The predawn meeting at the bottom of the Turnpike was a welcome return for those who remembered starting the Coast to Coast there in the past. At 10°c, it was thankfully not as cold as predicted.

Neil was first out of the gate, checking the way was clear. Cheers mate.

The entrants rolled in until it ticked 6am and a quick ride brief was given, then we were off up the Turnpike.

We had 18 at the bottom of the Turnpike and 20 at the top for a beautiful start to the day. Cresting Taikanyama, the summit of Fuji had a sakura pink glow from the impending sunrise. It was a chilly 4°c up there though. Fortunately, the wind Gods were still sleeping. 😉

Clouds hung on the horizon so the sun was late to brightly smile down over us. But when it did, it lit the riding fuse and we headed out.

Our four horses….

Roared south, loving a near deserted, clean and fine Izu Skyline run. That new mid-way toll gate is a bit of dampener though.

Cresting the highest regular road in Izu was a chilly 7°c but a fun road and after the U-turn at the top we got to see a trail of fellow Twistybutts sailing up. Great to see!

How could you do an Izu Loop Twistybutt without including the Izu Loop bridge?!

Ryo joined our quarter for a powwow before bolting off in search of fuel. He stayed ahead of us until the southwest corner.

Arriving at the southern beaches well ahead of schedule allowed us a bit of a beachside respite.

Brownies at South Cafe anyone?

Half of the pack ate at good old South Cafe, after some negotiation with the cranky chef and the between a rock-n-a-hard-place customer service staff.

While the other half had pizza beachside. 😋

Back on the road after lunch and we headed up the west side. The Weather Gods kept the skies clear and it was corner after corner of Fuji reveals. Had to stop at twin rocks Kumoni.

Heda was picture perfect…

We waited around at Cape Deai for far too long for team Orange who never appeared. 😂

Our last stop by the coast and second fuel/gas stop at around 375km and Fuji was watching as the shadows began to grow…

A bit of down and up on the Nishi Izu Skyline and I lost my wingman. That road really is sportsbike land. 😉

The more you look, the better it gets. Could have sat here for an age but  the lengthening shadows had me thinking of making sunset at Taikanyama, the goal. So off we galloped again…

On the last leg through the central highlands twisties, a pair of goats were being absolute goats on the wrong corner and MighTy10 almost scored its second ungulate hit. That just after another old goat in a corolla, prodding away at his dash, drifted across a perfectly straight road into oncoming traffic, me, only to realise as I was braking, at which point he over correct drastically causing the car equivalent of a tank slapper, which I watched in the mirror, complete with sideswipping a hedge and dragging a rear wheel in the gutter. Pretty sure that woke him up a bit.

The Parkway down n up settled the nerves, heated the tyres and made all right with the world again. So glad the tollbooth at the top is gone.

Raced the sunset to Taikanyama but missed by mere minutes. Next time!

Was stoked to see so many Twistybutts old n new there at the end. Thank you all for your efforts and waiting for me. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

This was the first Izu Loop and one that will definitely be repeated. What a great day, localish and not too long or demanding. Let’s add dinner next time.

The next Izu Loop is already on the calendar for 2026. Hope to see you all there next time.

Now for the Twistybuttless long winter break. See you all on May 2 for the one that started it all, the Coast to Coast Twistybutt.