-04-15T11:02:28+09:00

Here is Ya-Chan after a great ride enjoying the pleasures of Spring!! For more recent shots click here!! Will give a full update after today's Cherry Blossom viewing!! Later....

Randall and Kouji after climbing up one of our favorite mountains, it was tough but soooo worth it, look at this view!!

TRIMODAL IN HAPPO!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-04-09T10:08:57+09:00

TEAM SWEET RIDERS ENTER THE TRIMODAL AND WIN TWO CATEGORIES!! Yeahhhhh!! We won best costume and took second place in the team race!! Job well done guys!!! We started out with great weather, with a sudden change just as the race ended. It was great fun, check out the pictures here!! Will write more but have to get off to work now!!!!! Later, K.

Slaves for Dessert!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-04-06T23:08:03+09:00

Well after today's very tough training ride, we went out for a fitting lunch!! This was our dessert, mmmmmm!! Ya-Chan, Kouji and I slaved up the mountain again and got even more training in. Was a killer day, blue sky and warm so we decided to add to the day with a great pasta lunch!!!

Here we are enjoying our hard earned dessert!!!!! Hanami (Cherry Blossoms are almost out!!) Actually, I have been roped into doing an event this weekend called the Trimodal, put on by Evergreen Outdoors in Happone, Hakuba. It involves three sports, skiing, boarding and tele-marking!! Team Sweet Riders will consist of Sarah M. from Hakuba doing the skiing, me the boarding and Chris Webb from Suwa will be our tele-marker!!! Wish us luck, hopefully we can rake in some great prizes!! Anyone interested, it is not too late to enter!! Check it out here!! Otherwise have a great weekend!!

More Sweet Riders PR!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-31T23:05:42+09:00

More PR for Sweet Riders, everywhere I go I try to get a poster in there, this one is up on the door to the bathrooms at the Old Rock Pub in Matsumoto!!!! Make sure you read it when you are there!!!

Great Friends!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-04-01T22:55:00+09:00

Ya-Chan, Liza and I together for another night of dancing at Karey Watanabe's disco!! I just have to say that is great to have good friends around!! I have been lucky this past year and have met some great people! I am blessed!

After our first Power Yoga class at the gym Saturday afternoon, (which I have to say was sooooo good!!!) Ya-Chan and I were ready for some good food. We put on a feast, had some great wine, good music, good friends, and cleared the dance floor and away we went!!

Sunday morning we woke up and our guest chef made a mixture from the evening before leftovers, and mmmmm it was nummy! After 17 cups of coffee, we decided that today was going to be a gardening day. I needed a break from training, especially since my body was so stiff from yesterday's power yoga class, and not to mention last nights dance session, so gardening it was. It was so warm outside, I decided to get my spring planting done for the year. I planted lettuce, broccoli, oregano, orange mint, mint, and many different kinds of flowers. Going to try and keep my garden going this year!!!

Spring is in the air, only another week and the cherry blossoms will be blooming!!! Later, K.

Another MISSION accomplished!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-29T23:24:17+09:00

We made it. After riding hard yesterday on the road, Ya-Chan and I were very happy to make it up the big climb today. Both of us had heavy legs from yesterday and did our best to keep it going up the 1hour 20 minute climb today!!! Here we are posing to our triumph!!

Here we are enjoying ORGANIC SHARKIES that I brought from Canada last trip over. What are Sharkies you ask?? Organic little sharks made of natural fruits. MMMM, they taste sooo good!!! Thanks Kouji for taking the picture!! By the way, any one know how we can get a Sharkies Sponsor???

Shimano Power!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-29T23:23:35+09:00

Today, I was the Snow Climbing Queen!! Kouji, Ya-Chan and I rode up our favorite trail for the first time this season and there was still tons of snow!!! However, I rode through it all and cleared it!!!! Must have been due to my new custom Shimano Shoes. They were fantastic. So comfortable and gave me great centralized power on each pedal stroke!! Thanks Shimano, love my new shoes!!

