The Japanese Odyssey Manual

The Ja p a n es e
O dy s s e y
AN EPIC, ONE STAGE, 2400 KM ENDURANCE BICYCLE JOURNEY ACROSS CENTRAL JAPAN.
Entrants' manual
THe japanese Odyssey
The Japanese Odyssey is about an idea. An idea
firmly entrenched in our head. Firmly entrenched
in our heart. At first we didn’t know it would be
Japan. We had in mind something wild. We were
dreaming of an event with a high mileage and
exploring a true wilderness. We did some reading
and route tracing, and soon it became pretty clear
that Japan would be that place. It was an obvious
choice.
The 2015 edition took us from Sapporo on the island
of Hokkaido down to Kagoshima in the south of the
country.
We spent amazing days on our saddles, hopping from
one island to the other and getting our way through
dense forests and remote roads to our final destination.
We went back home exhausted and fairly dizzy, but with
heads full of emotions and of new routes to explore.
And there we are.
The 2016 Japanese Odyssey is on track.
This year the adventure is shorter. But it would be a
mistake to underestimate the difficulties. This second
edition is by no means easier. It stretches over 2,400 km
across Japan, starting from Tokyo neon-lit streets,
crossing Prefectures with exotic names such as: Gunma,
Gifu, Tottori,… before hopping on the island of Shikoku,
and then heading north to Osaka. The 2016 edition will
provide entrants with few opportunities to enjoy the
fairly fast sections of the Japanese coasts and will take
them in a series of mountain ranges.
Some 50 years ago, a mountaineer, Kyuya Fukada,
detailed in a book his 100 favourite mountains in Japan.
It was no more than the subjective selection of one
single person but his Nihon Hyakumeizan became a hit
and was widely read. Today, the word: Meizan refers to
an “eminent”, unique and admired mountain. Inspired by
the philosophy of the Hyakumeizan, the second edition
of the Japanese Odyssey is about taking the entrants up
a series of steep and famous climbs in Japan. 11 is your
magic number. Entrants will have to reach Osaka within
a 14 day time limit. They may take the route of their
choice, as long as they go up the 11 mandatory climbs.
Be prepared for failure.
Guillaume & Emmanuel
THANKS
For the last year and a half, we have been dedicated
to dream up and set up the Japanese Odyssey. From
the early beginning we can count on the support, the
encouragement and the positive feedback of many of
you.
We would also like to take a moment to say a massive
thanks to Timo at PELAGO, Lucas at PAPERSKY, Brian at
CHAMPION SYSTEM and Sogon at FAR RIDE MAGAZINE
for being so enthusiastic and excited about the oncoming
edition.
Thanks for this.
We share common ground in our philosophies with
these three companies. And we are really proud and
fortunate that they will be there on our side as partners
for the 2016 Japanese Odyssey.
Table of contents
Yes, the Japanese Odyssey is challenging and demanding, but it is not a race.
5
Who are we?
6
Warnings
7
Ground Rules
9
Satellite tracking and blue dots
10
Travelling from Tokyo airports to downtown Tokyo
11
Route Planning
12
Pre-start briefing
12
Ferries
12
The controls
13
The Japanese Odyssey Party
15
Entry and registration
16
4
YES, THE JAPANESE ODYSSEY IS
CHALLENGING AND DEMANDING, BUT
IT IS NOT A RACE.
So, yes, we do understand competition. And yet, we don’t
see the Japanese Odyssey as a race. Of course, there is
a challenging time component but it is only one element
of your adventure. Our event is not about competing
against the others. It is about challenging yourself. The
difference is subtle.
One of my favourite memory from last year first
edition is an off the bike moment. With Guillaume,
we were sitting on the pavement outside a konbini
(small convenience store), stretching the legs and
gulping down huge amounts of food.
