LIFE & ST YLE | O U T D O O RS
THE ROAD
BEST
TRAVELED by JACKIE CARADONIO
T
ravel is all about pacing: Go too fast, and you’ll skip over the important details; move too slow, and you won’t cover enough ground. Exploring the world on two wheels is often just the right speed, especially in these six destinations where cycling gets you closer to nature and culture, not to mention some seriously toned quads.
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K I NGDOM | ISSUE 63
ANCIENT LANDS in Japan Japan is beloved for its history and culture, but few venture beyond the tourism hot spots, making Butterfield and Robinson’s eight-day cycling journey through the coastal and mountainous Toyama prefecture a rarefied adventure. Power up—and glide down—the jagged peaks of the Tateyama Mountain Range (known as the Northern Alps of Japan), visit the centuries-old gassho-style houses of ancient UNESCO villages, and zip alongside the pristine Toyama Bay on one of the country’s official scenic cycling routes. Out of the saddle, cyclists will explore ancient temples and Zen gardens, soak in onsen hot springs (a must for those sore muscles), and stay in classic ryokan accommodations. The guided journeys include the use of B & R’s custom flat-handlebar bikes, ideal for both road cycling and mountain biking. butterfield.com