Sado long ride
『Sado long ride” is a long bike ride event that takes place around Sado Island in Niigata, and is held around mid-May every year.
Long ride events are not races, so unlike Yowamushi Pedal, the goal is to finish the race, rather than competing for position or time.
The shortest course is 100km, going half way around the island, and the longest course is 210km, going around the island once, so it can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to experts.
Tokyo Station
Today is the day before the Sado Long Ride (Saturday, May 18th).
Registration for participation will only take place the day before, so you will inevitably need to arrive at Sado in advance.
『last year' arrived in Niigata on Friday, stayed at my parents' house, and took the 6:00 (first ferry) to Sado, arriving at the reception venue in Sawada around 10:00.
The reception starts at 12:00 and you may have to wait quite a while, but the reception will be over in 5 minutes.
After that, we had to wait until 3:00pm to check in at the hotel, so we had quite a bit of time to spare.
Based on what I learned from last year, this year I decided to take the next ferry at 9:25.
In that case, there is no need to arrive in Niigata on Friday, and you can arrive in time by taking the first Shinkansen from Tokyo on Saturday.
So, I arrived at Tokyo Station around 5:30.
I boarded the first Shinkansen bound for Niigata at 6:08 and headed for Niigata Station.
There are also quite a few people participating in the Sado Long Ride, and there will be competition for space on the Shinkansen train, so I think it's best to line up early.
Niigata Station
We arrived at Niigata Station at 8:10 and immediately headed for Niigata Port (Sado Kisen Terminal).
It is about 2km from Niigata to Niigata Port (Sado Kisen Terminal).
It's a distance that you can travel on your own on a road bike, but it's a pain to have to turn off the bike and start riding immediately.
Also, while it's not unreasonable to walk with a bike bag, it is an unpleasant distance.
In that case, it would be safe to travel by bus or taxi, so this time I decided to go by bus.
From March 31, 2024, a bus terminal will open directly below Niigata Station, and the bus stop will change.
Platform 17 is bound for Sado Kisen.
It's nice to enjoy Niigata Station, which changes every time you visit due to renovations, but the number of bicycles that can be placed on the bus is limited, so it's best to line up early.
Niigata Port (Sado Kisen Terminal) - Ferry
After about 15 minutes on the bus, you will arrive at Niigata Port (Sado Kisen Terminal).
I had booked the ferry to Ryotsu Port to depart at 9:25, and as I was processing the ticketing process and purchasing a baggage ticket to carry my bicycle bag, boarding began.
Since I had only drank water since morning, I actually wanted to have breakfast at Niigata Port.
After boarding the ship, leave your bicycle bag and immediately go to the snack corner.Iwanori soba” I received it.
After the meal, I fell asleep in the first class seat I had booked, and in the blink of an eye, we arrived at Ryotsu Port.
Ryotsu Port
This was my first time landing on Sado in a year since I participated last year.
First of all, I left my bike bag and luggage on the shuttle bus that I had booked to lighten up.
The current time is around 12:00, and the shuttle bus leaves at 13:00, so you will have about an hour left.
When we arrived at Sawada, the reception venue, which is the destination of the shuttle bus, there was a bit of hectic work such as getting off the train and checking in, so we decided to have a light lunch first.
So, ``Nagamo soba” I received it.
After eating, I was looking around at the souvenir corner when I noticed it was time for the shuttle bus to depart, so I headed to Sawada, where the reception area was located.
Sawada
The distance between Ryotsu and Sawada is approximately 15km and there are some ups and downs, but it is easily accessible by self-driving.
You can drive yourself on the way there, but the problem is on the way back.
After tomorrow's race, I have to run another 15km after running 210km, so I think it would be safe to use the shuttle bus.
It takes about 40 minutes to arrive at Sawada.
Release your bicycle, complete the registration process, and receive your bib number.
We also accept advance reservations for baggage storage for the next day.
At the reception venue, there are food and beverage booths and sale items such as clothing from supporting manufacturers.
I had a 500 yen coupon that I could use at the venue, so I bought some amino acid supplements.
Sado Kaiten Sushi Benkei Sado main store
After completing various errands such as reception, I headed to the hotel by road bike.
On the way there is ``Sado Kaiten Sushi Benkei Sado main store” I had lunch again.
If you visit Sado, you must also visit Benkei.
