{"id":2833,"date":"2017-11-05T20:03:27","date_gmt":"2017-11-05T11:03:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2017-11-05\/2833"},"modified":"2017-11-05T20:03:27","modified_gmt":"2017-11-05T11:03:27","slug":"because-its-there-a-400km-ride-around-and-around-lake-biwa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2017-11-05\/2833","title":{"rendered":"Because It’s There: a 400km Ride Around and Around Lake Biwa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n

In Japanese, bicycling a full loop around Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, is called \u300c\u30d3\u30ef1\u300d(“<\/span>Biwa 1”<\/span>), and depending on the\nroute you take, is about 180~200km (112~124mi). It's a concept<\/span> and phrase well known among cyclists, and even promoted by the\nShiga Prefectural government, and that of various cities around the lake.<\/p>\n\n

It's a lovely ride to do on a long summer day, with lots to see and enjoy, as I present<\/span> in the story about the first\ntime I did<\/span> it 2½ years ago, in\n“<\/span>Bicycle Ride Around Japan\u2019s Largest Lake<\/a>”<\/span> (and its Part 2<\/a>).\n<\/p>\n\n

Part of what makes it interesting is the discovery and the newness, so it's a bit<\/span> boring to do again. Still, half a year<\/span> later, I did it<\/span> in fast, not-sightseeing mode, in this 200km (125mi) ride<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

So, having done it a couple of times and looking to up my does, my thoughts went to \u300c\u30d3\u30ef2\u300d, two loops. During the zippy\nattempt, the actual loop itself (that is, excluding to and from the lake) took 6h 10m<\/span>, so I thought<\/span> I\nshouldn't<\/span> have too much trouble doing two of them in one day. I thought<\/span> I'd give it a try<\/span> on my 50th birthday, but I ended<\/span> up\nvisiting my folks in Ohio then, so it remained an unfulfilled goal.<\/p>\n\n

So, I finally did it this past Wednesday, completing 408km (254 mi) in 18½ overall hours:<\/p>\n\n