As Shanghai sets into late autumn and golden leaves begin to fall, adventure calls. Destination: Historic Kyoto, Japan.
Kyoto is an excellent cycling destination. Bicycles are an integral part of the residents’ personal transportation. Travel websites tout the city is one of the most bicycle-friendly in Japan. So, the cycling should be fairly relaxed and easy.
Below is a quick rundown of our base plan and the setup.
Rolling Slowly
“Linger” and “explore” are the key watchwords for this journey. Don’t ride far but go deep. There is much to see in the Yamashiro basin and the Tampa highlands.
On this venture, our intent is to go slowly and hang around one general area so we’ll be able to soak in as much of the culturally rich cities of Kyoto and Osaka as possible.
Kyoto is one of Japan’s, if not the world’s, interest and traditionally culturally-dense locations and definitely should not be given a quick pass over in route to other destinations. But rather, the historic area must be perused in a way to experience as much as possible.
The city is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Kamigamo Shrine, the Shimogamo Shrine, To-Ji, and Kinkaku-Ji.
To do it right, we’re planning to spend the bulk of our time in the city and surrounding area, which should allow ample time to suck as much marrow as possible from it myriad traditional Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and picturesque gardens and bridges.
If we’re not too late in the season, we looking to take in some of the region’s celebrated autumn color while meandering through the traditional architecture steeped in Japanese history. We’re hoping to walk our bikes along scenic canals and older streets.
Perhaps we’ll capture a glimpse of a geisha girl or two scurrying along the alleyways on their way to a secret rendezvous.
Autumn Camping
Traveling in late fall in Kyoto, the expected temperatures should range from 5-18℃. Precipitation is projected to be light rain on some days. The conditions aren’t extreme. Camping and extended time outside in the temperate weather conditions are doable for beginning bicycle travelers.
The shorter days autumn/winter days mean less daylight riding time. Japanese law requires ridden at night to be equipped with lights.
Bicycle parking in Kyoto is permitted only designate areas or risk having your bike impounded and having to pay a hefty fee to get it back.
Kyoto and Osaka are replete with campgrounds, so we’re planning to pitch a tent as much as possible. If we’re fortunate enough to have generally sunny weather, the riding should be pleasant.
Johnny’s Bike
I’ll be rolling with my tried and true Co-Motion Divide and usual hybrid combo bikepacking/touring gear set up, save for a little extra layering for added warmth. The trip will give me chance to check out the new Ortlieb Gravel Pack, the Revelate Designs Soft Harness, and waterproof Salty Roll. I’ll get to use their new Egress Pocket and Mag Tank pouch too. It will be my first chance to put my duel camera pouch handlebar set up to good use.
Rack, Panniers, Bags & Pouches
- Revelate Designs Egress Pocket
- Revelate Designs Harness and Salty Roll
- Revelate Designs Mag Tank
- Revelate Designs Jerry Can
- Revelate Designs Ripio Frame Bag
- Tubus Cargo Evo Rear Rack
- Ortlieb Gravel Pack Panniers
For those interested in letting their inner “gear nerd” fly, y0u can click over to my bike setup page where I’ve outlined a detailed breakdown of my bike and standard kit list.
Annie’s Bike
Annie’s going to be spinning on her Giant XTC. It’s a standard hardtail mountain bike with a standard 3×9 drivetrain and Shimano components. Kyoto will be her second big adventure following last summer’s soiree to Hokkaido. Like me, Annie will be turning flat pedals. She’s added a pair of previously owned Specialized Boomslang flat pedals for a little more grip over the bike’s original stock pedals.
Both bikes are equipped with front and rear lights in the event we need to ride at night due to the shorter days. In Japan, it’s illegal to cycle at night without lights.
Rack, Panniers, Pouches
- Giant Rack
- Ortlieb Roller Plus (front)
- Roswheel Frame Bag
- Revelate Designs Feed Pouch
Clothing
There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices.
Staying warm during extended periods outside our clothes will require good layering systems able to accommodate a range of activities, such as riding, walking, and hanging around camp in the cooler weather.
To accommodate the cooler temps, I’ll be wearing a pair Vibram FiveFinger’s insulated Trek Ascent minimalist shoes rather than the standard trekking FiveFingers.