And then came that Japanese man. He was
probably around 70 years old. He sat next to us
and start talking in English. He wanted to know
where we were heading to. We talked about Japan,
mountains, and our next control: the Norikura
Pass. After a moment he went to his car, opened
the trunk, and walked back to us with two big
apples in his hands. “Personal harvest” he said to
us, and wished us good luck.
Each entrant will go its own way, riding a different
mileage than the other competitors. Front runners, will
speed along highways to reach Osaka as fast as possible.
The others will ride for the satisfaction of making it to
the finish line. There will be no official timing and no
rankings. We won’t hand out medals. Success in the
event is measured by its completion in 14 days. Make it
within the time limit and you are a winner.
What makes us ride our bike? It certainly is about
going fast and going high. But not only. Your Japanese
adventure is also about opening your eyes, enjoying
the sceneries, trying to get a grasp of the culture of this
country, meeting some of the locals and enjoying the
company of fellow entrants.
So, challenge yourself, go fast if you feel like it, but open
your eyes to watch the amazing surroundings, and
breathe Japanese air.
Authenticity, equity, and respect for the other entrants
and for the environment are the fundamental principles
guiding the organisation of the Japanese Odyssey.
Mountains are a hostile environment with weather
conditions changing very fast. Thus mutual aid and
solidarity can be essential.
5
WHO ARE WE?
We are both French, spinning our wheels in Strasbourg.
As kids, we could ride our bikes all day long, going wherever our bike got us. We could also vanish a whole afternoon,
hiding in a garage and working on the bike. We remember those days back with great trepidation. Being on our bikes
was about exploring our small neighbourhood, and encountering people.
We wanted to imagine an event that would strive for a return to those original and basic values of cycling when every
ride was an adventure. And we were deeply convinced that we had to go towards something wild.
Welcome to all the people planning to take part in the 2016 Japanese Odyssey. This is our manual. It contains the main
information, the rules and tips about the event.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or queries at:
[email protected]
EMMANUEL
GUILLAUME
Emmanuel has been a bike messenger for more than
10 years. Needless to say he knows a thing or two about
how it feels to spend long hours on the saddle, regardless
of the weather.
At the beginning, Guillaume’s implication on the
Japanese Odyssey was supposed to be limited to giving
a hand on setting up the website and others technical
aspects.
In 2015, he felt the need to expand his horizons, to do
something big, and to push himself to the limits.
And then, before he knew it, he found himself hastily
putting together a bike suited for the adventure, with
the mission to take part in the Odyssey as well as shoot
pictures during the trip.
But doing it alone wouldn’t suit him. He wanted to share
the adventure with fellow, like-minded riders.
And so the Japanese Odyssey was born.
6
WARNINGS
To understand the spirit of the Japanese Odyssey, take a quick look in the dictionary for the definition of
the word “odyssey”. It is a long series of wanderings and adventures, filled with notable experiences and
hardships.
Entrants will go solo and unsupported across Japan, over a distance of about 2,400 kilometres. The Japanese Odyssey
is ridden entirely at the entrants’ own risks. Don’t attempt this event unprepared, as no one will be there to rescue you.
And stay always acutely conscious of your own limitations.
TAKING PART IN THE JAPANESE ODYSSEY IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS,
ENTRANTS TAKE PART AT THEIR OWN RISK.
1.
There is no organization. It cannot be stressed
enough that entrants will be on their own.
2.
They will have to be ready for a demanding
adventure. They will endure days of consecutive 12
to 15 hours on the saddle.
3.
They will have to show real capacities in (not
exhaustive) taking care of their bike, finding a place
to sleep every night, handling the bad weather in
mountainous areas, trying to understand road
signs in a foreign country, and handling information
in a foreign language…
4.
Entrants’ participation in the Japanese Odyssey
involves serious risks of accident that may cause
(and it is not exhaustive): material damages, head
or body injuries and even death from various
causes including (but not limited to) over exertion,
dehydration, cardiac arrest, slips, falls, accidents
with others, or accidents caused by their own.
Thus, we want every entrants to understand and
to agree that one elects voluntary to take part in
The Japanese Odyssey and assume all risks of lost,
damage, injury and death that may be sustained.
