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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
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        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Races and Events
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        In nearly e...
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        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
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        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

Winter Racing

It’s early March in Hakuba with 50 cm of fresh powder on the ground. I should be stoked, but instead of putting on my avalanche beacon and snowboard gear, I am pumping up the tires on my mountain bike getting ready to race…in the snow.

Cycling in snow is not as difficult as you might think, especially when you’re riding on the groomed cross country ski trails of Hakuba’s Olympic XC ski course. The Snowfield Challenge triathlon in Hakuba is 15 kilometers of mountain biking followed by 10 kilometers of cross country skiing and five more running in snowshoes.

After all the fresh snow, I was sinking in pretty badly, and while I was pushing my bike up the first hill it was frustrating watching a few lightweights cruise over the top. I decided to try less air in my tires and, after a little experimentation, I was able to ride. Speed is always your friend when trying to keep a bike upright, and it was entertaining to watch people flying off course into the powder.

Although it had been a while, I used to ski a lot and was expecting good things, but the first climb set me straight. The Olympic course tests your fitness, and soon I was crawling up the hills. My legs were spent by the time I put on my snowshoes and halfway through, one of them breaks, giving me a good excuse to take it slow to the finish.

White season races are a great way to stay fit, especially if, like me, you’re getting older and it’s tougher to drop the five kilos you gain each winter. Race expectations differ. For beginners, victory may be finishing the race, but motivating yourself to work out is a lot easier if you’re preparing for an event. This year I’ve decided to enter some races to prepare for two tropical triathlons in Saipan this spring, the XTERRA Saipan and Tagaman, a week apart in April.

If you’re shooting for the 2006 Hakuba’s Snowfield Challenge in March, it’s time to start getting ready. Entering some cyclo-cross races (short 30 to 40-minute cross country MTB races) can help clear out the cobwebs. The Otaki Snowfield Challenge in early February is great two-person race featuring a couple of snowshoe stages with a downhill ski/snowboard stage in between. Another fun event is the Tri-modal Challenge in Hakuba in early April.

Instead of hibernating during the cold months, get out there and join a race. It’s a fun way to stay fit—and you’ll have more spring in your step after the snow melts.

WINTER RACING INFO
For a list of winter races check out This Month (Page 4) or visit the Race & Event Calendar on Outdoor Japan Online (www.outdoorjapan.com).

Snowfield Challenge in Otaki
Otaki, Nagano
Feb. 6, 2006
www.powersports.co.jp

Snowfield Challenge in Hakuba
Hakuba, Nagano
March 13, 2006
www.powersports.co.jp

Tri-modal Challenge
Hakuba, Nagano
Early April
www.evergreen-outdoors.com

Cyclo-cross in Japan
Various Locations
Visit the website for dates
http://homepage3.nifty.com/cyclocross/ (Japanese Only)

XTERRA Saipan
Saipan, CNMI
April 1, 2006
www.xterraplanet.com

Tagaman Saipan
Saipan, CNMI
April 8, 2006
www.tagaman.com

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