In 2026 I'm on a quest to complete the 8 model routes in Hyogo Prefecture. I've already done the #1 Awaji Island and #2 Mount Rokko routes.

Hyogo Cycling Model Route

Model routes are like the "Maguerite" route in Denmark. I really like the concept of having someone just officially pointing out a great route. I suggested this line of thinking (on a small scale, but still) when I was asked to consult on a small tourist project too. There's something about how the routes are "Scaffolding activity" if you will. The cyclists can feel assured the route is accounted for, and local shops along the route will get more incoming traffic from people they might otherwise not have been able to attract.

There's something about how the route gives us courage, or at least a feeling of safety. And that's exactly what you want to do, when getting more people up into riding these longer trips. I'm definitely not in the "create your own adventure" segment yet, but maybe some day I will be. A year ago I wasn't even in the 100+ km segment. But little by living I'm moving to the right in the bell-curve.

For this trip I'm taking on #7, the Northern most route up by the Japanese Sea, with the cycling super-star Nori. Nori has a cycling community space called Feeedzone, and he's just a super cycling buddy.

Preparations

The biggest part of the preparation is of course the route, which has thankfully been taken care of by the prefecture. We don't see a need to change anything about it (also we don't know the area at all!)

Then we have to take the weather and lighting conditions into account. It looks to be a cool and cloudy 20 degrees Celsius. Pretty much perfect for cycling if it holds. We had a small discussion about clothes. I think I'll go with a long-sleeved jersey and a thin gilet as extra. The tights I'll keep short though, while putting on some regular merino socks. The upper body can get cold in the mountains, and if the cloud cover is too heavy, it can be quite cold indeed. I'll also take this post to prove to myself that I tried to take the Northern geography into account.

In terms of light, I think we'll be ok, but just in case we'll be delayed, we can avoid cycling in complete darkness (like we did on Awaji!!) by starting out going along the coast and down. That way we can come up along the river East of Toyo'oka city, and into Kinosaki.

Planning

So the plan is the we'll meet up in Kobe at around 6 AM, get some coffee and breakfast from 7Eleven or something, take a 2 hour drive up North towards the small hot spring town of Kinosaki, and then bike from there. The official route guidance says 8 hours, but we're quite confident we can finish in 6 or 7 incl. lunch. We'll back up in Kinosaki, hit a hot spring to relax a bit, and then drive back down to Kobe.