Coming from Spain, the cold in Paris really bites, doesn’t it? On the flip side, it’s pretty amusing to see the guys coming from the north walking around in short sleeves or light clothing like it’s nothing.

The third bike has been assembled, and the engine should be fired up today. The fairings modified in accordance with the rule changes have also arrived, so preparation for the test is moving along well. We plan to load up on Sunday the 29th, head out on Monday the 30th, and arrive at the Bugatti Circuit in the afternoon to set up.

During this time, the time difference with everyone in Japan will get shorter. No matter how many times I experience this moment when time and space shift, I always love it. In the old days, I used to turn the hands of my wristwatch forward or backward while inside the plane or during transit. I wonder how it was with mobile phones back then? If I recall correctly, the roaming fees were just too expensive, so we probably didn’t even bring them when traveling abroad from Japan. Plus, they were bulky and just added to the luggage. I also remember those satellite mobile phones that could be used worldwide being sold for tens of millions of yen, but they must not have sold well. They disappeared in no time.

The photo shows the tulips blooming along the path I take to walk from the hotel in Torcy to the workshop. I wonder how many years now I’ve been watching these little guys bloom?