I Cycled 750km Across Japan in a Week | Ft. @CDawgVA

We started our 750km journey from Wakkanai, Japan's northernmost city. After reassembling our bikes and grabbing iced coffees from the northernmost McDonald's, we set off for a 100km ride inland to Teshio Nakagawa. The wind was a major factor, blowing at 38 km/h. We stocked up on energy jelly and salt sweets at a Seicomart, the last convenience store for 50km. The scenery of rolling hills was stunning, and despite the pain, we made it to Teshio Nakagawa Station, completing 95km. We ended the day with an onsen soak to soothe our aching muscles.

Leaving Teshio Nakagawa, we headed into the luscious mountains of central Hokkaido. Connor had a minor crash, hitting a rock and tumbling off his bike, but thankfully was mostly unscathed. The day was marked by a major uphill segment, ascending 150m over 2km, which felt like the worst part of the trip. However, the reward was a thrilling downhill ride where Connor hit 52 km/h. We finished the day at Nao Station, having cycled 90km with a total incline of 77m, feeling obliterated but accomplished.

Day three was a race against a ferocious storm as we cycled over 100km south to Asahikawa. The rain caught up with us, forcing us into rain jackets and shoes, which unfortunately failed, leaving our feet feeling like they were 'wrapped inside puddles of water.' Despite the unpleasant weather and being completely drenched, we pushed through 4 hours of misery to reach Asahikawa Station, marking it as easily the worst day of the trip so far.

After the previous day's horror, day four rewarded us with some of the best weather and views, including a random Cat Bus in a field. We cycled through beautiful rural towns, overlooking plains and mountains, with the rich colors of Hokkaido's rice fields at their peak. Despite the heat, the scenic beauty was incredible. We found ourselves running behind schedule, pushing hard to reach Biei Station just before sunset, completing another long day of cycling.

Day five was the easiest and shortest day, taking us into Sapporo, Hokkaido's most populated region and the halfway point of our trip. We cycled along the river, finding the city surprisingly pleasant despite its size. We finished early, allowing for a much-needed bath. Later, we were joined by American Pete for a dinner of Jingisukan, Sapporo's local lamb mutton barbecue, which I absolutely love and highly recommend for its special curved grill and delicious taste.

Day six was our longest day yet, a grueling 120km ride to Noboribetsu. The main challenge was a notorious 7km uphill climb, described as the worst hill of the entire trip, including a terrifying 2km tunnel section. We pushed through immense physical exertion, stopping every kilometer for recovery, with legs on fire and rapid dehydration. The sound of trucks in the dimly lit tunnels was a powerful motivator. Successfully completing this continuous 7km uphill climb was a personal highlight, making the pain worthwhile, especially with the stunning views from the top.

The final day of our endless cycle across Hokkaido brought yet another storm, drenching us and hitting us with heavy coastal winds that almost forced us off our bikes. The wind resistance made even downhills feel like uphills, making it the second hardest day of the trip. We kept our heads down, pedaling through the pain, rain, and constant dodging of lorries. The sight of Hokkaido Koma-ga-take, the gateway to Hakodate, provided a ray of hope. We pushed through, motivated by the prospect of a massive McDonald's feast, and finally made it to Hakodate, successfully completing the 750km challenge.