My trivial thinking

I sometimes go cycling with my wife. She’s still a beginner and only 152 centimeters tall, but she has incredible fighting spirit. Long, steep climbs are still difficult for her, yet she started on flat courses and has gradually conquered tougher hills. This time, the route had many climbs and was quite challenging for a beginner, but she pushed through and completed the long course. Each time, I take her on a slightly harder route, and she always rises to the challenge. Cycling together as a couple in our 60s is truly wonderful. We’re already planning our next tour, and I hope we can keep enjoying these rides even after we turn 70. Distance: 48.08 km Average speed: 17.8 km/h Max speed: 49.1 km/h Pedal time: 2:42:08 Duration: 3:38:50    at Sobura at Sobura wonderful downhill Tawawa farm the last long uphill

Mount Koya, or Koya‑san (高野山, 800 m), is the center of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most important sacred sites in Japanese Buddhism. Kukai (774–835), widely known as Kobo‑Daishi , founded the Shingon sect. Last Sunday, I cycled alone from Osaka to Mount Koya. Route 371 was a demanding climb — narrow, steep, and running deep through a valley — and I had to cross the Routou Pass (狼頭峠). Koya‑san had a solemn, sacred atmosphere, and there were many foreign visitors. I ate a small bento from a convenience store early in the afternoon, then enjoyed the long downhill on Route 480 toward the Kinokawa River. The final challenge on the way back to Osaka was the Nabetani Pass (鍋谷峠). The whole tour turned out to be much harder than I expected. Distance: 119.58 km Average speed: 16.0 km/h Max speed: 58.9 km/h Pedal time: 7:26:27 Duration: 9:32:45 Elevation gain: 2,951 m   Daimon-Gate Route map Routou Pass A small tunnel suddenly appears. Koya-san Okunoi...

The Totoro Trail, which reminds many people of My Neighbor Totoro , is very popular among hikers and cyclists. You can enjoy the colorful flying carp, or koinobori , along the Ishikawa River and the Yamato River until May 5th.  in the Ishikawa River in the Ishikawa River route map the Totoro Trail the Totoro Trail the flying carp in the Ishikawa River the flying carp in the Yamato River

 My goal for April was to cross the Kii Peninsula — my own “ride to Ise.” Yesterday was a perfect day for cycling. I left home at 6:00 in the morning and reached Ise Jingu Geku at 5:00 p.m. I covered 175 kilometers in 11 hours, and the ride left me with a deep sense of fulfillment.   Route Map Kimi Pass Route 166 at Higashi-yoshino Mt. Takami Cherry blossoms at Haze in Mie Ise Jingu Geku Shiomibashi Station in Osaka, at night

at Hamadera Park

I always feel the urge to travel somewhere far away, to places I’ve never been. That’s why I often go cycling on weekends when I’m tired from work. It has become one of my greatest pleasures. On March 10th, I took a night ferry from Osaka to Toyo in Shikoku. Early the next morning, I set out alone for the Innoshima Bridge in Onomichi, following the Shimanami Kaido cycling route. That day, I rode a total of 190 kilometers on my road bike, making a round trip from Toyo Port. I returned to the ferry terminal at 8 p.m. after 13 hours of hard riding. The Shimanami Kaido is the most famous, popular, and beautiful cycling route in Japan. I’ve heard that about half the cyclists there are from overseas.   Kurushima Kaikyo Brodge in the morning Route Map Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge loop way for bike Tatara Bridge Tatara Bridge the cycle lane on the Ikuchi Bridge Innoshima Bridge the cycle lane on the Innoshima Bridge Ikuchi Island ...

春の海, written by Kazuyo, my wife. It means "The sea in spring".