The footprints of Hyogo Ishikoro Association(1975〜2001)

　The motive behind the Ishikoro Association is to exchange Japanese and Chinese ideas through cycling.  It began in 1975 in an era when foreigners couldn’t travel freely in China.  There were even limitation for foreigners traveling in the open cities and the movement between on open city to another was not permitted at all.
    In 1980, Ishikoro members were the first foreigners to travel in China.  At this time twenty men of “The Amagasaki Youth Friendly Cycling, Visiting China Association” participated.  It was after their return that the group was named the Ishikoro.  They had covered 170kms from Nanjing to Yangzhou and from Wuxi to Suzhou.  At the beginning they could cycle only in

one small spot.  It was not until 1983 that they could cycle over a larger area.  They covered 1,000kms from Jinan to Nanjing as members of Kobe Ishikoro(it means a rock) Association.  In 1984 they decided to organize a group to visit China every summer.  From this year on, they no longer needed busses for transportation.  They were allowed to cycle all over China.  Soon the Akashi Ishikoro Association joined the Kobe Ishikoro Association.  Now known as the Hyogo Ishikoro Association, the participants come from Hokkaido to Hiroshima.  The number if participants had grown 723.  The total distance covered from 1975 to 2001 is 19,390kms.  During this time the cyclists visited the sister cities Tianjin and Wuxi in China carrying autograph letter from the governor of Hyogo and the Mayors of Kobe and Akashi.  The cyclist worked with many farmers in a commune in China.  They also visited a kindergarten, where they showed some Japanese games and gave some picture books made by students in Akashi High School.  They also exchanged pictures and calligraphy with the students.  Upon returning to Japan, the cyclists exhibited these works at their schools and offices.  In 1987 some selected members covered 3,000kms from the most northern part of Harbin to Shanghai.  They traveled through seven provinces and one city.  One of the cyclists wrote a book about their journey called “Tour de China” .  By publishing this book the movement of Ishikoro became known to a wider range of people.  In 1988 the Chinese government recognized importance of organized the importance of the organization and allowed them to cycle throughout Neimenggu, -- an area never before explored by foreigners.  They covered 430kms on the great plain.  In 1990 they rode across the Gobi Desert.  In 1991 they covered the Takla Makan Desert.  In 1992 for the first time foreigners rode Kashi to Xian by way of the Silk Road.  They covered 4,000kms ? 200kms a day.  In memory of this trip a cyclist wrote a book entitled “The Hot Wind & Raging Billows of the Silk Road”.  In 1994 they went to Tibet.  Due to the elevation of 4,000 meters above sea level, the cyclists struggled with altitude sickness and had a hard time breathing.  However, they overcame these problems and succeeded in exploring the mountain range.  In 1995 it was the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War �U.  This year is also famous for terrible Hanshin Awaji Earthquake.  In spite of this tragedy many cyclists participated in a special peace cycling mission.  They went to Manshu, a former territory governed by Japan.  Here they vowed never to bring war between Japan and China.  In 1997 cyclists went to Hong Kong to commemorate the reunification of Hong Kong and China.  2002 commemorates 30 years of diplomatic relation between China and Japan.  This year also marks the 20 years anniversary of the foundation of Ishikoro Association.  Throughout the existence of the association, the cyclists have ridden through 5 self governed areas and 4 areas directly controlled by the Chinese Government. 
    In 2002 selected cyclists will travel a great distance.  They will begin in Kobe and cycle down to Shimonoseki.  From Shimonoseki they will take a ferry to the southern part of Korea.  From there they will venture to Seoul.  Then they will ride to China and meet the rest of members in Beijing.  Through this final trip the cyclists will have covered almost all of China.  As a result of this accomplishment the association prays it has created a better relationship with China.  The association is very grateful that China allowed to them to cycle throughout their great nation.