Cycling Hokkaido

There's a first time for everything, eh! I have now ridden my bicycle in Sapporo....in JANUARY!! Normally, this is an impossibility, but not this year. Come along and let me know what you think. As always, I hope you enjoy the episode. You can see the pictures of January riding at.....www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Buy Me a Coffee..... buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido Have fun out...

I think we cover a lot of ground in this episode. From overtourism, to beautiful places, to overreactions. Any way you cut, I wish they hadn't cut those trees down. Instead of reacting in such an extreme fashion, don't you think it would be better if people took a chill pill and tried to figure things out? I sure do! As always, I hope you enjoy this episode and are having fun out there. I&...

The second Monday of January is Coming of Age Day here in Japan. It's a National holiday that celebrates a young person's transition to adulthood. Gotta love hitting those milestones when you're growing up, eh? I also chucked in a recommendation for a cycling snack if you every find yourself riding in southern Hokkaido. Have fun out there, folks. Cycling Hokkaido Podcast Instagram page...

Shinto shrines are a very interesting part of Japanese culture and landscapes. Have you ever wondered what they're all about? I hope this episode can answer some of the questions you might have about them. As always, I hope you enjoy the episode and are having fun out there. Cycling Hokkaido Instagram page is at.............. www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Buy Me a Coffee.... buym...

We went to Koh Samui, Thailand for New Year's Eve. It was supposed to be much easier than that! The joys of travel aside, we still had an amazing vacation. I wish you all the very best for a happy and healthy 2025. Much love from Japan, Marty You can see pics at: www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Buy Me a Coffee... buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido

2024 is almost over and it was a damn fine year. I was fortunate enough to see lots of new places and meet lots of new people. Thank you all so very much for coming along with me throughout the year. I hope you've enjoyed the podcast and I hope you'll continue to find value in listening in 2025. Have a Happy New Year when it comes. I wish you all the very best for 2025! You can check out a...

I'm super stoked Doug is back in town and really happy he came on the podcast. I knew he'd be great. There are some fun stories in this one. We talked about all kinds of things from what it takes to move to Japan, life in Texas, and a whole lot more. As always, you can catch up with the Cycling Hokkaido Podcast pictures on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Buy Me a...

Well, that's the season finished. That last ride was a cold one! I think I was kinda lucky to get away with not getting frostbite. And now that the season is over I'm probably gonna be putting on a bit of weight, especially with all that Mac'n'Cheese in the kitchen. And folks, if you're looking for a good place for a date, you can't go wrong with the White Illumination in O...

Is it? It looks like this weekend is the end of the cycling season up here in Hokkaido. It's been a helluva year, ain't no doubt about that, but at this time of year I always wish we had a little more time. Hope you enjoy the episode. Cycling Hokkaido Instagram page.... www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ My goal on YouTube... https://youtu.be/QdVyohMqSwo?feature=shared Buy Me a Co...

That was a fun conversation with my 3rd guest on the podcast, winter rider Darcy Lewis. I don't ride at all in winter so it was good to sit down with someone who does. We talked about his spiked tires, bicycle equipment, his extensive album collection and a lot more. As always, I hope you enjoy the episode and are having fun out there. Here is the link to the Cycling Hokkaido Podcast Instagram...

Oh man, did I ever get caught in one of the first blizzards of the year! Riding in the snow is kind of an occupational hazard living up here in Hokkaido but this one actually made me turn around and go home. The cycling season is definitely coming to an end up here. It's been a good year for sure but I hope we have at least a few more weeks worth of riding days. Have fun out there, folks! You...

As of November 1st, 2024 Japan has made some new rules for cyclists and you should definitely know what they are. I hope you find this episode informative and it keeps you out of jail. Much love, Marty Cycling Hokkaido Podcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Buy Me a Coffee... buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido

The final stop on my southern Hokkaido trip was Hakodate. I got to check out Goryokaku Park, Cape Tachimachi, the Foreign Cemetery and a whole lot more. I wish I could've done a whole lot more cycling around Hakodate as there is a whole lot more to see. I will definitely be back for more. If you've never been I highly recommend checking it out. I hope you enjoyed this 3 part series of the...

