Asarigawa to Ranshima

We left Asarigawa with lots of good advice on things to see in Otaru thanks to the very helpful campsite manager.  Otaru was but a hop skip and jump away (downhill no less!) and we were soon weaving between tour buses and exploring the old canals that site near the city centre.  It was all very nice and very tourist friendly, and the kids liked seeing the fresh crabs.  We stocked up on cereal at a supermarket (corn flakes have been a favourite of late) then headed west out of town along the coast of the Shakotan peninsula to Ranshima.  The scenery was nice in a rugged cliff side sort of way, but the tunnels were the worst we have encountered.  They were very narrow and the Chariot barely fit on the footpath when there was one, and at times we had to walk the bikes, ducking and hugging the walls whenever big trucks came by to avoid coping a side mirror to the head.  It was dangerous and our expressions didn't fall into the "holiday" category; we decided that we are going to avoid riding this particular coastline given the number of tunnels we can see ahead on the map.
We arrived at Ranshima rattled but keen to see the beach, and we were not disappointed - it was nice! We couldn't find the campsite from the map, but did run into two fellows who seemed to be running a beach cafes and associated private beach and campground. We happily paid the 16 bucks required to secure our spot, and as we were the only ones there, the beach was all ours.  The water was clean, shallow, and warm and we decided to spend two nights there, setting up our MSR shelter at the waters edge and spending all day on the beach. Very relaxing for the kids and a nice break for our legs too!

Sapporo to Asarigawa

Suitably refreshed after our stay in Sapporo, it was time to hit the road and head west to the coast and the city of Otaru.  We got off to a good start and stopped to check our tire pressure at a park.  Unfortunately in the process of putting in some extra air we found a valve splitting off the tube and had to change it out.  There just so happened to be a fly fishing store and cafe right next to the park, so we took the opportunity to have a look and a coffee.
We got underway again and enjoyed the urban riding, stopping at three different second hand shops in the suburbs.  After a big climb we reached the coast and good views, and what followed was ten kms of fairly strenuous up and downs as the road followed the profile of the cliffs.  Seems the flattest route directly beside the shore is reserved for the train tracks!  We came within sight of Otaru before swinging inland towards the campsite we had seen on the map at Asarigawa.  The campsite was owned by the Winkel corporation (what they do, we do not know), and it was well maintained and most importantly right next to an onsen which we of course visited before having some tasty octopus balls and noodles for dinner.