Sunday 21 September 2025

This turned out to be a disaster of a first day riding in Japan. We didn’t make it to Odawara (72 kms).

We had a good breakfast at the hotel and then repacked our panniers and loaded the bikes. I had managed to create a ride with GPS course to Odawara for us to follow. We had to try and connect with the East Coast Pacific Cycle route and then we will follow that route all the way to Osaka and towards Hiroshima.

We were late leaving Kawasaki, (10:00 a.m.) and it was already over 25 degrees. We headed out of Kawasaki and it seemed like forever to get out of the City, the next City (Yokohama) seemed to merge with Kawasaki and then the next city merged with that city. It was not a pretty route, and we didn’t take many pictures.

Eventually we started climbing and I was so disappointed with myself. I had been training all summer, I felt fit and strong. However, I forgot Marco (the new folding touring bike) was much heavier than my new Trek and I was carrying about 20lb of weight in my panniers. I was also about 10lbs lighter than last year’s ride in Taiwan.

After only 25 kms I was struggling to get up the hills. Some of the hills were steep – 14%. The heat was getting to me. I have never had leg cramps while cycling and today my right calf began to cramp. On one hill. Ralf pushed his bike to the top and then came down and pushed mine. I lay down on the ground, I was struggling.

At 25 kms, I told Ralf I didn’t think I was going to be able to do another 45 kms. We had to revise the route, It was over 35 degrees. At 35 kms as we were arriving in the City of Chigasaki I told Ralf I was done, both of my legs were cramping and I thought I was suffering from heat stroke. Ralf found a hotel in Chigasaki, and we carried on to the hotel. As soon as we got in Ralf cancelled the hotel in Odawara, fortunately no charge to cancel.

The route was not very pretty and so we didn’t take many photos. Nicest part was along a bike path and fields (4.5 kms)

The hotel was lovely, and the staff were really nice. We went out for a lovely meal at an Indian restaurant. A good end to a bad day.