SYSTEM NOTICE

Auto translation by AI. Be sure, accuracy, nuances and authorial intent may not be fully reflected.

Show original

Prologue #2 🇯🇵 The journey is already coming to an end

きつねのあずまや

2026年5月11日 15:06

This note aims to be both a strategy guide and an adventure log for the 'round-the-world motorcycle trip' game.

All episodes are available here.

So far:
Departed from my home in Hokkaido, crossed the Tsugaru Strait, and camped at Oma-zaki in Aomori Prefecture.

Immediate goal:
Start the trans-Eurasian crossing from Vladivostok, Russia.

Short-term goal:
Ride my motorcycle to Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, where the ferry to Russia departs.

About this player

Now, I would like to briefly introduce myself, the player of this round-the-world motorcycle journey.

Status

34 years old, male
Married, with children
Neet
Vision 1.5
Status Ailment Resistance: Good

Special Skills

Camping outdoors
→ Since I used to go mountaineering, as long as I have a flat space about the size of a tatami mat, I can pitch a tent, cook a meal, and sleep.
Weather forecasting
→ I did this in my previous job, so...
Administrative work dealing with bureaucrats who have no sense of service
→ I did so much of this in my previous job that it made me want to throw up, so...

Weaknesses

Talking to people I've just met
→ Ordering at a restaurant is seriously tough for me.
Motorcycle maintenance
→ My experience is limited to changing the engine oil and cleaning the chain.
Waking up early
→ From the moment I wake up until I actually get out of bed, I spend an hour fidgeting under the covers.

Achievements as a traveler

Number of countries visited: 20
Full traverse of the Northern Alps (Kamikochi to Oyashirazu / 15 days in summer)
Highest altitude reached: 6,250m (a mountain in India)
[Shiren the Wanderer 6] Cleared 'The Pinnacle of Fate'

So, while I have a few fatal flaws as a traveler, I'm the type to push through with sheer spirit and grit, so I look forward to your support.

A fall right away

On the morning of the second day of the trip, I depart from Oma-zaki, the northernmost point of Honshu, where I camped out.

While riding comfortably along the Shimokita Peninsula under clear skies...

I fell over right away.

The moment I tried to turn right from a parking lot with poor visibility, an oncoming vehicle appeared, so I aborted the turn. At that moment, my front wheel caught on a curb, and I couldn't keep my footing, resulting in a textbook stationary fall.

This is the first time the V-Strom has fallen.

I wasn't sure if I could lift it up on my own, but thanks to the side pannier being underneath, the bike didn't fall as far, and I was able to lift it up by myself even with a full load of luggage.

Fortunately, the damage was limited to some scratches on the pannier and hand guard, and the bike itself is unscathed.

Thinking, 'Well, it's no big deal even if it falls,' I felt relieved (which would come back to haunt me later) and resumed my ride.

In Aomori, I happened to seea spot like thisand stopped by.

Well, after finishing the cherry blossom viewing, I went back to my bike, and...

My bike was taking a nap.

I suspect it fell over on its own.

That is because, although I finally realized the issue here, the V-Strom has a weakness. That is,

when parked on the side stand, the bike doesn't lean very much.

It is.

And on top of the lean being shallow to begin with, factors like having a side stand extender (a.k.a. a block) attached, and the suspension being compressed from a full load of luggage, mean the bike ends up standing almost upright.

I learned that in such a state, if the wind hits it, it can easily fall over on its own.

I'll think about a proper solution later, but for now, I'll manage by consciously parking on slopes or uneven ground to create more of an angle.

Even so, the tragedy of my bike falling over twice in just two days.

The pannier got dented from the second fall, but since it doesn't seem to affect riding, I'll continue heading south through Honshu while carrying the emotional damage.

The pannier cannot be attached

The next morning, as I was preparing to depart, an emergency occurred.

The pannier was dented from a fall. It had been attaching to the stay without any issues until the day before, but...

To my surprise, it could no longer be attached to the bike.

It seems that due to the deformation of the pannier, once I removed it from the stay, I couldn't reattach it. After struggling for about 30 minutes, it became clear that it was impossible to attach.

At this rate, I can't carry my luggage, and I'm done for. (Even though it's only the third day...)

After thinking it over, I decided to use my ultimate technique.

The forbidden move of forcibly tying the pannier down with rope.

It was a good decision to have prepared two sturdy bungee cords for a situation like this.

Praying that it wouldn't fall off, I kept my speed down to 40 km/h and headed toward a certain location.

I managed to ride about 20km without dropping the secured panniers and somehow made it to the nearest Red Baron.

As I was unpacking in a distressed state, the store manager called out to me and helped me out, even though it was 15 minutes before opening time.

He told me that the only way to attach the panniers was to fix the distortion, so I decided to have him hammer away at the brand-new panniers.

After about 30 minutes of hammering, they weren't perfect, but they were restored to a state where they could be attached.

What I learned from actually falling over

What I learned from the bike falling over twice this time is as follows:

・Even a light fall can dent Givi side panniers
・Even a slight deformation of the pannier prevents the latch from connecting to the stay
・If it deforms, hammer it until it can be attached

It might be due to the weight of the bike, but Givi panniers that can deform from just a small fall are a huge source of anxiety.

On the other hand, it was a big gain to learn that there is room to repair them by hammering.

Perhaps I should be happy that I discovered these points before heading overseas.

Afterward, when I tried to pay the Red Baron for their help, they told me, "We don't need any payment."

When I explained the circumstances of my trip, they said they wanted to support me purely as a fellow rider, so I gave them a souvenir from Hokkaido as a token of my gratitude and left the Red Baron.