northward

15 October 2024: The town of Kani is the constant waypoint for rides to Gero Onsen from Nagoya. After the western route past Kasugai Country Club proved to include something close to a mountain hiking trail, and the eastern route via Seto and Tajimi proved to parallel speedy traffic over a nerve-rattling distance, this jaunt explores a middle route that merges with the Toki River. A fun ride, but without happy news on that front.

20-21 September 2024: Wherein I explore an alternative north-bound route to that used in the July excursion to Gero, and face a trade-off between convenience and solitude.

Visits to a nearby pottery district, always a sentimental journey.

Map of a route from the north edge of Kasugai through Kani to Kawabe

Map of a route from Kawabe to Hiuchi no Mori campground

Map of a route from Gero Kanko Hotel in Gero to home in Nisshin

Detail of route from Gero Kanko Hotel in Gero to home in Nisshin, showing a failed attempt to find an expressway crossing.

Map of a route north from Nisshin through Nagakute, Owariasahi, to the north edge of Kasugai

16-18 July 2024: A casually planned three-day ride to a popular hot spring resort. Surprises included: an unridable hiking trail; a flat tire repair challenge in a rainstorm on a mountain road after dark; a midnight map reading failure; and the kindness of strangers.