I'm thinking of doing a bicycle tour this summer.
That would mean buying a decent bike, panniers, a bag to carry the bike on the train, whatever other gear is necessary, choosing a place to go in Japan, and all the rest.
Any suggestions as to how to prepare for a bicycle touring holiday (in Japan) would be really welcome.
Posted by Setsunai at July 21, 2005 11:31 PMi'm an absolute novice on the bike thing, and i did it on a mama-chari, but the 88 temples of Shikoku is something to cherish. can be done in a couple of weeks if you push it, more at your leasure but has beautiful sweeping mountains, breathtaking ocean views, bears and friendly country folk (and girls at piano bars)...i can send you some books as well.
Posted by: scott at July 25, 2005 2:08 AM | Permalink to CommentBicycle touring is my main thing (one trip was a six-month tour of Europe), so if you need any help with it please let me know. I can recommend the best bicycle touring stores and can suggest some equipment. It's getting hard to find proper touring equipment these days because so few people do it any more. Anyway, e-mail me.
As to the best places in Japan, I did most of my touring in Japan back in the 70's and 80's and a lot has changed since then, not least the amount of cars on back roads. Even today, though, I think Hokkaido is the destination of choice, with Tohoku and Kyushu a close second. In the summer the great thing about Hokkaido is that all the campsites are free, some of them very nice.
Let's talk.
Posted by: butuki at July 25, 2005 3:19 PM | Permalink to CommentCheers folks. I'll be in touch by email.
Posted by: Setsunai at July 25, 2005 6:16 PM | Permalink to Comment