touring

The Adventure

Those who know me might know that I’m a bit of a sucker for adventure and done just a little bit of cycle touring (wayyy back in 2018 – https://thetravellingbeancounter.wordpress.com). I had dreamed up this baby a little while after getting back from Japan – the idea of cycling from (new) hometown to (original) hometown. With a good mate’s wedding the weekend following, the stars finally aligned and I set off on the 2nd of December.

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Stats

SportDateTitleTimeDistanceElevation
RideFri, 02/12/2022Day 1: Sydney to Warners Bay5:57:24147.40 km1,381 m
RideSat, 03/12/2022Day 2: Newcastle to Scone6:49:35168.59 km1,579 m
RideSun, 04/12/2022Day 3 – Scone to Tamworth6:08:54142.22 km1,107 m

Highlights (and Lowlights):

  • Highlight: Fueling up at Manly bowls before starting for my Finance Christmas party at Amazon. Also noting the bike way atleast 80% lighter than what I was riding around Japan on
  • Lowlight: Crazy traffic and psycho drivers from Manly to Palm Beach Ferry
  • Highlight: KFC with Rolly on arrival into Newcastle
  • Lowlight: Gear cable snapping literally halfway into the 2nd day
  • Highlight: “Day for it” good weather all round, especially when going through the Hunter Valley
  • Highlight: Powering up the Great Dividing Ranges without stopping until reaching the top
  • Lowlight: Currabubula Markets had millions of cars on the small rural roads when I was so close to home
  • Highlight: Accomplishing the trip! Especially with no injuries (besides an aching gooch and dead quads).
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Why did I choose to cycle Japan?

I have always had an interest in Japan from a young age, I assume it’s from watching all the Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, etc when I was young. This is my 3rd visit to Japan and I wanted to improve my Japanese mostly, especially the speaking component as it’s the hardest to practice when you study alone. Although I do believe taking actual Japanese classes is a better way to improve… I also enjoy hiking, so with all the mountains in Japan this was easy pick.

But I chose to cycle as I would be able to meet many people and experience many things that you would usually miss if you were to take public transport or a car. Many people I could talk and interact with. I also would gain a massive sense of accomplishment by completing something so seemingly impossible.

Where did I go?

Journey Statistics

Journey Statistics - Japan Bike Tour 2018

Highlights of the Trip

Other

Future Trips

When I was asked ‘would I do it again?’ as soon as I arrived back home, I was ready to put the bike down for a while and have a rest. It’s been over 3 years at time of writing and I’d definitely be keen to do another bike trip. I had started planning a Taiwan bike trip, which would only be a few weeks and hope to try it in 2022.

I would also like to try something in Europe, maybe in Spain and also cycling from Sydney to my home town Tamworth over a week.