Lake Shiretoko (50.8 km ⬆️890 m)

The first day into my biking trip was intense, I chose the harder route to make it more scenic and I was absolutely untrained for it. But I knew that from the beginning, I still wanted to do it (surprising from me, ain't it?). The cycling was on its way up pretty much all the way there, it started with a beautiful way along the river as I was leaving the city, and then just up up up in the forest. No bears, but I did see two deer running away. I thought about cycling back so many times (even more when there was an avalanche warning sign) and had to walk with the heavy bicycle and take so many stops as well. But it was so worth it, the lake was stunning and the day was gorgeous (and to know that I could do it). When I got to my planned destination where I was going to camp I realised it was a bit more civilized than I expected, so I had to continue for another 10 km, until I found a little spot next to a village. I thought to myself, perfect, I go to an onsen (a japanese hot spring) while I wait so it gets dark and then I prepare my set up. Surprise for me, the onsens were only for in house guests (or I looked too smelly at that stage), and the town looked like a ghost town after 5 pm, so no relaxing clean evening for me. I found a bit of shelter in a public bathroom where I could charge my phone, and went to sleep on a cold rainy night. I thought to myself, you are crazy, first day in and you are already camping somewhere where you are not allowed and where there are bears, so I could have rested better than I did. The next morning I realised that my bear proof method for food (hanging a bag high on a tree), was not effective for birds (fair enough), so I lost most of my food and had to recalibrate how I do things with that matter. Spent a bit more time on my sheltered bathroom (I know, it sounds like the dream vacation) and went to the Visitor Center, where there was some cool information about the flora and fauna of the area and the staff were so kind and helped me book a campsite for the day. And then, we cycle again.Read more