Esashi is one of the oldest towns in Hokkaido and I'm super happy I got a chance to visit it. Not only that but I got to check off Hokkaido floating torii number 3! Woo!! The Mama Bear and Cub Rock, Yakumo-san and all the other cool stuff there were amazing. I will be back! You can see all the pics of the are here....... Cycling Hokkaido Podcast instagram account: www.instagram.com/cycling.hok...

This is part 1 of a 3 series of episodes that starts in Ishikari, goes to Esashi, and ends in Hakodate. A late season 200km ride from Ishikari to Yakumo is just what the doctor ordered. If you're planning a trip to Hokkaido you should give this route some thought. It was a great ride. I'm super happy I got that ride done. Hope you're having fun out there, folks! Here is the Cycling Hok...

We finally got to check out Lake Okotanpe, the mysterious Lake Okotanpe that is. A beautiful place and a great ride. Plus my American friend had a big ride with a hardcore group of Hokkaido cyclists. Fall is in full swing here but let's hope the colours start to pop. Have fun out there, folks! Here is the link to the Cycling Hokkaido Podcast Instagram account: www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaid...

Music is a great motivator, ain't it? I often find that some songs add so much more to a ride, I love it when a song perfectly matches the scenery you're riding through. Music can make you go faster or really help you chill out. I hope you like this episode and are having fun out there. Here is the link to my playlist Ishikari Massive: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7KEBBXYQnOU5Ubvure8G...

I finally got a chance to visit Upopoy! Upopoy is the National Ainu museum and park and let me tell you folks it is well worth a visit. I learned so much about the Ainu and their culture I actually feel a little bit more connected to Hokkaido. If you have any interest at all in Hokkaido this is a must see. You can check out some pics on Cycling Hokkaido's Instagram account at.... www.instagram...

Oh man, that was a really fun ride. Good hills, excellent company and VERY good ice cream. Fall is my favourite season and I'm super happy I kicked it off with a ride with the American and the Englishman. Have fun out there, everybody! https://youtu.be/Xuf74VwG9BI?feature=shared https://youtu.be/ShsjimNgxxg?feature=shared www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Buy Me a Coffee... buymeacof...

Mikasa Geopark is one helluva cool place. Dinosaurs, coal mining history, geological formations that will make you consider your place in the world. I'm super happy I chose that place for my Respect for the Aged Day ride. Sure there was a major setback but that also kind of turned out to be a positive experience. Thanks as always for tuning in. Hope you have fun out there! You can check out so...

Cyclists are a very friendly bunch, eh!? Yes, definitely meeting people out on the road has been excellent this year. I also talk about a real danger when you're driving in Hokkaido, deer collisions. Keep your eyes on the road, folks! And cycling around a work schedule can make for some interesting rides. My work schedule has given birth to "The Lazy Man's 100km." Hope you like t...

I rode up rte.232 to see the floating torii gate at Konpira Shrine in Shosanbetsu. Riding up the northwest coast of Hokkaido was excellent. There were so many interesting things. The Hanada Banya and Matsuura Takeshiro in Obira and the horrific story of the bear attack in Tomamae back in 1915 were VERY interesting. That coastline has a ton of history that is well worth exploring. You can check out...

Over the years we've spent a lot of time in Muroran. For us it's more of a place to visit family. It most definitely has some interesting, cool things to see, and it's a great place to ride but let's just say the place could maybe use a lick of paint. Ya know! Hope things are going well for you, folks! Thanks as always for listening. Here is Itsuki's Instagram... www.instagram....

Wow! One year of the podcast, thank you!! This is again a bit of a mixed bag of an episode but man oh man were there some interesting things. A murder mystery, a poet, and Mr. Sato. Mr. Sato has kinda perfected 'vagabonding'....awesome! www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Buy Me a Coffee.... buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido

I did another "Drive to Ride" and this time my destination was Cape Erimo at the southern tip of Hokkaido. There was beautiful scenery and some very interesting history. The towns I went through were Urakawa, Samani, Erimo and Hiroo. A most excellent ride! Hope you like this episode. https://youtu.be/CTAslZivp-Q?si=DvHOwjTF1Kbu_ZmU www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Buy Me a Cof...