I can't believe I'm saying this, but now that the days have dipped to 30 degrees, riding is a lot easier. The breezes off Lake Biwa didn't hurt either.

Forgot to mention yesterday that I saw TWO big thunder storms, one in the morning and one in the evening. Not near me thankfully, but I did race a raincloud in the morning (and won. It was going over at 90゜ to my route).

Anyway, heavy lightning at night = cool. When it's far away. :)