Page 1 of 1

Cycle Touring Japan. Links wanted :-)

Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:10 pm
by Syd_Nathan
Hey all,
I'm starting to plan a trip to Japan next year for a potential 12 month cycle tour.

I'm intending on having a SS/Fixed Rando style frame made locally by my uncle who is a frame builder. I'd love to go with a Japanese builder, but my uncle can do a similar frame here and I can work closely with him on it to get it just right. Plus he's more cost effective than some of the Japanese builders.

My aim though, is to incorporate traditional Japanese design methods and materials into the frame, and I will be using 100% Japanese parts.
I'm hoping to have something similar to a Toei when finished. Although it will be a singlespeed/fixed gear frame for simplicity with the possibility of running an internally geared hub.

So to get some more idea's and inspiration for my trip, I'm interesting in reading any Japan related blogs or websites for cycle touring, components, travel, cycle groups, fun activities to do or places to go etc etc. Basically anything of interest to someone who's intending to cycle tour there.
I'd like to get more involved in the local culture than most tourists do, which means meeting and cycling with some of the locals there aswell.

Aside from cycling and trying to get to know as many people as I can within the cycling scene there, I'm also intending to try and delve into their punk rock and rockabilly scene as much as possible.

Cheers :D

Re: Cycle Touring Japan. Links wanted :-)

Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 8:53 pm
by GregLR
You have probably already come across references to the books at this link, but just in case:
http://www.kancycling.com/Resources/E_Books.html

The books are included in the e-books part of the website but it's not clear how you can access or buy them. I have the one by Bryan Harrell in hardcopy.
Amazon has some copies (but at a high price): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cycling-Japan-B ... 4770017421

Hope this is of some help.

Greg

Re: Cycle Touring Japan. Links wanted :-)

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 4:33 pm
by Syd_Nathan
Thanks Greg! Will chase this up further. :-)

Cycle Touring Japan. Links wanted :-)

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 2:44 pm
by WestcoastPete
Jealous.

www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/hokkaido2009

There are other Japan specific journals on CGOAB - just search by region.

Re: Cycle Touring Japan. Links wanted :-)

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:35 am
by scoot
Japan is fantastic for cycle touring so long as you have enough time to keep off the main roads and take the longer back ways. There are many of them and the traffic is so much less although it usually means climbing. The arterial roads can be scary places for bikes even though drivers generally are very cycle aware.

I've got a little outdated info and lots of photos here

http://homepage.mac.com/cherubum/hokkaido.html

Re: Cycle Touring Japan. Links wanted :-)

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 11:57 am
by WestcoastPete
Great pics Scoot!