Cycling Hokkaido

Ep.146 Talking Ainu Culture & History with Matt Cotter

This week I'm joined by long-time Sapporo resident Matt Cotter for a conversation about Ainu history, culture, language, and life in modern Hokkaido. The Ainu are the indigenous people of northern Japan, and in this episode we cover a wide range of topics, from some of the darker chapters of Ainu-Japanese history to the ongoing challenges facing Ainu communities today. We also talk about Ainu art, food, language, cultural preservation, and the efforts being made to keep Ainu traditions alive for future generations. Matt shares his own experiences learning about Ainu culture, studying the language, and meeting Ainu people throughout his years in Hokkaido. We also discuss why understanding their history is such an important part of understanding Hokkaido itself. This was a great conversation and one that I think will be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about the people, history, and culture that helped shape this island we call home. Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido Cycling Hokkaido on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Ep.145 Rice Paddies, Headless Buddhas & the Sea of Japan with Ryan Hill

Episode 145 of Cycling Hokkaido features Ryan Hill from Vancouver, BC, who joined me for a ride through the Hokkaido countryside before sitting down to record this episode. We spent the day cycling quiet rural roads through ride paddies during planting season, stopping to check out some mysterious headless Buddha statues, and taking in the views from high above the Sea of Japan coastline. In this conversation, Ryan talks about his long connection with Japan, and of course we talked about Japanese food, and how karate is an important part of his life. A chill conversation about travel, cycling, culture and the unexpected moments that make riding in Hokkaido so memorable. Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido Follow Cycling Hokkaido on Instagram page: www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Ep.144 Cycle 5 to Survive: Next Stop, Africa

Welcome back to the Cycling Hokkaido podcast. Today I'm joined by PL and Kristen from Cycle 5 to Survive, a project that's taken them across continents on long-distance cycling adventures with a bigger purpose behind every ride: raising support and awareness for multiple causes over a five-year journey spanning 5 continents. We're going to dig into what it actually takes to plan and execute rides on that scale, the logistics, the physical and mental challenges, and the moments that stick with you when you're out there for days, weeks, and months at a time. And of course, we'll also talk about the human side of it all, what keeps you going when things get tough, what you learn about people and places along the way, and how cycling becomes more than just a ride. Right now they're gearing up for their next chapter in Africa, so we'll hear what's ahead and how this next leg fits into the bigger journey. Let's go! The Cycle 5 to Survive website: Homepage - Cycle 5 To Survive https://share.google/jsqOcuSg5q00Xo6hh The Cycle 5 to Survive Instagram page: www.instagram.com/cycle5tosurvive/ Follow Cycling Hokkaido podcast on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido

Ep.143 Group Rides, Hidden History and Hokkaido Roads

In this episode, I follow up on a listener question about group rides in Hokkaido and share some of the information I found while digging into the local cycling scene. If you've been thinking about joining group rides here in Japan, there are more options out there than you might expect. I also take a look at the history of Ranshima Beach and how the area developed over the years, before taking a ride out to the beautiful Eniwa Waterfalls. To wrap things up, I talk about cycling over the Asari Pass, one of those climbs that reminds you why riding in Hokkaido is so rewarding. If you're enjoying the podcast, please subscribe to the show, leave a kind review, or share the who with other people interested in seeing Hokkaido. Follow Cycling Hokkaido on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Cycling Hokkaido's Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/383922247?privacy_code=kICwEYNEuvWfHWHqvGMv9BIeZbM33dLq Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido

Ep.142 From Cape Sata to Cape Soya with John Swain

I first came across John Swain in one of the Facebook cycling groups when he was planning to ride from Cape Sata to Cape Soya, cycling the full length of Japan from south to north. As it turned out, our schedules lined up, and we were able to sit down for a conversation. One the ended up being far more interesting and wide-ranging than I expected. John's connection to Japan goes back decades, from discovering Japanese culture through theater, to living here as an English teacher, to now having family rooted in this country. This ride isn't just a physical challenge for him, it's part of a much longer personal story. In this episode, we go beyond route planning and gear talk. We get into John's perspective on Japanese culture, what it actually feels like to cycle here compared to the U.S., and how his relationship with Japan has evolved over time. Whether you're into cycling, curious about Japan, or just enjoy a good story, there's something here for you. My hope is that you come away with a deeper understanding of both Japan and what it's really like to experience it by bike. You can find John at..... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shibaiman Instagram: www.instagram.com/shibaiman/ Follow Cycling Hokkaido on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/ Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/cyclinghokkaido