The Japanese girl dangled ahead of us for most of the next lap, no one, Team Bianchi included, wanting to put too much effort into bringing her back. She was finally undone by one of her countrywomen wanting her own bite of the cherry. There was more reaction this time; all three of the North Americans jumping on the wheel, Erika joined them with Mum and I in tow.
It didn’t take long for the slender lead to reduce to a handful of metres at which point the American girl launched her own attack. Her enterprise was doomed however, barely had she overtaken Hagiwara than she sat up clearly realising the futility of continuing with the effort. For her part Hagiwara didn’t blow straight through, well not quite, she slotted in last wheel thankful no doubt that the pace had slackened a tad.
Tempting as it was to have a bash myself sometimes knowing when to wait pays better dividends. Although we had lost another rider, a puncture I think, we remained well clear of the chasers, I’d be happier in a smaller group but looking around I was confident Mum would be my main adversary in the finale. When George signalled two to go next time through the finish area it changed the dynamic of Team Bianchi.
Tina took point with Erika second wheel, me third and the rainbow jersey in the favoured position at four. The speed crept up; Tina was really putting everything in, doing a full lap at the front before Erika took over the effort at the bell. I checked my shoes and confirmed my gearing as we coasted through turn one, everything is set.
Joel, the bigger of the Canadians, came up to second wheel with Monique snugged in behind, for now we still have the numbers but not for much longer. I could sense Erika starting to falter so I switched onto the Canadian’s wheel giving the advantage back to us. Through the double bends we remained line astern, one more corner to go.
We cleared the last turn, Joel peeling off to leave the roadway clear ahead. I sensed movement on my right, the briefest of glimpses revealed Hagiwara taking a flier, Monique launched, what to do? A tell tale click suggested Mum was about to go, decision made.
The Canadian was on Hagiwara’s wheel, Mum went on the left, I was a split second behind her in launching. I stayed as close as possible to get maximum shelter but at some point I’d have to break clear, too soon wouldn’t be good, too late and I might run out of road. I was vaguely aware of passing Monique then it was just the two Bonds.
With a last effort I threw my bike forward across the line before relaxing and sitting up, freewheeling towards turn one. The stripey jersey was alongside me, it was close, I think I got it but I’m not certain.
“Good effort kiddo,” Mum allowed, placing her hand on my back.
“You, huh, too,” I wheezed retrieving my bidon for a much needed glug of liquid.
Other riders came up to us as we warmed down on an extra lap of the circuit.
“Daughter like mother!” Monique announced joining us.
“I try.”
“She’s very trying,” Mum stated.
“Hey!”
They of course just laughed at my response.
There wasn’t anything as technical as photo finish gear so the result was determined by the judges examining this evening’s televisual coverage. The official verdict was a tyre – in my favour I’m glad to say, for an old lady Mum did quite well! As Sunday wasn’t part of the mini series I did lose out to her on the overall, in fact thanks to my ducking at Osaka Monique shunted me into third behind Mum.
Of course we had to run the gamut of interviews and presentations, the City fathers laid on food for everyone, forty sweaty I mean glowing, riders mixing with besuited businessmen and kimono clad wives. Miyaki and Satoro popped up once or twice for pictures, I’m sure the camera caught me pulling a face at a mouthful of slimy seaweed! All in all an excellent evening
It was closing on ten when we finally tipped off the bus at the Hotel Park Side Hiroshima, a smart modern western style affair. Dad having already checked us in distributed room allocations, having already eaten everyone was keen to hit the showers before bed after a long day.
“Girls,” Dad’s call halted us, “here a minute.”
We returned to the desk.
“Wassup, Dad?” Jules queried.
He fished in a pocket before brandishing some paperwork, “Tickets for Kyoto.”
“Oh cool!” the dark one allowed.
I bounced up and wrapped myself around him, “Thank you, Daddy!”
Peeling me off into Mand’s arms, he went on, “Thank George, he convinced me to let you go, and Miyaki, she fetched the tickets and arranged for your chaperone.”
“Chaperone?” Jules moaned, “I’m seventeen you know.”
“Your sister and Amanda aren’t, no chaperone, no trip, that’s the deal.”
“We’ll take it,” Amanda prompted.
“Er fine,” I agreed, “isn’t it, Jules?”
“Yeah sure, so like just who is this person?”
“Her name is Aoi Sakamoto, she’s a friend of Miyaki’s. She’ll meet you off the train and take you round the sights, part of the deal is she gets to take photographs of you guys for the sponsors, some ‘culture’ shots as Miyuki calls them. Okay?”
“We don’t have a lot of choice,” Goth Gurl observed.
“I’m sure you’ll have a fun time,” Dad stated.
“So what time do we leave?” I enquired; wow we’re really going!
“Six thirty, the train’s at seven, the hotel does breakfast from five thirty so you won’t miss out, I’ll take you to the station.”
“Six thirty!” Jules exclaimed.
“Give over Jules,” I interrupted, “we are going, so when do we come back?”
“Miyaki has you booked on the ten to eight, you get back here about nine thirty.”
“Neat!” I chirped.
“Okay off to bed and set your alarms.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“We will, Mr Bond.”
“This is gonna be so cool!” I enthused as I waited for Mand to open the door to our room.
“Not many,” she agreed, “I’m not even asking who paid.”
“Well it wasn’t us so who cares!”
“Geez, Gab you are like so mercenary.”
Mand finally got the key card to work, these things never want to work first time.
“Urgh,” I allowed as Mand bustled about the room, “what’s the time?”
“Just after five.”
“Wake me when it’s light,” have I mentioned I hate mornings.
“You’ll miss Kyoto,” she taunted.
“Slave driver.”
