Kyoto News Brutal Summer Heat Settles Over Japan

熱中症の救急搬送８６００人超今夏最多、前週の１・５倍に　

A killer heatwave has settled over Honshu Island, Japan's main land mass.

Between July 23 - 29, or one week, 8,386 people in Japan have been hospitalized for heat-related illness.

That is 1.5 times the number from the previous week.

In this one week, 16 people died from heat. 163 have been diagnosed with serious illness.

42.8% of those hospitalized are over 65 years old.

Cycle slow, cycle early in the morning, cycle late at night.

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Cycling in High Summer in Kyoto

京都の真夏と自転車

Cycling in Kyoto in high summer is a challenge.

The sun beats down from deep blue skies. High humidity and high temperatures - often hitting the high 30s (90s) by mid-afternoon - make for a hard day out.

The constant and ubiquitous thrum of the cicadas mock you for having gone out in the first place.

However, for those with a flexible schedule, CycleKyoto has a simple recommendation: ride very early - before 6 am - or conversely late at night.

Of the two, we prefer night riding.

Except for the very central part of downtown, traffic is light.

Night time temperatures dip to about 25 degrees (77 degrees Fahrenheit), and there is often a light breeze.

If you stay close to the river, or within the Imperial Palace, it is cooler still.

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This Week in World Cycling News 29 July 2012

今週のサイクリング２０１２年０７月２９日

New Legislation Would Ensure Police Protect New Yorkers From Dangerous Drivers Transportation Alternatives Newsroom

Penalty for Rule-Breaking Bicyclists: A Remedial Class New York Times

Where to watch the Olympic Road Race? London Cyclist

Bradley Wiggins' Tour de France win boosts UK cycling sales Guardian

Et si les salariés qui vont au travail à vélo gagnaient plus ? Rue89

Un viaje reivindicativo El Pais

自転車レーンで事故防げ　国、７月末にも指針　Asahi Shinbun

Cavendish poised to fulfill Olympic dream Yahoo

Last Week's Cycling News


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Cycling the Kiyotaki Trail in Kyoto

清滝川と高雄を自転車で乗る

On a day out in Takao, western Kyoto, friends and I cycled west from Ninnaji Temple towards a cooler spot.

The ride is about 20 minutes along Route 162 until a small, old-fashioned rest stop of sorts.

On the right is a restaurant, on the left side of the road is a gift shop. Beyond that is a parking lot.

This is the entrance for those who want to head down to the Kiyotaki River or Jingoji Temple.

We parked our bikes in the lot, and from there hiked down about 20 minutes to a spot where we could swim.

The waters were clear and cool - when the sun disappeared behind the clouds it was even cold.

However, for the first time in many trips, we saw cyclists along the trail.

A group of perhaps twenty young people - a university group from the looks of it - were navigating the somewhat rocky trail.

While we snacked and swam, the bikes bounced by on the trail.

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Cycling Book Review Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike

Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike

It sounds counterintuitive: a book on how to ride a bike.

"It's like riding a bike, once you learn you never forget" goes the old saw.

However, how many of us really are approaching cycling in a sensible fashion?

Like running, like walking, like eating, there are better ways to ride a bike. Living in Japan, we are tempted to even say a correct way to ride a bike.

Grant Petersen brings back some sense to the world of cycling. He advocates eschewing the fancy gear, the super-expensive high-tech bikes.

Just ride like you did as a kid.

Petersen is an ex-racer, owner of Rivendell Bicycle Works, and long-time commuter who writes for many cycling and outdoor magazines.

This work is sprinkled with interesting facts, the author's opinions, techniques.

Among other issues, in short easy-to-read chapters, it covers:

Count Days, Not Miles; Corner Like Jackie Robinson; Steer with Your Hips, Shift with Your Legs, and more.


Buy on Amazon USA

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自転車で三十三間堂京都国立博物館智積院東福寺伏見稲荷へ

自転車で三十三間堂京都国立博物館智積院東福寺伏見稲荷へ

日本語ご希望の方。

This Kyoto cycling route goes to the Deep South - aka, Fushimi - and takes in along the way Sanjusangendo Temple, the Kyoto National Museum, Tofukuji Temple, and the sites in Fushimi.

For more information, in Japanese (with a link to an English page), here is a page on cycling from Shichijo down to Fushimi.

Ride Fushimi ride.

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Climbing Mount Atago Fire Festival

愛宕山千日参り

The night of July 31 is magic in Kyoto.

On that night, thousands of hikers climb Mount Atago - at night.

At 924 meters, it is the highest mountain in the city.

The festival that takes place that night is known as "Sennichi Tsuyasai," which roughly translates as one thousand days all night festival.

The purpose of the festival is to pray to the gods on the mountain for a thousand days of flame (for cooking, heating, life) and, on the contrary, a thousand days of fire prevention.

The hike is about 4 kilometers from top to bottom.

What makes this event special is that most of the climbers do so after dark. The city strings up lights from the bottom of the mountain, in Kiyotaki, all the way to the very top at Atago Shrine.

As hikers ascend the mountain, they call out "O kudariyasu" (on your way down) to those descending. In reply, they say "O noboriyasu" (on your way up).

At the very top are many lanterns (see bottom left).

Once at the top, pilgrims buy good luck charms to ward off fire and bad luck.

What to Bring

Light clothes, plus something heavier for when you get to the top (the temperature can be quite chilly)
A change of clothes
Water
Light snacks
Small towel for sweat
Bit of cash just in case
Sneakers or light hiking boots
Flashlight

Bus to Kiyotaki


Kyoto Bus:

From JR Kyoto Station: Bus stop No. C6 Bus No. 72
From Hankyu Arashiyama station: Bus No. 62 or 72
From Keihan Sanjo station: Bus stop No. 14 Bus No. 62

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