The Tamako Cycling Road is one of my favorite rides in Tokyo.
This is a route I discovered as a newbie to cycling, and indeed Japan, way back in 1997 and has been a comfortable fall back route when I'm looking for a stress free ride out to a spot of nature by the lakes of Tamako and Sayamako on the Tokyo/Saitama border.
Now I say stress free, but that's relative to what stresses you.
You see, along the 10km of the Tamako Cycling Road you will encounter no less than 78 bollards.
On a recent ride with partner in crime Chad Feyen I suggested he film each of the bollards and make a "Bollard Supercut". In my mind I imagined a fast pace angst filled video set to a thrash metal soundtrack conveying the stress of having to deal with the all to frequent interruptions to our ride. I figured it'd be a quick, entertaining, laugh.
But Chad, you see, is an adult, a professional who took the footage he shot that day and created a thoughtful and insightful 10 minute video introducing you to the Tamako Cycling Road and its ever present bollards, discussing why the bollards exist, their benefit and detractions.
If you think a 10 minute video about bollards is a real snoozefest, think again, Chad has some valuable insights and provides a more thoughtful commentary other than simply "bollards bad, slow me down".
Please do give it a "like", and subscribe for more (very infrequent, sorry!) videos from the Cycling Embassy of Japan.
