Kibi Plain rental bicycles

Hey there,

I'm thinking of renting a bike and doing the cycling route above but, as a proud Dutchman, I like my bicycle and I'm left wondering if they also rent bikes other than mama-chari's in the vicinity or at Soja station. The article here mentions that the rental shop at Bizen-Ichinomiya only rents Mama-chari's and I don't feel like riding anything with a single gear and a basket.

Thoughts?

I did the Kibi plain about four years ago. They only had three speed mamacharis for hire. I cycle a lot and though I enjoyed the ride the wide, soft saddle made my backside ache for days afterwards. Last year I took my own bike & did it again :) This is a link to the only photo I have of the hire shop
http://www.flickr.com/photos/claudius-xiv/3362689310/in/set-7215761638...

Just reread your question, sorry. My photo & info is of Bizen-Ichinomiya. As you ride one way & can leave the bike at the other end I assume that they only have mamacharis at Soja as well. I didnt see any other types of bike when I dropped mine off. I dont have any photos of Soja.

There are more bikes at Soja but I don't know if any of them are not mamacharis.

As for the seats, I have biked there a few times and some of the bikes are a bit different, so if you can remember to look and choose you may be able to find a bike with a more comfortable seat.

The mamacharis work fine here because it's all flatland. For me, I had a backpack, so the basket was convenient. If it's any consolation, no one else will think it's strange that you have a mamachari. Most of the bikers there rent bikes so you won't be judged.

Thanks for the answers.

However, it's not that I'm concerned with how they look. I'm just used to riding expensive city bikes and tend to ride at a high pace. Something like a race-bike or mountain bike would work.

Anyone happen to know whether there are other bike rental stations or similar in the area (maybe a few kilometers out?) where you can rent bikes like that? If not, I guess it's a case of shikataganai~

The only mountain bike rental place in Okayama Prefecture I could find was at the Hiruzen Highlands, but that's too far out to use as a base for exploring the Kibi area.