Cycling from Abiko to Ibaraki Airport | 116 km Round Trip by Cross Bike

I rode a cross bike from Abiko to Ibaraki Airport.

The bicycle I used was a KhodaaBloom RAIL LIGHT (400 mm) cross bike.

The distance was approximately 58 km one way, and the ride took about 3 hours.
Since I also returned to Abiko by bicycle,
the total round-trip distance was approximately 116 km,
making this a long-distance ride.

The route follows National Route 6 from Abiko
and then turns onto Prefectural Route 144 toward Ibaraki Airport.
Because the route heads toward suburban areas, it was relatively easy to ride,
and there were no extremely steep hills.

On the other hand, there are fewer bicycle shops compared with urban areas,
so it is better to be prepared to handle unexpected problems such as flat tires or mechanical trouble yourself.

In this article, I will introduce the route I actually took, road conditions, hills,
places to rest and replenish supplies, bicycle parking at Ibaraki Airport,
and places to rest after arriving.

Distance and Travel Time

On the route I took,
the distance from Abiko to Ibaraki Airport was approximately 58 km one way.

The ride took about 3 hours.

Since I also returned to Abiko by bicycle,
the total distance ridden that day was approximately 116 km round trip.

Since the one-way distance alone is approximately 58 km,
if you do not have much experience with long-distance cycling,
it is important to manage your pace so that you do not become too tired on the outbound ride.

Travel time will vary depending on traffic lights, road conditions, and rest breaks,
so it is better to allow plenty of extra time when planning the ride.

The Route I Took

The general route I took was as follows.

Abiko City → National Route 6 → Prefectural Route 144 → Ibaraki Airport

I headed north from Abiko on National Route 6
and then continued toward Prefectural Route 144 to reach Ibaraki Airport.

Unlike routes heading toward Tokyo,
this route takes you toward suburban areas.

National Route 6 Is Relatively Easy to Ride in the Suburban Direction

This route includes National Route 6.

National Route 6 carries a large amount of motor vehicle traffic,
but because this route heads toward suburban areas rather than toward Tokyo,
I found it relatively easy to ride.

Unlike a route heading toward central Tokyo,
traffic and traffic lights do not continue to increase as you progress.

However, since you are still riding on a national highway,
cars and large vehicles use the road,
so it is necessary to pay attention to surrounding traffic and prioritize safety.

Are There Any Hills?

There were no extremely steep hills on the route I took.

Since this is not a route with a series of major climbs,
the approximately 58 km one-way distance is a greater burden than the hills themselves.

Especially if you are returning by bicycle,
the total distance will be approximately 116 km,
so it is better not to ride too hard on the outbound trip and to save some energy for the return journey.

There Are Convenience Stores, but Not Many

Although this route heads toward suburban areas,
there are convenience stores along the way,
so you can replenish drinks and food.

However, convenience stores are not located at short intervals as they are in urban areas.

Since you may not always find a store immediately when you need one,
it is better to carry a reasonable amount of drinking water from the start.

Because the ride is approximately 58 km one way,
I recommend replenishing not only water but also food as needed along the way.

There Are Fewer Bicycle Shops, So Preparing for Flat Tires and Mechanical Trouble Is Important

There are fewer bicycle shops along this route compared with urban areas.

If you get a flat tire or experience a mechanical problem,
there may not be a bicycle shop nearby where you can immediately take your bicycle.

Therefore, it is reassuring to carry basic equipment for dealing with minor problems,
such as a puncture repair kit, spare inner tube, and portable pump.

Since the total round-trip distance exceeds 100 km,
it is also a good idea to check the tire pressure, brakes,
chain, and other parts of the bicycle before departure.

There Is Space to Park Bicycles in Front of Ibaraki Airport

When you arrive at Ibaraki Airport,
there is space near the front of the airport where bicycles can be parked.

If you cycle to the airport,
you can leave your bicycle there before entering the airport.

Since you will have already ridden approximately 58 km by the time you arrive,
it is a good idea to park your bicycle and take a proper break inside the airport.

You Can Replenish Drinks and Food Near and Inside the Airport

There is a convenience store before reaching Ibaraki Airport,
so you can replenish drinks and food before arriving.

There is also a convenience store at the airport,
allowing you to buy drinks and food after arrival.

Having a place to replenish supplies at the destination is convenient,
especially when preparing drinks and food for the return journey after a long ride.

You Can Also Take a Break in the Observation Room

Ibaraki Airport has an observation room,
where eating and drinking are allowed.

This means you can buy drinks and food at the convenience store inside the airport
and take them to the observation room while you rest.

Since you will have ridden approximately 58 km from Abiko,
if you are also returning by bicycle,
I recommend taking a sufficient break here before beginning the return journey.

Since the total round-trip distance is approximately 116 km,
it is important not to think of arriving at the airport as the end of the ride
and to save enough energy for the approximately 58 km return trip.

There Were Not Many Aircraft Takeoffs and Landings

If you are cycling to an airport,
you may also want to watch aircraft from the observation room.

I stayed at Ibaraki Airport for about one hour,
but during that time I only saw one aircraft take off or land.

Unlike a large airport where aircraft take off and land one after another,
there may be long intervals between flights,
so if watching aircraft is one of your main purposes,
it is probably better to check the flight schedule in advance.

On the other hand, since there is a place where you can rest while watching aircraft,
the airport works well as a destination for a long-distance cycling trip.

The Return Trip Is Another 58 km, So Take a Good Break at the Airport

By the time you arrive at Ibaraki Airport,
you will already have ridden approximately 58 km.

If you are returning by bicycle,
you still need to ride another approximately 58 km back to Abiko.

Therefore, rather than immediately turning around after arriving,
it is better to replenish drinks and food inside the airport
and take a sufficient break before heading back.

It is also reassuring to prepare the water and food you will need for the return journey
before leaving the airport.

My Impressions of Cycling from Abiko to Ibaraki Airport

From Abiko to Ibaraki Airport,
the route I took was approximately 58 km one way and took about 3 hours.

Since I also returned to Abiko by bicycle,
the total round-trip distance was approximately 116 km.

Although the route uses National Route 6,
it heads toward suburban areas and was relatively easy to ride,
with no extremely steep hills.

On the other hand, there are fewer convenience stores and bicycle shops than in urban areas,
so advance preparation is particularly important in case of flat tires or mechanical trouble.

Ibaraki Airport has space near the front of the airport where bicycles can be parked,
and there is also a convenience store and an observation room inside,
making it possible to replenish drinks and food and take a break after arriving.

I stayed for about one hour,
but I only saw one aircraft take off or land.
If watching aircraft is also one of your goals,
it is better to check the flight schedule before visiting.

Since the ride is approximately 58 km one way and approximately 116 km round trip,
it is a long-distance day ride from Abiko.
It is important to manage your pace so that you do not use up all your energy on the outbound ride
and to take a sufficient break at the airport before returning.

If you would like to try a long-distance ride of more than 100 km from Abiko,
the approximately 116 km round-trip route to Ibaraki Airport
is one possible cycling course to enjoy.