Japan Summer 2024 - Day 28 • Nejime roundtrip to Cape Sata

May 28, 2024

Japan Summer 2024 - Day 27

June 24, 2024

Nejime roundtrip to Cape Sata 75 Km

Start 6:54 AM Finish 1:40 PM

Total Duration 6:36

Moving Time 4:35

Stopped Time 2:01

Ascent 1,085 m

Descent 1,086 m

Tour Total 2,914 Km

Details at: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/194701437

I slept alright in Minato park next to the O river in the center of Nejime. I knew it was going to rain and I figured the rain would make it under the pavilion. I assumed the trucks and buses would idle all night so I stuck earplugs in my sockets and took a sleeping pill. I'm certain that I slept, and remember having dreams. It stormed really strong early in the morning and the wind strongly shook my tent. I just laid there. It was warm throughout the night and I didn't even bother to unpack my sleeping bag. There were mosquitoes in the park, so I needed the netting zipped. My wind facing fly flap was zipped up and the other side remained wide open.

This morning was a quick back up. My tent, fly, and groundcloth were wet, adding several pounds to my rig. Last night I had charged my devices in the toilet block while I was writing my report. Today would ostensibly be my last day. My shoulder was still sore and it had been a strain to get in and out of the tent. Even shifting my front chain ring was difficult with the shoulder pain. My front derailer has been acting up and the lever needed to be loosened and lubricated. It's been buggy the whole trip and needs an adjustment. Much of the climbing yesterday was done in my middle ring.

I started the morning at Lawsons where I got a Craft Boss latte, a chocolate bread and a regular donut. I then climbed out of Nejime. The roads were wet, and I could see the cape in the distance, shrouded in clouds. Across Kagoshima Bay I admired the Kaimondake volcano's perfect cone.

The road was still streaming with water from yesterday, and there were piles of dirt on the pavement. I unclipped to play it safe. I passed a crew of road workers who were standing there scratching their heads wondering how to deal with all of this rain.

It began to shower and I rode through a 2000m tunnel, which smelled like cow manure. I continued riding through the rain while pedaling up and down the hills through the forest. My phone screen was absolutely useless, and my music shut off every time I hit a bump. I finally stopped at a bathroom to get some toilet paper to dry my fingers and the screen. The rain settled a bit, but kept misting as I climbed and descended out towards the Cape.

The rain stopped again, as I took a turn heading down to the turquoise shore. There are blue chevron bicycle pavement markers on the road, which was completely empty. I didn't see a single soul, but I did pass a monkey on the side of the road.

I finally came to the Cape Sata 31° sign and had reached my destination. I took some photos and then continued to the lookout to view the lighthouse. It was still raining, so I turned around and began my return to Nejime. I passed another monkey, a family of wild pigs, and a green snake.

It was a long ride back and the rain continued. My bottom was sore and beginning to bother me. I think it had something to do with riding all day in the rain with a wet kit. It was the first time I'd ever had saddle sores.

I saw another family of monkeys. My phone was going bananas, even though it was stowed inside my handlebar bag. At one point it locked me out and started activating the telephone key pad. The tones were playing over my music. I stopped in a tunnel to straighten it out.

As I rode though Minamiosumi I smelled something good. I stopped at the Tanaka butcher shop, where I purchased a plate of hushpuppies. I talked with the friendly proprietor about the rain, and she offered me rice and a few chicken legs.

Back in Nejime it continued to shower. I rode straight to the ferry terminal, which was next to the onsen and park where I had slept last night. The next boat would be leaving at 3pm. It was 1,300¥ for a one hour trip with a bicycle across Kagoshima Bay to Ibusuki.

In Ibusuki I rode about 8km to the train station, where I purchased a 950¥ ticket to Kagoshima from a vending machine. I removed my front wheel and put my bike in a rinko bag. The train grew crowded as it neared Kagoshima. I then purchased a 12,320¥ ticket to board the Shinkansen to Osaka. It was my first time on a bullet train and I was impressed. Why don't we have these in the US? I booked a budget hotel in Osaka for three nights, after which I'll return to Tokyo, and then New York

I'll surely edit this report when I get home. I'll be sure to add stats and an equipment list.

It's been a whirlwind and I've had a blast!

どうもありがとうございます