Approach & Packing

 March 31, 2025

Why Blog?

I maintain a trip blog mostly as a personal record. I've never kept a diary or journal—lacked the discipline & motivation. While an activity seems memorable, it seldom is. At least the details fade and increasingly so with age. In fact, if I fail to write every night of the tour, I rapidly forget details and the days blend. 

The second reason is to share with friends. Thanks for your indulgence and do not feel obligated to read every detail of every entry. Just scanning a few photos is fine. I do like to see comments, especially if it sparks personal events. I hope you find elements interesting, even entertaining. I relish vicariously enjoying other cyclists' blogs, whether I plan to tour or avoid the same country/region.

The third reason is my experience might encourage others to embark on their own tours and elements cited are helpful. Avoid my mistakes. Try it. That's the adventure.

Packing

Alex chose early April to tour because it was before the crush of cherry blossom tourists and generally drier weather. Seems that this year might be cooler and wetter than usual, so I made late packing adjustments. 

Bike Bag for the Train. Japanese train regulations require all bikes to be fully bagged, probably to prevent contact with other passengers. I found this bag on Amazon for about $30. My 1994 Bike Friday Pocket Rocket folds and packs with the rear rack attached. I installed folding pedals for a more compact fold.

Trial Pack. Alex advised that some train stations might require a kilometer walk, so best to have a package that can be rolled rather than carried. Unlike the Brompton folders, that have a small roller-wheel, I have to take a small folding luggage cart to transport my bagged bike and 2 panniers. Practice packing took about 5 minutes: Pop the stem and handlebars, remove the front wheel, unstrap anything on the rear rack, remove the panniers, fold the bike, lay it on the open bag, zip the bag, strap the bike and panniers to the luggage rack.

Carry-on Duffle/Backpack. Clothes in ZipLocks, kit, computer, and helmet go in the duffle.

16#. Computer goes on top, so it's a single carry-on.

Odd Items (Clockwise). Fenders, helmet, train bike bag, luggage carrier, panniers (2), bike tools, under seat pack, luggage straps and bungees. All but the helmet packed in orange bike case. One pannier in the duffle; in the bike case.

Bike Case. Bike and above items in 31" Samsonite Spinner case, checkable as standard luggage. Alex has arranged to have our bike cases transported from the starting to the ending lodging. I'll leave the red duffle and a few travel items in the orange case.

Dog of the Day. Lily, our standard poodle, orders a beer at Tent City Brewery, Atascadero, CA. If you go, their Mosaic Pale Ale and their IPA are excellent choices.