Japan Coast to Coast grew out of one man’s epic 6-week bike ride chasing the cherry blossom front along the length of Japan in 2000. Along the way, Lowell Sheppard discovered a statue of the 19th-century missionary Walter Weston on a semi-abandoned coastal road. Weston was the man who introduced Japan to the concept of mountaineering and research into his life and writings led Lowell to plan another bike ride – following Weston’s trail across the Japan Alps and between the northern and southern coasts of the main island of Honshu.
Inspired by Lowell’s bold plan, two friends (Tony Torres and Mark McBennett) agreed to join him on his weeklong journey, and Japan Coast to Coast was born. Planning and physical preparation meant that the ride went well, and the riders’ camaraderie and resourcefulness made even the occasional setback just another part of the fun and adventure. That ride, in June 2010, took in such spectacular scenic highlights as Kamikochi, Norikura and Hakuba and many warm and friendly encounters with locals not used to seeing foreigners, let alone three of them on bikes.
The scale of the challenge was a big motivation in itself, but what really made the trip – and the whole JC2C concept – all the more worthwhile was the fact that it was a fundraiser for the great aid work done by HOPE International Development Agency, Japan. Lowell is the Director of HOPE-JP and his advice and experience helped the team raise over ¥600,000 in donations, funds that went directly to build wells that now provide clean drinking water for many families in Cambodia.
A second ride the following October saw the group grow to nine riders and a support vehicle. This ride was shorter at two days, and didn’t have any major mountains along the way, but it provided quite a challenge for the less experienced cyclists. And once again, a significant amount of funds were raised to help support HOPE-JP.
JC2C had big plans in place for 2011 but the tragic events in March of that year meant a change in priorities. HOPE-JP was one of the first aid organizations to be on the ground in Tohoku and not too long after, once the focus had moved from rescue to relief and rebuilding, JC2C worked with HOPE-JP to organize a bicycle donation drive, and worked with the Cannondale company and communities in Tohoku to help deliver hundreds of donated new bikes to where they were needed. Not even one of the biggest typhoons in recent history could stop the Tohoku Coast to Coast ride in September, 2011, though damage wreaked by the typhoon put paid to our plans to hold a cycling festival in the region.
JC2C’s plans for the future are more ambitious still, with the annual Coast to Coast challenge returning to the Japan Alps route and featuring more riders and lots more fun! We are always happy to hear from cyclists across Japan who are interested in joining us. Be sure to stay tuned to this site and of course our Facebook page for the latest developments.
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