Cycling

Bromptoneering in Japan…

Posted on by helenhmk

On Sunday we had a Brompton cycling day planned by one of our Japanese Brompton friends. There was going to be no rain… once everyone got to the station around 10ish it was agreed by consensus we would have a coffee while waiting for the shower to pass. Yes even we can go to McDonald’s – here is proof.

Then we set off – first up the obligatory photo

Then we set off… it is amazing how much space there is in Japan. We stopped at a flood gate… here is where it began to rain and we then lost one of the group because he was so wet!

As luck would have it.. eventually it cleared up…

…

The route was great as there were very few cars. Only had to watch for joggers and other cyclists. We cycle between baseball pitches, golf courses, rice paddies and houses. Around 1:30 we stopped for lunch at Via cycling cafe which is certainly set up for cyclists – and they have great food options. Here was my lunch – oishii!

After an hour of sitting around eating and talking we set off again and went to a working farm which sells fabulous ice cream!

From here we went to Kawagoe.. which is famous for old Edo style street and historical shrine and bell tower. Certainly worth the visit if you have time. We eventually got to the train station and said goodbye until the Brompton in Palace ride in November!

Kindness…

Posted on by helenhmk

We have experienced much kindness on holiday, from old friends who spend time with us…

Day 2

Christmas

Day 4

…to random people in middle of nowhere.

While cycling around Miyakojima, we were taking photos of our bikes before a bridge, and an American who had finished walking across let us know there were sea turtles about 3/4 across. Described their behaviour so we knew what to look for – and we saw them! Can’t say the photos were the best, but the fact we saw them was something.

Day 8

Day 8

Ride completed!

Posted on by helenhmk

Woo-hoo… and 177+km later our ride around Miyakojima is complete! Here is what the last day looked like on the map.

Rides

Here is how we started the last day of travel on the road

Day 10

Not too many hills – just enough. We have a great sense of achievement!

Although it did look a little like this

Day 10

Unfortunately there was not a lot of time to relax, as soon as we got back to the hotel we packed and headed for the airport.

Day 10

Second day…

Posted on by helenhmk

As any seasoned rider will tell you – the second day of a riding tour is the worst.

Day 8

However, I don’t really remember this until I’m on the bike – at least that was the case today.

At the end of the second day you remembered how, at times, uncomfortable the bike seat can seem.

It’s also those last few kilometres to where you are staying… when you keep thinking “how much longer….” and “why didn’t we find a place closer”.

Day 8

As you can see it was long – and as Kym said “At least we got here before 6pm”. On the bright side it will all be forgotten tomorrow!

Mt Fuji

Posted on by helenhmk

It’s elusive.. but magnificent when you can see it. As it’s spring it’s a bit hit and miss of being able to see Mt Fuji.

Bike with Fuji

However, we were lucky on the first day at Enoshima at being able to see it while riding- sugoi (amazing in Japanese – language characters don’t work on this blog, and there are mistakes I always have to fix!)

One of our Brompton friends Takero joined us for the day and played tour guide.

We found a good coffee shop

Enoshima

We cleaned our money at a temple to bring us fortune.

Enoshima

We went to see the large Buddha- I like the sandals!

Kamakura

Cycling along the beach was fun – a lot like home. There are a number of roadies cycling fast between Kamakura and Enoshima – and a few slower people like us enjoying the view. As expected there were a number of picnics on the beach – I was impressed by the effort these people went to!

Beach

Loop ride…

Posted on by helenhmk

Back in Tokyo… and we set out to do a loop ride and visit places we’ve never been too. You might think… you’ve been there so many times its not possible – but given the size of Tokyo it is possible!

You’ve always got to start the day right… with a coffee

Day Kanazawa - Toyama- Tokyo

Tokyo is always changing, and new buildings pop-up. This in an example of that

Tokyo

Surprisingly we saw another Brompton!

Tokyo

Can you spot Mt Fuji in this photo? It’s taken from a free observation deck. As it’s spring here a local told us “you are really lucky to see the top at this time of year, as there is usually a lot of cloud”. But I will add minutes later cloud covered it up…

Tokyo

Back streets of Tokyo have some great little shops – take this one Golden Retriever Bakery

Tokyo

We also came across a cafe which has a sister cafe in Melbourne…

Tokyo

… and back to the hotel.

Tokyo loop ride

Weather…

Posted on by helenhmk

Day 6 - Wakura onsen

Well our weather luck has run out. As you probably are not able to see from the photo it’s raining. It’s not your typical rain which only goes for a short time – this is the it’s going to be raining like this all day, kind of rain.

While we were prepared for this weather when cycling around Noto Peninsula, given where we are we don’t have to spend 60+km in the rain as we can catch the train. Previously we couldn’t of done so. I’m only slightly disappointed, but at least we cycled over 300km! It’s been great fun – despite the hills..!

Short day…

Posted on by helenhmk

There is nothing like a short 30km day to get you motivated. After sleeping in,

Day 5 - Amamizu to Wakura onsen

.. and breakfast we left around 9:30

Day 5 - Amamizu to Wakura onsen

We were very pleased to see the last tunnel we had to go through was one which did not involve other traffic!

Day 5 - Amamizu to Wakura onsen

Along the road we stopped for a coffee, and the person working there had spent the past year in Australia working. You can cook clams & oysters over hot coals. If only we were here for lunch!

Day 5 - Amamizu to Wakura onsen

The road we are following is along the shoreline and we go through many fishing villages.

Day 5 - Amamizu to Wakura onsen

To get to our final destination of Wakura Onsen we cycled over Nakujimamachi (Twin bridge Noto). As it was a Sunday, there were a number of groups of motorcyclists of all different types who passed us in both directions along the route.

Day 5 - Amamizu to Wakura onsen

From the rest spot before going over the bridge, we could see our final destination. We were saying “oh this will be easy.. it’s just following the road around the island.. “. This turned out not to be the case. There were more hills – including the last bridge into the town, where the wind was also pretty strong. Thank goodness for the footpath, otherwise we would of slowed down the traffic had we cycled on the road.

Day 5 - Amamizu to Wakura onsen

Day 5 - Amamizu to Wakura onsen

When we arrived we celebrated by having a cake… yummo! Here’s to short cycling days!

Day 5 - Amamizu to Wakura onsen