Secrets of Hokkaido

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

RIDE DESCRIPTION: The Secrets of Hokkaido was offered twice in 2010 and again in 2014. A blog was written of the 2014 tour. (2014 tour) This tour offers cyclists an opportunity to explore rural Hokkaido on a 14-day scenic tour. Hokkaido, located in the northern part of the Japanese archipelago, is home to Sapporo Beer, the indigenous Ainu people, fresh seafood cuisine, traditional onsen bathing, as well as great cycling. On this ride, we will cycle the hills, valleys, coast line and mountain passes of this largest of Japan's islands (equivalent to the area of Austria). Highlights include a visit to Shiretoko National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the last pristine wilderness remaining in Japan, cycling up an active volcano, and a visit by ferry to off shore Rishiri Island. There will be opportunities for kayaking and hiking on the two free days.

RIDE RATING: The tour is rated a 2C. There are ten required riding days. The average distance for the ten days is 50 miles and the average daily climbing is 1,584 feet. Day 2 at 2,866 and Day 5 at 3,735 exceed the "2” rating of 2,500 feet.  There is one long climb at Day 5 of approximately 3,000 feet over 10 miles which is not steep but just long. The tour is fully supported with two vans, and a guide riding ahead of the group. The roads are typically chip-seal surfaced. Cycling and driving in Japan are on the left- hand side of the road. Because of the difficulty of navigating in an environment where the signs and maps are in Japanese and the people speak only Japanese, participants will be required to follow the prescribed routes, which will be clearly marked and explained for our tour. This tour offers a rich and diverse cultural experience for people who are enthusiastic about non-western culinary traditions and accommodations. Cue Sheets, maps and GPS files, and a Garmin will be provided for all riders.

WEATHER: The average temperature for this time of year will be between 65 degrees Fahrenheit with 57 degrees low, and 72 degrees high.  You can expect rain, and thus bring a rain jacket.

LODGING AND MEALS: This tour offers 13 nights lodging with a range of different accommodations from hotel rooms with private bath to dormitory style rooms with shared bath at a local farm stay. Five of the nights, we stay in traditional Japanese inns called "Ryokans" which features a futon bed.  All accommodations include an onsen, which is an essential part of Japanese life. Onsen is bathing and soaking in hot springs with these spas located in areas of natural beauty. After bathing in an onsen, you usually wear a robe called a "Yukata." The tour will offer ten dinners and all breakfasts. Lunch is on your own.

LOGISTICS: The tour begins at Abashiri on September 1, 2018 and ends in Wakkanai on September 14, 2018.  If you are bringing a bike box, it will be shipped to our last hotel on Rishiri Island. Ride participants should search for flights which land into Memanbetsu Airport and then take bus a to the first hotel in Abashiri. On the last day of the tour, you can take a flight to Tokyo or Osaka, or take a train to Sapporo and return to the United States from there,

COST & ADMINISTRATION:  In addition to the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee of $100, the approximate tour cost is $3950 which includes 13 nights of accommodations, 13 breakfasts and 10 evening meals, ferry to/from Rishiri Island, support vehicles, Japanese guides and mechanic, maps and cue sheets, and the BAC happy hours. Riders requesting a single room will be accommodated, subject to a priority for double occupancy, for a “single supplement” of $500. (These costs may fluctuate depending on the Yen)  The Ride Coordinator will attempt to find roommates for single riders willing to share a room. Cycling Japan is offering a bike rental option at $105 for hybrid bikes, $210 for road bikes, and $313 for e-bikes. Tandems cannot be ridden on this tour because tandems are still forbidden by law in the Hokkaido Prefecture although allowed in certain parts of Japan. Not included are optional tourist activities, lunches, three evening meals, drinks with included meals and personal expenses.  The costs are determined using an exchange rate of 109.2 Yen to One US Dollars and the exchange rate may change. Once you are accepted onto the ride, you must submit a deposit of $1000  to be added the Ride Participant List.  The 2nd payment of $1950 is due by November 30, 2017, and the final payment of $1000 is due by April 30, 2018. The final payment may be adjusted depending on the exchange rate at the time of the last payment.  The single supplement of $500 for those who do not wish to share a room must be paid at the same time as the second payment, and to the Ride Leader and not via credit card. Any funds remaining after the trip will be refunded to participants.

SINGLES POLICY: It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own.  However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until February 1, 2018 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the $100 BAC fee and credit card processing fee) or pay the $500 single supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. 

CANCELLATION POLICY:  The $100 BAC ride registration fee  and the credit card processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled.  Credit card processing fees are also non-refundable. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancelations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance. In addition to the BAC Cancellation policy, those who cancel may be subject to Cycling Japan’s cancellation policy: If the participant cancels and is not replaced, then the following penalties will apply: Days prior to departure / Cancellation Charge: (1) 29-41 days / 25% of tour price: (2) 22-28 days / 50% of tour price: (3)1-21 day / 75% of tour price: (4) Departure day / 100% of tour price.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($100) and tour deposit of $1000 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. The second payment $1950 is due no later than November 30, 2017, and the final payment of $1000 is due no later than April 30, 2018. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.