Attack 299 Reverse

[araim1]

Attack 299 is the annual event in summer where you ride through hwy 299 all the way from Irima city (Saitama) to Chino city, Nagano. Its distance is approx.200Km, total ascent is 3500m. Toge you go through on the way are Yamabushi toge(561m), Shigasaka toge(780m), Jukkoku toge(1351m) and finally Mugikusa toge(2127m). The event for this year is already done.

I did this courses up to Jukkoku toge, leaving Mugikusa toge, a few weeks ago and found the course georgeous.

I plan to do Attack 299 Reverse at Sept 20. If anyone interested, I welcome you. But I am a slow rider and may end up at Chichibu where I may take a train back home.

Here is the venue. I take the express train Moon light Shinshu #91 departing Shinjuku at 23:59 September 19 and arriving at Chino at 3:41 of the following day.

From Chino, the first destination is Mugikusa toge which is the second highest point as the national hwy. Then to Jukkoku toge and Shigasaka toge, going into Chichibu city. From Chichibu, if I am good enough, I may take either Arima toge or Yamabushi toge to my place. If not, I will do Rinko.

I will have a few company but they are photographers and may not ride together.

Please be sure the express train is all reserved seat meaning you have to purchase the reserved seat ticket in advance. It is being sold out quickly. So, hurry up if you are interested.

Minoru Arai

 

[kpykc]

Hi, Arai-san,

Thanks a lot for this info! I just checked the map - the course looks awesome indeed.

I definitely want to ride it!

I might join you on Sept.20.. but I am also interested to ride from Tachikawa to Chino, and take a train back home.

How is rt.299 traffic-wise? It looks like you will be riding there very early in the morning, I wonder how it is during the day..

 

[araim1]

Traffic of 299

Hi Sergey

Traffic of 299 is very light between Chichibu and Chino. See my photo near Jukkoku toge.


But it is heavy between Chichibu and Iruma city. This is why Yamabushi toge is chosen instead of Shomaru toge.

It will be ok to start from Tachikawa. I believe this direction is harder than the reverse course.

Minoru Arai

 

[Ludwig]

Traffic of 299 is very light between Chichibu and Chino. See my photo near Jukkoku toge.


But it is heavy between Chichibu and Iruma city. This is why Yamabushi toge is chosen instead of Shomaru toge.
Minoru Arai

Yes, between Chichibu and Gunma the traffic becomes very little, and once in Gunma, climbing up to Jukkoku Toge, you find yourself on a tiny road where barely a car can pass another - and there aren't many to start with. Almost unbelievable it still is a kokuko. Very nice though, especially in Gunma. (I haven't done the last part to Chino.)

 

[araim1]

Yesterday, I did this course and found it excellent since this is actually the course that can actualize the short ascent and long descent.


This run is just nothing as compared with the one Sergey and Thomas done at the same day. However, this is what I would like to do it again.

As planned, we arrived at Chino st. at 3:41AM and started riding toward Mugikusa-toge. The weather was just perfect and a little chilly.

Throughout the course, traffic is very little and quite except Chichibu city downtown area. As I mentioned, all climb toward four toge are not too difficult--average gradient is approx.5-10%. But once you reaches to the top, you can enjoy a long happy descent.

Distance 198Km
Total ascent 3100m

Minoru Arai