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The title is self explanatory.
The bikes are now in their boxes ready for the flights home. Our kit has performed fantastically well and below we list the star performers and things we might have done differently if we were to repeat this kind of cycling journey again.
Stars:
To do differently:
Time
Is finite so I will use it carefully.
Art
Communicates much about everything including the places through which I travel.
Places
Reveal what I value and call home – London.
Fitness
Drives the most creative of my thoughts.
Glowing screens
Can kill all of the above – I think now before I use them.
The five headings have become a new kind of mantra for a future way of living.
We have about 40km to ride to Chitose, south of Sapporo, from where we shortly fly out of Japan and finish our year of riding. Bicycles are simply the best way to travel and have allowed us to see so much more of Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia, New Zealand and Japan than any other modes of transport.
Japan stats as follows.
The year’s comparative stats are as follows.
Distances ridden:
Days spent riding:
Average Daily Distance – 103km
Longest Day – Cambodia, Kampong Thom to Siem Reap at 150km
Punctures – 03 with New Zealand winning with none
Other touring cyclists – 173 with New Zealand winning again at 122
Pies – 33 with Australia winning with 23
The ‘Specialised’ top, bought in Perth, has survived remarkably well although much faded and about to disintegrate after 10 months of riding.
The ‘Swrve’ shorts are the second set and have lasted 6 months through both NZ and Japan. They’ve become really grubby and nothing seems to wash the filth out.
Both have been excellent kit and I’m both sad and overjoyed to be saying ‘goodbye’ to them!