Sagae -(R458)- Hijiori - Funagata 63km (Yamagata pref.)
全国でも珍しい、未舗装区間の残る国道458号線。「酷道」の評判高きこのルートがどのくらい酷いのか自転車で味わってみましょう。写真では小径車でリジッドという二重苦で無茶してますが、まあ走れないことはない。
National roads with 400s-numbers are built in lower quality, narrower and runs remote area. Among them, Route 458 is notorious for exceptional hard condition and is the only "national road" which has dirt section. Also favored for remoteness and dense forest.
MTB is wise choise for this ride, but I managed with minivelo (20X1.35 tire) .
寒河江川沿いののどかな路。
Trail along Sagae-gawa river, overlooking Mt. Gassan
R458に入る。前途を楽観させる感じの標識 Entering R458
舗装路をじわじわ登っていく Climbing on well-surfaced section
十部一峠 この先だんだんワイルドな香りが
Things get wilder beyond Juubuichi pass (24km)...
ダートキター！ Dirt section starts !
鬼登りキタコレ... and haaard climb !
どう見ても林道です Looks like forest trail...
しかしあくまで国道だと主張する
... But the sign insists it's the National Road
清流に足を浸してひとやすみ
Take a rest soaking your feets in the stream
肘折の街が見えてきたので降りてみる
Hijiori (near 41km), the first village beyond the pass comes in sight.
風情のある肘折温泉街
Hijiori is an old spa village with traditional inns.
旧肘折郵便局 Former post office
その先はプラトーが続き、やがて下りに
A plateau leads to long downhill
一気に下って川を渡り、舟形へ。R458は新庄に続く。
After downhill, country road continues to Funagata, while R458 continues to Shinjo.
