Another day cycling the lake cycle route

Sometimes the unplanned can yield the best moments. In planning this trip, Barry was aware of this route around Lake Kasumigaura but we hadn’t looked into it as coming to this area was not in our original plan. However, when we changed our planned route and headed north to Sendai from Choshi, we realized that it would work. So, here we are.

We are staying at Beb5 Hotel which is located on floors 3-5 in the train station. To call it bike friendly is an understatement. As soon as you enter the station you are welcome to ride or push your bike to the elevator where you find an elevator which is sized to accommodate bikes, even our trikes. When you enter the hotel, you are welcomed into a funky and creative environment…there are lounges, places to eat, a bar, books and games supplied and best of all, you can make your own smoothie by riding a stationary bike which powers a blender on the bike.

The towels are stored in bags that pro cyclists use during races

Our trikes are parked directly in front of our room. Our room is the one with the door open.

There is a common room on each floor for lounging or to work on your bike.

“Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be.” Agreed!

Lots of room to spare, one trike at a time.

This gives you the opportunity to make yourself a smoothie using pedal power

We have loved our stay here….quirky, bike friendly and a lovely room.

Barry riding out of the hotel and on his way to the elevator. We have to pinch ourselves that doing this is ok.

We found these crazy characters in the bike shop on the main level of the train station. We decided that we both needed to have a companion to entertain us on our ride. This goofy one is mine. With the motion of the bike the lights are activated.

Every bike shop needs manga characters, especially in Japan.

I initially felt out of place and worried that our presence on our trikes would annoy someone. But that isn’t the case. All you need to do is ride responsibly.

We are so impressed by the support and enthusiasm the city of Tsuchiura has given to the cycling infrastructure and the route around the lake. As cyclists, we have never felt this level of welcome in any community as we have here. 👍.

We like this city…there is a lot going on.

An example of the good infrastructure for cyclists that we have seen.

We stopped by the Information Centre for the Lake Kasumigaura Cycle Route. It is situated at the starting point of the ride.

We were pretty excited to see that a recumbent was on display, courtesy of the Rotary Club.

At the Information Centre they had many special things for cyclists…hot showers, affordable food and microwaves, maps and information, plus a vending machine that sold inner tubes, patches, cycling shoe cleats, etc

As well as rice fields we saw mostly fields growing water plants that reminded us of lily pads. These fields were massive and they were next to the bike route for about 20 km.

In Japan, where there is water, fresh or saltwater, you will see people fishing.

Looking after his plantings, keeping them trimmed and free of debris.

Egrets and herons love these water growing areas of rice and plants.

We are having a great day riding in this beautiful area with such a rideable paved route.

Every time we wanted to take a photo of an egret or heron, they would get spooked and fly away

Loved this photo of the heron resplendent in the water plants field.

We have never seen farming like this before.

Tools of the trade used by a road crew that were having their lunch.The road is not very wide and the grassy area is on a slope, so this is how you must park it and store everything.

This lake is not a freshwater lake, there is salt in the water. We rounded a corner and felt the full force of the wind. The water is getting choppier as well.

We saw a lot of these structures on the lake. We’re not sure what they are used for.

This is a first for us in Japan….strawberry soft serve. How do they do it here? The ice cream tastes like you are eating fresh strawberries.

This moth landed on Barry’s cycling sandal.

We stopped for lunch at this restaurant that was right on the route.

We are riding over a bridge at a narrow part of the lake. We are now heading back to the coast. We will miss riding this amazing route.

As we were going over a small bridge we noticed these crazy turtles

Master Turtle, what are you thinking about ?

We passed through an agricultural area where the most prominent crop was being grown in these long rows that were covered in black plastic.

The massive torii gate of the Oarai Isosaki Shrine. We will visit it tomorrow.

There are two torii gates for the two entrances to the shrine. That’s a lot of steps to climb. I am sure that it will be worth it.

We have arrived at our hotel in Oarai. A free welcome beverage is on offer. This elaborate glass contraption makes cold brew coffee.

Some things look better in a photo. This hotel has seen better days. Our room is pretty threadbare but it is quiet and the Onsen was very good. The staff were excellent. All in all, we did ok.

Today's ride: 61 km (38 miles)
Total: 1,446 km (898 miles)

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