I participated as a support rider in the event, “ The 2nd Hikihara Dam Circular Cycling Tour to Enjoy Autumn” held on October 27, 2024.
There were a total of five courses prepared,
I was a support rider of group 6, for the Shiso City Manpuku course and enjoyed the autumn season with the participants.。
Each course is as follows
① Shiso City Manpuku Course (Shiso City Hall → Hikihara Dam → Shiso City Hall)
② Easy course (Ichinomiya Citizen’s Office → Hikihara Dam → Ichinomiya Citizen’s Office)
③ Exciting slope course (Haga Citizen’s Office → Hikihara Dam → Haga Citizen’s Office)
④ Lukewarm course (Michi-no-Eki Haga → Hikihara Dam → Michi-no-Eki Haga) ⑤ Family smiling course (around Hikihara Dam)）
Starting from Shiso City Hall, we will first head for Iwa Shrine.
On the way to Iwa Shrine, we will pass through the Yochi Cave Gate and turn onto Route 29.
After entering Ichinomiya Town, we ride along the levee road.
This road is usually closed to traffic because it is a controlled road, but for this event, we were allowed to use it as a special road.
The cool breeze from the river made for a pleasant ride.
We arrived at Iwa Shrine and took a rest.
Iwa Shrine is the first shrine in Harima Province. It is said that two white cranes were sleeping on a stone and facing north, so the shrine was built with the shrine building facing north.
After visiting the shrine with the participants, we will head for our next destination, the Michi-no-Eki Minami Haga.
The route took us not only along National Route 29, but also along farm roads and other roads, so we arrived at Michi-no-Eki Minami Haga while enjoying the autumn scenery.
At Michi-no-Eki Minami Haga, in addition to meals, the participants refueled with delicious bread and soft ice cream, and then headed to Michi-no-Eki Haga.
From Michi-no-Eki Haga to Hara Kanko Apple Orchard…
A front of Hara Kanko Apple Orchard that there is the delicious apple soft cream is hilly. (lol)
The members of the group were good cyclists, so as soon as I told them “ Free ride to the apple orchard,” they speeded up quickly!
The members were climbing so fast it made me want to ask, “Is this really a hill?
Of course, I arrived at the apple orchard, gasping and wheezing.
After arriving at the apple orchard, of course, we had apple soft cream serve! We all enjoyed the delicious taste.
From the Hara Apple Orchard to the Hikibara Dam, we just pedaled the bicycle up a hill. I was not able to keep up the pace if I led even this section, so when I told the participants to run free, they speeded up quickly. This is déjà vu.
Watching the backs of the members running away, I arrived to Hikihara Dam. It was time for lunch.
Lunch was “Kijishi-meshi”.
Kijishi are craftsmen who have been working wood in the mountains to produce plates and vessels since ancient times.
The large rice balls were filled with wild vegetables and seaweed tsukudani (food boiled in soy sauce), filling me up and making me very satisfied!
During the lunch break, we also enjoyed pounding mochi (rice cakes) and were able to fully enjoy the Hikihara Dama, including the release of the dam and a tour of the inside of the dam.
After taking a break, we went around the dam before starting the ride!
Unlike the outward trip, the return trip was mostly downhill and easy riding. While taking a break at a roadside station, we headed for Shiso City Hall.
On the return trip, we stopped at Michi-no-Eki Minami Haga and Michi-no-Eki Harima Ichinomiya to buy souvenirs and eat some food, but the clouds were beginning ominous.
Keeping an eye on the weather forecast, we ran for time stopped rain, and after taking a commemorative photo in Sisolamichi, we reached the finish line.
Until the time we reached the goal, the rain was light. By the way, the souvenirs we purchased were brought to the goal in the staff’s vehicle! Good service!
After the finish line, participants receive their prizes and disperse.
The dam card given as a participation prize was a special edition commemorating the ride!
For me, it was a day where I was able to communicate with all the participants, and to experience the charm of Shiso City through the riding bicycle and dam tours.
