RIDEALIVE Vol.1 Mie / “Bike To Hike & Bike” is finally just two weeks away. Starting yesterday, a photo exhibition by Erisin is also being held on the 3rd floor of Circles. By taking a look at the moments she captured while actually participating over the past three years, I hope you can soak in a bit of that atmosphere and, hopefully, become interested in the lifestyle we call RideAlive.
That's right, there’s no point in going back and forth about it on a computer! We believe in hands-on experience, and we aren't satisfied until we see things with our own eyes. So, on Thursday, Kyohei-chan and I, along with Jas, headed out to climb Mt. Ryugadake for a scouting hike.
The weather, which we were worried about, somehow held up, and we hiked slowly while checking the route for the main event. We made steady progress while receiving pointers from Kyohei-chan on climbing techniques and body movement. Although it didn't rain, the area around the summit was unfortunately hazy, so it didn't look like we'd get to see the spectacular view we were hoping for—but our group pressed on anyway.
There was still a bit of snow left near the summit, and unfortunately, as you can see, we ended up wandering through zero visibility.
It seems the magnificent view from here will have to wait until the actual day of the event.
Actually, this was my first time doing what you'd call a "hike" (though I have experience carrying a bike and wandering through mountains). Since you're dealing with nature, I'm sure the mountain changes its expression every time you visit, and I can't wait to see what different side it will show on the day of RideAlive. As I descended, I reflected on how that’s exactly why we choose to immerse ourselves in nature like this.
The same can be said whether you're climbing a mountain on your own two feet or crossing a mountain pass on a bicycle.
So, on this day too, I didn't stress about it and chose my gear with the same mindset as my usual rides.
Tops: 【Search And State】 S3-B Base Layer
Vest: 【Search And State】 S1-V Riding Vest
Bottoms: 【Deeper’s Wear】 FastPass Baker
It was about 10°C near the summit, but this two-layer setup was plenty comfortable. If you’re going to be hanging around at the top, it might be a good idea to have a windbreaker. Even if you sweat while climbing, the merino base layer dries quickly and keeps you from getting cold during the descent. More than anything, it’s a thermal-style base layer that you can wear as a single piece, so it’s something I end up using for more than just riding.
My bottoms are the FastPass Baker pants—the same ones Kyohei-chan was wearing. They are multi-talented pants that are great for both riding and hiking, and both of us use them heavily. Mine are starting to show some wear in the seat, so I'm thinking about picking up another pair. Kyohei-chan had a button break from the intensity of mountain use, but he customized it with a repair and is still wearing them hard.
True to their "FastPass" name, they quickly absorb and dry moisture like sweat, making them essential pants for activities in the coming season. Even though they look like casual chino pants, the fabric used is 100% polyester. They are very lightweight and stretch without any stress, so they are suitable for a wide range of activities, from riding to hiking and climbing.
For the upcoming peak season, we have restocked the FastPass Baker in all sizes. We also have the ever-popular High Kick Jeans in stock. Please, be sure to come in and try them on. Regardless of the activity, if you are someone who wants to play actively outdoors, I am sure you will love these pants.