SMOOTH CLIMBS, GREAT SCENERY, BUT...
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- Опубліковано 24 сер 2024
- In this episode, I show you the sights and sounds of cycling in Otaru, Hokkaido Prefecture in Japan. Out of the 4 days of riding I did during my recent trip to Japan, this was the only one I filmed. The scenery was amazing and the weather stayed dry and sunny for this part of our trip. I was looking forward to riding on some proper climbs along long uninterrupted routes and this trip did not disappoint. I had a great time.
One interesting conclusion from my experience riding in Hokkaido was the lack of road cycling culture (at least the kind we are used to), which was surprising given that the Niseko Classic is so famous. I felt the drivers were not familiar with cyclists. I tried my best to ride along the road shoulder to reduce my obstruction as much as possible. I rarely complain about close passes in Singapore/Malaysia because they are few and far between. During the 4 days of cycling in Hokkaido, I experienced many close passes from (mostly) heavy vehicles and (occasionally) cars - but I was not always able to catch such instances on camera. I did not encounter impatient drivers nor many heavy vehicles during all the times I rode in Spain/France.
Unlike my experience of riding elsewhere, I did not encounter other road cyclists during my trip. On UA-cam, most of the cycling videos are about adventurous cyclists bike-packing through the island over multiple days.
Which leads me to conclude that maybe road cycling is not a super big deal in this part of Japan.
Does anyone else want to chime in on their experience?
Check out the route we did: / strava
Socials: / thewinsty
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A lot of you have asked about the various equipment I use, so here goes:
Filming stuff
My action camera for filming (main): amzn.to/3QbMkPC (GoPro Hero 9)
My primary drone: amzn.to/3IEVVOr (DJI Mini 3 Pro)
Fly More Kit: amzn.to/3YLGERv (for DJI Mini 3 Pro)
My secondary drone: amzn.to/3BcSWc6 (DJI Mini 2)
How I film without hands: amzn.to/3emdc23
Tripod for GoPro: amzn.to/3cLKqHE
GoPro battery (you’ll need it): amzn.to/3KQ1yIM
Memory card: amzn.to/3cQrVBZ
External SSD: amzn.to/3CXl2cC
Cycling kit
My helmet: (Giro Aether Spherical MIPS)
My sunglasses: amzn.to/3ASPH8m (100% Hypercraft)
My cycling shoes: amzn.to/3RkT3rL (Sidi Ergo 5)
On the bike
Cycling computer: amzn.to/3QgWFKe
Power meter: amzn.to/3BfqUwP
Heart rate monitor: amzn.to/3RjyOLb
Front lights (mount sold separately): amzn.to/3KRmMq2
Direct-drive trainer for Zwift: amzn.to/3cO97TO
Soft-case bike bag for travel: amzn.to/3HWZ4aR
Wheels: www.ascent-bik...
Another Singapore (resident) here. If you do this again get a rinko bag, a soft cloth bike cover for riding trains there, and then you can take your bike into the hotel room.
First time viewing one of your videos and really enjoyed it. So different to the section of the USA I live in. Beautiful.
Nice to hear from you again.. awesome scenery & thanksforsharing.. again ride safe bro🙏
The route looked incredible, you had some amazing shots. Great video 👍
great!! can't wait for more videos.
I was just thinking “if only he could upload today” 😂. Great video.
Great video !! Good to see u back again
Bruv! Good to see you upload again. Come to Kuching Sarawak Borneo and cycle!
Nice view Sir !!! awesome 🙌🏻💯☺️😌
I hear you on the logistical nightmare. Travelling with the Scicon is quite difficult in Japan! You have to book oversized space on the shinkansens, and pre-book Sagawa transport if you want to use luggage forwarding. It is about twice the cost of regular Yamato service due to the dimensional size. Regardless, I am really loving my time cycling Japan... The autumn colours are spectacular and the food is out of this world. Loved watching this video. Did not think about Hokkaido cycling at all, good to see an on-the-ground experience.
For my experience the scicon was ok, we had a car and we fit 2x scicon and 3 luggages in so no issues. It was just inconvenient staying in hotels esp with the automated lift - every time you want the car you have to validate a parking coupon and get the guy to bring the car down, just a bad personal experience!
@@thewinsty oh for sure. It's a country with not much space, the rooms are so tiny. Lucky you have a car!
Greatt video! Welcome to Japan cycling hahaha. Good thing you were not in Tokyo. There is much more traffic and the roads are much more narrow. I've been hit by a car 3 times. At least you can ride the 3 rivers here. Lots of kms on nice closed road!
3x is a lot! But after this personal experience, I totally believe that is possible
Glad to see a new post.
Thanks so much! Really appreciate it
@@thewinsty That won't even buy you a cup of coffee nowadays, at least where I live. :D Safe miles, brother.
Certain parts of Japan are just not very familiar with road cyclists. I am in Japan now -- Shimanami Kaido everyone knows about, and drivers are very conscious. Even a few islands over, car behavior is quite different. On a descent in a construction zone, the car behind me kept trying to push me off the road because I wasn't riding in the gutter. On a climb up to an observatory on a narrow (essentially one lane) road, another car was right on my rear wheel and would've bumped me if I slowed at all. I stopped on the 9% gradient to allow him to pass and I'm sure you know starting on a hill is hard! When I met the driver at the observatory, he was very nice and we had a good conversation. Turns out, he just was totally oblivious that I would need some space behind me as a cyclist.
This validates what I felt as a cyclist in Japan! I was surprised as well because I thought they were known to be very courteous, but I felt like they were trying to run me off the road many times
@@thewinstycouldn't be truer. I was surprised as well. I got first hand experience. Apparently not all Japanese are polite and considerate.
Great video. I am currently riding through Kyushu and I do agree with how intimidating the traffic can be. Trucks are what intimidate me more on Japanese roads and It does not help that the combination of narrow tunnels and trucks make for a really uncomfortable and nerve wrecking ride. Nevertheless I do think theres the allure of the Japanese countryside that would warrant a repeated visit.
Well said!
I bet the drivers are very respectful tho
Your friend really needs to check the bike fit; seems his balance is a bit off. Could be due to the wind but still, his posture seems to be struggling.
How come no interview with your brother? He camera shy?
Silent partner
@@thewinsty is it you ride too fast that he cannot keep up with you. You’re so fit. I want to be like you one day
Did you eat any seafood? hehehe
Of course, everyday sashimi