JAPAN: Ride Day1

 

Although rain was forecast, the morning was overcast but not threatening.  Temperature was probably around 60.

We left in two groups following one of the guides until the “tea break”, about 30 km.  The sun came out briefly and I put in my sun glasses.  But as we approached the sea, threatening clouds developed.  Throughout the day all we got were a few sprinkles.

We have no route sheets; they would be useless because out in the country all signs are in Japanese.  All we have is a useless general map and GPS computers.  In the US, our GPS computers tell us when to turn and which way.  Not so here.  There is a map on the screen, the route is purple and there is an arrow to show where you are.  Not a lot of help, especially if you’re color-blind.  But John Hailey is an excellent navigator so we tried to keep up with him.

Unfortunately, Brenda and I got caught at some stop lights and lost the group, even sight of the group.  Brenda saw a small sign on the road that the guides chalked in so we made that left turn.  But then what?  What if we are or become lost?  We won’t even know what town we’re in if we call the guide. It’s a pretty hopeless feeling. Eventually we come across a couple of the faster riders who had to stop for a minor mechanical problem. We follow them to the  beach and the directions here are “Keep the Sea of Japan” on your left.  And that works until lunch, at about 50 km.

From here on a lot of the riding is on bike paths and we’re able to keep up with John.  The ride seems longer and longer.  In fact it was 10km longer than the advertised 80 km.  And the last miles had LOTS of BIG hills.  We were pretty tired when we finally arrived.  We went to an Onsen (a community bath, both male and female is most hotels and ryokans) to relax; I’ll describe that later.  It’s almost time for “happy hour” and I really need a drink.

Remember yesterday when I told you we went to the wrong hotel in Kanazawa.  Well we weren’t the only ones.  It turns out that sometime in the past year, the first night’s hotel was changed.  Some of us missed the notice.  So I don’t feel so bad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Near the end of the ride we passed through quaint fishing villages.  Otherwise, I wasn’t impressed with the scenery today. The azaleas are in full bloom and magnificent.  Also, many of the homes have tidy vegetables gardens.  They grow lots of onions!

 

 

 

Last night our food was 100% fried,   Tonight’s was gourmet – excellent.  Did you know that Tokyo has more Michelin starred restaurants than any city in the world.  Our post dinner entertainment was music on a Japanese harp.