We should not be liable for any death or personal
injury suffered by an entrant arising from its
participation in the Japanese Odyssey. They also
agree to release us from and against any claims,
demands, proceedings of any nature whatsoever
which may be made by them or on their behalf
in respect of any loss, damage, injury and death
caused to them or their property as a result of their
participation in the Japanese Odyssey.
7
WE WANT EVERYONE TO GET BACK HOME SAFE, BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT SAFETY WILL BE YOUR
PERSONAL RESPONSABILITY.
1.
In Japan, ride on the left side of the road.
2.
It is a requirement that entrants obey all traffic
regulations. On a bicycle you basically follow the
same rule as a car. That means stopping at all stop
signs and red lights, and yielding the right of way.
Remember to use hand signals when turning,
slowing down or stopping. 3.
4.
5.
For your safety, and the safety of others, don’t use
your radios and mp3 while cycling.
Cyclists must yield the right of way to pedestrians.
Do not ride on sidewalks except on those with
‘Pedestrians and Bicycles’ signs. 6.
It is your responsibility to have your bicycle well
maintained.
7.
It is your responsibility to carry all the necessary
repair equipment.
8.
You will be going over mountain passes, remember
that the weather can be very unpredictable.
Don’t forget to take with you warm clothes and
sunscreen.
9.
It is your responsibility to have enough water and
food supplies with you.
10. Again. Mountains are a hostile environment where
mutual aid and solidarity can be essential. For this
reason we ask each entrant, if their place and the
circumstance they are in allow, to make it their
priority to go to help any other entrant in danger
or in difficulty.
Traffic in big cities and on major highways can
be very heavy and dangerous, and wouldn’t be
pleasant. Wherever possible, try to avoid large cities
and stay on smaller local roads, which are generally
quieter.
8
GROUND RULES
As we put it down before, the Japanese Odyssey is NOT a race. The intention is for a long distance
unsupported adventure. We also emphasize the camaraderie spirit as entrants are allowed to ride
together and to rely on each other for general support.
There is no organization. All that is provided is inspiration. However, we set some few rules in order to put on an
enjoyable and safe adventure, and to ensure equal opportunity within the entrants.
1.
Entrants must be over 18.
2.
Follow the Japanese Road Code.
3.
When riding, it is mandatory to wear a helmet.
4.
It is mandatory to have a front and a rear light. Check them regularly (as well as your brakes).
5.
Entrants must subscribe an insurance or agree to cover the cost of rescue in the event they need to be evacuated.
6.
The guiding principle is: “On your own & Unsupported”.
7.
Entrants must carry their own gear. Posting stuff anywhere prior to the start is forbidden.
8.
Entrants can ride together. They also can rely on each other for mechanical assistance and general support. (But,
please no drafting).
9.
Private assistance is forbidden. That means entrants can eat, resupply, sleep or service their bike only at places
also available to other entrants or at commercial shops along the route.
10. “Unplanned support” is allowed. Make sure you understand what “unplanned” means. If someone you don’t know
along the route is giving you something to drink, or helping you to fix something on your bike it is “unplanned”
and OK. But pre-arranged outside support is forbidden. The difference is subtle.
The Japanese Odyssey is, by its nature, impractical to oversee and to police. So please, play by the rules. Be respectful
to the others. Do not litter. And enjoy.
Launching on Saturday the 17th September, your adventure starts in Tokyo.
9
SATELLITE TRACKING AND BLUE DOTS
The event will be tracked via SPOT satellite
trackers. The satellite tracking will be hosted by
the company Trackleaders, which will be on our
side again to create the 2016 map and to put those
little blue dots (entrants) on the leaderboard. With
their software they can combine multiple spots onto the
map, and will save the full history data of the event.
The entry fee covers the costs of our supplier. But due
to peculiar Japanese custom rules, we are not able to
enter Japan with several trackers. We will leave it then
to the entrants to rent or buy their own SPOT tracker.