Sex in the City!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-27T11:56:01+09:00

Here we are the four of us, can you guess who is who as far as the Sex in the City characters go??? If you guess them right, you will get a big hug from all of us!!! Karey, Sarah, Alex and Liza, come on take a guess!! Saturday brought me out to Hakuba after the big wine and cheese, Karey Watanabe Disco night on Friday. Wasn't going to go but thanks to Sarah's coaxing, I went and had a great time with the girls. We had a blast doing and talking girl things!!! We are going to plan our own girls camping trip in May, any females wanting to join, just drop us a mail!! Sorry guys, only girls this time!! We ended the weekend with a night at QTips Bar in Hakuba listening to Kya Bamba Sound Live. Even got a personal CD, yeah lucked out. Check them out here! Hope you all had a great weekend as well!! More later....

Double MISSION Today!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-27T11:48:27+09:00

Here is the view of our 3 hour road ride today to Ikeda/Omachi. It was the perfect day for riding!! We decided to make it a double mission day. Our first mission was to hit the delicious Oyaki Stand on the way home from our ride.

mmmmm, I had pumpkin and Ya-Chan had eggplant. They were so delicious!!! We started talking about what we were going to do that evening and we decided on wine and cheese. Then, I remembered about the new KURA Wine and Cheese restuarant so we decided to also hit that on the way home.....for some great cheese!!

かった！！Well we got some mild blue, parmesan and a brie/camembert, now we have to find the right wines!! We were disappointed to find out that we couldn't get any wine here. Oh well, it was a great double mission today!! Can't wait to sample the cheese!! More sooon!

New Shimano top of the line shoes!!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-20T22:38:01+09:00

One of the great sponsors that I have is Shimano. They supply me with great shoes and pedals every season! This year they have come out with a top of the line custom fit shoe. Let me explain the process. First of all, they have this new heating machine that heats up the insole and the shoe separately. The insole is done first. It is heated up, then placed in the shoe with your foot for about 1.5 minutes. Then, waaaallllla, your insole has been shaped to your instep!!!

Step number two is when the actual shoe is heated up and then contoured to your foot. You put your foot into the heated shoe, then a plastic bag is wrapped around your foot and lower leg, a suction tube then sucks all of the air out and you must sit and wait about 2.5 minutes for the shoe to take shape to your foot. It feels pretty weird at first, but you get used to the feeling.

Step three is to let them cool down and harden to the shape they have just formed. Here you can see the perfect fit!!! They fit like socks, and feel so comfortable. I can't wait to give them a try!!! I highly recommend these shoes, they are a bit pricey, but hey, aren't your feet worth it?????

Sweet Riders Demo Clinic in Sagamiko!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-18T21:26:37+09:00

Day two saw us teaching a demo clinic to a mother-daughter team. They were fantastic participants and progressed all the way up to the see-saw after only one hour of instruction!! Way to go guys!!!! Shio will hopefully join the sweet riders team in the future, she improved so quickly....look forward to seeing her ride in a couple of years. We had a great day, got to see my team mate Arizono do his show, and again, it was so impressive!!! Hope you had a great weekend too!! Enjoy more pictures here!!

Sweet Riders sandwiches!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-18T21:22:40+09:00

Here we are the Sweet Riders PR Girls doing our thing in Sweet Riders Pink Hair!!! We were working the Sagamiko Picnic Land Bicycle Club Demo, trying to get bike companies to come out for our upcoming Sweet Riders Event in Aokiko May 12-13th. The hair was a hit, and we made a few sandwiches along the way!!! By the end of the day we hit every booth and we were pretty tired that evening. More pictures here!
Day one was done, day two was soon to begin....

Exhausted!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-15T23:45:44+09:00

Dead after a hard road ride with Ya-Chan. We were going out for an easy one, but the wind came up and brought on a stong head wind as we were heading home. It turned out to be a hard one and after returning to the house, I had to just crash........so here I am!!! It's been a rough week, with trying to get taxes done, grade exams, plan sweetriders..... etc!!! However, on the brightside, I am getting stronger and stronger, so all you fellow cross-country riders, look out, ha ha.....

