CARFREE TOKYO

- a collection of notes and reflections on urban living from the perspective of a family of five in Tokyo. My epiphany was many years ago, but being hit by a motorbike and seeing my life flash before my eyes caused a sudden change that slowly made me reflect on whether American style auto-centric urban transportation of the Roosevelt era really is a capital G "Good Idea" for civilized modern cities in the 21st Century. This blog explores the good and the bad in urban planning and design, here and elsewhere. The goal is simple - not "death to all cars," just more walkable communities, quiet tree-lined streets, good public transport, traffic calming, Velib style bicycle sharing and a bit of common sense. The bolg is mostly theraputic, so I don't go wanting to throttle every dangerous driver I come across, but partly also out of a real desire to see positive change. This blog explores how it can be done, the people who do it, and how, in many small ways, this very old idea may at last have found its zeitgeist. Comments and suggestions welcome.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Touring in Izu Peninsula

Just got back from three glorious days cycle touring in Izu with friends. When I get time I will log our route on Gmaps pedometer (a fantastic site), and maybe upload some photos.

Basically we took trains (including Shinkansen) to a town called Numazu, the gateway to the west coast of Izu. From there we rode south along the west coast, staying at a town called Toi, and then riding all the way around the point to Shimoda, staying at a small place by the beach just south of Shimoda. Fantastic trip - narrow coastal roads, scenic, very few cars, traditional towns. We rested one day on the beach in Shimoda then I bagged my bike again and caught train home from there. The others took the boat down to Niijima island for the rest of the Golden Week holiday.

Highly recommended, not least because it is pretty difficult to get lost along the coast - just keep the ocean on your RHS ! (except on the switchbacks - many hills - not a course for the faint hearted.)
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