We started with breakfast at 7:30am and then said thank you to the wonderful hotel staff before leaving. They were so so so helpful and nice. They even gave us hand warmers for our journey.

We took some time to apply some chain lube as our chains were already rusting from the previous days in the rain. Power on. We pretty much rode nonstop for 25mi and 2500ft of climbing and had some tail wind which was nice. The only part that really sucked was a tunnel we had to go through.

Stopped to visit a waterfall nearby and then arrived in Sounkyo, a really cute ski village.

We stopped for some ramen and along the way saw a stand advertising tofu ice cream! I had to stop. It was sweet and subtle, some hints of tofu but mostly mild. Wish they made some in the US.

Then according to our maps we were supposed to jump onto a bike trail. We found it and at first it was really nice.

But at some point it became blocked off. We weren’t sure why so we took a risk and hopped the rope. Unfortunately that was not the end of the troubles. There was another spot saying it was closed and after we hopped that too, we found that the bridge we wanted to cross was destroyed. Then after making another detour, we read that the road was closed because it was after 5pm. It’s situations like this where not being fluent in the language and unfamiliar with the culture that makes things stressful as you don’t know how far you can push your luck.

We decide finally to give up on small local roads and take the expressway. Great tailwind all the way into town but the shoulder sucked. Always cutting in and out and uneven pavement.

Finally made it to the hotel safely though and went to treat ourselves in town with some Mutton bbq. So yummy. Completely exhausted.