A Day That Made Me Want to Go Home - Cycling Across Japan Ep 34

A missing rain cover, a broken saddle and another rainy day. As I leave Fukuchiyama for Kyotamba, the setbacks are starting to wear me down—and I find myself thinking about packing up the bike and going home. Today’s planned ride is only around 43 km, with 638 metres of climbing. I’m keeping the stages short until I reach Kyoto, where I hope to replace my broken saddle. But even these shorter days are beginning to feel as tiring as much longer ones. The morning starts with the discovery that my backpack’s rain cover has disappeared from the saddle overnight. Then come passing showers, a closed riverside route and a shortcut that turns into a tough climb on soft gravel. Choosing the shorter route with less climbing doesn’t quite work out as I’d hoped. Thankfully, cherry blossoms are now appearing everywhere. Between the rain showers and route-finding problems, I ride through quiet countryside, stop to admire the flowering trees and find peaceful little roads away from traffic. Near the end of the day, I discover cherry trees that will be illuminated after dark. I return in the evening to see them—a beautiful finish to a frustrating day. Next stop: Kyoto, a new saddle and hopefully a chance to rest and recharge. Thank you for watching! If you enjoy exploring Japan by bicycle, please like the video and subscribe to follow the journey. 🚴 Watch the complete Cycling Across Japan series:    • Cycling across Japan   During my journey across Japan, I have taken photographs of the places, people, landscapes, and quiet moments I have encountered along the way. A selection of these images is available in my online shop as wall art and on a range of printed products. Every purchase also helps support this journey and the creation of future videos. Visit the shop: https://www.markuskiili.com/shop