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.

Obihiro to Sapporo (by train!)

It was great having a rest in the hotel, and we woke up refreshed and ready for a day of exploring Obihiro on foot. We decided to stay another night in the same room so we wouldn't have to pack everything up again (moving 12 waterproof bags and a chariot that only fits through doorways while empty and held on its side is no small endeavour).  I went down to reception to make the reservation only to find that the hotel was booked out.  No bother, I'll try another... And the next one was full too.  And the next.  It turned out every hotel was booked out for a soccer tournament.  With our rest day starting to evaporate before our eyes, it was decision time.  The nearest campsite was fifteen kms away and we just didn't have it in us after being psyched up for sightseeing.  So we decided to fast track our plans and jump on a westward train to Sapporo so we could find some attractions for the kids and have a change of scenery.  "Jumping on a train" entailed me riding almost ten kms around town until I found a bike shop with the regulation size bike bags necessary for our bikes to be permitted on the train, and Bron having to disassemble both bikes to fit them in.  Fortunately the JR station staff were extremely helpful and got us on the train in time.
We arrived in Sapporo about nine at night only to find that every hotel was booked out as well for a long weekend.  Big problem.  Long story short: we were in a bad way and around eleven at night, with me trying in vain to talk to the police with Bella asleep in my arms and Bron minding Finn and all our gear on the floor of the train station, we dodged a bullet when Bron attracted the attention of an English speaking Frenchman who kindly led us to a youth hostel where there were supposed to be free beds.  There weren't, so we set up in a corridor and prepared to sleep in shifts until morning.  The kindness of strangers came to our aid once more when a Japanese speaking French girl offered us the key to her tatami room.  Needles to say, we were very relieved and vowed to avoid public holidays in the city in future!

Sapporo

We woke up to find our saviours from the night before hadn't returned to their room, so we cleaned up as best we could and left a thankyou note before heading out into Sapporo to see the sights.  We had a breakfast picnic at the old governor's residence, enjoying watching the turtles, birds, and the occasional Lamborghini and Bentley roll past (there was some sort of vintage car rally on - very impressive machines!).  Next we went to Odori park, where we located ice cream, fountains, and a great playground that kept us all busy well into the afternoon.  We met many friendly passers by, and got a very good vibe from Sapporo with its lovely green spaces and clean streets. 
There was an international jazz festival on, and by chance we came across a children's band performing in a square.  They were brilliant, and Bella and Finn really enjoyed the show. 
We checked into a hotel exhausted after our 'rest' day (this is becoming a bit of a pattern...), and just managed to do a load of washing in the bathtub before we collapsed.