I am off to the Opening Bike Demo Event this weekend. I have been invited to do a demo Sweet Riders Clinic on Sunday. Lots of companies coming out, as well as people. Should be a good one. Especially doing PR for Sweet Riders and our upcoming event!!! Ya-chan will be my assistant. Kouji, unfortunately has to work and can't attend, so it will be us two girls for the weekend. Hope to see you there!!!
Later, K.

Gold Cup!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-12T09:58:55+09:00

Wow, what a weekend!! After hosting a small dance party at the house on Friday night, which went a bit late, and working all day Saturday on the computers, Ya-Chan and I were off to the Gold Cup Race later Saturday afternoon. It took us 5 hours to get there and when we did, it was dark and pouring rain. Not to mention the wind that almost blew us over, we thought, oh man, do we really have to race in this tomorrow??? We tried to sleep but couldn't. All we could hear was the wind howling all night long, 6 am came too early and Ya-Chan had to help with the registration. I was able to lounge out in the van a bit longer and actually dozed off from 7-742AM. Thank goodness I was awoken by Kouji's email, and realized I have 30 minutes to get to the start line, arrrrgggg!! I made it to the start line with pillow lines on my face and raced as best as I could. I didn't even know how many laps, and had to ask the organizer while I was racing. I was pretty out of it, still sleeping I think and I missed a good sprint off the start. As a result, I couldn't make up that lost time because the race was only two laps. I came in third, close behind Ya-Chan who was 2nd. All in all, it was a terrific effort considering all we had been through. We both gave it our best in the afternoon enduro race, as well. Got some excellent training in and had fun!!! Now, it is back to work and catching up on lost sleep!! Hope you all had a good weekend!!! ENJOY MORE PICTURES HERE!

Vancouver Buds!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-05T14:59:12+09:00

Here are my two favorite girls, Estelle and Nola!!! Was so great to hang out with the Honeywells again, was pretty tired this day and we spent the afternoon just chilling out. I really needed it. My head was spinning the whole trip because I had so much to think about. I am still considering whether to move back to Canada since Alberta and B.C. are just taking off. I have a bit more on my personal and professional plates as well. For those I missed, didn't call I apologize, but the time just goes by sooo quickly and it becomes too stressful trying to fit everything in!!! Hopefully next time when I have more time! Dave it was great you dropped by, Sue great chat!!! Marsanne so bummed that I missed you!! Lisa, no contact sorry....more pictures here!!
Anyways back in Japan and didn't even get time to think about jet-lag, the phone was ringing off the hook the next morning and the plans for Sweet Riders Events are in the works!!! Anyone want to volunteer as my secretary???? Ha, ha, I am going to be racing next weekend, Hah, with no training over the last three weeks, should be very interesting. Then on March 18-19th we have our Sweet Riders Demo clinics happening in Sagamiko, come out and give us a try, you won't regret it!!!

Edmonton Friends!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-03-01T14:56:53+09:00

Got one night out with Tasha and her boys from Fire Station 2. Went out to a local pub and drank some beers with Tasha and her boys. Very fun indeed, met some great people and had a lot of laughs, by the way, which one of you boys put all the junk in my purse, I am still finding it!!! Ha, Ha, next time, was great to meet you all.... more pictures here!

Crowsnest Pass 07

Karey Watanabe — 2007-02-26T14:53:18+09:00

Went down to the pass for 4 days with dad and then Sarah and Brian came down to visit as well. We had a great visit and then Dad and I spent the next two days running around checking out property since the market is so hot down there. It was great weather, got some nice short walks in, tried to see everyone but again there is just never enough time in a day........ Enjoy more pictures here.

Family 07

Karey Watanabe — 2007-02-22T14:48:06+09:00

Was really nice to spend a short 3 days in Edmonton, got to see my bro's family, and visit with Mom and Sue. There just isn't enough time in the day!!!
Was a little jet-lagged but spent most of the three days, visiting with family, getting a haircut and then driving all around town to get the things I wanted to bring back to Japan. You know, things that I can't get in Japan.... was too short!!! View more pictures here!

