My last Fuji RR dealt with the north side of the mountain and the five lakes. This time let's loop it! Here's the loopy loop: <iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Yoga,+Setagaya,+Tokyo,+Japan&daddr=35.2827473,138.8818492+to:35.2573045,138.8064591+to:35.3910639,138.5751126+to:35.5289091,139.0381549+to:%E5%9B%BD%E9%81%93412%E5%8F%B7%E7%B7%9A&hl=en&geocode=FXqnHwIdkKRSCCmXX1OgcfQYYDGd-9EIoePNww%3BFTtfGgIdOStHCClV6sFWhncZYDHbYZCeT0vITg%3BFdj7GQIduwRGCCkhmu2h13gZYDH4LsiLasvlew%3BFVcGHAIdCH1CCCkXvLagJN0bYDFVOrw4rk2cCA%3BFc0gHgIdyo1JCCl_bOiWrWwZYDHSdOp2aP4ntQ%3BFRYtHQId7jlOCA&aq=0&oq=Gotenba&sll=35.545636,139.394531&sspn=0.451422,0.795135&dirflg=d&doflg=ptm&mra=dme&mrsp=5&sz=10&via=1,2,3,4&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.49981,138.941345&spn=0.536649,0.878906&z=10&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" width="640"></iframe> <small>View Larger Map Ride Time: 12 hours Mileage: @340 kilometers Difficulty: Well, if I can do... Fun Factor: Molten Lava 7:30 in the a.m. Tomei Expressway out of Tokyo to Gotenba.(2,050 yen toll) Locate Route 469 and start looping. See the green line that looks a little like a Hawaii Hang Ten salute at the southern end of Fuji on the map? Well that be the Fuji San Skyline. It would be rude not to, wouldn't it? Beat it clouds! Just Beat It! Thriller! Hats Off to (Roy) Harper </small> <small><small> Och Aye Thistle . Yes, Charlie McGregor, for once it actually does look like Scotland! </small> On the up and up </small>
Bend it like Becks 10:17 a.m. Pretty ballsy Alcock! About as far as I'm gonna climb it! This looks interesting... not in a month of Sundays! Yeah but, no but, someone's been up it. You what?
With the mountain shrouded by clouds, alternative entertainment is sought: Got wood? This paved trail suddenly just stopped (like many a road in this country). There was about a 2 foot drop into a rocky old river bed. It took every ounce of strength to wrestle the bike around on that narrow path. 12:50 and all's well
Route 139 north takes you past the Shiraito Falls. The waterfall is part of the World Heritage Mt. Fuji package. Well worth a quick stop Shiraito Falls comes in at #50 on the list of the best waterfalls in Jp. Smooth
North of the falls is Lake Tanuki 田貫湖 . The lake was created in 1935 for use as a reservoir by diverting some rivers. I have often looked at the lake on a map with a view to visiting It is very well situated to offer great views of Fuji, clouds permitting.
Some nice riding along the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures. An old lady working in her field. I wonder what is going to happen when this generation is gone? The kids nowadays just don't want to put their backs into it. Autumnal scenes The water running through the village reminded me of the final segment entitled, 'Village of Watermills' in Akira Kurosawa's movie, 'Dreams' I could hear the Buddhist chant a good ways off Doesn't seem to confront him none though Cats hanging around the fish farm As the crow flies Open sesame On Route 139 again
Thank you, enjoyed the RR. I flew over Fujisan many times. It was most amazing seeing it snow covered in winter. It was nice to see your pics taken on the mountain.
Have to agree, it does look better snow capped. Didn't see any snow on the mountain this time. There is usually some all year round. Perhaps some on the north facing slopes, which were covered by clouds by the time I rode around there. Best wishes BillUA
Past a dairy with mean looking guard cow, calf, dog sentry lookout posted. Past my favorite lake, Motosu. Yes, my dear, you are looking a nice blue today. Past the infamous suicide forest, The Jukai. One snap (no pun intended) was enough. I aint frickin going in there! Neigh way! Holy Smoking Guano Bat Shit Batman! Past Fuji Kyu Highland at Kawaguchi Fuji Fuji Kyu where are you? Fuji Food Pick up a Gari Gari Kun ice bar (64 yen) at the 7-11 I love these bars! Sit by Yamanaka Lake and eat the Gari Gari Kun. Bliss! Looks like a slither of sunlight on the other side of the water.
WTF! Riding by on the bike,I thought it was a mutating dog like the ones at Outpost 31 in John Carpenter's The Thing. I was all ready to unstrap my flamethrower... Past Jet Ski retirement home Nice wing mirrors I adore 90's cartoonish bike graphics (and jet ski graphics). A true golden age in Japanese bike building history. A lot of the great bikes that were produced in Japan in the 90s with top-notch materials and high specs only reached western shores via grey imports, if at all. Man I just love the decals from the 90's! Look mum no brakes! Lake Side Yamanaka Massive Leave the kid alone. Run it's the Ducky Boys! Pick up Route 413 at Yamanaka Lake
On the Fuji Five and looking for a good route to Tokyo? The 413 will trump the 246, and the Tomei any ole day of the week. <iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=%E9%81%93%E5%BF%97%E3%81%BF%E3%81%A1%2F%E5%9B%BD%E9%81%93413%E5%8F%B7%E7%B7%9A&daddr=35.4882084,138.9679253+to:%E9%81%93%E5%BF%97%E3%81%BF%E3%81%A1%2F%E5%9B%BD%E9%81%93413%E5%8F%B7%E7%B7%9A&hl=en&geocode=FTmvHAIdAKFHCA%3BFdCBHQIddXtICCkxPzrLI2wZYDFHjyrRQMGsxg%3BFbfdHgId7GdMCA&aq=&sll=35.488629,139.137726&sspn=0.451742,0.795135&dirflg=d&doflg=ptm&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=10&via=1&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.488629,139.137726&spn=0.536723,0.878906&z=10&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" width="640"></iframe> <small>View Larger Map</small> 26 miles through the mountains, following a meandering river, with two stoplights that never turn red. Calling PBR Street Gang. PBR Street Gang, this is Almighty. Do you read me? Over. He was close, real close. I couldn't see him yet, but I could feel him, as if the boat were being sucked upriver and the water was flowing back into the jungle. Whatever was going to happen, it wasn't gonna be the way they call it back in Nha Trang. Who's in command here? Ain't you? They were gonna make me a Major for this, and I wasn't even in their fuckin' army anymore. This is the end. Beautiful friend. This is the end.