Note that before using your SPOT device, you need to
activate it with a one-month SPOT service plan on:
www.findmespot.eu/en/
The satellite tracking has a main justification, it will offer
the entrants safety and peace-of-mind by notifying their
family and their friends their GPS position and letting
them know that everything is fine. The technology is
also intended to help us check everyone goes through
the 11 mandatory climbs, and to give a general overview
of everyone‘s position. But entrants are not compelled
to carry a tracker. Those who don’t want to use one,
please let us know when sending your registration
email. If you don’t carry a tracker, you won’t appear on
the 2016 Japanese Odyssey tracking map. You also will
have to send us regularly photos with you at the different
controls.
By July we will set up an information form to collect
details from riders, as well as their SPOT information,
in order to transmit them to Trackleaders. We will take
time during the pre-event briefing to have the use of the
trackers demonstrated, and to make sure everyone is at
ease with their operation.
10
TRAVELLING FROM TOKYO AIRPORTS
TO DOWNTOWN TOKYO
Everyone knows Tokyo. But no one knows Tokyo.
Almost everything has been written about the city. It is the most populous metropolis in the world, with more than
37 millions inhabitants. It is urban and fast paced. And bullet trains are connecting the capital with the rest of the
country. But Tokyo has a lot more to offer. The city may be forever reaching into the future, but you still see traces of
the past and of the Shogun’s era. Tokyo is a modern city built on old patterns where you can find cobblestone lanes,
older neigbourhoods and quiet and dark streets.
Tokyo has two airports: Narita Airport and Haneda Airport. Cycling from there to the city centre makes for one of the
more unusual beginnings to a Tokyo trip. But it is an option only if you’re up for the challenge after your long flight and
the arrival process of getting through custom and immigration services. Indeed, be prepared for an exhausting and
hectic ride. Haneda and Narita airports are approximately 25 and 75 kilometres from Tokyo downtown.
Otherwise, Japan Rail East’s trains run between both Airports and major metropolitan stations including Tokyo,
Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro.
For more information including prices and timetables, please visit:
Tokyo Narita: www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex
Tokyo Haneda: www.jreast.co.jp/e/haneda
RINKO BAGS
TA-Q-BIN
Japan has an excellent rail network that allows
travel to almost any place in the country in little time.
Unfortunately, the Japanese railways are not very
accommodating of bicycles. The rule is: bicycle must be
covered in order to be taken on a train.
Most of you will probably come with a bike box (pod).
Operated by the Yamato Transport company,
TA-Q-BIN (takkyûbin: litteraly “fast expedition/delivery
from home”) is a delivery service which send your parcel
anywhere in Japan. So get your box sent to your hotel in
Osaka either from their counters at airports or arrange
(internet/phone call) a pickup of your box at your Tokyo
address.
To travel by train, a bike must meet standard luggage size
requirements and be packed in a carry-on-bag, called
rinko bags. Take one or both wheels off, to pack your
bike.
Browse their internet site to find their airport counters:
www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/personal/airport
Here is how to fill out a TA-Q-BIN label:
www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/send/invoice
You may read that their delivery service is not available
for items that exceeds total size 160 cm. With the total
size (cm) referring to the combined total of length, width
and height. But no one amongst last year entrants had
any problem shipping his box to his final destination.
11
ROUTE PLANNING
One of the most challenging and fun part of your adventure, is planning your route at home ahead of the
race. It will make your trip more efficient, and it will minimize your stress.
However, it is important to take into account two factors:
•
Traffic in big cities, or on major highways can be dangerous. Wherever possible, try to avoid large cities, and stay
on smaller local roads. It is also important that you plan a safe and good route leaving Tokyo and entering Osaka.
•
The succession of steep climbs can be very challenging. It is strongly recommended to check elevation profile
of your route on websites, so you will be able to know how much elevation you can expect to gain or lose on a
particular route.
