waddo

DropBarFan

Pretty scenery & Japan is noted for accepting "wild" camping.

djb

Fun as always to see your trip videos, and as a bonus we got to see your bum!
what month was it in, I didn’t pay attention but was wondering given that you swam and t shirts on often.
cheers

waddo

It's the "obon" holiday in August. All my longish summer trips are at that time.

djb

Thanks, oh and those sections where you both walked because it was steep-- it's really hard isnt it to convey in videos and stills how steep stuff is? it hardly ever shows how hard it is on real life.
And I live in the French Canadian part of Canada, where we are pretty laid back about bare bums, it's all just part of life. (That's why I kidded you about it)
cheers

really nice how areas are set aside and are ok with free camping, although as you said a few times, "Japan does have its rules you know" , about other stuff.

waddo

I lived a couple of decades in Quebec and Montreal so yes the French are quite easy going. I have wild camped everywhere in the world and wouldn't't say Japanese are more ok, although there are homeless people in big cities who build cardboard or wood shacks on river banks and they are rarely moved on. I think when it comes to bike touring, early risers might see the bikes and the tent and they understand the picture perfectly and generally will not think it is such a big deal. Hitch hiking and camping, which I did a lot, was different and I would hide myself very very well because there is no context, just a strange tent suddenly where it shouldn't be.

And yes, I don't know why but the camera can never show how steep the hills are. Strange. The hilltop park where we had the stormy day and hid in the supermarket and onsen for example: that hill was so steppingstones Yuki actually couldn't even PUSH her bike up and I had to go back and do it for her. But it looks like a regular hill in the video.

Any way, long answer to say, 'Yes."

djb

Dear long answer, of course, I'd forgotten that you had told me already of Qc and Mtl.
And yes, even after years of working experience doing camera work, it is frustrating how you try to pout across a real bugger of a climb, and people look at the photo and go, meh....
I always recall a stupid steep thing in central America, I couldn't ride a lightly loaded mtb up it for more than 30 secs, but the photos don't make one go, boy that's a steep sucker. Shot from a long way off with a long focal length didn't help, as I'm sure if shooting a bike going up close with a wide angle would accentuate the probably 25% + that it is.

1979schwinn 

Good video, I enjoyed it.
Thanks.

seedsbelize 

Thanks

waddo

You're very welcome.

TiHabanero

Never knew Japan had such beautiful scenery. Been there on business, but restricted to large urban areas that reminded me of the USofA. Not much different, but I imagine the rural areas tell a more intimate story of Japan. Someday I will get there with my bike. None of my friends in Tokyo ride, so perhaps a solo ride in the future is the way I go.

waddo

If you do decide to do a quick tour and need advice feel free to ask. One very simple and great ride that you can do starting from Tokyo is the Fuji 5 lakes area. No need to have a bike bag and take a train. On the other hand, taking a train a short distance can take you to Nikko National Park and Chuzenjiko lake. It's an amazing place with a killer lake-side wild camping. Check the appropriate vids if you are interested.