Tag: Bike Travel

CYCLING ON SADO ISLAND – A CYCLIST’S DREAM DESTINATION IN JAPAN.
Sado Island: Japan’s Cycling Paradise

Three years ago, I packed a suitcase full of my favorite Terry gear and left Vermont. I came to start a new job on the other side of the world in Sado – a butterfly-shaped island in the Sea of Japan. I’d lucked out landing a dream job in Japan’s cycling paradise…

Taking a breather while riding up Mount Donden

You might say Sado Island is an off-the-beaten-track adventure destination. It’s a large island that lies off the coast of Niigata Prefecture, which is about a two hour train ride from Tokyo. To get here, you’ll have to take a plane to Tokyo, a train or car to Niigata, and then a ferry to the island. It’s remote. But I’m up for some adventure!

Ancient cedars on temple grounds are honored as shrine trees

The Journey here is worth it. I’ve only been here for a couple months, and since arriving, I’ve been exploring the island by cycling dreamy morning routes and mini-weekend excursions. I know these are just the appetizers, with mains and desserts to come soon. I’m excited for what lies ahead!

Sights and Sounds of Sado

Sado is unlike anywhere I’ve ever visited. Riding along the island’s 130-mile coast-line means stunning panoramas of the mountains, rice paddies, and sea, while traversing past traditional villages, centuries-old temples and shrines. There are also mountain road routes through scenic centuries-old forests with panoramic views of the island and sea.

Every ride here feels like a new adventure. The entire island is designated as a biodiverse “geopark,” with large portions being maintained as national parks. My love for nature, solidified in the Green Mountains of Vermont, feels more and more inspired at every turn…

This is an island of “Onidaiko”.

I recently had the opportunity to participate in very special event. Onidaiko is a traditional performing art performed at festivals to dispel evil spirits and pray for a good harvest. According to the dictionary, ‘oni’ translates as ‘demon,’ but actually, the oni is a god and a protector of the community. ‘Daiko’ is the word for a traditional Japanese taiko drum. The oni dances to remove the evil spirits from the environment and lock them away in the taiko drum. The dance takes a lot of strength and practice.

There are over 120 different groups practicing this art form around the island, each with their own unique styles, rhythms, and costumes. I’ve heard that if you travel around Sado in springtime, you’ll hear the sound of drum rhythms all over the place – so I’m looking forward to riding by bike around the island in the spring!

Traditional Japanese Culture & History Preserved

People say that visiting Sado is an opportunity to experience “Pure Japan.” I didn’t know what they meant at first. It turns out that the island’s unique history has made it a kind of ‘microcosm’ of Japan’s history as a whole.

About eight hundred years ago, Sado became an island of exile. ‘Noble Culture’ came to the island with the banishment of upper-echelon officials, creatives, and intellectuals. Later came ‘Samurai Culture’ when the Shogun government took advantage of Sado’s Gold Mine. Subsequently, ‘Merchant Culture’ came when sailing merchants immigrated here. Because of these influences, it’s possible to experience aspects of ‘pure’ Japanese culture that have developed over centuries.

Noh Theater Performances

Sado is home to 1/3 of the surviving Noh theaters in Japan, and you can see Noh performances from May to October.

Mumyoi-yaki Pottery

This is a special pottery only found on Sado made from clay taken from the Gold Mines. It’s gorgeous and looks very delicate, but is actually extremely strong.

Tatakou-kan Drumming

You can learn traditional Japanese drumming from members of the world-famous taiko drumming group! They also just recently opened a café at the practice hall.

Tarai Bune Boat Rides

You can ride boats unique to Sado called ‘Tarai bune,’ which have traditionally been used for seaweed-harvesting. These curious washtub-shaped boats appeared in the famous Japanese animation movie, Ghibli’s “Spirited Away.”

Visit Old Fishing Villages

One particularly gorgeous spot I visited is Shukunegi village. Nestled in a cove, the village is characterized by crowded rows of old houses built with plate walls made from ship planks. The architecture itself is like an open-air museum.

Bird-watching

Just cycling around the island I’ve seen so many unique birds here! Sado is home to the project to reintroduce the “toki” – or Japanese crested Ibis – into the wild. You can spot them around the rice fields in the early morning and evening!