You may start your adventure with a paper map (not mandatory). It will enable you to determine your daily starting
and ending locations and to eliminate major highways or toll roads. On a second step, you will confirm your chosen
route online, with a mapping solution. This step will also help you researching where you can sleep each night. Getting
then a street view, will enable you to scope out the routes you plan to take, and to get important information about
traffic and road conditions.
You will probably plan a daily itinerary. But don’t expect to stick exactly to that plan. There is anyway no need to do so.
It is part of the value of your adventure to take other routes, or to get lost. So allow a realistic margin for error when
planning distances and schedules.
PRE-START
BRIEFING
FERRIES
We will hold a pre-start briefing on the evening of Friday
16, September. Exact location and time of meeting will
be communicated later on.
Your adventure will take place on two of the four main
islands that make up Japan. After some exhausting
days at high elevation on Honshu, it will be high
time to flock to Shikoku. The island has definitely
something special. It is quite rural and many of the
off-the-beaten-track roads are vehicule free. The following ferry lines are allowed
It is an informal and friendly meeting. We will have the
opportunity to meet and to get to know each other.
We will also present you the last updates of the event
and hand out the brevet cards. It will also be your final
opportunity to ask your burning and thorny questions.
For those who can’t make it on time for the prestart briefing, we will meet the next morning on
the starting line, Saturday 17, September. 5:00 AM.
•
Hiroshima-Kure-Matsuyama
•
Tokushima-Wakayama
It is possible to cycle from one island to the other via
the Shimanami Kaido route. It is a 77-kilometer route
via a series of bridges spanning the Seto Inland Sea and
connecting Onomichi with the city of Imabari. Note that,
if you are starting on Honshu and ending up in Shikoku
you will have to ride several more kilometres from the
bridge to reach central Imabari.
See you in Tokyo.
12
THE CONTROLS
In most cases with your bike you won’t be able to reach
the top of the mountain. Thus, the controls are often the
highest point you can reach by road nearby those unique
and admired summits. Entrants can take the route of
their choice to reach a control, except for CP-Mt Norikura
where there is a mandatory route to follow. Besides, for
CP-Mt. Sasayama and CP-Mt. Azoji, entrants will ride on
small mountainous and forest roads. Don’t expect to find
anything along the road. No premises, no rest house. The
control will just be an intersection. We ask entrants to
ride the whole stretch of the concerned road.
Starting in Tokyo, entrants will have to reach
Osaka. They may take the route of their choice.
But if they want to complete the 2016 Japanese
Odyssey, they’ll have to sign in at the required
checkpoints. We came up with 11 checkpoints,
most of them being a famous summit in Japan.
Some controls are situated in a volcanic activity
area. Thus, please note that during the event, and
for safety purposes, we may decide to amend the
location of a control.
Controls can be validated in any order. You will
find on the following map their exact positions: ridewithgps.com/routes/12766516
The controls won’t be staffed. And as asking the entrants
to stop and to sign-in at nearby public premises, would
have make them dependant on business opening hours,
we will ask them to self validate their brevet card.
RACE START: TOKYO
CP: MT. AZOJI
Location: Nihonbashi Bridge
(34.485° , 131.960°)
(35,684° , 139,774°)
(N 34°29’6’’ , E131°57’38’’)
(N 35°41’2’’ , E 139°46’28’’)
We will ask entrants to ride the full stretch of the
unnamed road passing a few miles north on the Mt. Azoji.
ridewithgps.com/routes/12764890
The Nihonbashi Bridge was formerly a wooden bridge
erected early in the 17th century, and was reconstructed
in stone during the Meiji Period. Now the bridge stands
obscured and overshadowed by an elevated expressway.
But it remains the symbolic heart of the country. Indeed,
the bronze plaque on the road in the middle of the
bridge marks point zero, from which distances from and
to Tokyo are measured.
