A train shortcut saved the onsen stop on a Lake Shinji bike ride

Two rental bikes rolled off an Ichibata train at Nunozaki, still a long way from where they were due back in Matsue. The riders had spent about three hours getting to Izumo Taisha on a ride slowed by a headwind. Taking the train part of the way back left time for a soak at Tamatsukuri on the south shore. With the wind behind them on the way back, they made the rental deadline. They’d still ridden about 66 km. On Lake Shinji’s north shore, the tracks run just inland of Route 431. That gives you more than one place to change plans. In April a rider coming out of Matsue switched at Nagae when the wind started pushing across the road. A bike rolls aboard whole. The bike ticket is ¥350 now, on top of the fare, and a crowded train may turn bikes away. If there’s a stop you want to keep on the south shore, you can shorten the ride while the north-shore stations are still alongside.