Cycling Through the Seasons on Sado

The warmer months on Sado offer gorgeous conditions, and cycling events are held through Spring, Summer and Fall. Depending on the season, you can also go snorkeling, diving, sea-kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, or trekking and camping. Each season has its own special advantages!

In spring, you’ll catch views of rice fields flooded in preparation for planting. Pink Cherry Blossoms bloom around mid-April, and hiking routes are in full-bloom with wildflowers. The islands biggest cycling event, the Sado Long Ride 210km is held in May.

In summer, you can enjoy sunny days and crystal-clear water beaches. If you are lucky enough to visit Sado in August, you have the chance to combine your cycling adventure with the Earth Celebration, a world-renowned music and arts festival hosted by Kodo, Japan’s most famous taiko drumming group. There are also events held at the end of June: The Sado Summer Ride 130km and Sado Gold Mine Summer Hill Climb.

In fall, colorful leaves, crisp ocean breezes, blue skies, and harvest scenes. The leaves start to change around mid-October and you can hike routes of both of the island’s mountain ranges. The Sado Long Distance Triathlon is held in early September. Known internationally for its challenging competition, the distance is comparable to an Iron Man – with a 4K swim, 190K cycle, and marathon. You can also join the Autumn Ride 130 and Sado Gold Mine Autumn Hill Climb.

Travel tips, if you decide to visit Sado…

Getting your Bike to Sado

As we all know, Covid wreaked havoc on supply chains, and getting your paws on a ride in 2021 feels harder than it’s ever been before. I definitely recommend either you bring your own bike to Japan, or get a rental here. If you use a bike box, you can ship your bike as an extra piece of luggage. When you arrive in Japan, you can simply forward the box to your accommodation on Sado using ‘takyubin’ delivery service such as Kuroneko Yamato.

E-Bike Rentals

I’ve been rocking the new Panasonic E-bike Rentals available on Sado. You can rent the e-bikes hourly or for just 2000 yen ($20~) for the day. There are two kinds available – the Panasonic Velo-Star Mini and larger-frame Panasonic XU1. I’ve been loving easy, relaxing rides powering up hills with the electric assist. I also love how the E-bikes make cycling more accessible for those who are new to the sport!

Sado Island Cycling Kit Essentials

For Tops: My number-one go to are Terry’s Soleil Longsleeves. I always get compliments on my Soleils here! Sometimes the weather can change quickly from sun to rain on the island. Soleils are both quick-drying and have SPF protection. I love that I can mix it up with lots of different colors and patterns. They pack really well too!

For Bottoms: Bring whichever bottoms you’re comfortable with – I love the new Breakaway LTD. First off, they’re super comfy. The blue color also matches the island scenery perfectly! My second-go-to would be the Metro Shorts in ‘River Rock.’ I like having colors other than black, and since the liner is detachable, I can wear them both while I’m riding and also out and about exploring the island.

As for other gear, there aren’t many bike shops on the island so you should definitely bring your own helmet, shoes, and tools to manage any adjustments or incidents. Panniers to carry a seaside-picnic and swimsuit wouldn’t be a bad idea, either!

Getting Around With No Japanese?!

Getting around Sado without Japanese isn’t as scary as it sounds. People here are extremely accommodating, understanding, and hospitable! You can also hire English-speaking guides through the Tourism Information offices. A guide can help translate, show you hidden spots, and even connect you with locals.

Eating on Sado

Since Sado is an island, it is famous for its fresh seafood – crab, shrimp, oysters, and fish. Vegans and vegetarians can enjoy many kinds of yummy seaweed dishes, soba noodles, and locally grown fruits – persimmons, pears, figs, apples, and citrus, depending on the season.

Sado is also part of Niigata prefecture, Japan’s number-one rice producer. Niigata takes pride in its high-quality rice, and many say it’s the most delicious in Japan. And of course… with good rice, comes good Sake – so there are many sake breweries on the island you can tour for tastings!