CP: MT. HARUNA-SAN
(36.471° , 138.877°)
(N 36°28’16’’ , E138°52’38’’)
Mt. Haruna-san is a dormant stratovolcano in eastern
Honshu. The volcano has a summit caldera in which
stands the lava dome of Mt. Haruna-fuji, and a crater lake
called Lake Haruna. The control is at the parking lot of the
ropeway that leads to the top of Mt. Haruna-Fuji.
It will also be the zero milestone of your odyssey.
We will set off from the memorial (and replica) bronze
plaque a few meters off the bridge on Saturday,
September 17, at 5:00 AM.
CP: MT. KUSATSU-SHIRANE
At five in the morning the temperature should be just
perfect for riding. But keep in mind it would only get
hotter. Leaving Tokyo it is also important that you select
roads with less traffic, and that you don’t plan too many
kilometers on that first day. Narrow roads, traffic lights
every 80 metres, and cars, again and again will make it
a slow going.
(36.638° , 138.534°)
(N 36°38’16’’ , E138°32’2’’)
Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane is a splendid active volcano located
just up from Kusatsu Hot Spring, and connected via Road
292. The control is at the rest house at the top of the road.
Due to volcanic activity, trails starting from the rest house
and heading to the summit are still shut closed. Please
note that the National Route 292 is within the regulated
area and therefore it opens only from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
13
CP: NORIKURA PASS
CP: OKAWARA PASS
(36.125° , 137.555°)
(36.1126° , 138.3192°)
(N36°7’30’’ , E137°33’18’’)
(N 36°6’45’’ , E138°19’9’’)
The Norikura pass is quite popular in Japan as it is the
highest road in the country. You will go climbing and
climbing among the clouds, and reach an elevation of
2,700m. Note that in the summer period the road is
open from 3:30AM to 6:00PM.
You will by-pass the Mount Tateshina by the east, and
ride towards the Okawara Pass at 2,100m high.
Entrants will have to follow a mandatory route. It starts
in Nagawa on Road 26 and will lead you through a nice
forest road and on top of the Shirakaba Pass.
(N 35°52’19’’ , E137°30’7’’)
CP: MT. ONTAKE
(35.872° , 137.502°)
Mt. Ontake is Japan’s tallest active volcano.
This is the link to the Map route: ridewithgps.com/routes/12749050
On September 2014, Mt. Ontake erupted unexpectedly,
causing fatalities and covering the mountain with ash.
The peak is still closed to hikers until further notice.
Accommodation and food can be found all along the
ascent. You will find small lodges and pensions where
you can rest or even spend the night, before getting at
the top of the Norikura pass the next morning. There is
even a couple of minshuku (Japanese pension) at the
top of the pass, if you intend to spend the night up there..
The checkpoint will require to climb the Road 256 up to
the Ontake Prefectural Natural Park at around 2,200m
elevation. The ascent is 20 km long, at an average grade
of 6%. Descending the pass is about turning back and
taking the same road down. But take it as an opportunity
to finally appreciate the outstanding panoramic views.
CP: MT. NYUKASA
CP: MT. SASAYAMA
(35.901° , 138.172°)
(33.056° , 132.64°)
(N 35°54’4’’ , E138°10’20’’)
(N 33°3’21’’ , E132°38’24’’)
The control is the building on top of the road that has an
observatory station. If you keep heading uphill the path
on your left, it is a 30 minute walk to climb to the summit
of Mt Nyukasa and to enjoy the 360 degree panorama,
which includes views of Mt Fuji.
We will ask entrants to ride the following stretch of Road
332 (in either direction) to validate the control:
CP: ODAIGAHARAZAN
(33.477° , 133.003°)
ridewithgps.com/routes/12766150
CP: TENGUKOGEN SKI AREA
(34.181° , 136.097°)
(N 33°28’37’’ , E133°0’11’’)
(N 34°10’51’’ , E136°5’49’’)
At 1,300 meters high, the rest house at the Tengukogen
park station which connects Roads 48 and 383 is your
control.
Depending on your route, this can be your last control.
