Bikes bagged, waiting for a train

Our hotel met our basic requirements, bed, shower. Last night dinner consisted of fried fish which tasted like catfish, as well as beer. The it took us 10 days to cover 860 miles by bike. The Shinkansen will get us home along a 1000 mile route in only 6 hours. Wow.

We made it

Quick shot of the three of us. Cape Sata, 860 miles, 10 days.  On to the Shinkansen home!

Mt Sakurajma

We have stopped at a small park with a view of Mt Sakurajma. It is currently spewing ash and may erupt. We will be riding by it tomorrow on the way to the last ferry ride of the trip.

Alex, man of steel

Alex did his longest ride yesterday, 133 miles, fully loaded. Needless to say he looks like crap.   He slept on a tarp behind a drink machine shack on the outskirts of Miyakanojo. We have met up and are 3 once more.  Time to get moving.

Found; one slightly used 20 something

Alex found his wallet with everything except his money, which he mostly owed to Kyle and myself anyway.   Some Japanese preteen gets to buy himself some extra Coolish this weekend.   We will catch up with Alex on the route this morning.   Cape Sata awaits.

... and then there were two.

We arrived at McDonalds at 1400 for lunch to discover that Alex had lost his wallet.  The last time he saw it was at a drink machine 20 miles back. He has gone to look for along the route.  He is texting us every hour. When he finds it he will train down to meet us.  Good luck Alex.

Kindness of strangers

A wonderful Japanese lady Hidaka san invited us into her home when the sento we were going to was closed. She fed us and treated us as family.  Wonderful people!

Day 6 post 8 course meal AKA "bounty of the sea"

Another 86 miles. This time with 40000 feet of ascent.  Remember, that's loaded with 65 pounds of gear. Made it to Misaki.   More photos to follow.

Quick update

Yesterday, it was the wind. 25-40mph. We managed to get on the ferry at 0830' started riding at 110. Rode the 86 miles and made our goal for the day. Today 86 more but with twice the climbing.  Hotel tonight, so no sleeping in the tent like bums.

Day 4 over, day 5 brings the sun

Looks like it may be a good riding day today. We missed our ferry yesterday due to the typhoon. We will catch it this morning. Hard day ahead, but at least we'll be dry.

Day 3,we made it.

Hardest day so far and still on track. Rained all day.  Time for a beer and a tub.  More to follow.

Lunch with the Dead

Stopped at a little spot called "Terapin Station" for lunch. . Omage to the GD and my brother Jeff. This smoothie's for you Jeff.

Camping out! Last moments of dryness.

First day has gone excellent. 75 miles. The onsen was awsome, and refreshing. The tent is up, dinner is in our bellys and nothing left to do but crash.

On our way

Start of day one!

Rest Stop

A rest stop is a rest stop.

On Our Way

OK folks!  Here we are on the van.  Three hours away from our hotel for the night south of Mt Fuju.  This will be our last chance to relax while traveling for the next 10 days.  Tomorrow we set off at 0630 for the first leg of the journey.  We will post more tomorrow.

RVD

Our Endeavor Commences

As I sit on the couch here at home, the excitement builds.  I have spent the day packing and getting all my gear ready.  24 hours from now I will be mounting my bike for the longest multi-day ride I have ever attempted.  860 Miles over 10 days is nothing to sneeze at.  From just south of Mt Fuji to Cape Sata.  


For lodging we will be spending two nights camping out and the third in a traditional Japanese Ryokan (Hostel).  Clean up will be accomplished each day at a nearby onsen or sento.  


This will be a fully loaded ride.  Alex and I are at the more traditional end of the spectrum with racks/panniers; Kyle will be towing a B.O.B. trailer.  


Here are the links to the route for each day of the trip.  Included on the map is the hotel and/or camp site location.

Day one, May 26

http://tinyurl.com/4xr5e4x

Day 2, May 27

http://tinyurl.com/3g5qvfm

Day 3, May 28

http://tinyurl.com/3cqq8te

Day 4, May29

http://tinyurl.com/3g5wexg

Day 5, May 30

http://tinyurl.com/443dun9

Day 6, May 31

http://tinyurl.com/3wmmzyk

Day 7, June 1

http://tinyurl.com/3tbzybd

Day 8, June 2

http://tinyurl.com/3t6zu4s

Day 9, June 3

http://tinyurl.com/3o8784x

Day 10, June 4

http://tinyurl.com/3r83l6z

Well, back to packing.   Kyle and Alex will be over soon to talk about the route.

Rich