A last look at the volcano and the sights of Kagoshima. It occurs to us that our balcony is larger than some of the rooms we have stayed in during our travels.
We enjoyed breakfast at the hotel and got ready to head out on our adventure. We know that there are monster hills ahead and with Barry’s motor being unreliable, I am taking the heavier load on my trike to help. This is totally out of character for Barry to take a lighter load as his chivalrous nature usually results in him taking the heavier load. After 38 years of this, it is about time!
The practical and problem solving nature of Japan is summed up here. It rains a lot and gets very hot in Japan so everyone carries an umbrella, whether on foot or on their bike, for rain or sun. Most commercial entrances have this device. You put your umbrella in the slot and it neatly wraps it in plastic. No mess!
We realize we have too much stuff. We need a down day to seriously cull our excess. We will keep camping gear, but with heavy hills ahead and questionable e-assist we will lighten our load.
Well, it is shaping up to be a brute of a day. The sun is shining, it is hot, and the first hill started right away. It was truly one of the steepest climbs we have done and it went on forever. And and did I mention that when Barry started up his trike…no motor!
I originally had the questionable idea to follow the highway you see in the photo. The gradient was less and more direct. Glad we didn’t and this is a super highway and not for bikes.
Well, it is shaping up to be a brute of a day. The sun is shining, it is hot, and the first hill started right away. It was truly the steepest climb we have done and it went on forever, and did I mention that when Barry started up his trike…no motor!
We often see shrines such as this alongside the road. We presume they are family shrines.
All in all we rode 35 Km and we were both exhausted by the time we stopped. We couldn’t do more. The day was all hills and the gradients were tough and unending. To make matters worse, the route we were following had numerous glitches. At one point we were lost and faced a dead end in the middle of a field due to the Shinkansen train line and a cement wall. At that point we went back to the busy road which involved reclimbing an area that we had just sped down.
We have been enjoying our detour to lower ground by the river. As we proceeded down this gravel road, the man from the house in the distance tried to tell us something in Japanese. We didn’t understand. I guess he was telling us…dead end. A cement wall will block you in.
The only hotel, in Hioki, where we stopped, was fully booked (Golden Week) so they called a woman who has rooms for rent nearby…the only other possibility was to go on for for another 35 Km. When we arrived, we realized that this establishment had seen better days. The entrance was overgrown and the chaos inside made us wonder if we should wild camp somewhere. At the thought of that, we both agreed, we will stay. After all it has a bathroom and a western style bed. We could have chosen a 4 tatami mat room but we would be sharing it with 2 others…and the mats were all connected due to the size of the room. A bit intimate considering the shape we were in.
We got on our bikes to get provisions for the evening and wonder of wonders, Barry’s motor worked…. 1st time today. The irony is not lost on us as he really needed the motor for the hard climbs of the day. We rode to the grocery store to get food to have in our room. We must have looked like aliens from another planet in our neon cycling jackets and the glazed look in our eyes. This town is completely away from the tourist route and we attracted many looks of bewilderment followed by smiles. Our attempts at speaking Japanese were followed by mass confusion.
Poor Barry's back took a beating as the bed was rock hard, but we fared ok. The woman who ran it looked like life had been hard but she was gracious and welcoming. Barry couldn’t get the translator to connect with her so we shared an unintelligible conversation and all was well.
And to all, a good night!
Today's ride: 35 km (22 miles) Total: 230 km (143 miles)
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Steve Miller/GrampiesWhat do you do if there is no sidewalk/shoulder and you need to ride on the road with the traffic? We get nervous on regular widther/height bikes, can hardly imagine lower wider trikes. Reply to this comment 11 months ago
Barry BartlettWell, we developed confidence riding on Saltspring the past 3 years during the pandemic. Some guys in trucks love to goose the engine and spew their exhaust at us, and some yell at us, but mostly it has been ok. It has certainly improved. We like to think that we are slowly educating them!
We each have high poles with flags, flashing lights on the flagpoles, mirrors on each side, obnoxious bright neon clothing etc. A plus about our trikes is that they have 20” wheels and it is very stable. If we are forced off the road or feel concerned we can quickly veer off the road and maintain stability.
In Japan the drivers are extremely courteous and patient. Today we got stuck in a downpour and had to take to the road at times. We were ok.
We both think that it helps to look so odd and conspicuous.
Anyway, so far, so good. Reply to this comment 11 months ago