Staying on Sado

There are numerous hotels, ryokan – Japanese inns, and guest houses you can stay on Sado. For the particularly adventurous, campsites along the beach as well as in the forest, are perfect for stargazing, and open from around April to October.

Sado also has hot springs in various areas around the island. Hot springs will soothe your aching muscles after a long ride and help you get a good sleep. I definitely recommend trying a dip in a Sado hot spring!

Other Places to Visit in Japan

For first-time visitors to Japan, you can’t miss Tokyo and Kyoto. Tokyo is a metropolis that exemplifies Japan’s modernity and the old capital of Kyoto is a must-see for tradition and history. You can also stop by nearby Osaka, Japan’s second largest city. From there, I recommend you head north to Niigata, where you can catch the ferry to Sado. There are so many things to see and do on Sado that you will want at least 3 days here (if not a week!), and it’s the perfect place to finish off your trip surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty and cultural experiences of ‘Pure Japan.’

My Sado Dream Rides

Come to Sado and ride! There are so many different routes to explore on Sado. I’m going to leave you with my Sado “dream rides” – the courses I’m most looking forward to challenging come springtime.
- The Sado-Ichi Course (202.5km/2,218m elevation gain) Loop around the entire coast of the island.
- The Osado Skyline Course (26.4km/1,078m elevation gain) Takes you along the mountain route past the old Sado Gold and Silver mine.
- The Osado Ishina Natural Cedar Tree Route (19.6km/1,094km elevation gain) You can ride up the mountain to a forest of massive cedar trees – the trees are warped by strong wind, some of them over 300 years old.
Photography by Yuta Honma.
December 3, 2021
CYCLING IN THAILAND – BEACHES, SUNSHINE, & KILLER HILLS.

Terry friend, Caroline Mangione, escaped the frozen north for an exotic cycling adventure, riding and island-hopping up the entire Thai peninsula. She discovered many delights and charms away from the usual tourist hot spots, and found some surprisingly steep hills along the way. She also took some Terry cycling gear with her and put it to the test. Let’s enjoy a vicarious bike vacation as Caroline shares her adventures cycling in Thailand…

Contributed by Caroline Mangione

Thailand: Beaches, Bikes, and Sunshine. The perfect mid-winter cycling destination!

Approaching the end of my undergraduate college career and the start of a PhD program in chemistry, time to ride and expendable money are two things I don’t have an excess of. Brainstorming some ideas for a bike trip with my riding partner Ben, Thailand came into the picture. Beaches, warm weather, and inexpensive cost of living made it an extremely attractive destination. Soon enough, we booked our plane tickets, and serious planning could begin.

I became familiar with Terry when I started at my first bike shop job in 2014. The Butterfly saddle was the go-to option whenever a female rider came in with complaints associated with their uncomfortable, stock, unisex saddle. Spoiler alert: it happened often, and I was one of those females.

Before long, I purchased one for myself. I still refer to it as my first “big girl” saddle, as it allowed me to turn painful 20 mile rides into century rides with no issue. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I could connect with Terry and be outfitted with some clothing for my trip.

With an above-average snowfall in Utah, training took the form of skiing, as road riding was nearly impossible. I eyed my warm weather riding clothes in the corner of my room for weeks: a Soleil Hoodie, the Bella, Bella Prima, Peloton, and the Holster Hi-Rise short. In addition to these, the oldest jersey I’ve kept is a nameless Terry short sleeve from at least 10 years ago, there was no way that wasn’t coming with.

Our plan was to fly into Phuket, a resort island off the southern coast of Thailand, flying out of Bangkok, in the north, 17 days later, with a combination of ferry rides, islands, and about 500 miles of road to cover in between. A “credit card tour” is what we had in mind: only packing clothes and toiletries, eating and sleeping wherever struck our fancy that day. The map shows a rough map of our route, courtesy of Google.
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For reference, this is what we left behind. Winter jackets and sweatpants were shed as our friend dropped us off at the airport, as there was no way we’d be lugging sweatpants up the coast for the next few weeks.
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22 hours of travel later: a sigh of relief when the bikes showed up intact (note: bike boxes fly free on international Delta flights). After a taxi ride to our first hotel and assembling our bikes in our bungalow room in Phuket, the maiden voyage was a ride to “Big Buddha”: the third tallest statue in Thailand, overlooking the entire island of Phuket. The ride was a kicker, featuring tight switchbacks, roadside elephants, and 16% grades. It was a killer of a first ride of the trip (and year!), but my granny gear saved the day.

