Ultra Jack Breaks World Record on Cannonball Route from Osaka to Tokyo. And He's Got Some Advice.
Jack Thompson, known as Ultra Jack, fully lives up to his nickname, taking on cycling challenges that most can’t fathom. He constantly pushes the bounds — both physically and mentally — of what’s possible on a bike.
Most recently, Thompson took on Japan and the infamous Cannonball Route, biking from Osaka to Tokyo. His goal was to cover the 520K route with 13,800 feet of climbing in less than 19 hours.
Besides the distance, he also had to contend with the traffic and chaos of three major cities. Thompson departed Osaka at 2 a.m. on April 7th to head north and beat as much traffic as possible in the morning humidity. “The time to beat was 19 hours,” Thompson told Bicycling. “On paper, this didn’t seem like an overly difficult task. But, I was reminded upon arrival into Japan just how many people there are, and how many traffic lights.”
Also, it rained the entire time Thompson was riding. “I spent the entire day riding in the rain on major roads filled with traffic. The Japanese are incredibly courteous, so I didn’t feel in danger, but I had to keep my wits about me to ensure I didn’t come off on the slippery corners or make a wrong turn.”
This wasn’t Thompson’s first trip to Japan. As a child growing up in Australia, his family often visited on vacation. And, in 2018, Thompson rode the Cannonball Route, but not with the intention of speed. Ever since, it had been on his radar as an excellent challenge to ride it with a time to beat.
Throughout the ride Thompson concentrated on the beauty of Japan. Spring means peak flowers blooming everywhere. Despite the rain, it was filled with memorable sights, sounds, and smells. He only stopped twice during the entire ride, surviving on 32 GU gels, six Snickers, and coffee.
Eighteen hours and 28 minutes after he pushed off in Osaka, Thompson arrived in Tokyo, achieving his time goal. “I’ve never been so excited to see skyscrapers and billboard laden buildings, not to mention my partner, family, good mates and the Starbucks cookie that greeted me at the finish line,” Thompson said in an Instagram post.
Thompson said he chose Japan because of his childhood memories. “I spent a lot of time as a child on holidays in Japan. Life was simple, and memories of this period in my life are still a highlight.”
Thompson holds multiple world records and FKTs (Fastest Known Times), but at the end of the day, his loudest message is about mental health. As someone who has suffered with mental health in the past, Thompson has found utter relief on the bike, and with his big, daunting challenges.
If anyone else wants to navigate the same ride he undertook, Thompson has some advice. “My advice for others wanting to tackle the Osaka to Tokyo route, follow some of the smaller inland roads and forgo the ‘faster’ highways. I’ve been lucky enough to ride in Japan a few times over the last few years and the roads just off the beaten path make for amazing cycling in a safe and very welcoming environment.”
You Might Also Like