OHHH CANADA!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-02-20T16:38:21+09:00

So now that I have filled you in on the last two weeks, here is what is in store for the next 10 days. I am off to CANADA!! I am going to visit family and friends and can't wait to see everyone. I will be in Edmonton from the 21st-24th, then we head to the Crowsnest Pass for a couple of days, then back to Edmonton and I fly to Vancouver for my final night on March 2nd. You can reach me at 403-436-4231 if you are in the area and want to meet up!!! I will have my computer with me to check emails and do a little work on the road......

I plan on taking lots of pictures and will put them up when I get back!!! I arrive back in Japan on the 4th. Until then, have a great couple of weeks, may the snow gods be good to all of us!!!! CHEERS, K.

OOOOOUUUUCCCHH!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-02-20T16:16:19+09:00

OOOWWWWW!!! Is what I said after my surgery. For those of you with weak stomachs then please don't read on,,,,
I have been out of sorts for the last two weeks and was debating on telling you the reason why. I have decided to spill the beans and hopefully others who have the same condition or questions can learn from my experience. I had laser hemorrhoid surgery on February 5th. Laser is the way to go!!! I was in the hospital for only 2.5 days and had great doctors and nurses taking care of me. Painful you ask??? Well, actually the first week was a breeze, partly due to the great painkillers I was given, but the second week has been a bit painful. However, I am at the two week mark and just saw the doctor and he said that I am healing very well and can start riding when I wish, depending on the pain. I haven't been brave enough to try yet. I think I will be ready in a couple of days.....

I am still at wonders as to what caused these pesky little suckers, but no one seems to know. I didn't realize how common a condition this one really is. Once you mention it to people, you'd be surprised at how many have had the same surgery done, need the same surgery or know someone in the same boat.
Anyway, any questions, fire away, be happy to answer ha ha!!

I have been busy updating the site, I hope you can tell the new theme I have just finished doing, comments???? What do you think??? Let me know if you would. I like it and it was relatively easy to change, that was the main thing. I am still working on new pages, it all takes time.....

The blue wig comes alive again!!
I had a bit of excitement last weekend. I got to be a Sweet Riders shooter girl again for an event at TRACKS bar in Hakuba this past Saturday. Was by myself this time since my usual helper was at a season opening race that she just happened to win (CONGRATULATIONS YA-CHAN!!!!), nevertheless had record sales!!!
Sold 70 out of 100 people shots!!! It was great but the next time I have decided not to accept shots that are bought for me!!! ARRRG, 6 Red Bull and vodka shooters throughout the night and I was buzzing. It was a great buzz, it is just that I couldn't sleep all night..... ha ha. This is a really fun event and for the next one I will let you know and you should come on out!!! Sunday was full of meetings in order to plan the next Sweet Riders Spring MTB Jamboree on May 19th-20th!!! You must come out and tell your friends, this time it will be bigger and better!! Flyers and posters are being designed as we speak. So excited all ready...

Snow Riding!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-01-30T11:43:06+09:00

I was sending out an SOS but decided to keep on going!!

Today I was in for a surprise. Really didn't expect this much snow on my local trail. Decided to do it since I was determined to get a work out in today. Turned out to be a great work out that challenged my best balance skills. I even surprised myself in some sections that I cleared. That is why I love biking, so many challenges and surprises that teach you can do things you never expected to do!!!!

A Good Friend!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-01-24T11:37:18+09:00

I was in Tokyo today and stayed with my great friend and former team mate Kyoko. She was a great hostess and made me a wonderful breakfast, as well as taking me around Tokyo to all of my appointments using all of the fastest routes. Thank you!!! I had a great day and my sponsor meetings were all successful as well. Stay tuned for some future great Sweet Riders news!!!

Sweet Riders Shooter Girls appear once again!!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-01-21T21:41:00+09:00

This year it was Ya-Chan and I as Sweet Riders Shooter girls. Ya-Chan came up with the wig idea, which turned out to be very fun!! We worked the Outdoor Japan Reggae Festival at Tracks bar in Hakuba this weekend. Lots of people and lots of Vodka Redbull shooters!!!! Too much fun. Us girls promoted Sweet Riders with pride. The four mountain girls displayed the Sweet Riders Logo very nicely, don't ya think??? We had a great time, and look forward to doing it again in the near future. Anyone wanna sign us up?? Ha, Ha.

