Cycling Shimanami 2022, the only cycling event in Japan that takes place on an expressway. All courses include expressways traveling across the bridges from island to island. Participants can ride on the main roads of an expressway, enjoying the most scenic route with thousands of islands.
I was a part of the riders who were privileged to ride through this scenic route of 70 km from Imabari to Onomichi.
Do you know CYCLE AROUND JAPAN? The movie program offered by NHK (Japan's national broadcasting station) proposes a journey in Japan to enjoy the adventure on a bike.
The latest clip was from Iwate, Northern part of Japan.
Selfie Ride in Iwate - A Home Away From Home
CYCLE AROUND JAPAN 49m 00s
Broadcast on January 15, 2022 Available until January 15, 2023
In the program, cyclists visited Karuizawa, Matsumoto Castle, Otari Hot Spring, and Shibu Pass, one of the highest elevations of the roads in Japan. I have been in all those places with my Brompton. They are all wonderful destinations to go!
Brompton and I went out for a snow ride in Mt. Hakkoda. Mt. Hakkoda, situated at the northern end of Japan's main island, is famous for terrible snow storm in winter.
In order to ride on the snow road, Brompton was equipped with Schwalbe Winter, a pair of 16-inch stud tires.
Arriving at Aomori airport, I hurried up to Sukayu hot spring lodge by car.
Sukayu is famous for deep snow, usually reaches 3 to 5 meters in winter. Snowfall beyond 1 meter over night is quite common here. Snowfall recorded 538 cm high in one day on Feb. 26, 2013. A good place to experience a snow adventure as well as nice hot spring.
The lodge is a historic hot spring accommodating people for the past 200 years.
Sukayu lodge preserves its historic wooden bath house and bath tab. Hot spring here is extremely fresh because it directly comes out from the bottom of bath tab. Yes, the bath house is build just on the natural hot spring.
Let's go out for a snow ride! Please watch a movie below.
While road was completely covered with snow, Schwalbe winter tires ensure a comfortable ride.
However, it's too cold. Strong snow storm blew with wind speed of over 10 meters per second.
Due to deep snow, I can't continue to ride any more. I started to push Brompton.
Finally Brompton and I arrived the distination, Hakkoda Hotel.
