How do you do everyone...!
I visit Japan every couple of years and last time took the Iida train line from Matsumoto to Toyohashi. The towns and countryside looked amazing but there was no time to get out and properly explore. Luckily we stopped at Iida for a couple of days, but I really wanted to explore the other towns along the Iida line and Tenryu river.
I'm a cyclist and would love to attempt a bike ride with a friend (who's not a cyclist!) next year in April between Okaya and Tenryuko, stopping at hotels along the way and taking perhaps one week to do it, jumping on the train if it became too difficult. :bike2:
It would be my first overseas ride, so it's hard to know where to start and I'd love some advice.
Unlike Australia every town seemed linked by roads and paths. Is this typical? In other words, would it be easy to get from town to town without busy highways, or rough mountain trails?
In April, would thermal clothes be required? It was wet but not very cold in Iida in April when I was there.
Any recommendations for hiring or buying a cheap mountain bike for one week?
The other option is to bring or own, in which case we'd need a week of storage in Tokyo for them.
What is the ride like between Matsumoto and Okaya?
I'd really appreciate any advice on this. Cycling seems like the best way to really see a country. Thanks very much and sorry about the million questions!
Hutcho
I visit Japan every couple of years and last time took the Iida train line from Matsumoto to Toyohashi. The towns and countryside looked amazing but there was no time to get out and properly explore. Luckily we stopped at Iida for a couple of days, but I really wanted to explore the other towns along the Iida line and Tenryu river.
I'm a cyclist and would love to attempt a bike ride with a friend (who's not a cyclist!) next year in April between Okaya and Tenryuko, stopping at hotels along the way and taking perhaps one week to do it, jumping on the train if it became too difficult. :bike2:
It would be my first overseas ride, so it's hard to know where to start and I'd love some advice.
Unlike Australia every town seemed linked by roads and paths. Is this typical? In other words, would it be easy to get from town to town without busy highways, or rough mountain trails?
In April, would thermal clothes be required? It was wet but not very cold in Iida in April when I was there.
Any recommendations for hiring or buying a cheap mountain bike for one week?
The other option is to bring or own, in which case we'd need a week of storage in Tokyo for them.
What is the ride like between Matsumoto and Okaya?
I'd really appreciate any advice on this. Cycling seems like the best way to really see a country. Thanks very much and sorry about the million questions!
Hutcho
