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Konnichi-wa, Tak -
Yes, I've been and come back... 3 weeks instead of two, about 10
days actual heavy-duty biking. And yes, I had a good time - lots
of good scenery and friendly people!
A bigger write-up will follow, but in brief, after a few days on
foot in Tokyo and environs (Kamakura, Nikko, Nihon Minka-en), I
took the train to Kyoto, perused Kyoto and Nara, then went on by
bike from Kyoto up the Japan Sea coast: Kanazawa, the Noto Peninsula,
Sado Island, and back through the Japan Alps: Matsumoto, Kamikochi,
and back via Mt. Fuji and Hakone to Tokyo.
So only Honshu (and Sado) and "only" 800 bike miles, but satisfying
ones, and a good intro to Japan, I thought. I even got to recognize
a few Kanji characters - some helpful (Exit, Entrance, Toilet, Station,
Fire) some of limited applicability (Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, rice-field).
There are some sharp looking Japanese racing cyclists, amongst the many
practical shopping-bikes. The Tokyo Imperial Palace gets its share of
the former, doing speedy laps around it, as I was doing.
What kind of cycling do you do? What advice would you have given? :-)
-john
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> What kind of cycling do you do? What advice would you have given? :-)
John san,
Sorry, I'v been VERY busy and haven't been reading this note for a long time.
I'm glad to hear you had a nice ride around Japan and even went to try out
Imperial Palace circuit. That is a nice place to go if you are to just hang
around and not ride. I'm surprised to hear that you came back to States alive
after riding at the place in HIGH pace. :-)
People go to the corcuit on Sundays to show off their bikes and Eouropean team
wears. If you go there and watch them for an hour, you have seen all the
latest bike technologies and fashons. Next time you visit Japan, try to go
to Harumi area which is right next to Tokyo bay and Haneda airport. People
go there to RIDE...FAST. In that area ( approx. 3 mile circuit), you don't
have to stop forever which is impossible in other areas in Tokyo. The roads
are as wide as 100 feet.
If you are into touring, I'd recommend you to go Izu area where there are
lots of mountains. One other thing it is good is that there is a place called
Cycle Sports Center in the area where every amusement rides are related to
cycling, that is you have to pedal to ride them, and there are several cycling
circuits form 400m track to 4 mile mountainous circuit.
Next time you or anybody reading this reply come to Japan try to go these places
or if you let me know I'd happy to take you there.
Oh, about myself. I went to West Virginia University in States and was in the
cycling team. I raced a lot of collageate and USCF races and won a few of them.
But, since I joined Digital I have been riding 1 to 2 miles a month compare to
50 to 70 miles a DAY during college years. No surprise I gained about 10 lb.
Tak the fat
P.S.
I welcome any questions by mail from anybody
OSTV14::YOSHIKURA
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