Or not. You are only around 100 km away from Osaka
your final destination. If it is, we will take you in a last
climb. Follow the Odaigahara Driveway Climb to the
Visitor Center at the top of Route 40 (at an elevation of
around 1580m).
14
CP: MT. TSURUGI-SAN
FINISH: OSAKA
(33.867° , 134.091°)
Location: The “Glico Man” sign.
(N 33°52’1’’ , E134°5’28’’)
(34.669° , 135.501°)
Mt. Tsurugi is the second tallest mountain on Shikoku
island. The control is at the top of the pass, where
Road 439 turns into Road 438.
(N 34°40’8’’ , E135°30’4’’)
Your adventure ends in Osaka, Japan’s third largest
city. You will have to reach Ebisu-Bashi Bridge on the
Dōtonbori district, characterized by its large illuminated
billboards and TV screens, all flashing modern
commercial messages.
We want you to savour and relish the end of your odyssey
at the billboard for the confectionery manufacturer
company Glico, displaying the image of a runner raising
his arms in a victory pose and crossing a finishing line.
It is seen as an icon of Osaka within Japan. For you, it is
time to enjoy a well-deserved caramel candy.
THE JAPANESE ODYSSEY PARTY
Congratulations. You made it to Osaka.
We will organise a Finisher’s Party around midday on
Saturday 1st, October. You guys will sit back, relax, relate and
share your adventure. We will keep you updated and provide
you the details of the place and the time of the Party. Note
that the entrants reaching Osaka during the Party, have first
to get to the finish line on the Ebisu-Bashi Bridge, and then
only can join us.
Any entrants making it to Osaka before the end of the
Finisher’s party, will be considered as having completed the
2016 Japanese Odyssey on time.
But remember, the time component is only one element of
your adventure.
At the finish line of the first Japanese Odyssey.
15
ENTRY AND REGISTRATION
Before you commit to enter, take a good look at this manual. Make sure to read with extreme care and
attention the WARNINGS and GROUND RULES sections. And remember, the Japanese Odyssey is very
challenging.
There is no requirement to have completed any other particular bike event to take part in the event. However, having
previous participation in bike endurance events will give you helpful experience.
You are required to be at least 18 years old to take part in the Japanese Odyssey.
You also need to be an experienced cyclist and you must be sufficiently trained to undertake this tough and demanding
adventure.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit enough to complete the adventure, that you are in good health, and
do not have any illness that will hinder your ability to complete the Japanese Odyssey.
It is also your responsibility to check and monitor your condition during the adventure and to withdraw if you are no
longer fit to continue.
OUR REGISTRATION PROCESS IS SIMPLE:
1.
Send us a sweet email if you are in and by our side for this adventure. Give us the following information:
Last Name
First Name
Gender
Date of birth
E-mail address
Postal address
Nationality
Will you use a tracker or not?
2.
We will email you back both an entry disclaimer attestation and the PayPal account number for the entry fee.
3.
Sign and send back the entry disclaimer. Your registration is confirmed.
4.
Train. Hard.
ENTRY FEES
CANCELLATION POLICY
There is no need to justify a bike adventure. Just take
your bike, get on the saddle and hit the road.
You are entitled to some partial refund if you cancel your
registration before the 1st of September, 2016.
The entry fee of 175 € for the 2016 Japanese Odyssey
includes the setup of the tracking leader board (note
that entrants are required to come with their own
tracker), the organisation of a pre-event briefing and
dinner in Tokyo on Friday the 16th September, the printing
of the Brevet Cards, and some goodies provided by our
partners.
•
Before the 15th of July 2016 : 150 € refund.
•
From the 15th of July 2016 to the 1st of September
2016 : 100 € refund
There will, however, be no refund for cancellations from
the 1st of September onwards.
16
The
ssey
anese Ody
Jap
2016
YOUR CONTACT
Emmanuel Bastian
The Japanese Odyssey
11 Rue de Dalhain
F – 67200 Strasbourg
[email protected]
www.japanese-odyssey.com