After oil changing of NC750S at the shop, I went to Chichibu district, Saitama pref. where a staff of the shop recommended for solo touring. I was afraid of the frozen road but there were no problem.
Photos below were taken in the way at Koma River of Agano Valley along the route 299. The site is famous for the flight of fireflies in summer, but in January the sight can not be seen. Anyway the sight constituted of the transparent water and forests and clear air refreshed me.
photo1. The landscape of the valley.
photo 2. NC750S parked in front of a sign says ‘fireflies live’
photo 3. The water of Koma River.
photo 4. The splash of Koma River.
吾野渓谷は人里に近い小さな渓谷でした。右側に見えているのが国道299号線。
It takes a little ride to reach Michinoeki ( = Roadside station ) Ashigakubo from Agano Valley. Roadside stations in Japan are designated and provided usually by local governments. In a michinoeki, place for travelers to rest, automatic vend0rs, shops and cafeterias are provided. The souvenirs sold in a each michinoeki have characteristics corresponding to the district where a michinoeki is. Chichibu district including Ashigakubo is famous for its agricultural products. Konnyaku ( jelly food, made from devil’s-tongue stach ) is special in the district.
In the parking lot of the michinoeki I met a lot of touring riders. The next to my NC750S, Honda Africa Twin CRF1100 and Honda NC750X is parked.
photo 1. the main building in Michinoeki Ashigakubo
photo 2. the landscape from in the michinoeki
photo 3. NC750S, opened luggage box and souvenirs fixed on rear space
photo 4. souvenirs I bought. Konnyakus, imogaras ( teared and dried roots of taro ) and a radish.
道の駅芦ヶ久保メインの建物です。この中でお土産やお弁当が販売されています。
Today’s impression of NC750S
Engine oil is changed after 2000km ride from the previous change. I would like to check the adequate frequency of changing and changed at earlier timing comparing to usual. The damage of oil was small and it seems the change per 3000-4000km is acceptable.
I selected Ome-Chichibu line ( Prefectural road 53 ) for return path to reach Ome. There is few traffic and I ride pleasurably on the winding road with various types of corner. Some tight corner has no guard rail and I ride with some care. I was afraid of a frozen road but all roads were dry and not frozen.
NC750S has a honest cornering characteristic that responds to the movement of the center of the weight. ( In other word, not so quick nor sharp. ) So an intentional cornering motion is needed but this is an interesting characteristic of NC750S.
Route was Kannana ( Prefectural road 318 ) →Kawagoe road→route 299→Michinoeki Ashigakubo→route 299→Ome-Chichibu line ( prefectural road 53 ) →Shin-Ome road→Ome road. About 150km way and fuel consumption was 28km/l. It was good even after I was caught in a traffic jam on Kawagoe road.