It has been a very busy week with lots of training as well. Was glad to have a little fun and relax in Hakuba. Even got to sample a new skill, jumping on the board!! Was invited to join some buds on the North Face of Happo for a kicker afternoon. They built quite a kicker, enough for me to go, "Ahhhh, maybe after a few years of jumping practice!" However, found a bit smaller jump that was my size and style and had fun trying to jump for the first time. I flew higher than expected and got hooked. Now I hope to join these "kicker" sessions whenever I can!!! By the way, we do this when there is no fresh snow, a great alternative to keep the fun flowing!! Check out a few pictures here. Back to work this week and next weekend will be in Hakuba again, stay tuned for more action......k.

A present from home!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-01-15T23:26:06+09:00

Here you have it, the blue snuggler!! Mom sent this from home. Thanks mom! Best way to keep warm on these winter days!! I thought I'd better write a bit since I haven't in a while. The holidays were a blast, had a great couple of Christmas dinners, with delicious food and wine, spent with great friends and family. Our visitor from Canada, Kyle, has made the holidays all that closer to home!! New years saw me being a shooter girl till midnight, made some great money and promoted Sweet Riders, as well. After I got off, the party began and ended, uuuuummm what time??? Sometime in the morning,,,, then spent a couple of days helping Kyle get set up in Hakuba. We were waiting for the snow, which didn't come so I snuck back to Matsumoto for three days and rode my mountain bike and hit the gym to burn some of those holiday calories. Finally, Jan 6th brought us some fresh powder and we were able to enjoy two days of powder fun. Still nowhere near the usual Hakaba pow days!!! Now it is back to the grind working away and trying to get the 2007 to do list under control!! However, the forecast is for more snow later this week, since we bought a season's pass, think I will be heading there on my day off this Wednesday!! Come on powder gods, bring it on!!!
Happy 2007! K.

New Years Bliss!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2007-01-12T15:55:02+09:00

Here we are having too much fun again!! How do you have fun over the new year holiday??? Get yourself a Mac and play with photo booth!! Here is what we came up with......Kyle, Karey, Ya-Chan, Michael, Carmen, Kouji and Darryl!! Enjoy the pictures here

Merry Christmas!!

Karey Watanabe — 2006-12-25T12:13:59+09:00

Merry Christmas to you all!! Happy New Year!! More Pictures Here!!!

Weekend Rambles

Karey Watanabe — 2006-12-11T12:22:17+09:00

It was another great weekend despite the rain. On Saturday we had planned to go for a ride but due to the rain, Ya-Chan and I hit the gym together for the first time this winter season. We took a step class and then worked a bit on weights and the balance ball and cooled down with a nice spin on the spinning bikes. Kouji had to work unfortunately, and us girls head up to Hakuba for James B-day party and the opening of Snow`d Inn Pub. It was a crazy party and way too much fun dancing, drinking and sneaking into an outdoor onsen in the wee hours of the night!!! We have a legitimate excuse..... there is still no snow!!! You see, we are still waiting for the snow, so there is no reason to get up early yet.........heh heh. Sunday was a recovery day and organized the house a bit for our Canadian guest whom will arrive today. Kyle will visit for a while and then head up to Hakuba for the snow. Hopefully the snow gods are listening..... bring on the snow!!!!!! No pictures so I had to make one, my bento lunch today (Japanese lunch box) mmmmm. Later, K.

Shadows

Karey Watanabe — 2006-12-07T08:48:34+09:00

Here Ya-Chan and I are on our weekly Wednesday road ride. These rides have become a lot more than just a ride. Today's ride was called a therapy ride, sometimes when life gets you down and your feeling like %&'%*$, I have learned that one of the best cures is to jump on the bike and just ride. I did just that today and it changed my whole day around. Having a great partner and girlfriend who rides makes a huge difference as well. We chat a lot during our two hours, and boy, if only our bikes could talk, giggle, giggle. So even if you have some shadows following you around, get out there and ride, it is fun to race that shadow sometimes!!!!!!