Tabino Hotel Sado
This time, “Tabino Hotel SadoI made a reservation.
https://hb.afl.rakuten.co.jp/hgc/1dbf8fad.4a5d8164.1dbf8fae.092c41c8/?pc=httpstravel.rakuten.co.jpHOTEL167151167151.htmlcidtr_af_1632&link_type=hybrid_url&ut=eyJwYWdlIjoiaXRlbSIsInR5cGUiOiJoeWJyaWRfdXJsIiwic2l6ZSI6IjEwMHgxMDAiLCJuYW0iOjEsIm5hbXAiOiJyaWdodCIsImNvbSI6MSwiY29tcCI6ImRvd24iLCJwcmljZSI6MCwiYm9yIjoxLCJjb2wiOjEsImJidG4iOjEsInByb2QiOjAsImFtcCI6ZmFsc2V9
Last year was ``Hachimankan'I stayed in a shared room, but due to the difference in start time I was woken up about an hour early and had trouble falling asleep due to snoring, so this time I chose a place where I could stay by myself.
https://hb.afl.rakuten.co.jp/hgc/1dbf8fad.4a5d8164.1dbf8fae.092c41c8/?pc=httpstravel.rakuten.co.jpHOTEL61966196.htmlcidtr_af_1632&link_type=hybrid_url&ut=eyJwYWdlIjoiaXRlbSIsInR5cGUiOiJoeWJyaWRfdXJsIiwic2l6ZSI6IjEwMHgxMDAiLCJuYW0iOjEsIm5hbXAiOiJyaWdodCIsImNvbSI6MSwiY29tcCI6ImRvd24iLCJwcmljZSI6MCwiYm9yIjoxLCJjb2wiOjEsImJidG4iOjEsInByb2QiOjAsImFtcCI6ZmFsc2V9
The distance to Sawada, the starting point, is about 5km, so the distance is within an acceptable range.
The price is a little high at around 14,000 yen per night for a room with a twin-sized bed, but the hotel and rooms were clean, so I think it's within an acceptable range for a stay like this for an event.
Bicycle storage space
There were free and paid versions.
Free bicycles are placed on an outdoor bicycle rack.
Paid bicycles are placed on cycle racks in the warehouse, and staff are always on hand.
The price was 1,100 yen for 3 days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 1,100 yen for just one day.
The weather forecast for today and tomorrow is sunny, so I could have done it outdoors, but I didn't want it to be stolen or get in trouble with morning dew, so I asked for a paid space.
room
The bed is twin size (2x single) and you can sleep spaciously.
The toilet and bath are also clean and there are no problems.
Large bath
Although it is not a hot spring, we are happy to say that there is a large public bath that uses Sado deep ocean water.
restaurant
I didn't use it this time, but there are ``AjisaiThere is also a restaurant called ``.
Sushiya Maruishi main store
We will install a measurement chip on our road bike and prepare for tomorrow.
We are making steady progress with our preparations, and the only thing left to do is buy breakfast and water for tomorrow.
There was a supermarket right in front of the hotel, so we were able to get water without any problems.
But. Since they only sold one breakfast rice ball and there were no other rice-based breakfast items, I decided to head to a convenience store.
The convenience store is about 1 km away, and you can get there in an instant if you ride a road bike, but since bindings and other issues are a hassle, I decided to walk there.
After walking for another 5 minutes,Sushiya Maruishi main storeThere seems to be a famous conveyor belt sushi restaurant called ``, so we decided to have dinner there.
Personally, I liked it better than Benkei, so I was glad I visited.
Going to bed - waking up
After shopping and dinner, return to the hotel and work up a sweat in the public bath.
After that, I lazed around in bed and went to bed around 9pm.
I woke up around 3 o'clock, so I was able to sleep for about 6 hours.
After waking up, I immediately head to the public bath.
Normally, you can't take a bath between 24:00 and 5:00, but during the Sado Long Ride period, it will be open for bathing during these hours, which is a blessing.
After that, I will eat breakfast and get ready.
The one on the left is a Lawson rice ball, but the one on the right is one I bought at a supermarket.
They used Koshihikari rice from Sado, and the salmon topping was fatty and delicious.
Check out around 4:30 and head to the starting point.
Before the start
I arrived at the starting point in about 15 minutes by driving from the hotel.
The luggage storage location was different from last year, so it took some time, but I managed to get into the starting line.
This time we will be participating in Course A, 210km, which goes around Sado.
When you apply, you self-report your goal time to complete the race, and those who are faster will be classified as A1, and the others will be classified as A2, and I am in A2.
A2 was able to start around 6:00.
Next time, we will introduce the details of the event day.