By the time we reached the breakfast room it was almost quarter to six, Mum, Dad and even Jules were already propping up coffee cups.
“So let me guess, you didn’t know what to wear?” Mum suggested.
“Erm,” I agreed reaching for the pot of caffeine.
Well what do you wear for a day sightseeing? In the end I’ve gone for the shorts with the over knee socks I bought the other day teamed with my Apollinaris fleece over a white and blue striped vest. Practical, not too girly but stylish – well the girls back home’d like it.
I managed to consume a couple of small pastries, two croissants, a bowl of fruit and yoghurt and a glass of fruit juice – oh and two more cups of coffee. Hey, who knows when we’ll next get to eat? The others drank less but ate about the same; we were set for our adventure.
“Come on then, taxi’s waiting,” Dad instructed.
“You’ve got your phone, Juliette?” Mum enquired.
“Yes and Vincenzo’s number.”
“Ring when you get there.”
“Yes, Mum,” Jules sighed.
“Jules!” Dad prompted.
The taxi ride was all of about three minutes, we could’ve walked but at least by taxi we couldn’t get lost. At the station, which was already pretty busy at this hour, we consulted the departure board.
“Right, you’re on the seven o three Nozomi,” Dad read off the ticket.
“Line twelve,” Mand supplied.
Dad led the way and in under ten minutes we were looking for carriage three, this is so neat, Dad took a picture of the three of us in front of the very futuristic Shinkansen loco, it looks nothing like a normal train, more like Concorde after someone stamped on its nose!
“Don’t get into any trouble, eh?”
“As if!” I scoffed.
“We won’t, will we, Gabrielle?” Jules asserted.
Ot oh, Sunday names!
“Go on then, I’ll meet you off the train tonight.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Bye, Mr Bond.”
“Laters!”
We climbed aboard, even fifteen minutes before departure it was quite full. Miyato had booked us specific seats, a row of three mid carriage.
“It’s more like a plane than a train,” I suggested making myself comfortable.
“I’ve never seen a plane with a vending machine,” Jules noted.
“Or a train,” Mand added.
“Some of the Koblenz trains do,” I told her, “hey we’ll have to go when we get back home.”
“Toy cars,” Jules stated with a roll of her eyes.
“Maybe,” I allowed.
At precisely seven o three Nozomi Two, destination Kyoto pulled away from the platform and our Shinkansen experience began. To be honest, as we wound our way out of the city there was nothing different to being on any other train but once we joined the high speed line we quickly picked up speed. It’s about 300km and our train takes 99 minutes, that’s an average of almost 182kph, the fact the little box at the end of the carriage was showing 200kph – wow!
The countryside beyond the windows, the same countryside we drove through yesterday, moved deceptively slowly past only stuff much nearer the train gave any real indication of our velocity, passing in a blur.
“Anyone want a drink?” Mand queried.
“Nah, I’m good,” Jules advised.
“I’ll come, I need the loo before I drink anything else.”
Leaving Jules in charge of our possessions we headed along the carriageway, a very gentle sway being the only indication of our speed.
“What do you want, Gab? I’ll get it while you’re powdering your nose.”
“Ice tea? If they don’t have that, coffee.”
“Kay.”
The toilets on the newer German trains are quite spacious, generally clean but very utilitarian. The Shinkansen toilet was something different altogether; in fact you could be mistaken for thinking you were in a really fancy restaurant or the like. Spotless doesn’t come into it, you sort of want to stay and explore – okay it’s a toilet, I did my business and headed back to our seats.
I’d barely got back in my seat when we had a visit.
“Konichi wa, chiketto shite kudasai.”
Conductors look the same the world over.
“Tickets, Jules,” I prompted my sister.
“Er sure, hang on.”
The conductor waited patiently whilst Goth Gurl fished in her bag, eventually finding the all-important slips of paper. Duly stamped they were returned with the customary nod.
“Tank a you, arigato.”
“Um arigato.” Jules agreed.
Hey, none of us speak Japanese.
Nozomi are the fastest of the Shinkansen services which means limited stop, this journey has no intermediate halts at all, it’s a bit odd rushing through every station. Even the most express ICE trains back home have some stops but I guess you pays your money and takes your choice. Whilst not full on blue skies the weather was clearing from the early morning overcast in Hiroshima to something much brighter, it’s gonna be ace today.
Of course the others had to visit the facilities after I told them about the real porcelain hand basins and proper towels. Ice tea has found its way onto JR, I got Jules to fetch another for later whilst they were sightseeing the facilities. About an hour into the journey a girl with a snack trolley went through, I was munching on a pack of Pocky when the others returned.
“Hey, you could’ve got us some,” Jules complained.
Mand just rolled her eyes as she took her place.
“Who said I didn’t?”
“I’m not keen on those things,” Mand offered.
“Which is why I got you these,” I presented her with a bag of Skittles™, well the Japanese equivalent at least.
“So?” Jules queried.
“Ice tea?”
“Swap.”
We made the exchange, a box of Pocky for an ice tea.
“You two, really.” Mand stated from between us.
There was an announcement, like most train announcements indecipherable even if you do speak the language. The fact that we were starting to slow gave us the clue that we were approaching journeys end and the imperial city of Kyoto. From the almost hushed calm of the journey so far the carriage turned into a scramble of passengers packing up, finding luggage and heading for the doors.
We on the other hand were content to wait and avoid the press of humanity filling the aisle; we’ve got all day after all. I could see a clock on the platform as we slid to a halt; it changed to 08.52 as a slight jolt announced our arrival. Inevitably there was still a bit of a queue to get off when we reached the door but we were soon enough on the platform.
“What now?” Mand enquired.
“Don’t look now but I think our chaperone is here.” Jules supplied.
Maddy Bell 31.10.15
