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Wednesday, 3 December 2014

22/09/2014 - Cycle Touring Japan - Day 6 - Injury no. 1

 

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The temple in Matsumoto.


Distance cycled: 94.3km + 2km in tunnels from behind an abandoned shop to a dam 1,000 above sea level.
Average speed: 17Km/h
Moving Time: 5h33m
Elevation Ascended: 1548m
Total Distance on Current trip: 538km
Distance until I have cycled the circumference of Earth: 11,753km
Money spent: $25

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Here I am in my tent in considerable pain. My lower left calf is throbbing probably due to pushing myself too hard through the tunnels today simply to get out of them and let the traffic behind me pass.
Arrgggg tunnels! I hate them with an unbridled passion, never is there enough room for cyclists and they stress the fuck out of me. 
I don't know where I read that Japan is a one of the best places to cycle tour, drivers here do not know how to deal with us on the road, they would sit behind you at an arms length away slowing down all the traffic behind. It's infuriating and the stupid thing is that most people drive tiny little hatchbacks  where two of them would fit in one lane of the road side by side, they have plenty of room to pass me without crossing the road markings to the incoming traffic.
I know you could say that they are just being courteous but they are not doing me any favors sitting behind my ass watching me.
I had some tough hills to climb today nothing at all that i didn't manage and I'm getting into the Japanese Alps now so the terrain is going to be interesting and with any luck the weather will stay as it has been these last few days.
I managed to arrive in Matsumoto to  see the Castle which is one of 8 of its kind still standing in Japan. I did only see it from the other side of the moat because there was a beer festival going on and I have my priorities in order.
I did meet a Flemish couple who were kind enough to offer me some of their leftovers and we stayed chatting for a while over a single (and costly) beer.
I do hope my leg is ok for tomorrow because I have to ascend 1,700 more meters to get over this pass and I believe my only other option is to descend the wrong way back to Matsumoto.

 

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Morning vending machine coffee..

 

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Entering a town of Sewa.. im sure its pronounced “Sewer”

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The view over Sewa

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Matsumoto Beer festival.

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Entering into the mountains

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Messing with black and white.

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checking at the Dam

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And where I camped.

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