|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Some things to keep in mind when planning
your trip: You don't wear a helmet because you'll need it every time. You wear one
because, if you ever DO need it, you will really, REALLY need it. After
a decade of wearing a helmet and never having a serious accident, one day
I whacked my head on the pavement with enough force to convince me that
I would have been seriously injured without the helmet. And the accident
occurred on the way home from the store near my apartment - exactly the
kind of situation in which I would not have been wearing a helmet unless
I made it a rule to always do so.
A flat tire can either be a ten-minute inconvenience or a complete disaster, depending on whether or not you're prepared. If you don't know how to change a tire, learn now - and practice making minor adjustments on your bike as well. There's nothing quite as dispiriting as fiddling with unfamiliar tools while the sun is going down on a lonely mountain road in early winter... By itself, a patch kit is not enough - remember to take a portable pump as well, just in case there's no service station nearby when your tire decides to blow. Also take some simple tools; a bike shop can help you get what you need. I carry a pack of things on the bicycle with all of the things I've ever needed on the road: patch kit, simple tools, spare patches, spare cables, spare tire tubes, spare headlamp bulb, spare chain, spokes (you can get by without a few of these, though), tiny container of lubricant, and even a tiny respirator for those highways clogged with cars and exhaust fumes. All of this is not nearly as heavy as you might expect, and the peace of mind is priceless. Nevertheless, for all nonessentials, you should make an effort to... Lighten Up! Carrying the bike bag and tools will make you want to keep your other
gear light. This is easy during the warm months. My standard summer kit
fits in a single backpack: cycling gloves (great for reducing hand fatigue
on those long trips!) bike tools, pump, map, headlight, spare batteries,
sunscreen, hat, light windbreaker, bathing suit, change of clothes, and
of course the rolled-up bikebag. Winter adds a couple of extra layers, warmer
gloves and a woolen cap for those cold, COLD mornings. Neatness Counts! Do your hands a favor and take along a pair of cheap, lightweight gloves
(I use disposable vinyl ones) in a plastic bag for use when packing and
unpacking the bike. You'll see the value of this after your first greasy
packing job. Drink Up! Make sure you get enough water. Along most roads there are soft drink
machines almost everywhere you look. The places to be careful are toll roads
and those tiny mountain paths that are most ideal for cycling; you can go
for miles without finding anything to drink. Your bike should have a bottle
container already on it; if it doesn't, get one before you leave. No need
to get a water bottle, though; the ubiquitous 1.5-liter PET bottles full
of soft drinks can be scrunched right down into the standard size bottle
cage. (You can also buy bottle cages especially made for PET bottles, both
small and large.) I recommend either water or one of the local ion sports
drinks ("Aquarius" or the awfully named "Pocari Sweat"). Cover Up! Even if you never burn and aren't scared of skin cancer, it doesn't hurt
to wear sunscreen. Don't underestimate the sun in summer, or anytime for
that matter. Wearing a long-sleeved cycling jersey made of one of those
miracle fabrics that breathe amazingly well will help you cut down on sunscreen
costs (it's expensive here). Sun protection should extend to your eyes as
well; sunglasses are highly recommended, particularly to cut the glare from
the bright summer sun. Don't Wind Up in a Ditch! You won't have to cycle long before you notice the open concrete ditches that are present on both sides of most Japanese roads. These rain-drains are usually uncovered and often quite deep (sometimes a meter or more), and while they present no danger to automobile tires, they are true death-traps for bicyclists. Most cyclists in Japan get used to their presence and avoid them almost unconsciously; you should develop the same knack as soon as possible. Be sure to take it slow on curves so you don't overcorrect or undercorrect, or you could find yourself in real trouble; entering one of these ditches with a tire at high speed will surely result in serious injury or at least serious bike damage.
Take it Easy! Remember that cycle-touring is different from racing. You're not trying to win the race, you're trying to make it to the finish line alive. Go at your own pace - and by that I mean, don't try to over-extend yourself. Cyclists who have more experience or are in better shape than you are going to make it over the hill first in any case; don't feel pressured to try to compete with them and exhaust yourself early on. A little practice will tell you the difference between being tired and being exhausted; you'll soon know how far you can push yourself and still stay on the bike till day's end. Most importantly, remember that "Arrive Alive" applies to cycling as well as driving. |
Safety