Congratulations to Chie Bamba who set the a new WUCA record for Japan (Honshu) S-N in the following categories: Unsupported, Female 18-49 (age-group), upright bike.

This is also a new Guinness World Record (non-age group)

The Challenge: A Journey to Oma-zaki

Record Date: May 4, 2026

Cyclist: Chie Banba

Before I begin, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family and friends for their support. As a female cyclist, I hope this challenge serves as a new beacon of inspiration and a goal for others to strive for.

Day 1 (April 29)

After finishing work, I took a train for nearly an hour to reach the starting point. Despite a few hours for a nap, the adrenaline kept me awake. At exactly 12:00 AM, the journey began.

Initially, I enjoyed a tailwind, and the midnight roads—usually packed with traffic—were smooth and quiet. However, after several dozen kilometers, the wind turned against me, and the ups and downs of the Sea of Japan coast began. I occasionally encountered wild monkeys and deer. Around the 100km mark, as a beautiful sunrise began to glow, my right cleat started acting up; the C-ring of my Speedplay pedal had snapped. Being in a remote area so early, no shops were open. I pushed on until I reached the city of Izumo at the 200km mark. Luckily, a local bike shop had the parts in stock. With new cleats, I felt revitalized and finished a successful first day despite the early trouble.

Day 2 (April 30)

After a short nap, I reached the Tottori Sand Dunes in the early morning. Despite the Golden Week holidays, it was peaceful and nearly empty—the vast landscape was breathtaking. The weather was perfect then, and I couldn’t have imagined the storm to come. After passing through a unique tunnel near Amanohashidate in Kyoto, I found the tourist spot teeming with people. By the time I reached Maizuru, the rain began. I geared up, but the mountain pass into Fukui was a torrential downpour. One of my rear lights flooded and died. The descent in heavy traffic and freezing rain was harrowing; I felt lost and shivering. Just then, a motel appeared. I checked in immediately to grab a few hours of sleep and warmth.

Day 3 (May 1)

I restarted after crossing the rainy pass and headed to a hotel where I had originally planned to stay to pick up my luggage. Arriving at 8:00 AM, the staff kindly let me use a room until the 10:00 AM checkout. I used this time to replan my route, canceling my Niigata stay and switching to a hotel in Uozu. The day was a constant cycle of rain and heavy traffic. While climbing, I heard a strange noise from the rear; my saddlebag was rubbing against the tire. I tried fixing it repeatedly, but it kept sagging. Just as I was regretting not fixing it at a convenience store, I found a tiny shop in the mountains and bought some nylon twine. Problem solved. It was a day of constant troubleshooting against the elements.

Day 4 (May 2)

The sun finally returned. It was hard to believe the previous day’s rain. I decided to make this my “push day” to make up for the hardships. With a tailwind and clear skies, I cleared the notorious Oyazu-nu-ko cliffs early when traffic was light. I took the cycling paths toward Niigata for a change of pace. The Sea of Japan was stunning—shores where jade can be found, dramatic cliffs, and endless sandy beaches. I even treated myself to a sashimi set lunch. However, nightfall brought a drastic temperature drop. The sea breeze chilled me to the bone. At Sasagawa Nagare, the famous scenery was swallowed by darkness. The temperature plummeted to 5°C (feeling like 0°C). The hot spring at that night’s inn was a godsend for my frozen body.

Day 5 (May 3)

Another sunny day. For the first time this trip, I sat down for a hearty hotel breakfast instead of rushing out. My strategy was to reach the hotel early to prepare for the final push to Oma-zaki. The temperature swung to over 20°C—it was scorching. I stopped for some local “Babahera” ice cream and took more breaks than usual. Exhaustion hit, so I took a 10-minute power nap on a park bench, which cleared my head. But the weather turned again; heavy rain hit by evening. Navigating steep grades in heavy traffic with headlights reflecting off the wet asphalt was the most terrifying part of the trip. After reaching the inn and starting my laundry, I refueled with Yakiniku (BBQ) at a nearby restaurant, calculating my departure time for the final goal.

Day 6 (May 4)

A start in the pouring rain, immediately hitting a climb. The only saving grace was the lack of traffic. The rain eased to a drizzle by Aomori City, but it remained intermittent and the air grew colder as I headed north. Then came the wind. Entering the Shimokita Peninsula with 100km to go, the tailwind turned into a violent crosswind. I had expected the road to Oma-zaki to be flat, but it was a relentless series of climbs and descents battered by gales. The final few kilometers were a head-on battle against the wind.

I reached the finish line at 4:54 PM.

Total Time: 5 days, 16 hours, and 54 minutes.

I celebrated with the tourists who happened to be there and learned of my journey. The mechanical issues and the weather were constant hurdles, but overcoming them only made the joy of finishing that much greater.