Day 7 Ono to Ako

First up the Duke rolled out in yellow and the Goose has Bling the cuddly koala ( I his left hand).









Here is the peloton interacting with the natives.








Then we met up with the baggage van at the famed Himeji Castle. This one was the best so far, dominating the landscape, in perfect condition and a natural white hue.








Luckily there were not too many tourists and we were able to take it in without being too crushed.






At the end of the ride my room servants were too happy to pose for a photo dressed in their traditional bath costume.






View from our room over the Inland Sea







Watched some synchronised dancing at the Castle






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Location:Misaki,Ako,Japan

Day 6 Osaka to Ono first day in Lycra

Seemed to have issues publishing last night, so look for yesterday's Kyoto post before this one

On a nice summers morning the intrepid band of Cultural and Discovery Tour of Japan 2015 riders put shoe to pedal and rode off into the rising sun. While that was kind of a bromancing thing, but after 15 minutes one of us decided to inform the others that we were actually heading in the complete wrong direction!






So a big recalculate of the route and put via Shin Isaka station we road at a cracking average of 9 kph as there was a crossing every 200m with invariably a red light.





At the first meeting of the Baggage truck, fondly named Rody, ( true that's what the sticker says), the locals were out in force never having seen sucked aged but well preserved males exercising. Didn't matter that they had no idea what and why we were doing the ride.





After that Goose had the first and only puncture of the day. That lost him 50 points.



Then across a large river


And into the hills and countryside. Seems Thursday's are for burn offs as many rice farmers were making smoke.


Lunch was a top find, we pulled up at a restaurant so we thought and neatly parked the car. Turns out it was a preschool and we were causing some commotion for the teachers. The Duke used his royal charms and one of the ladies jumped on her scooter and took him down the hill to point out our lunch venue.

This turned out to be an authentic Japanese building and garden on Seagrams matting. So it was shoes off and then ushered into a dining room by a kimono clad waitress. Lunch was amazing for $15 each! Even more surprising is that this is a chain try. Ganko.co.jp

So we made it to Ono late in the afternoon, the peloton best the baggage truck which wasn't supposed to happen, especially since we are staying in the tallest building In The valley. Loss of points to goose and pedals.

Equal stage win by the Black Cav and the Duke saw the Duke crowned in Yellow and Bling, our last man mascot awarded to the flatted and late Goose.

Tomorrow it's off to the seaside via the Himeji Castle ( how many times will this one have been burnt down?)



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Location:Ono

kyoto cultural prologue

After a rainy night, the morning was cool and fresh. So we headed to Kyoto to visit the temples. It was subway to Shin Osaka and then Fast Rapid to Kyoto all for about $10.



Hired some bikes, and rode 8 km to the Golden Temple. This is the garden
Golden temple world heritage site, like all temples so far, it has only burnt down at least twice and been rebuilt each time



The Silver temple


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Tomorrow we ride to Ono, yahoo ... Oh no!

Posted by the Electric Cowboy using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Kyoto

Day 4 , dodging the super typhoon and more preparation

Cloudy with some rain and windy this morning, but nothing serious. Upperclass breakfast at Daimaru this morning.

Pedals arrived after lunch having spent a day driving the baggage car down from Tokyo. See our camper 'Rody' in the foreground with the solar panel on its roof.



Pedals and Michael after putting the last bike together.


Here are all of the gang at our favourite Takoyaki streetside restaurant.



Tomorrow we will visit Kyoto before we commence the cycling odyssey



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Location:Osaka

Day x trip to Nara

Today, we found a cafe for breakfast that had bread then it was off to Nara by train. Temperature about 5 degrees cooler in Nara just on the othe side of a mountain range from Osaka.

First up was the group selfie, with special appearance from Dickie Knee in the foreground.






This is the Todaiji Temple first attraction for the day.Founded in 8 th century, is still the largest wooden structure in the world.





Magnificent entrance gates, not too many tourists due to end of the season, and it's bloody hot and humid down here.





Arty pic from Ferdy












There are three big figures, one of Buddha





Then it was back to Osaka for dinner at three different venues with a nightcap at this bar which acts as a repository for women to discard their upper underwear!!!!!







Today we guide the RV into the penthouse and maybe visit Kyoto tomorrow .

Weather is cloudy, not as hot with rain threatening.

Cheers. EC

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Location:Osaka

Day 2 Osaka tours

Our first night was an experience with the mass of Japanese humanity out in Namba with the bright city billboards and shoppers followed by a traditional Japanese many course dinner and some 'let's explore those little bars' action until the wee small hours.

Today (Sunday) was for recovery with a walking trip to the Osaka Castle. On the way as we were aimlessly rambling in the suburbs a lady asked where we were going then ran inside and we ended up having a little iced tea ceremony, fantastic.

This is the outside moat of Osaka castle, water level down for the end of summer.


Here is the castle pagoda building itself. We found it easy to blend in, being only slightly taller than most, not having dark hair nor a selfie stick! The girls on my right dressed in black are bike mechanics who are helping us for the rest of the ride.


No expense spared on the welcome parade


Then it was off to the 35 th floor of this new building Hemeda Sky Building for a view of the sunset. I did pretty well to get to the top not understanding what I should be doing, which lift, should I have already bought my ticket etc.


Looking back towards Australia on a balmy Sunday night


Some of us where even glowing with excitement. Either that or we have walked a bit to close to something.


And then it was dinner under the building which was doing a full scale imitation of Octoberfest, which was the best way to have dinner. Sausage, sauerkraut and German beer in Japan!. The difference between home and here is that the local crowd where all in their 20s, and no one had drunk too much. View the wighty_14 Instagram.

Today (Tuesday) we pickup the RV and park it for a few days before we kick off on Thursday. Might visit Nara for more culture.

Weather no change, humid low 30s, some cloud.

Passed catching the subway home from dinner.

Best thing about travelling here is we don't have any jet lag.

Sayonara from EC san.



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Location:Nishishinsaibashi 2-Chōme,Chuo-Ku, Osaka,Japan

Day 1 Osaka arrival

The plan is now in the Execution stage with the CDJT15 riders concentrating in the steamy metropolis of Osaka.

First up we took the bus from the airport to Namba and this actually worked very well, even our bags were loaded on the bus for us. After finding the 'penthouse' we stepped out for a bit of shopping.





Black Cav, the Duke, Goose, Electric Cowboy, Rocket before lunch.





Looking for souvenirs to take back for our partners.





Downstairs is the bling machine which matches the Black Cav's style.








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Location:Airbnb penthouse Nishishinsaibashi 2-Chōme,Chuo-Ku, Osaka,Japan

Welcome to the next edition of our riding odyssey.

Its that time again when we gather in a new land and explore the country by riding our bikes.  Its one way to enjoy a bike ride in a new land and meet and see interesting people and things along the way.  Did I mention that we have to eat the food as well.

Well this year its in Japan which is all about a completely new culture, the ability to eat Japanese food at every meal, stay in tradition Ryokan hotels with hot spring baths.

So we start in Osaka from 22 August for the traditional acclimatisation and then start our ride on Thursday 27 August riding Southeast along the coast (sort of) to the Shimanami Kaido.  Crossing the Inland Sea to Shikuku and after that spending a week in the mountains finishing with a few days exploring Mt Fuji and surrounds.

So sit back and see who can win the Yellow Jersey this time.  Tour rides comprise myself, the Grand Duke, Rocket, Goose, Pedals back from 2011 and the Black Cav backing up for his second attempt.

Here is a diagram of the proposed route.