BEE Japan

After months of planning over 40 volunteers representing at least 7 different countries descended on the roads and trails of Fukui prefecture for a day of riding and volunteering. Here is what 2008 team member Amieana Mahsoob had to say about the ride to Mikuni;

“The longer ride that went from Fukui Station to Mikuni, taking in the last Saturday of perfect warm, sunny, pre-rainy season weather. Eben led fourteen of us–including three Japanese cyclists who heard about the ride through a flier, two ALTs from Gifu, an ex-Fukui ALT now living in Tokyo, and a smattering of other ALTs from Fukui–over a mountain to the sea.  When we arrived at Sunset Beach, we had a picnic and looked desperately for garbage to pick up. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) the beach had been cleaned only days before by local companies as part of their annual beach clean-up.  After lunch, we headed for the famous cliffs of Tojinbo, and then to get some locally made gelato to power our way home along the river.  The route was a beautiful combination of ricefields, mountains and sea, the weather was great, and the company was outstanding!”

While the road riders were pedaling their hearts out, a larger group of volunteers hopped on their mama charies for a relaxed ride along the river. We collected more than a few large trash bags of litter and had a nice relaxing break at Fukui’s green center park.

We capped off the night with a riverside barbeque and encouraged everyone to bring low-on-the-food-chain food and their own utensils to stick with the eco theme. Everyone had a great time, the weather was perfect and it turned out to be the best way to start the 2008 Fukui BEE Season! Thanks to everyone who came out, FJet for helping with the barbeque, and to all the volunteers who came out and rode with us!お疲れ様です！

On a more personal note, this was the first time I (Colin Hood) have ever organized a bike ride and even though I found the initial logistics daunting, everyone pitched in so much that I think its safe to say that the success was due entirely to everyone’s team work! Thanks for making my job that much easier, I hope all of our events can be this good along the trip. If you’d like us to organize an event in your area, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll set up a Mini BEE in a town near you!

Colin Hood