Riding in Japan

So, I covered some of this in my post entitled "FINALLY," but I thought I'd share a bit more about riding in Japan.

I've now gotten mostly used to the Japanese signs, stuff painted on the roads, weird placement of traffic lights (occasionally hanging over the oncoming lanes of traffic, initially giving me the impulse to move over to the right lanes), etc. I've even adapted quite handily to the prevalence of motorcyclists and scooterists (I made that word up) to squeeze down between lanes at traffic lights to get to the front. I'm sure my renowned impatience is partly to credit for my quick adaptation, but I've also had to fight my desire to avoid tickets. I'm not sure I'd get a ticket, since 99% of bikers do this, but I'm not sure it's technically legal. (In my defense, I'm not sure it's ILLEGAL either, since my "Rules of the Road" book says, riders "should not" ride between lanes, but not that they "may not.")

Getting used to riding on the left is a done deal. I think I'll be able to slip back into right lane driving without a problem, but I guess we'll see when I get back to the US.

As for navigating semi-long distances, I've found that it's not that bad. The minutiae are harder, the finding of a small road (almost none of which are named or even designated by number) or small building (again, not numbered in sequence). I've got a road atlas for this area, but as with anything, it's a compromise between size and detail. I'm pleased with what I have, as it's been sufficent for me to visit my friend in the countryside of western Hyogo prefecture, as well as getting around the city. So far, so good. I think having driving across the US a few times has helped, as I've gotten the hand of plotting a route out in my mind, remembering major road numbers and turns and landmarks, and then going.

The ride back on Tuesday was pretty bad, in the rain the whole way, and a bit of traffic at the end. In addition, I was taking an alternate route to try to find a cheaper way of going, but I didn't quite understand the instructions I'd been given and didn't manage to get off the expressway and ride parallel to it, so I ended up paying two more tolls than I should have. Oh well...I'll have to figure it out next time, as it would take a bit longer but save me about $15 each way.

The weather is perfect right now for riding: cool and dry. Right now, for the next straight week we're forecasted for SUNNY in the low 70s. PERFECT. If that holds, I may go for a ride next Tuesday and/or Wednesday.

Finally, I also bought a second helmet so I can take passengers around. This is technically illegal, since they've given me this ridiculous rating where I'm not quite at the one year mark of having a license....this is all tied to the snafu I had in exchanging my Hawaii license in Virginia, where they didn't notice my motorcycle classification. Anyway, I've been riding long enough, have packed people around without problem before on bikes a lot bigger, so I think I'll be fine. And it'll be fun!

10 days to my trip to Seattle and Hawaii! Looking forward to it.