Colder weather usually means bringing additional clothing. We’ve carefully selected layering systems that will allow us to effectively modulate our body temperatures to suit the conditions on or off the bikes.
Good news is the added articles of clothing still fit in our bike’s standard bag and pannier setups.
Johnny’s Clothing System
- Beanie, Ball Cap
- Sunglasses
- Buff
- Wool Long Sleeve Zip T-Shirt 2x
- Soft Shell Vest
- Synthetic Insulated Jacket
- Shorts 1x
- Long Pants 1x
- Wool Toe Socks 3x
- Insulated Vibram FiveFingers
Bike Specific
- Helmet
- Gloves (regular, and soft shell)
- Long Sleeve Zip Jersey
- Cycling Shorts 1x
- Cycling Tights 1x
- Leg Warmers
Rain Gear
- Poncho
- Rain Jacket
Shelter/Sleeping
- Tent: MSR Hubba NX
- Sleeping Bag: Western Mountaineering Summer Lite 32 F degree
- Pad: Sea to Summit Ultralight
- Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros
- Super absorbent towel
- Mesh laundry bag
Photography
- Camera Backpack: Lowepro Flipside Trek 350
- Cameras: Sony A7RII, Sony RX1R II
- Lenses: 55mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8, 35mm f/2 (fixed on the RX1R II)
- Circular Polarizer
- Neutral Density Plate Filters
- SD cards
- Spare Camera Batteries
- Charging Kit
- Sensor Cleaning Kit
Navigation
- Gaia GPS App
- Ride With GPS
- Google Maps (for locating restaurants, coffee shops, etc)
- Delorme Explorer
- Paper Map & Compass (when all else fails)
Electronics
- Smartphone: iPhone 7 Plus with Quad-Lock Out Front Mount
- Bluetooth Keyboard: Logitech
- Battery Pack (charged by Schmidt SON 28 Dynamo)
- Charging Kit (cables, outlet adapters, etc)
Miscellaneous
- Bike bag (for train hopping, if necessary)
- Cable Combination Lock (to slow down the “snatch and run”)
Tools
- Pump
- Ratchet and Bit Set
- Leatherman
- Wrench
- Puncture Repair Kit
- Sewing Kit
- Cassette Cracker (for Annie’s bike)
- Chain Breaker (for Annie’s bike)
Repair/Spare Parts
- Folding 29”x2.0 Tire 1x
- Inner Tubes 2x
- Rohloff Oil Change Kit
- Gates CDX Carbon Drive Belt 1x
- Disc Brake Pads
- Rack/fender hex bolts
- Zip ties
- Tent Pole Repair Splints
Kyoto and Osaka have numerous bicycle shops, so common parts should be available. I’m not sure about the availability of 29-inch tires. The27.5-inch tire size probably the most common. So, I’m bringing my own tire and tubes as part of my standard kit.
Annie’s Clothing System
- Ball Cap
- Beanie
- Sunglasses
- Long Sleeve Shirt 2x
- Pants 2x
- Wool Socks 3x
- Lightweight Hiking Shoes
Cycling Clothes
- Helmet
- Buff
- Cycling Shorts 1x
- Cycling Tights 1x
- Gloves (regular and soft shell)
Rain Gear
- Rain Jacket
- Poncho
Sleeping System
- Sleeping Bag: Western Mountaineering Apache 15 F degree
- Pad: Nemos Hyperlite
- Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros
- Super absorbent towel
- Hygiene Kit
- Mesh laundry bag
Repair Parts
- Inner tube
- Chain lubricant
Notes
We’re not bringing any cooking gear, as we’ll be subsisting on the local economy and out of Japan’s well-stocked convenience stores. Quality espresso is readily available in Japan, so I’m forgoing my espresso kit.
For communications, we’re renting a Wifi hotspot at Pudong airport in Shanghai that will allow both of us internet access while in Japan. With unlimited data, it’s a pretty sweet setup.
Wrap-Up
With the addition of a few more layering articles of clothing, we’re traveling with our standard setups. Exploring Kyoto and Osaka in late autumn should be an awesome adventure.
We’re looking forward to making new friends with the hospitable Japanese people and partaking of copious amounts of delicious Japanese foods and local cuisine, and perhaps a few beers and maybe a nip or two of sake.
Questions and comments welcome. Please let me know what you think.
Cheers, Johnny
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