Tin-can Bike Adventure

Apr 20, 2016
2 min read

We wanted a 'rest day' it has all been quite full on with me working evenings and being so busy-bee like in the day.

Katano bridge was supposed to be nice, and we had the bikes. According to Ryan and google maps, a 20 min cycle away - we could be home in 90 mins!

So off we set.

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The cycle was actually lovely, and I had to stop and take a picture of this huge old bridge covered in Ivy.

We made it to Hoshida park, where the bridge lived.

First thing's first...

Yes. It was a bit of a mission.

At the top we found the whole place deserted, and a park - I have dubbed it the Ninja Training Park!

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We walked about for a while...

And apart from this simple shrine... it became clear this place was very small, certainly not home to a massive bridge. Time for me to take over on the maps I think.

We were only another hour away! although they shouldn't name their parks the same :)

Typical.

We debated, and decided we might as well carry on, even if we didn't make it all the way.

But we found a beautiful temple which I will stop by again.

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And the cycle WAS cute and we found these carp streamers (Koinobori) which are flown for childrens day, they are considered the most spirited fish!

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After a while, we headed off the road onto a riverside path:

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And the path got rockier and rockier, and we were pretty much off-roading!

Until we hit these...

Lots and lots of little ups and downs on stairways. It wasn't too bad, but eventually we were defeated. (Also a group of Japanese hikers walked past, each in turn tellings in various ways - no bikes. We HAD to leave them behind.

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Finally - we knew we were on the right track! With a quick re-supply, we were ready to go.

(Vending machines are literally everywhere, even in the middle of nowhere).

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So you might think this means we are there. Nope.

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Next we were faced with the climb. Only 400m, it doesn't seem far, but on occasion, it can seem forever. This wiped me out more than the monkey park climb!