Phil
Maximum Pace
- Sep 1, 2007
- 1,816
- 55
Two-Day Tour de Chiba
Oct 11th-12th or Oct 12th-13th
The Tour de Chiba is a three-day recreational ride that circles most of the southern Boso (Chiba) peninsula and a good portion of the northern part of the prefecture, too. The 2008 site, heads-up courtesy of Edogawakikkoman, is here: http://www.tour-de-chiba.jp/
Now, I've been thinking about doing a two-day version of the Tour pretty much since the day after completing the official three-dayer last year.
The idea is to do the exact same route, on the same weekend, but over two days instead of three, and in the opposite direction. Assuming the official route is roughly the same as last year, that would mean going counter-clockwise from a location just east of Chiba City, down to the southern tip of the peninsula, turning north and proceeding up the Pacific coast almost as far as Choshi, then heading back southwest past Narita airport to the original starting point. The route takes in some of the best scenery of Chiba (especially in the inland hills to the south) and despite its length mostly avoids the larger, more heavily trafficked roads.
Why two days?
Simply for the increased challenge. Again assuming the route is similar to last year, the ride would be about 360 kms, or 180 kms per day.
Why in the opposite direction to the official tour?
Basically, to (a) avoid cheekily riding the Tour route and taking advantage of the marshals etc without actually paying for them and (b) seeing all the participating riders on the Tour (600 to 800 of them) streaming by in the opposite direction. Also, the weather is (usually) still coming from the south at that time of year and it would be nice to have the wind when going up the more exposed Pacific coast on the second day (no guarantees on this one though). It makes the second day easier and flatter, plus it would be possible to shorten the second day by cutting straight back in from the coast to Chiba City at any point north of Shirako, should that be required.
Anyways, that's the broad outline. Details will be settled (including exact route and accommodation) once the official Tour route is up. Obviously it's still a ways off yet, but I'm fairly set on doing this providing work allows and injuries heal...
Needless to say, it would be more fun with company, so if this sounds interesting, let me know!
Oct 11th-12th or Oct 12th-13th
The Tour de Chiba is a three-day recreational ride that circles most of the southern Boso (Chiba) peninsula and a good portion of the northern part of the prefecture, too. The 2008 site, heads-up courtesy of Edogawakikkoman, is here: http://www.tour-de-chiba.jp/
Now, I've been thinking about doing a two-day version of the Tour pretty much since the day after completing the official three-dayer last year.
The idea is to do the exact same route, on the same weekend, but over two days instead of three, and in the opposite direction. Assuming the official route is roughly the same as last year, that would mean going counter-clockwise from a location just east of Chiba City, down to the southern tip of the peninsula, turning north and proceeding up the Pacific coast almost as far as Choshi, then heading back southwest past Narita airport to the original starting point. The route takes in some of the best scenery of Chiba (especially in the inland hills to the south) and despite its length mostly avoids the larger, more heavily trafficked roads.
Why two days?
Simply for the increased challenge. Again assuming the route is similar to last year, the ride would be about 360 kms, or 180 kms per day.
Why in the opposite direction to the official tour?
Basically, to (a) avoid cheekily riding the Tour route and taking advantage of the marshals etc without actually paying for them and (b) seeing all the participating riders on the Tour (600 to 800 of them) streaming by in the opposite direction. Also, the weather is (usually) still coming from the south at that time of year and it would be nice to have the wind when going up the more exposed Pacific coast on the second day (no guarantees on this one though). It makes the second day easier and flatter, plus it would be possible to shorten the second day by cutting straight back in from the coast to Chiba City at any point north of Shirako, should that be required.
Anyways, that's the broad outline. Details will be settled (including exact route and accommodation) once the official Tour route is up. Obviously it's still a ways off yet, but I'm fairly set on doing this providing work allows and injuries heal...
Needless to say, it would be more fun with company, so if this sounds interesting, let me know!