John: ‘What day is it today?’

Sue: ‘Tuesday … why?’

John: ‘You just put on your rain jacket’

Just like clockwork – rain … our bikes were in the basement of the hotel with all the big guns (cars). Just about to head off and I noticed a few drops of rain … enough to think about rain jackets.

Late leaving as we had just booked a hotel for tonight. We only have 2 weeks left and trying to get the most of our time in Hokkaido so heading northwest.

The climb out of Otaru along the coast … the rain spoilt the wonderful views today and overcast sky. Lots of trucks and 1 tunnel. Spectacular views to be had on a clear day of the coast and hills

After 11km we had done our hills work for the day and proceeded to bypass the centre of Sapporo through the suburbs and small rural areas. The new suburbs add a bit of colour in their homes with striking colour schemes.

Komoot took unnecessarily on a gravel road … not happy!!!

We passed a big factory … ‘John, that smells like chocolate!!’

Sure enough … a google search ‘Roycé Chocolate Factory’ … if only I’d known.

Just as I was thinking it was a little lack lustre, we rode through rural areas … the smell of cattle … agh … a dairy farm.

A bridge and on a levee for several kms the main road was safely in the distance parellel to us as we saw the trucks rolling passed but no noise … meanwhile we were on our lonesome enjoying the farmland of rice paddies and grain. It appeared to be large farms with farmhouses and sheds spaced far apart

This was reminiscent of The Netherlands so flat and straight roads. I thought garmin was faulty as there was a vertical red line and arrow and no movement for several kms while in navigator mode.

Komoot wasn’t on my side today and sent us on yet another gravel road … no way!!! I found other options …

More wonderful farming areas and we get to Mikasa a little damp but the onsen is a nice end to the day.