トラ's Tiger Threads

There’s a small-ish mountain west of Hachioji (八王子) City called, Mt. Takao, elevation approximately 600 meters. Because it’s so easily reached by train from central Tokyo or central Yokohama, it sees heaps of traffic – both car and pedestrians – on the weekends and during holidays. In addition to numerous hiking trails, the mountain has one road (R20) on the southern flank that crests the top at about 360 meters at a point called Odarumi Pass (大垂水峠).

The road and Odarumi Pass are extremely popular with cyclists and I’ve ridden over this pass perhaps hundreds of times. Over the last 5-6 months, however, I haven’t found the time (or motivation?) to cycle out that way. Winter is obviously a bit tough; colder temperatures and less daylight. I happy to report on this blog post that I finally found the time and energy last week to tackle the Pass once again.

Like I said, it has been a long time and the fitness definitely wasn’t the best but I made it. It was just at the start of Golden Week and the weather was gorgeous. This meant of course that it would be mobbed with vehicles, hikers and bikers but I didn’t care. I took the long way around and came over the Pass from the west side to the east side. Not far after coming down the descent, once I passed by Takao Station, I jumped on the Minamiasa River for the return home.

The Minamiasa River has a great bike/pedestrian path on both sides making the trip back home car-free and less stressful. Eventually the Minamiasa River joins the larger, Tama River – also graced with an excellent bike/pedestrian path. I can follow the Tama River all the way to Yanokuchi Station and the Yomiuri Land Amusement Park and then it’s a relatively easy 15-20kms. from home.

Great day out and I’m knackered, like I said, it’s been awhile.