This is a day that will go down in infamy. It was the longest and hardest ride I have ever done on a bicycle. It was also a mistake on my part. Before the trip I was told to stay on route 1 the whole way. So it looked like I could make the distance in about 6 hours or so. Ive rode the Amtrak 100 mile event from Orange county to San Diego two times in under 6 hours so in my head it was no problem. I failed to take into account traffic lights every 250 meters. Endless!!. And also many roads that turned into fast highways were bicycling is prohibited. By 5pm I still had 70k to go and it was getting dark fast. I had to ride in the dark. Something I had vowed never to do. But I had a couple of other guys from Tokyo with me that I met on the road. They were also going to Hamamatsu so i just kept kicking the peddles over. I arrived at the camp spot which is located next to a lake called Lake Hamanako. The cost was 400 yen to pitch a tent.
I was absolutely drained. I tried to eat but I kept throwing up. So i just crawled into my tent and went to sleep. It was the hardest day.
My tent system consists of a top and bottom tent tarp wrapped over my bike. There is just enough space for me to crawl in an lay down. It weighs 3 pounds. I wasn't giving the Tokyu Hands dept store 40,000 yen ($400) for their tent.
I certainly hope things get better. Even with the unexpected troubles and physical exertion, it looks like a beatiful ride. Did the throwing up happen because of the intense nature of this part of the ride? Are you better now? You're in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI got sick from not eating and then suddenly drinking a pepsi on an empty stomach.
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