New Fall/Winter Wear from Cannondale

Karey Watanabe — 2006-12-04T07:36:05+09:00

Ya- Chan and I on a brisk winter's day out for a ride. I received my new Cannondale Fall/Winter Clothing and had to test it out. The new LE Carbon wear for men and women not only looks good but works well in the cold conditions. When I was climbing it got a little hot but with the double zip on the front of my LE Carbon Jersey, all I had to do was unzip ( which is very easy to do while riding) and I could let the hot air out while pumping up the hill! On the downhills I just zipped up again and it kept me very warm even though I had sweat a lot during the climb up. The new tights were the same. Over all I give the new LE line a full thumbs up!!!

Do you like the Pink, I sure do, matches Sweet Riders perfectly!!!

Ya-Chan on the climb!

What a day for a ride. We had a great ride, then Ya-Chan took me to a new spa with aroma therapy and hot rocks. It sure felt good to smell the berry mint and relax at the spa. After we had a coffee downtown at a very famous Japanese Coffee House and window shopped a bit. A great girls day. Previously, I had attended my friend's New Hotel and Wine Bar " The White Horse" opening in Hakuba on the Friday night. It was fun fun and tasty as well. I fully recommend this place if you want a great stay in Hakuba. Another great weekend !!

OUCH!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2006-11-29T10:19:09+09:00

This is what happens when you are having too much fun whipping downhill and a branch suddenly decides to reach out and whack you!!
Ouch, I'll get you next time Mr. branch!!!!

Our new massage machine!!

Karey Watanabe — 2006-11-26T22:32:18+09:00

Me enjoying a back massage with our new portable massage machine. I can use it on my neck, arms, back, legs and feet. It is heaven, especially after today's race. Spent a bit of cash but my body is telling me it is worth it. Want to try it? Come on over ¥500 yen for 30 minutes!!1 (ha ha have to make my money back somehow!!)

A great day for a Sweet Riders DH private lesson!!

Karey Watanabe — 2006-11-26T22:16:44+09:00

Here we are, Albert and I during our private Sweet Riders DH Day Lesson. What a view! We had a great day and it saw Albert improve his DH skills immensely!! It was held in Matsumoto and we covered some of our best kept secret trails. Albert ended up staying over night and joining us for the next day's Cannondale Cup. He took 2nd place!! Way to go!! More pictures here

Ya-chan, Randall, Albert and I after finishing the 2 hour enduro Cannondale Cup XC race in Sagamiko Picnic Land. Despite slightly rainy and slippery conditions, the course rocked and we all had a great time. Randall and Albert entered the solo class and Ya-chan and I were a team. We did 12 laps together and Albert did 12 solo! Randall was on his way to the same when unfortunate derailleur problems ended his race early! The four cross track was included in the downhill section of the course and it was a blast!! Had way to much fun. By the way Ya-chan and I were 4th in sports mens class. There wasn't a women's class due to lack of entry. Come on ladies and join in on the fun!! Join us for a clinic and let Sweet Riders guide the way!!!

System Six Girls!!!

Karey Watanabe — 2006-11-24T19:36:54+09:00

Here are the system six girls from the Tokyo International Bike show!! Kyoko and I worked all three days at the show and we were wiped. We had a great dinner on Saturday night after checking out the New Cannondale bike shop in Naka Meguro. If you are in the area, definitely check it out, great little shop not far from the station. We were also able to catch up with an old Gunma friend and his friends. It was a nice weekend in Tokyo. Spent a bit of cash on a massage machine that felt so good at the time after standing on our feet all day long. Now I have it at home and can have my own piece of massage heaven every night!! Heading into another busy week but with a National Holiday in-between. More later!!

Our backsides with our great Cannondale packs!!

A great visit with Andy and his friends.....had great Indian food, followed by a cozy pub playing some darts, Andy is the dart master!!!
PHOTO'S TAKEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER HIDEYUKI SUZUKI FROM MTB MAGAZINE