MAPhttp://www.kancycling.com/KANcycling/Map.htmlhttp://www.kancycling.com/KANcycling/Map.htmlshapeimage_7_link_0
 

 
Story & PhotosKyushu_Story_%26_Photos_1.htmlKyushu_Story_%26_Photos_1.htmlshapeimage_13_link_0
Nuts & BoltsKyushu_Nuts_%26_Bolts.htmlKyushu_Nuts_%26_Bolts.htmlshapeimage_14_link_0
AlternativesKyushu_Alternatives.htmlKyushu_Alternatives.htmlshapeimage_15_link_0
RouteKyushu_Route.htmlKyushu_Route.htmlshapeimage_16_link_0
KYUSHUKyushu.htmlKyushu.htmlshapeimage_17_link_0

1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12

This is the first pass: Sagiri-dai, already (as the sign notes) in the Aso-Kuju National Park. Just down the hill is the hot springs town of Yufuin, perfect for sweaty cyclists in desperate need of a dip. You can spend the night here or press on to the Yamanami Highway and the base of Mt. Aso; advantages of the latter are being able to go up Aso in the cool of the morning. Either way, don't miss the great communal hot springs shown below, on a tiny lake (pond?) in Yufuin. It's self-service; put the number of coins in the battered cup at the entrance and relax to your heart's content with a view of the pond-lake, talking to anyone else who happens to be there at the time.