With Scott now safely in Kitakyushu, the Japan by Bicycle team is finally assembled on the same continent and even in the same room! It’s an odd experience to see both Dylan and Scott standing before me. I’m not used to conversing with 6 foot adults here in Japan, and also I’m accustomed to see their talking heads on group video chat rather than face to face (at eye level no less). The past week has been quite hectic and removed from any normal semblance of routine. Even as I write this, Scott and Dylan are already busy assembling Scott’s bike and game-planning best gear options.

Although we embark on the morning of the 14th, the three of us leave our current home-base (Lori’s apartment in northern Kyushu) in only 2 days for some pre-trip team bonding in the enchanting forests of Yakushima Island. There’s a lot we’ve been a bit delinquent to report on this blog so far so hopefully this quick update clears up our hectic past week of final preparation and congregation.

Tuesday March 29th

Dylan finds great material for his article Procrastination and Travel: A Cautionary Tale when he unwittingly forgets his passport. He returns home and waits for another flight on Thrusday.

Thursday March 31th

Dylan arrives in Japan and hauls his suspicious-looking plastic-wrapped bike on multiple trains before arriving at Lori’s apartment.

Friday April 1st

Dylan and Andrew sleep late and play tennis for 2 hours before some rousing Wii Resort competition for the rest of the night once Lori gets home. Lori defeats Dylan and Andrew at most of the games (Archery, Basketball, Fast Sword Chopping game, etc…) to both boys dismay.

Saturday April 2nd

Lori pulls off a spectacular charity bicycle event (unrelated to Japan by Bicycle) which Dylan and Andrew valiantly assist in by carrying participants rented, motorized cycles up stairs along the course.

Sunday April 3rd

Dylan takes some fantastic engagement photos of Lori and Andrew in a local park.

Monday April 4th – Wednesday April 6th

This time span is kind of a blur for me. I don’t think I left the apartment for these 3 days and spent 15+ hours each day tying up loose ends on this website and other details of this major transition period of my life. Dylan spent his time training like a good team member and also making my Wii play movies off my hard drive. Thanks Dylan. ^_^

Also on Wednesday, Lori pulled off a great farewell BBQ for Dylan and I (Scott couldn’t make it as he was in America). We grilled out and laughed it up with friends.

Thursday April 7th

Scott lands in Narita airport near Tokyo and only has time to make a bullet train as far south as Hiroshima. Without a phone or wifi card on the train he can’t contact Lori and I. We went to meet him around midnight at the nearest bullet train stop. Being the resourceful guy he is, he found a reasonable hotel where he sent me the following email:

(Before I show the email actually, let me just say that Scott is a very intelligent adult. Given this fact, this e-mail was all the more enjoyable to find waiting for me upon Scott-less return from the train station around 1am this morning.)

From Scott:

Perhaps the hotel’s Japanese formatted keyboards were a bit much even for Scott.

Via hotel room wifi he was able to connect with us and hash out a plan for the morning.

Friday April 8th (today)

Scott arrives in Kitakyushu, we lug his somewhat abused bike-in-a-bag up to Lori’s apartment. I write this article, take pictures, and generally escape the real work happening in the other room.

Also of note, we are now over 50% toward our $1/km of relief aid to Japan goal ($10,000). If you haven’t already donated, please consider donating now. It’s easy and 100% of your money goes directly from your account to charity. Donate here.

Whew, I hope the pictures held your interest if the text didn’t. We plan on updating this site regularly with our doings. Scott’s bicycle is now assembled and the three of us are planning to ride to the local ramen shop for some cheap noodles. “I’m down with that!”