This is the first pass of 100k, 3 Mtn 1840m vert gain, insane winding descents, 66kph max speed, 3500 calories. I love summer in Nagano/Gunma.
 
 Three years ago I sorted out what was intended to be a longer version of my regular 60k route that runs a rolling ridge between Karuizawa and Saku.
 
 That route involves 1000m of climbing but is humane as it mainly caresses foothills and rivers. The hills are generally 5k or shorter and somewhere 7 percent or so. The 100k route, in contrast is manic.
 
 It starts with an 8k climb that leads right into a 6k 55kph straight gradual descent. A right turn begins a 12k climb to the pass pictured then drops for almost 15k through S turns and hairpins spilling into a broad valley with downhill speeds over 70kph. (to be cont)