Epilogue ride to Lake Yamanakawa

Last riding day today in the Fuji area before we pack the bikes ready for transport to Tokyo tomorrow.

A short uphill ride to the lake on a cloudy and warm day. We are not close to any of the flooding.


















The lake seems to be famous for its large white swans, even in boats and paddle craft, very 70s.

















The peloton forms a circle to decide which way to go.







A school?





Good cycle infrastructure





The Duke takes a rest and marks his spot





Fuji should be here





See, if only there were no clouds




You can just see the top in the break in the fluffy clouds


Example of dated infrastructure that typifies Japan. Most of the buildings seem to have seen better days maybe 30 years ago.


A nice garden next to the place we had lunch at


The final sprint from the Cake and Coffee shop to the Hotel Bell


Now we pack up the bikes back into their boxes. Tomorrow we drop them at left luggage at the airports.


- Posted by the Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Kamiyoshida,Fujiyoshida,Japan

Raining in Japan at 50 year levels but we ride on

By now you would have read about the flooding in japan, we have seen a lot of rain but no flooding where we have been. Well the rivers have been flowing very fast, seen some good waterfalls but generally only got wet.

Thursday 10 September we jumped on the bikes from Fujiyoshida and headed to the start of the Subaru Line to ride the 24 km climb to the fifth station of Mt Fuji.

The weather was cloudy but no rain. Nice temperature.

We received a very raucous farewell from the hotel staff and there is our objective


















Beautiful green forest, but very quiet no animals to speak of. Road kill is non existent in Japan

















200 yen each for the Subaru Line toll


















24 km to the top, first bit a nice 7.8% just to see if you really want to climb for 24 km
Every km post has gradient info to cheer you up


Just to pass the time I started counting the tourist buses that passed me. 48 was the number at the summit, since we were in the off season I guess it would be in the 100 s each day in the peak season






Onward and upward I granny gear, nice road surface though. Got value for my 200 yen












Towards the end the clouds rolled in and the temperature dropped












The remaining peloton achieving celebrity status at the top as bus loads of tourists took our picture. Rumour had that George Clooney had put on weight for a new sumo film and was 'on the mountain'.









That's the path to the summit, Black Cav loses some celebrity status once George was seen!









Pretty bleak terrain to the top. We have decided to ride the surrounding lakes rather than summit.









The Electric Cowboy shows his new photogenic pose.






Here are the stats, profile looks very Fuji like! More than mile of climbing on three bananas.





- Posted by the Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Kamiyoshida,Fujiyoshida,Japan

Wednesday 9 sep transit from rainy Matsumoto to blue sky Mt Fuji

After three of the four days at Matsumoto recording constant rain we packed up and set off for the 177km trip to Fujiyoshida , according to Google this would be a 2 hour run. But we now know from previous trips that it would take double.

Anyway a quiet trip with all passengers falling asleep as the effects of last night's karaoke took their toll. Just another 2730 yen in Tolls and 3 and a bit hours later and two 2km or so tunnels and we were at our hotel for the next three nights.

Just as the clouds parted to review our objective, lenticular clouds on the summit.






Good news also that Rocket has made it back safely to Melbourne to continue his recovery.

Tomorrow we will ride from Fujiyoshida up the Subaru line to the fifth station, something like 24km of climb for over 1000 m of ascent. Hopefully the weather will stay dry else we will have to go shopping instead. On Friday we plan to summit on foot if the weather permits.

Cheers
EC

- Posted by the Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Fujiyoshida

Leaving Matsumoto heading for Fuji

Steady rain for the past two days and it's still raining so looks like we will not be riding to Fuji rather we will, transit in the RV.

Did visit an art gallery yesterday though







Posted by the Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from my iPad

Utsukushi ga hara climb Matsumoto

After yesterday's wet rest day today didn't start too well. First up was quick soak in the onsen then protracted breakfast.

Ferdy met up with Rocket and broke him free of the Japanese medical system, heading for Osaka ready to fly home tomorrow.

Rocket seen hear performing traditional Japanese baton twirl with the JR marching band conductor. Nice socks too,



The rest of the peloton decided that since it had stopped raining that we should try the reportedly 'brutal' Utsukushi ga hara climb, as its really close by to Matsumoto. I can report that it is 'brutal' with an initial 19% straight up start and it had recommended raining by then.



It had already started to rain as we approached the edge of the city limits


Pretty well straight up, the Black Cav lets the 34 teeth sing


Anyway we climbed at our own pace as the rain continued to fall and we made it into the clouds to a white out and then it got colder. the forest was very green but there was little bird life and no other animals to be seen. Too close to town to see any monkeys.

Bananas are our energy bars


Riders of the storm, Into the clouds we rode


Then there was a vending machine serving hot canned coffee and tea. We used the can to warm ourselves before drinking it. Not bad for less than $2


We returned as drowned riders with Goose having broken a spoke and we went straight to the onsen which by now was at 40c which was perfect.



Black Cav and Pedals had time to admire the architecture


Dinner in at the Fukashiso Ryokan was great as usual. We are becoming quite accustomed to Japanese way of life, you thought they might have invented a chair by now!



Tomorrow we need to fix a bike and decide whether we feel like getting drenched again, or sip coffee instead. the duke returns so he will be wanting to climb the Yama s.


- Posted by the Electric Cowboy using BlogPress

Location:Namiyanagi 2-Chōme,Matsumoto,Japan

Day 11 rainy rest day

It has rained all day today, mostly lightly but after yesterday's ride we needed the rest.

First up we found a bike shop to straighten the Black Cav s hanger.

Then off to the inner sights of Matsumoto for lunch












This is 'frog street'





Innovative car parking, our van couldn't fit.





The Duke has headed, by Shinkansen fast train, to Fukuyama to break Rocket out of the asylum that he has been held in for the last week. All going well the Duke will be back with us on Tuesday and Rocket will be homeward bound.

So we are down to four for a few days but plan to conquer a mountain tomorrow morning as it's going to be a nice 26c tomorrow

- Posted by the Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Namiyanagi 2-Chōme,Matsumoto,Japan

Day 10 Takayama to Matsumoto via the Tunnels of Death

On Saturday (yesterday) we rode from the lovely hot springs resort town of Takayama to the town surrounded by mountains, Matsumoto.

First up it was market day in Takayama.





















then onto the 158 road which being Saturday had light truck traffic but frequent motorbike tourers





















Mt Norikura in the distance at 3200m




















the Black Cav in cheerful form




















hot spring with lots of people tapping into the free heated water, at Hirayu hot spring ski area

















then it was onto a 900m climb through national park on 8 per cent gradient in 20C temperature. very peaceful with little traffic, but very tough climb


















looking back down at Hirayu from halfway up












made it to the top, Black Cav leading









surprisingly only a few local inhabitants were interested in us









guess which one is the monkey?





on the descent we had to ride through 15 or so tunnels. No bike lanes to take your chances in wet dark bumpy and noisy tunnels. One was more scary as it had poor or nil lighting, try riding downhill with your eyes closed, not recommended. Anyway we all survived and gave each other a hug afterwards to celebrate our successful passage






the Duke was piloting Rody today






looking down the valley that we coasted with the cars at same speed as we dropped from 1600m to 500m










once in Matsumoto Black Cav and the Electric Cowboy checked out the Castle





safely ensconced in the Ryokan for dinner.


the next four days are here at Matsumoto including some mountain climbs and rest day.

- Posted by the Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Namiyanagi 2-Chōme,Matsumoto,Japan