Distances quoted are as taken from my bike computer and are no doubt a bit further than the direct distances as I stuffed around, looked around, missed tournoffs, and found my way.
distance: 82.64km elevation accum distance: 82.64km start: 3m cycling time: 4hr 56min finish: 20m average speed: 16.7km/hr climbed: 277m maximum speed: 36.5km/hr maximum: 138m
The ferry I took from Honshu arrived so early in the morning that it was still dark outside. I set myself up on a couple of seats in the ferry terminal and had a bit more sleep. After the sun rose it was time to set out.
Turn left out of the ferry terminal and head south west. You'll get on to route 5 without trying too hard and start on the way into Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido. This is a big road and fairly busy with trucks. Route 5 generally sits between the coast and the expressway and then heads inland after about 12km. 10.5km and you'll be in Sapporo but not into the centre just yet. Cross under the expressway and follow the signs to the railway station.
In Sapporo I visited the Toursit Info Centre opposite the famous Tokeidai Clocktower and then went on a guided tour and tasting session at the also famous Sapporo Brewery.
Heading out of Sapporo I used Route 12 which is a major route of Hokkaido that runs directly to Asahikawa. It is a busy road but easy to find. After 22.6km route 12 runs along side a river. 3km later there is an overpass that leads off to the right along route 337 to Nanporo. Take this road for 7km to the small village of Nanporo which has some shops where you can buy your dinner supplies. Go left along route 274 and ride 4km until you reach a large straight river. There is a fee charging camping ground just before the river. To the left between the river and the camping ground is a track that leads to another camping ground, this one is free and a good place to spend the night.
distance: 107.38km elevation accum distance: 190.02km start: 20m cycling time: 5hr 50min finish: 300m average speed: 18.3km/hr climbed: 815m maximum speed: 52km/hr maximum: 406m
Head back along the track to where route 274 crosses the river and take this road as far as Kuriyama, about 7km from the bridge. Turn right to cross the railway line, then left onto route 234 takes you back to route 12. You have only 3km on the bustle of route 12 before turning off to the right onto route 917. This intersection is not signed but a little way after turning there is a sign to confirm that it is route 917. Follow this road right to the end passing fruit and vegetable stalls of the local farmers. Turn right onto route 116 (route 16 in the Touring Mapple) and wind your way up through forests and over rivers to a dam. Stay straight ahead as the road become route 452 and winds gradually up to two tunnels at the top. Next is a lovely long downhill which passes Sandantaki, a waterfall that makes for a nice rest stop. Turn right onto route 135 and it's uphill again to a horrible 2.7km tunnel that you need to hold your breath for. The downhill after the tunnel takes you into Furano a well known farming region which sits in a spectacular valley. Turn right onto route 38 which takes you into the town and its shops, a good place to stock up for the evening. Continue back on route 38 heading south out of Furano. About 14km south of Furano is the village of Yamabe. Turn right onto route 706 and go straight ahead for about 3km where the farmland stop and the forest begins. There is a free camping ground here.
The reason for coming this way is to climb a mountain. The camping ground at Yamabe sits right at the start of a track which climbs the 1727m Ashibestu-dake. There is a two day circuit walk or an up and back to the summit in a day walk which is described on my Hikes in Hokkaido page.
If you aren't interested in climbing mountains, day 3's ride I did in the afternoon after the hike and just cycled a short distance to a small town to the north of Furano. This would be a good place to camp instead of going to Yamabe.
distance: 24.14km elevation accum distance: 214.16km start: 300m cycling time: 1hr 11min finish: 304m average speed: 20.3km/hr climbed: not recorded maximum speed: 41km/hr maximum: not recorded
Just a short ride after the hike up Ashibestu-dake to make day 4 a little easier. You can retrace the route taken yesterday from Furano or try some of the smaller backroads that lead right back into the centre of town. From Furano take route 237 and ride about 3km, turning left and immediately right at Shikauchi train station to be on the other side of the railway line. Just after the next train station which is Nakafurano turn left (there is a sign for camping) and climb the hill as it veers around to the right continue on until you see the small camping ground on the left.
This camping ground is a bit strange, I think there are permanent residents here. A few hundred metres further along the road, just past the tennis court is a sento (public bath) which costs �400. There are no shops close to the camping ground so buy in Furano when you pass through.
distance: 66.25km elevation accum distance: 280.41km start: 304m cycling time: 4hr 18min finish: 1058m average speed: 15.3km/hr climbed: 1004m maximum speed: 50km/hr maximum: 1058m
This is a great day of cycling with the smoking peak of Asahidake in view for most of the day and a tough climb for tha last 14km. From the camping ground in Nakafurano go north, continuing along the road that you cycled up to get to the camping ground. At the end of the road take route 581 to the right, this will take you back to route 237 where you turn left and head north.
To get off this biggish road turn right to head towards Bimaushi. This section is a little confusing and I can't really remember how I did it, but basically you want to be on the west side of the railway line head north towards Biei Town. Biei town is a very modern rural town with supermarkets which are a good place to shop if you need any food. There are no shops at Asahidake Onsen so do buy enough for the days you plan to spend there.
From Biei Town take route 213 out of town. It soon looks like you're riding straight at Asahidake. Be careful to take the left turn which is actually the continuation of route 213 to climb up and out of the valley. Enjoy the downhill after this climb because it's pretty well uphill after that. Turn right to continue along route 213 (written as 212 in the Touring Mapple). The road heads up the valley and past the construction site (year 2001) of a large dam. There is a viewpoint overlooking the construction which makes for a good rest stop.
Further along the road is the left turn onto route 1106 (written as 212 in the Touring Mapple) which begins the real climb up the mountain, 14km of pure uphill. When you do finally get to the top you'll notice that there is no real village here, just tourist accomodation. There is a Youth Hostel and acroos the road is the short access road to the camping ground. This was closed when I was there (26 Sept) but I camped there anyway. You can use the YH bath for $yen;500.
You will now have completed almost all that is possible by bicycle of the ascent of Asahidake. A little further up the road is the end of the road and the cable car that will take you to the crowded viewing area of the mountain. Being the purist that I am I walked the cable car section (2 hours) and then continued on to the summit. A mountain climbed in its entirety without any motorised assistance. It is a spectacular hike and well worth the effort. Details are available on my Hikes in Hokkaido page.