Cycling World Magazine March 2018 | Page 76

76 | Cycling World Cycle abr oad and toast “Kampai!” H A S D R E A M E D U P A J A PA N B I K I N G I T I N E R A RY T O P U S H T H E L I M I T S O F YO U R P E DA L L I N G PA S S I O N S Th e notion of active travel is a romantic one. People fi nd themselves in a foreign land prepared to walk cobblestone corridors, hike along landscapes, or if they’re lucky, cycle foreign sceneries unfett ered with decisions. and heritage. B&R’s itinerary provides you with the best cross-section of natural beauty, cultural att ractions and simply opulent riding by researching each route months in advance. Guides also conduct pre-trip site checks prior to every departure. But experiencing the euphoric exhilaration of a century ride, an arduous climb, or the sonic sensation of bombing down a well-paved incline comes with a caveat during active travel. No matt er the activity, it’s natural to wonder on the whereabouts of your luggage, the timing of your next meal or how comfortable your bed will be that night. Suddenly active travel becomes less practical and logistics more mind-boggling. Th at’s why biking accompanied by guides that have pre-arranged delivery of your luggage, confi rmed dining details with your next restaurant, and already checked you in to your room for the night, it’s amazing how quickly these worries disappear—especially on the other side of the planet. For cyclists yearning for an exemplary experience abroad on two wheels, the expert trip planners and guides at Butt erfi eld & Robinson have combined Asian exoticism with unparalleled cycling for their Japan Biking trip. Based in the Noto Peninsula, an expanse of land jutt ing off the west coast into the Sea of Japan, cyclists will spend eight days experiencing B&R’s unbeatable planning and world-class service. Road bikes are provided and fi tt ed to preference, transportation and luggage are planned by B&R guides at every point, and on-trip experiences—from meals and temple visits to cultural celebrations and authentic ryokan accommodations—are handled by the experts. For the uninitiated, Japan can be a bewildering place, and travelling with an established tour operator will ensure you’re informed on Japanese customs Th e Japan Biking routes have very litt le traffi c, as cyclists cruise along roads away from the local population. Th e pavement quality is excellent, and those comfortable riding a road bike are encouraged to do so on this trip. Not a bad way to clock in a week’s worth of kilometers, warmly exchange “konichiwas” with locals, and visit a land so uniquely pristine, it can only exist in Japan. B&R’s eight-day, seven-night Japan Biking trip starts at £7,010, with single supplements available at £960 per person. For more information visit www.butt erfi eld.com/trip/japan-biking For over 50 years, Butt erfi eld & Robinson has been slowing down to see the world. Designing incredible journeys in the world’s most amazing places has allowed B&R to go deeper in the most scenic and hard-to-fi nd regions on nearly every continent. With innovative trips and expert guides in over 60 destinations worldwide, B&R’s active luxury trips are perfect for adventurous travellers at every skill level. For more information visit www.butt erfi eld.com.