Free Rivers Bike Tour
In Oita Japan
This is a five day, five night's
road bike tour. $1400 per person double booking, $1500 single booking.
See pricing and booking page for details.
On this ride, there are several climbs in excess of 2000 feet and we
cover from 40 to 70 miles per day. The usual Japan Bike and Hike appointments of great food, hot springs and leisure time are included, but our bike tours are designed for people
who know that bikes are to be ridden, not carried on top of a van.
Free Rivers Tour
travels into places not far removed from civilization, but removed from traffic and populations. It isn't a tour designed
to avoid the modern world, as much as an exploration of the past and present existing in together. It is an adventure
to un-discover complexity, to understand how our lives can regain balance and spin.
In other words, a tour with hot springs, beer and good roads!
Free
Rivers Tours are not easy but the challenges are rewarded by a better understanding of Japan and more confidence
in your riding. As Sam Clemens said, “You can't say you know a country until you have seen it from the seat
of a bicycle.” Japan has a lot to see.
Free River Tours goes to where the rivers are free and by pushing your horizons, brings you closer to freedom.
This
tour begins in Beppu, in the province of Oita.
Day 1; 40 km Leave
Beppu at 9:00 AM, climbing 800 feet to Miyoban geyser village and then climb another 400 to cross over African Safari pass,
at 1200 feet, and enjoy a 900 foot descent into Ajimu town, our destination for the night. After we traverse the farmlands
for a few miles, we climb into an Ajimu hot-spring. We stay at either an Ajimu farmhouse hostel or a traditional Ryokan,
depending on the season and group size.
Day 2; 60 km Leave Ajimu early and climb a 1200 foot hill, then descend
to Kusu town.
In Kusu we rest before climbing
to the amazing suspension bridge at Handa Kogen. We have a reservation in a tradition Ryokan hot-spring tucked into the valley
above the bridge.
Day 3; Leaving Handa Kogen, we ride across the slope of Kuju mountain, over ridge and down dale
to Nagayu onsen town for lunch. After, we ride up a gentle river bottom past thatch-roof farm-houses to end our
day in Taketa town.
Day 4; A morning walk in the stupendous castle ruins of Oka Jo castle is followed in
the afternoon by the afternoon we ride Naoiri, an onsin town, on our way to lodgings at Yunohira spa village. Elevation
rise; 1,000 ft.
Day 5; 60 km from Yunohira to Beppu. This route crosses a high plateau with elevation of
2,000 feet and we pass through touristy Yufuin. Dinner and lodging is in Beppu.
Original routes cost no more
than regular routes, so as the Japanese say, "Let's exploring Japan!"
