Nagato Blue Ocean Ride with Akiyoshidai

400 riders to Senza Kitchen

On Saturday, November 24, "Nagato Blue Ocean Ride with Akiyoshidai," a cycling event around Nagato City and Mine City, was held.

At 8:00 a.m., more than 400 riders gathered at Senza Kitchen, a roadside station.

During the opening ceremony, guest riders were introduced to the competition.

First, the "Shimano Racing Team" (from left): Hidenori Notera, Director; Shotaro Iribe, Ryo Minato, Sakiya Kuroeda, and Takuya Nakata.

Next up are (from left to right) Yasumi Gonjo, director of the Japanese national para-cycling team; Yoshiko Noguchi; Wahei Kimura; Shota Kawamoto; Gakuta Koike; Miho Fujii; Manyo Fukui; and Hideo Uda.

After that, Director Notera called out to the participants about traffic rules and manners, and they were all ready to go.

One row at a time, we took our turn to start and departed toward the Misumi direction. It is the beginning of a long journey.

Karst Road and regional gastronomy

Participants entering Mine City from Misumi will head for the first aid point, Akiyoshidai Refresh Park.

At the "Akiyoshidai Refresh Park," which is the 22km point, "Akiyoshidai Kogen Beef 100% Burger with Stone Oven Bread" will be served.

The patty, filled with the delicious flavor of meat, is a perfect match with the sticky texture of the stone oven bread. The patties are delicious and satisfying," said one customer.

Finally, we went to "Akiyoshidai Karst Road".

We continued on a gently curving road with views of countless white limestone formations.

A small cheering group gives a loud boost to the participants who have crossed the road with its continuous ups and downs.

Then they arrived at the second aid point, "Beppu Benten Pond," which is the 45km mark.

What you will taste here is a special pork miso soup made with local vegetables and spring water from Benten Pond.

Accented with chopped yuzu peel and ginger, a hot cup warmed my cold body.

Through the satoyama

After passing the halfway point, participants returned to Nagato City and went to the third aid point, "Satoyama Station Tawarayama," at the 68km point.

The "Satoyama Plate," which could be called the main dish of the day, was a sumptuous plate of nine dishes filled with the delicacies of Tawarayama. It was produced by the "Myuzu Kitchen," a women's group of mainly farmers from Tawarayama.

Rice balls made with Koshihikari rice produced in Tawarayama, pickles, miso oden, tofu and venison hamburgers, and pasta with wild boar meat soup. Of course, the rice used for the dessert of pears and "okome purin" is all grown in Tawarayama.

Participants leaving the satoyama station delivered happy comments to our staff, such as, "The rice balls gave me strength," and "The gibier (venison and wild boar meat) was tasty and odorless."

This rally also features a "train course" that allows participants to ride a train along with their bicycles during the course. This year, two courses were offered: a 51-km "short" course, which participants boarded at Ohfuku Station in Mine City, and an 84-km "middle" course, which participants boarded at Hitomaru Station in Aburatani City.

Riding on a special train with the head mark of the convention, you will return to Senzaki Station while enjoying a different view from the bike ride. On board the train, sea eel bowl (short) from "Kaisendon Ajito", scones from "Eucalyptus and Taiyo" and drip coffee (middle) from "COFFEE&ROASTER YAMA" were served.

Looking out over the blue sea

From Mt. Tawarayama, the route goes all the way north.

As we left the mountain road and entered Aburaya, the scenery gradually opened up to reveal the cobalt blue ocean. As the name "Blue Ocean Ride" suggests, the ride begins with a view of the blue ocean.

From this point on, only participants in the "Cycling Course" are allowed.

At the fourth aid point, Ohama Beach, the 90-km point, "Jidori Curry" was served, using the thigh meat of Yamaguchi Prefecture's local chicken, "Choshu Kuro Kashiwa" (Choshu Black Kashira).

This location is the setting for the cover photo of the convention poster and brochure.

Some were seen taking commemorative photos with the ocean in the background.

After that, we passed Higashi Gobata Terraced Rice Paddies, selected as one of the "100 best terraced rice paddies in Japan," and entered the Hioki district.

The last aid point at the 103km mark is the Kohadoguchi Meeting House.

This is the point where coffee, hot ginger, gateau chocolate and cheesecake are available at cafe&pottery sound, a Hagiyaki gallery cafe in Nagato Yumoto Onsen.

A relaxing space before the last 13 km.

The staff greeted them with a smile and said, "I'm off! and departed one after another.

The last spurt after the pass.

Dashing past Tadanohama Beach, we will head for our goal, Senza Kitchen.

Then comes the moment of the end.

The goal is to be welcomed by family, staff, and community members.

At the goal aid, in addition to drinks and ice cream, Nagato Yuzukichi confiture, Choshu black Kashiwa dumplings, and Hahakkori chigiriten were distributed by the Nagato Area Local Production for Local Consumption Promotion Committee.

The day was spent enjoying the scenery and food of Nagato City and Mine City, as well as meeting local residents.

The beautiful place, the difficult course, and the delicious menu are all good memories. It was a memorable moment after the goal when the participants were laughing and reminiscing about the day.

Guest rider "cycle clinic" (11/23)

On Friday, the 23rd, the day before the event, a "cycle clinic" was held by the Shimano Racing Team, who participated as guest riders.

The venue is in front of the tourist information center "YUKUTE" at Senza Kitchen, Roadside Station.

Participants had a meaningful time with riders Shotaro Iribe, Ryo Minato, Sakiya Kuroeda, and Takuya Nakata, as well as director Hidenori Notera, who checked their riding form and taught them the proper position of the saddle so that they could make the most of the experience the next day.

Shout out to Japan Para Cycling Federation!

In addition to the registration on the day before the race, vehicle inspections were also conducted in front of the tourist information center "YUKUTE" on the day before the race.

The vehicle inspection fee from the previous day and the total of 37,220 yen donated by everyone on both days will be donated to the Japan Para Cycling Federation. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

We would also like to thank the Japan Para Cycling Federation for making the event more exciting as guest riders.

Cycling in Nagato by all means!

The third "Nagato Blue Ocean Ride" was successfully held under clear blue skies.

Bicycles are the perfect way to get around this area, which offers spectacular views of the ocean and mountains, as well as a wide variety of food.

At the tourist information center "YUKUTE", five types of rental bicycles are waiting for you, ranging from city bicycles to cross bikes and bicycles with electric power assist.

We hope you will once again enjoy your bicycle trip in Nagato City.

Related Links

Nagato Blue Ocean Ride with Akiyoshidai

cycling in Nagato