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A couple nights in Phuket allowed us to adjust to the time (they’re +14 hours from MST) and more importantly, getting used to riding on the left side of the road.

Island hopping meant lots of ferry rides:
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Khao Phanom was next. Roadside fruit was a huge theme of the trip, as many homes had a fruit stand right out front. Coconuts, watermelon, mango, jackfruit, durian, bananas, etc., all for about 40 baht ($1.27 USD).
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Nearly everyone rides on mopeds in Thailand, and the roads felt much safer because of them. Slower speeds on average, and the few cars on the road were much more aware of slower vehicles on the shoulder. Road quality was great the whole way: smooth sailing for our heavy, loaded bikes.

Another ferry ride brought us to Kho Phangan: one of the most scenic places I’ve visited to date. Between the lush green jungle and clear blue waters, every direction I looked was postcard worthy. The island had about 50 miles of paved roads in total, but not without plenty of elevation gain. Islands in the Gulf of Thailand seem to shoot up from nowhere, and Kho Phangan was no different.
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Our last ferry ride landed us in Chumpon; a coastal city and the start of the bulk of our mileage. This sign right as we exited town was a great send off: “HAVE A GOOD TRIP” in English underneath the same message in Thai. I was initially nervous about traveling somewhere with such a different language, but most signs were like this one: written in Thai with an English translation underneath.

The next day was planned to be a bigger one, 96 miles from just outside Chumpon to Prachap Khiri Khan, with a mid-day stop at Baan Krud beach.

55 miles in and 40 to go, a nap in the shade was necessary. Temperatures reached over 90°F most days, and the sun was inescapable. Sunscreen on my legs and a baggy sun-proof hooded shirt is my go-to outfit on long days like this one (enter the Soleil Hoody and Peloton short, amazingly breathable and so lightweight).
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The next day involved riding through Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park. The coastal landmark is home to large cave systems within the giant mountains that shoot up into the sky. Although time didn’t allow us to fully explore the trails, riding through the park was a treat. (Note: we did not find the monkey.)
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Hua Hin was our destination that night. This is where I experienced a true night market for the first time. For reference, this was on a Monday night; these nightly markets allow locals to buy fresh produce and meals from neighbors, in addition to souvenirs and keepsakes for tourists. The woman with the vegetable-covered bicycle was my favorite.
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Another market was on our must-visit list: the Mae Khlong Train market. This market still serves the local population as a standard market, but its unique location makes it a tourist attraction as well. This market has long been a central location to trade seafood. Not long after the market was established, train tracks were placed right through it, in 1904, for the transportation of goods. In resilient fashion, the market stayed put. The tracks now provide a walking path for customers in between passes of the train, which happens eight times a day. Canopies are retracted and tables of goods on roller tracks are pulled back to allow for the train to pass. Business resumes just as quickly as it was paused.

The final day of riding was from the railway market to Bangkok. 55 miles, two flat tires, and some tired legs later, we made it to our hostel where we would spend the next five nights of our trip. The off-bicycle time was split between bunches of new restaurants, street food vendors, markets, temple visits, postcard writing, a cooking class, and souvenir shopping.
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As exciting as Bangkok was, I am equally in awe of the less traveled areas of Thailand. Experiencing both urban and rural Thailand in the same trip was extremely special, and doing so by bicycle made it that much better. Many of the coastal tourist attractions are accessed by bus, meaning the average tourist doesn’t stop in between these hot spots. Between these spots were where most memories were made: roadside fruit stands, friendly street cats, waving hi to groups of children playing soccer by the road, riding through the coastal salt flats and being greeted by smiling faces of the workers, and being fed out of the living rooms of the locals, made for some unforgettable memories.
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Thanks again to the team at Terry for the excellent riding gear that made this trip that much sweeter!
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March 21, 2020
A 10,000 MILE BIKE RIDE – FOLLOWING THE MONARCH MIGRATION.

