After that, when the cold season came, I headed to the Pacific side—the Miura Peninsula, Boso Peninsula, Izu Peninsula, and such. When warmth returned, my travels naturally turned toward the mountains: Kusatsu, Shiga, Shibu Pass.
Sometimes I ventured along the Tadami Line—it’s a shame several bridges remain washed away from heavy rains years ago—and to various other places. However, my primary riding grounds were still the Koshin region, including Yamanashi and Nagano, using the Chuo Main Line.
Since there were no overnight express buses back then, I routinely took the 11:58 PM local train from Shinjuku bound for Kobuchizawa. The train arrived in Kobuchizawa at dawn, making it perfectly timed for hikers (and cyclists), so it was always packed.
Some spread newspapers on the floor to sit and enjoy a brief drinking party before departure, others lay down early, and the real tough guys even slept on the luggage racks.
As for the designated spot for bike bags? That would be the deck by the entrance. In that space, I’d read books or unfold maps until drowsiness overtook me.
その後は、寒い季節になれば三浦半島、房総半島、伊豆半島など、太平洋側へ。暖かさが戻れば走りは自然と山へと向かい、草津、志賀、渋峠。
時には只見線沿線－－数年前の豪雨で数ヵ所の橋梁が流失したままで残念です－－へと、さまざまな所へ出かけました。しかし、主たる走りは、やはり中央本線を利用した山梨、長野などの甲信地方です。
当時は夜間高速バスなどありませんから、お決まりのように利用したのは、新宿発 23時58分、小淵沢行きの普通列車。列車は明け方に小淵沢に到着するので、時間的に登山者(サイクリストも)には都合がよくて、いつも満員でした。
床に新聞紙をひろげて座り込み、発車までの束の間の酒宴に興じる者、早ばやと横になる者、つわ者に至っては網棚で寝る始末。
輪行袋の指定席はというと、乗降口のデッキということになります。そのスペースで、私は眠気がさすまで本を読んだり、地図を開いて過ごしていました。
Yatsugatake Highlands, Mugikusa Pass, Takato, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima, Kaida Highlands, Southern Alps Super Forest Road, Yashajin Pass…etc.
Just hearing these place names brings back nostalgic memories of those places along with their scenery.
八ヶ岳高原、麦草峠、高遠(たかとお)、馬籠(まごめ)、妻籠(つまご)、木曽福島、開田(かいだ)高原、南アルプス・スーパー林道、夜叉神(やしゃじん)峠…etc.
地名をあげると、景色とともに、その地の懐かしい思い出が浮かんできます。
My Life with Bicycles 