Ah! Summer vacation! I wonder what kind of vacation the Circles crew is enjoying right about now on this first day of our summer break?
While the Circles shop and our sister store, Culture Club, are currently closed, the Circles Mamachari Pit (along with Early Birds) is open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, staffed by me and Tomoyan—the mechanic duo. We’re prepared to handle as much as possible, from repairs and pre-ride safety checks to restocking spare tubes and flat tire repair kits, so please don't hesitate to reach out if you need a hand!
Anyway, today I’m going to write about my favorite camping style and the food I eat while camping.
In the clear, sweltering heat of late July, I headed out for a "BIKE TO CAMP" trip to support a customer who was making their bike camping debut on a bike we had just delivered!
Actually, it’s been a super long time since I’ve done any camping touring myself. I spent time packing and repacking my gear in and out of my pannier bags, agonizing over every detail. The preparation phase is exciting and fun in itself, but it always ends the same way: "I have no idea anymore!! This is fine!!"
This is roughly where I landed. My gear is a far cry from the so-called "ultralight" bike-packing style—it's heavy and bulky.
Which parts catch your eye? Perhaps the axe, the knife, the mess tin, or the other mysterious items in the photo?
Yes, this is my camping style. It is, above all, big and heavy.
Because packing took until late at night, I was a bit sleep-deprived, but I still arrived at the meeting point safely. I never, ever show up late for a fun outing. (I don't do it for work, either.) The meeting place was, of course, EARLY BIRDS. I had them fill my bottle with coffee, and as I was about to head out, I realized I didn't have a spare tube. But don't worry—the Circles Mamachari Pit opens at the same time as Early Birds, so I managed to get a spare tube just fine. Fully prepared, we set off for the campsite.
Now, for his bike that was just delivered, it’s a SimWorks Doppo ATB. I’ll share more details about the assembly of this bike later.
As for me, I'm riding my SURLY Disc Trucker. Both of us are rocking the "classic touring style" with pannier bags mounted on rear racks. For hauling a lot of gear, I think this style is the best.
After passing through town, crossing a big bridge, and leisurely riding along scenic roads—all while being knocked out by the blazing sun and uphill climbs—we finally made it to a beautiful riverside campsite.
I wanted to set up the tent quickly and say "Cheers!" with a cold beer, but...
This is where my camping style gets intense (and fun, for me). As you might know, my preferred camping style is "Bushcraft."
Bushcraft
“Bushcraft is a set of skills, wisdom, and practices for connecting more deeply with nature. It is generally recognized today as following the wisdom and techniques of an era when people lived in close harmony with the natural environment. The term ‘bushcraft’ can be traced back to at least the 1800s. It involves using traditional items—like knives and flint—as daily essentials, and adopting a retro approach of procuring what you need from the land or crafting tools on the spot.”
Wikipedia
So, as you saw in the equipment photo at the beginning, I use an axe, knife, and saw to gather firewood from fallen trees, use a shovel to dig a fire pit and build a stove out of stones. I don't use lighters or gas torches—I use a fire steel to strike sparks into tinder to get the fire going. And because I use traditional cooking gear like iron frying pans and mess tins, my equipment ends up being heavy and bulky...
It takes about two hours from arriving at the campsite to finally saying "Cheers!"
My buddy was a bit confused by his first tent setup, but we both got it done eventually. JUS, who was starving, started cooking before the campfire was even stable. First up: Ramen in the mess tin lid. This is my go-to. It’s a snack to tide me over while I wait for the fire to stabilize.
This mess tin is my favorite vintage one from 1973. Since the lid doubles as a pan, I whip up some ramen to settle my stomach while the rice is soaking in the main tin. Looking at it from a distance, it feels pretty survival-mode, doesn't it? Definitely not "stylish" at all, lol.
Lately, I've been exclusively sleeping in a hammock and tarp. It is absolutely the best!! I'll go into detail on that next time. For today's blog, let's focus on the camp food!
Once the fire and my stomach were settled, I put the rice—which had been soaking well—on the fire for about 20–30 minutes. Since I generally use a high flame, I adjust the heat by moving the mess tin around the fire. Meanwhile, in the iron skillet, I sautéed some onions and ground meat with taco seasoning. Once cooked, I put it over the piping hot rice and topped it with cheese and lettuce, and just like that, an easy taco rice! By the way, I also made the wooden handle for this iron skillet myself.
And that round object in the fire is a whole onion. Just wrap it in its skin in aluminum foil and leave it in the fire for about 20 minutes to make the best snack ever—a roasted whole onion. It's super easy and delicious! I always do this whenever I'm cooking something in the skillet. I recommend eating it with olive oil, black pepper, and salt.
From the evening on, it’s a non-stop cycle of cooking, eating, drinking, and tending the fire—it’s actually pretty busy. And the main dish, of course, is steak. By this point, I was already full, but a steak grilled over a campfire in an iron skillet is like a woman’s separate stomach for dessert—it’s a completely different category. Plus, the heat from the campfire burns off all the calories, so this steak is zero calories! It’s exceptionally delicious. Once you start, you can’t stop—kind of like those Kappa Ebisen snacks.
By then, the night had fully deepened. Staring blankly at the campfire, sipping my drink little by little, and falling asleep whenever I felt like it—it was the ultimate, luxurious, uninterrupted time for myself. This is exactly why I can’t stop camping.
There are so many different camping styles out there. Enjoying the journey to the campsite. Enjoying how you spend your time at the site. Enjoying the camping gear. Lighter? More primitive?
I think it’s best to mix all of those things in just the right way to suit your own personal style. And through it all, stick to your own convictions. Because there's no right or wrong way to camp.
I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming camping season and finds their own unique camping style. If you have any questions, feel free to ask JUS, the Circles Camp Master!
Our WEB SHOP SALE starts today!! We’ve listed plenty of outdoor and camping gear recommended by Circles, so don't miss out on this opportunity!!
Let’s go camping!!