Contributed by Sara Dykman

On my old steel mountain bike, dinged with the scars of past adventures, I loaded up all my gear and set off from the forests of central Mexico. My goal was to bike with monarchs, millions of them, from their overwintering forest to their summer range in Canada, and back again. The monarchs would fly because they were butterflies. I would bike because I was the self-proclaimed butterbiker.

It took three weeks for me to pedal from the forest of Mexico to the scrubland of Texas, where the female monarchs search out milkweed plants to lay their eggs. It took another three months to arrive to Canada. By summer, the monarchs had spread out from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. This vast range meant that there were many routes. To bike with monarchs, I merely needed to pick a road and bike.

Though I was on the route of the monarch migration, I was seeing only a fraction of what the migration had once been. The eastern population of the monarch butterfly has plummeted in recent years because of habitat loss, herbicide use, and climate change. Like getting to know a friend, hearing the monarchs’ story was the first step to saving them.

On my bike ride I visited classrooms and nature centers, recounting my adventures and explaining the migration to over 9,000 people. I spoke of the highway ditches alive and wild, filled with hungry caterpillars munching milkweed. I spoke of the horror of seeing that same habitat mowed down. I spoke of the relief I felt when I met people growing gardens. In this way, my bike ride with butterflies became a bike ride for butterflies.

By pedaling 10,201 miles with the monarchs I gave my voice to them, and helped remind people that just as human travelers need safe places to rest, healthy food to eat, and uninterrupted land for which to traverse, so too do butterfly travelers.

I am the butterbiker, biking to save the butterflies. Luckily there are many ways to help protect the monarchs – planting gardens, spreading the word, protecting wild places. You don’t have to quit your jobs and spend ten months biking with butterflies. But, of course, you can if you want to.

Sara Dykman divides her time between seasonal amphibian research, outdoor education, and education-linked adventures (www.beyondabook.org). She is currently working on a book about her bicycle trip following the monarchs.

We are delighted that Sara chose a Terry saddle to support her through her epic ride – a Liberator X Gel.

December 7, 2019
DREAM GEAR: CYCLING IN MALLORCA.

Gear that “made the ride” while on the bike vacation of a lifetime.

The epic sights were without question the best part of the ride – but coming in at a close second? My shorts.

The Bella Prima Bib Shorts were a ride saver. The Flex Air chamois provides padding in all the right places while the soft wing construction eliminates bunching and chafing letting me focus on the ride rather than the shorts. For hurried pit stops at seaside cafes, I simply unzipped my jacket and jersey and pulled the stretchy, open mesh halter-top up over my helmet!

Paired with the bib, I wore the full zip, super lightweight, moisture wicking Terry Bella Jersey and matching arm warmers and a sleeveless base layer for maximum versatility as temps fluctuate with altitude and proximity to the sea. The UPF 50+ fabric is a bonus in the Mediterranean sun. Have you ever seen the Mediterranean sun? It looks a lot like this –

For colder, wetter days? I chose the Terry Thermal Tights. They are so brushed and comfy, and make you feel like you are swimming in warm butter. With a DWR finish, they are remarkably wind resistant and even provide protection in a light drizzle.

Pairing this with the Mandarin Thermal Jersey I stayed warm and dry without over heating through my ride. Even without the gear however, I think I would have found a way to continue cycling when the scenery looked like this:

In the North where roads were relatively smooth, I most certainly benefitted from the range of motion and slimmer profile provided by my FLX Gel saddle.

However, on some of the rougher southern roads and in villages with cobblestones I did wish that I had the shock absorbing PORON XRD found in the Butterfly Century.

Also handy? Knog high lumen lights. They are easy to strap on, are available as front and rear lights and invaluable for tunnels particularly in the Tramuntana Mountains with its beautiful alpine like villages.

And last but NOT least: Fly Swiss International and your bike will travel for $125 each way. And if you’re lucky, it might even get a free ride. Also, make sure you have new tires (25cm) on that bike!

Want to see more of Mallorca? Check it out here.

Tailwinds,

Liz Robert, CEO

March 23, 2016