on Dec 17th, 2007
Yabitsu Pass - Cycling (with photos)
Route : Fuchu -> Hashimoto -> Mt. Minamiyama Forest Road -> Miyagase Lake -> Yabitsu Pass -> Miyagase Lake -> Hashimoto -> Fuchu
Distance : 123km
In the morning for a late start, a friend joined me from central Tokyo (to meeting place by bicycle).
Last weekend I rode my bike up to Yabitsu pass (between Miyagase Lake and Hadano Town in Kanagawa Pref.). The ride out ot Miyagase was really nice and a friend and I passed over the (closed) Mt. Minamiyama Forest Road (peak 488m) and down into the Miyagase Lake area. From there the very slow (low grade) climb upto Yabitsu Pass began. The road is very narrow for almost the entire length and in the narrow canyon the views are quite nice. However, as we climbed higher and higher it got colder and colder up to a peak of about 700m where it was about 0C. When climbing, one’s body is generating heat so its not too bad, but the long fast descent was harsh because there is now wind and I was not doing any work so I got quite cold quite quickly. For about 20-25 minutes I was unable to feel my feet at all especially as the sun got hidden behind cloud cover.
Overall, I recommend this route (especially Yabitsu Pass) but due the decreasing temperatures in the winter and that most of the road is a single lane road (on the Miyagase Lake side) with tree cover, the chances of ice forming on the road, especially in the morning, seem very high. Due to the cover, I would recommend it as a hot summer route because of the tree cover.
Photos from Nakata-san here.