Day 18: (90 km) The Best Beach in the World - Niigata
(08/16/06)

The group seems to be getting along better now. Like a mildly dysfunctional family, we're all beginning to accept each others' quirks and habits. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I'm getting back to being myself again, back to being kind, relaxed, understanding. It's been a long time since I've felt like I did back in high school and college--like I put people at ease, am a good listener and mediator, and that people are genuinely interested in what I have to say. This summer is already beginning to heal a lot of things, allowing me to regroup and rebuild. Waking up for a pre dawn swim on a near perfect beach helps too.

Being route planner right now is an empowering position. It allows me to focus on the part of the ride I care most about--the actual riding. I'm sure I'll get tired of it eventually, but for now it's a good position to be in.

As sad as I was to leave the beach, today's ride was good with some more picturesque coastline and hills. Niigata itself isn't a spectacular town, but we found a good park to camp in and a neighborhood bath house where we washed our bodies and clothes. It reminded me a bit of the sento I used to go to near my apartment in Matsuyama--a little tacky, a few baths, anything but elegant. It was a good place. That night, I found a little pizzeria before heading back to the tents for a good night's sleep.