For the last week or so, Tokyo (and more specifically, the couch in my living room for a few nights) has been host to a round-the-world cyclist, Matt Blake, who arrived from England overland after an epic 14 month ride.
Tag: Cycling
GEKISAKA hill race – Tour de Utsukushigahara
The Tour de France? No, the real tough hill climbing cycle event is the Tour de Utsukushigahara, with its gekisaka (檄坂 – severe slope). The race is only 22km in distance, but ascends 1,270 metres up to Utsukushigara from Asama Onsen (in Matsumoto) – the first few hundred metres of the race ascendup an 18%… Continue reading GEKISAKA hill race – Tour de Utsukushigahara
Tour de Utsukushigahara
A 22km bike ride in the mountains? No problems, put my name down. What, a 1,270 metre ascent up the mountain? What was I thinking? Japan’s “gekisaka” (severe slope) hill climb event – the Tour de Utsukushigahara. What a way to celebrate the first anniversary of my arrival in Japan. I haven’t had time to… Continue reading Tour de Utsukushigahara
Cycling trip to Tsukuba 22 Nov 2008
It was late November, and there were still autumn colours to be found. I cycled across Tokyo to Akihabara, and met Steve and his bike on the Tsukuba Express to Tsukuba. After a second breakfast of fast food, it was on the bikes up the road to Tsukuba-san (Mt Tsukuba). The sun was shining, the roads… Continue reading Cycling trip to Tsukuba 22 Nov 2008
Izu Hanto cycling road trip
I picked up my new bike on Friday night, and then immediately took it for a cycle touring weekend with Phil and two of his friends, Will and Chrissie. Phil and I set off on an early shinkansen from Shinagawa, and were met in Numazu by Will and Chrissie, who live there as English teachers… Continue reading Izu Hanto cycling road trip
Shimoda by bike
This weekend Phil and I, together with two other friends, rode our bikes from Numazu to Shimoda, which is about 55km a day. We finished at this beach.