Japan...Here we come again

Hokkaido - Solo Roundtrip - 1000 Miles - The next adventure is about to begin.

2009, Virgin Touring Cyclist

Almost 10 years later, I shall venture back to Japan for another 1000 Miles Challenge. There are many reasons for me to take strategic time off and to do something new, something adventurous. With 2 weeks to go, I've already laid out all my camping and cycling items in the living room, checking for usefulness, weight and frequency of uses. We're talking taking a 2x3m tarpaulin to user as ground sheet or as rain cover. We're also talking buying a handle bar pannier as my old one is no longer fit for duty. 

How is it all going to fit? Well, same as last time. Whatever doesn't fit stays home

Strong memories flash back from 2009 and having taken way too many clothes back then and having to leave some of them along the route (carefully recycled). Lugging more than absolutely necessary weight around on a touring ride can make a huge difference to the cycle experience. More weight means more inertia and getting the bike rolling. Once it rolls and lets say it's going down hill, the bike becomes a projectile. It almost feels like a motorbike and it also wants to get handled as such. Steady in the corners, in wet conditions or with dirty streets, loosing control in a corner can happen quickly. Sometimes you're able to stabilise machine and riders but often under duress, if at all. 

Some checking in stats:

• Rider weight: 82Kg
• Cycling since: a few months after birth (my mom is also a keen cyclist)
• Cycling proficiency: you would hope so
• Attempted distance: 1000 miles (1600Km) 
• Attempted timeframe: 24 days
• Miles/ day: 42 miles (77km)
• Average speeds: 10-15 miles/h (Hokkaido is very mountainous)
• Bike: Focus Arriva (2015)
• Modifications: saddle (brooks cambium), ergo grips (ergon), tires (schwalbe marathon), flat , wide-body aluminium pedals (meet looks)

Japan, Hokkaido

Why Hokkaido? Why Japan? Well, as I attempt to cycle 1000 miles I believe there are a 1000 good reasons to cycle and/ or tour in Japan. A big plus is that Japan is very safe and hospitable. I've only had positive experiences in 2009 about people being friendly, helpful and where necessary go out of their way to help, in a way that felt embarrassing as I didn't want to disturb them or even make them way me to places I needed to go. 

Tokyo to Hakodate (Hokkaido) by bullet train

This time I will circumnavigate the biggest Northern island of Japan - lets go to Hokkaido.

Hokkaido -- Clockwise,1000 Miles in 24 days

Hokkaido will be beautiful right after the summer and the swathes of tourists that would have visited. Apparently there will be rain, hopefully not too much but the weather should make for great cycling and camping.