7th Mt. Fuji Hill Climb

This weekend is the 7th Mt. Fuji Hill Climb bicycle race.  Unfortunately around the time entries opened I was preoccupied with the Tokyo Marathon and didn't get an entry in before the race was full, but four guys from my office will be taking part.

The Fuji hill climb takes place each June starts at the base of Mt. Fuji and is a mere 24km long, the only drawback being that the 24km is directly up Mt. Fiji to the 5th Station, a total gain of  roughly 1300m in altitude. 

If you're thinking you'd like to climb to the 5th Station of mount Fuji by bicycle you don't have to wait until next years event.  Its a public road, its open to bicycles and you can do the ride anytime you like without having to pay an expensive race entry fee and without having to share the road with thousands of other cyclists.  Just get yourself to Fujiyoshida and follow the signs, its that easy.

If you climb the mountain early enough you'll still have time for a nice leisurely, and mostly flat, ride around one or more of Fuji's five lakes before heading back to the metropolis.