Sendai hiccup.
It was 8:30 pm when I finally got everything sorted and ready to leave Sendai city. The street was buzzing with people and cars. It's so difficult to bike your way through the crowd. But the crowd was not the only problem. Finding my way to route 4 at night by following and listening to google giving me directions is crazy. " In 100m turn left. You have missed your turn. At the next traffic light take a right onto the bridge". blablabla.
For a good 45 minutes, I biked around the main street in Sendai looking for a way to get onto route 4. Route 4 is the main highway that will take me from Sendai city to Ninohe city. Then I will take routes 395 and 340 to Hachinohe.
At around 9:30 pm I made it onto route 4. I stopped and took out my pump, usually hanging from my bike's frame, and gave a bit of air to both tires. Then I adjusted my front and rear light to be more transparent to the traffic. After that, I opened my tool bag, took out the screwdriver, and tighten my rear bag carrier. Finally, I packed everything into my bike's attackable frame bag and took off.
8:30 pm night crowd in Sendai city.
Night cycling.
In Sendai city when I locked on to my phone's google map direction. The distance shown was 200km to Marioka city. Morioka city is located northwest of Sendai city. It is the capital of the Iwate prefecture in the Tohoku area of Japan.
Did you know that nighttime is the best time to cycle? Well!, I don't know that either. But after I did cycling all night I found out.
I was full of energy and enthusiasm that despite the 20kg weight of my bike bearing on my thighs and calves muscles I felt nothing. It's like sailing by catching the wind.
The night cycling will take me through several cities. Osaki, Ichinoseki, Oshu, Kitakami ,Hanamaki and into Morioka.
At first, when I looked at the map I thought I will not make it to Morioka city. In my mind, I thought, if I can't make it to Marioka city or if I am too tired I will stop over at Kitakami and call into Wagagawa Green park and rest for the night.
Roadside vending machine at Kurokawa-Ohira
On the road.
After I left the main streets of Sendai and hit route 4. I pressed hard and faster on my paddles and I took off sailing. I only made a few stops at convenience stores and roadside vending machines. Otherwise, from 8pm to 9am it's just continued cycling.
Route 4 is perfect. There are no mountains to climb. The road is lit with lights. Also, there's enough space to cycle on the side where the cars would not run into you and the road surface is so smooth. My spirit was high because the road was empty. Only a few semi-trailers zoomed passed me. Pulling their heavy loads along with them. The road was silent and calm. Occasionally the silence is broken by cars screaming passed me.
I wanted to reach Morioka on time so I can make it to Hachinohe city on time for my ferry. My schedule to reach the Sliver Ferry port at Hachinohe was tight. I only have a day of cycling to reach the ferry port. If it took me more than one day to reach Hachinohe Ferry port. I will definitely miss the ferry. So, I have no choice but to cycle 26 hours non-stop.
0:31 pm I pulled into 7 11 convenience store at Kurihara-Kanari for coffee.
Daybreak.
While cycling I looked over to my right shoulder and there it was the first light of the sun slowly lighting up the night sky. I checked my phone and it was 3:52am. In Japan, during the summer the dawn usually breaks between 3:30am to 4am.
By then, I was halfway through my 200km cycling goal. I still have 100km and all day to cycle. After cycling all night at a speed of almost 20km/h. I was a bit exhausted and when I saw the day breaking I reduced my speed to around 16km/h.
Exhausted and tired from cycling all night. The dawning of the new day gave me renewed energy and happiness, although my stomach was crying for food.
I made a quick stop at a Family mart convenience store just after the dawn had broken and had something to eat. When I cycle I don't overeat. Don ask me why? I have my reasons.
I bought ice cream and 2 buns with a sports drink. Rested for 10 minutes and ate my breakfast. Then no time to waste I hit the road again. This time nonstop all the way to Morioka city.
I reached Marioka city at around 9:30am. I was exhausted, my bum hurts, and I needed to rest to get my strength for the next 100km. By now I have covered 300km and last 100km more to reach Hachinohe Ferry port. I knew that if I rest a little I will cover the 100km in just 4 hours.
3:52am the dawning is breaking, Kanegasaki,Isawa-Gun-Mikajir.
4:43 am sunrise at Muraskino in Kitakami.
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