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Taratoge Pass Hill Climb
The starting point of the Taratoge Pass Hill Climb course is Takeda-jinja Shrine, which is about a 10-minute bicycle ride from JR Kofu Station. An attractive aspect of this course is the fact that is close to central Kofu and thus easy to get to. Proceeding along the course after the starting point, the private houses will become increasingly sparse, and you will encounter an expansive rural landscape with hills and fields. When you reach the mountain, there will be a unique, narrow cobblestone-like path. The slope is extremely steep, with a maximum gradient of 20%. After the steep slope, you will once again reach a wide paved road and this continues to the finish line at Taratoge Pass. There are exceptionally good views of the Kofu Basin from the just before Sekisuiji Onsen Hot Spring in the middle of the course and from the finish line at Taratoge Pass. Cyclists can expect a great sense of achievement when they make it to the end of this course.
Daisuke Imanaka (former professional road-racing cyclist), who has experienced many roads in Europe, comments that the extremely steep slope with a maximum gradient of 20% is “similar to the cobblestoned roads of Europe.”
Right from the starting point, there is slope with a gradient of around 5%. The slope gets gentler in some places in the second half of the course, but the finish line is still far off, so in the first half it is best to maintain a moderate pace and avoid overstraining. On the cobblestone-like path that has an extremely steep slope with a maximum gradient of 20%, do your best to pedal in a focused manner and avoid stopping to put your foot on the ground.
Course guide
The starting point is Takeda-jinja Shrine, which is associated with the Takeda clan.
When Kofuchu Ichigo Park comes into view on the left, a slope will start that has a gradient of around 5%. After you cross the bridge, the gradient will increase to around 10%. The slope does not become gentler after this and continues with a gradient of 5% to 10%.
After you go around a curve, you will arrive at a spot overlooking the city of Kofu. When you see the sign for Sekisuiji Onsen Hot Spring on your left, proceed straight.
Beyond Sekisuiji Onsen Hot Spring, the road will continue with a forest on the left side.
Now is the extremely steep slope with a maximum gradient of 20%. This is a unique cobblestone-like path that cannot be found on the other courses. Do your best to pedal in a focused manner and avoid stopping to put your foot on the ground. There are cracks in the road surface, so be careful to avoid getting your tire caught in one.
After going around a curve with an overlook, you will see private houses. The finish line is just little bit farther.
From the peak of Taratoge Pass, it is possible to look out at the beautiful cityscape of Kofu to the right.
Supervisor/model: Yuki Watanabe, Team Representative, Forzik Yamanashi
Video of course
Course information
| Difficulty level |
|
Elevation difference | 765m |
| Travel distance | 10 km | Gradient | Average of 7.6%, maximum of 20% |
Access
| Start | Takeda-jinja Shrine |
| Finish | Taratoge Pass |
| Access by car | From TokyoChuo Expressway Hachioji Interchange -> Chuo Expressway Kofu Minami Interchange, from here drive of 15 minutesFrom NagoyaTomei Expressway Nagoya Interchange -> Chuo Expressway Komaki Junction -> Chuo Expressway Kofu Minami Interchange, from here drive of 15 minutes |
| Access by train | JR Chuo Main Line Kofu Station, from here bicycle ride of about 10 minutes |
Route map
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