Hello,
My girlfriend and myself (age 23 and 25) have planned a very cool trip across japan during the two beautiful months of... summer. (1st July > 31st August.) I know about the heat issue but well, those were the only months we could free up so... no point complaining about that.
The plan is to go down from Tokyo all the way down to Kagoshima on the pacific side passing by Kamakura, Izu peninsula etc.
On the way up, we swould follow the "Length of Japan route" with a side-trip to Kanazawa because i've always wanted to go there.
We never plan to spend more than 2 or three days in one place.
I have quite a few questions, both technical and practical. I thank you in advance for enlightening me.
1: Our bicycles are Giant CRS models, do you think they are suitable?
2: How is the heat and humidity in those months? Are we actually crazy to attempt this ?
3: How many hours a day do you think is reasonable to cycle? We actually decided to get up at around 6 every day to make the most of our days.
4: What about the creepy insects while camping? My girlfriend hates spiders and she heard that they were legions in japan...
5: How many kilometers can you hope to cover in one day? We have been going to the gym to train and we are quite fit, have no problem cycling for hours at a quick enough speed..
6: What is your experience of free camping in Japan?
7: What roads are you NOT ALLOWED TO CYCLE ON? I've heard it was legal to cycle on highways... (Not expressways)
8: How long do people take to cover the Length of Japan? We believe we can easily cycle 100 km on one day. (please tell us how wrong we are. )
9: Is it okay to go to Onsen if you're all sweaty from all this tough travelling?
10: About the bridges linking Shikoku to Honshuu and Kyushuu, i've heard many of them are forbidden to cyclists. Can someone tell me which ones are okay? I would hate to have to trackback because of this.
11: Do most convenience stores have toilets?
12: Is it safe to leave your bikes unattended (Still locked) with your tent and crap clothes in your bike's satchels?
13: (Because there had to be a thirteenth question) ARE WE CRAZY? More seriously, if you have any tips that might be beneficial to our survival, they are most welcome
Edit: 14: Is it possible to buy a Rinko Bag in every bicycle shop in Tokyo? (For instance, i was looking at this :http://fixedgearbikes.blogspot.com/2009/01/inside-punch-cycle-tokyo.html Punch Cycle in Asakusa since it's close to where i'll be staying for my first night.
I thank you for answering my questions and reassuring me about the fact that we are not going to meet our death in japan.
My girlfriend and myself (age 23 and 25) have planned a very cool trip across japan during the two beautiful months of... summer. (1st July > 31st August.) I know about the heat issue but well, those were the only months we could free up so... no point complaining about that.
The plan is to go down from Tokyo all the way down to Kagoshima on the pacific side passing by Kamakura, Izu peninsula etc.
On the way up, we swould follow the "Length of Japan route" with a side-trip to Kanazawa because i've always wanted to go there.
We never plan to spend more than 2 or three days in one place.
I have quite a few questions, both technical and practical. I thank you in advance for enlightening me.
1: Our bicycles are Giant CRS models, do you think they are suitable?
2: How is the heat and humidity in those months? Are we actually crazy to attempt this ?
3: How many hours a day do you think is reasonable to cycle? We actually decided to get up at around 6 every day to make the most of our days.
4: What about the creepy insects while camping? My girlfriend hates spiders and she heard that they were legions in japan...
5: How many kilometers can you hope to cover in one day? We have been going to the gym to train and we are quite fit, have no problem cycling for hours at a quick enough speed..
6: What is your experience of free camping in Japan?
7: What roads are you NOT ALLOWED TO CYCLE ON? I've heard it was legal to cycle on highways... (Not expressways)
8: How long do people take to cover the Length of Japan? We believe we can easily cycle 100 km on one day. (please tell us how wrong we are. )
9: Is it okay to go to Onsen if you're all sweaty from all this tough travelling?
10: About the bridges linking Shikoku to Honshuu and Kyushuu, i've heard many of them are forbidden to cyclists. Can someone tell me which ones are okay? I would hate to have to trackback because of this.
11: Do most convenience stores have toilets?
12: Is it safe to leave your bikes unattended (Still locked) with your tent and crap clothes in your bike's satchels?
13: (Because there had to be a thirteenth question) ARE WE CRAZY? More seriously, if you have any tips that might be beneficial to our survival, they are most welcome
Edit: 14: Is it possible to buy a Rinko Bag in every bicycle shop in Tokyo? (For instance, i was looking at this :http://fixedgearbikes.blogspot.com/2009/01/inside-punch-cycle-tokyo.html Punch Cycle in Asakusa since it's close to where i'll be staying for my first night.
I thank you for answering my questions and reassuring me about the fact that we are not going to meet our death in japan.