Unexpected Strength:
I always start slow. The bike feels like a tank in the morning, a feather in the afternoon, and a tank again at the end of the day. Strangely today I begin my warmup ride joking to myself. I let my laughs freely fill the mountain roads. Perhaps because of my upbeat mood, or perhaps because of a friendly spirit who grew fond of me when I passed by its jinja , I find myself moving fast.
Now...I'm not talking strolling at a good pace, no, I'm talking keeping up with cars. I even break the law a bit by going above the speed limit. I am on fire, and I have no clue why, nothing stops me. Hills, mountains, rough roads, I flash through them all like a man on a mission. By 10am I am at 60km...more than half my daily goal, and with 8hrs to spare. Pshhh I think, I'm loving it.
Dancing on the Mighty River:
I stop for my first break - as in the first break of my entire trip. I am next to a massive river, hugged by a stunning range of mountains covered by the greenest trees. I decide to eat. No, you know what, let's add some music, I say. Yes...music, the ultimate treat when one lacks battery aaaaallll the time. So I do. I eat. I listen to music, and my day is going so well that the music pushes me to start dancing on top of a small wall. In the distance, a boat of tourists approves of my feelings and its passengers wave happily. I am feeling like I own the world. Japan, as big and steep as you may be, I feel like I am starting to get you know.
Dancing on the Mighty River:
I stop for my first break - as in the first break of my entire trip. I am next to a massive river, hugged by a stunning range of mountains covered by the greenest trees. I decide to eat. No, you know what, let's add some music, I say. Yes...music, the ultimate treat when one lacks battery aaaaallll the time. So I do. I eat. I listen to music, and my day is going so well that the music pushes me to start dancing on top of a small wall. In the distance, a boat of tourists approves of my feelings and its passengers wave happily. I am feeling like I own the world. Japan, as big and steep as you may be, I feel like I am starting to get you know.
My mind gets it. My legs get it. All is beginning to go as planned.
The Sea of Japan at Last:
I keep pushing like a madman for hours - 100km - I don't think for a second to call it a day. It's still 12pm, more. I zip through the endless yellow fields of rice on my Surly. Endless fields can't even stop me or bore me today. I don't know what happened last night, but I like it. After days of misty freezing cold mountains, I see the sea far away. When I reach it, the vastness of it all and the satisfaction in my heart brings onto me a monumental feeling of pure pleasure.
The Sea of Japan at Last:
I keep pushing like a madman for hours - 100km - I don't think for a second to call it a day. It's still 12pm, more. I zip through the endless yellow fields of rice on my Surly. Endless fields can't even stop me or bore me today. I don't know what happened last night, but I like it. After days of misty freezing cold mountains, I see the sea far away. When I reach it, the vastness of it all and the satisfaction in my heart brings onto me a monumental feeling of pure pleasure.
"Ma quant'é bello il mare!" (How beautiful the sea is!) I let an Italian expression escape. I ride the beautiful coast as the sun hits my face. The air is different, the people are happier, this seems like paradise. By the time I reach the camp-jo, the sun is setting, perfect to the last detail. I also go to an onsen that is five minutes away, so I am also clean and my muscles relaxed. I end my night camping on the beach looking at the most starry of nights. I befriend a wandering cat as I give him my snacks. A shooting star falls, and a satellite passes by. I fall asleep to the calming sound of the waves. Can you guessed what I wished for?
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
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