Sanomagic "Wooden bike" with Gus

May 29, 2011

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I joined Gus who cycled here from Odawara in Shinagawa, and we cycled to Sanomagic in Shinkiba together. The Sano workshop makes wooden vessels from the Edo era, continuing for more than 200 years. Recently, he started making bikes out of mahogany, using wooden shipwright technology. The weight of the mahogany bike is the same as a carbon frame bike, but it has the flexibility peculiar to wood.
When I push on the pedal, I can feel a deflection as I start to accelerate.
Sano does not compromise with quality. We must wait for three years to obtain a Sano bike.
His mahogany bike is displayed this year in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

69.34Km

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"The travelogue of the cat town"　猫町紀行　by Yoshiharu Tsuge

May 22, 2011

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In 1969, the bizarre manga artist Yoshiharu Tsuge lost his way and saw "the cat town".
The travelogue was published considerably later in 1982. He wrote in great detail about how he got lost.
"After having lost my way, I crossed a street and suddenly there was the cat town."
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I traced the path where Yoshiharu Tsuge got lost.
The old Koshu main road diverged at an acute angle (forked) past the post town of Tsurukawa, seen in the center. I suppose that Tsuge's group went straight on Tsurukawa street.

The Nodajiri post town was the major candidate of "the cat town", but there was not the way which intersected street.

I was not able to go to "the cat town".

118.22Km

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Cycling in Fukushima

May 15, 2011

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Because my friend bought a BUROMPTON folding bicycle, we cycled around the southern part of Fukushima together.

We went by train from Tokyo to Otsuko Station and began ride heading north.
The news of the disaster in Fukushima was primarily focused on the nuclear power plants. But, the damage caused by the tsunami is a serious matter as well.

We rode up to the 25km safe spot, quite near to the nuclear installations.
The radiation here had a fivefold increase compared to Tokyo, this amount was less than 50 years ago. A nuclear testing in the atmosphere was not prohibited in those days.The transportation infrastructure in the stricken area has been restored.
However, a long period will be necessary to return to former life.

67.88Km

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"Three Stooges" from Australia

May 8, 2011

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The Australian cyclist Gus whom I met at the Misaka Pass in last autumn came back to Japan with his friends.
They arrived at Narita Airport three days ago and crossed Boso Peninsula. He came on a made-to-order wooden bicycle.

Trevor, the expert cyclist, came by "Vvirginablue.com.au" logo bicycle.
It is the limited bicycle with the autograph of Sir Richard Branson. As for young Chipolinni, this is his first long cycling tour. He is an excellent surfer and has good physical strength.

We joined at Yokohama Station and cycled to Enoshima via Kamakura.

We ate ramen in Kamiooka and visited Kencho-ji Temple, Tsuruoka Hachiman-gu Shrine and the Hase great statue of Buddha.
The route on the shore "Shichiriga-hama" was hit with a strong wind and rains, but they rode without concern.

I parted in Enoshima and they cycled to Odawara which is famous for an old castle.

Their route is here. Kisarazu to Yokohama by Aqua-Line bus.
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Guam, Ritidian Point

Apr 20, 2011

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I cycled to Ritidian Point at the northern cape of the island. I was not able to go on my first day here because I couldn't find the fork to the cape. I could not find the fork today neither, I asked a local person and followed his indications out of the main track.
There is not a sign indicating the direction of the cape. On the contrary, only a disturbed sign that says that "US. Air Force Installation, This Area is Patrolled by Military Working Dog Team".

I started pedaling fearfully, but there was a long open way.

A fine view opened out suddenly just when I felt like I was approaching the sea.

When I cycled on the dirt track and passed through the jungle to the beach...

There was nobody. It was only the sound of the waves.

55.37Km / Total 216.76Km

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Guam, the southern part of the island

Apr 18, 2011

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On the second day, I cycled around the southern part of the island.
I started from the hotel heading southwest and ascended halfway up the Mt.Lamlam(406m), highest peak of Guam.

Afterwards, I rode down to Cocos Lagoon and cycled beside the seashore. Today's route was full of variety.

I had lunch in Inarajan. The tour guide book said Chamorro gastronomic culture dwell here, however the dish was common fried chicken. The American dishes sweep the traditional local dishes.

I got exhausted after a lot of ups and downs sprinkled with splendid views.
102.88Km

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Guam, the northern part of the island

Apr 17, 2011

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The population of Guam is 164,000 people and the perimeter of the island is around 150 kilometers.
It is an island of perpetual summer that one can travel to from Japan in three hours. Many Japanese tourists come for sea bathing, diving and shopping. However, there are very few people bringing a bicycle.
On the first day, I pedaled around the northern part of the island.

The way was wide, but cycling was risky because there was not a side strip. Because bicycle was not run at all, the car driver was not used to overtake the bicycle.
Unlike Taiwan and Vietnam, there was not a local food stall on the roadside. There were only McDonald's and a Domino's Pizza.
I was hot, thirsty and hungry, but the beach was beautiful.
58.51Km

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