RAL CAMP: Day 2

I'm Taka, and I've been handed the baton from the EarlyBirds Keita blog post, Winter is simply the best season for camping!!

 
The night before, we warmed our chilled bodies with bonfires and hot sake while chatting about nothing in particular, and it wasn't until well past midnight that we finally went to sleep. This is one of the true pleasures of camping, and both Keita and I had completely fallen in love with autumn and winter camp rides.
 

 
When morning came and I rubbed the sleep from my eyes to head out of the tent, Keita had coffee ready and waiting.

I see him making breakfast every time, but I didn't really have an image of him as a coffee brewer, so it was a very fresh experience, and the taste was exceptional. Then, we lit the bonfire again to warm up and decided to get ready for our departure.
 
　

 
It was colder than the day before, feeling truly like winter.
However, the surrounding scenery was turning colors, making it the perfect timing for a ride to experience autumn. The Itadori River, located to the west over the mountains from Gujo, is famous for its surprisingly clear headwaters and fresh river fish. Of course, there are no convenience stores in such a place, and as we were feeling a bit peckish and looking for somewhere to take a break, we found an old-fashioned liquor store and decided to go in.
 
　

 
The liquor store, which has been in business for about 60 years, is run by a very cheerful woman, and it didn't take long for us to hit it off.
"Oh my, you came from Nagoya! You must be tired. Sit down there and have something to eat." As we sat on the tatami mats as told and filled our stomachs, she brought out something called Jiimo. It's a sweet tuber similar to a potato, and we ate it with mayo and soy sauce—it was delicious. I was born in Gifu and raised in Nagoya, but this was my first time hearing about it, and when I looked it up later, it seems to be a local name for taro potatoes grown in that area. We then took a commemorative photo with the owner. We'll definitely stop by again!
 
　

 
We pedaled along smoothly and arrived at our first destination of the second day, the Forest of the 21st Century, a forest home to a dense collection of massive cedar stumps, said to be a rarity even on a national scale. It turns out there are about 100 of these giant stumps.
We rode our bikes to the entrance of this mystical place (this was one heck of a steep climb), paid our respects, and stepped inside. The stumps were more overwhelming and impressive than I had imagined. These cedar stumps have been repeatedly logged, and new trunks have grown from those logged parts, resulting in these bizarre shapes. It truly is a power spot!
 
　

 
Then, on to our second destination, the Kaore Gorge.
Selected as one of the 33 best autumn leaf viewing spots in Hida-Mino, this is a 7km-long cliff-side gorge. The beautiful autumn leaves and the emerald green water surface created a mystical atmosphere. It shows a completely different side depending on the season, so I highly recommend you go see it. It's bustling with couples and photography-loving gentlemen.
 
　

 
As much as we enjoyed the camp ride, by the second day (technically the third), it was finally time for us to wash off the sweat. (Don't say I smell! My merino wool base layer should have covered for me!) We found Sugishima, a hidden hot spring bath located along the Itadori River while heading north on Prefectural Road 52. It’s a hot spring facility primarily for lodging that features a renovated traditional folk house with a Japanese-modern aesthetic, but it's also a hidden gem where you can enjoy a day-trip dip in the natural hot spring water. It was a great soak!
 
　

 
Leaving the hot spring, we crossed the mountains to reach our final destination, Gujo Hachiman.
On the map, there appeared to be a pass, and I made the mistake of thinking it wouldn't be too hard... While the gradient wasn't intense, the endless climb made me feel like giving up halfway through. Personally, I like hill climbing, but I've been slacking lately, which only made it more agonizing. However, the scenery was what soothed those feelings. The more I climbed, the more the view changed beautifully. It's common to reach the top before you realize it, right?
 
　

 
By the time we finally reached our final destination of Gujo, it was later than planned and night had fully set in.
I'm sure many of you have heard of the Gujo Odori dance. It has been sung and danced in the castle town of Gujo Hachiman for 400 years, and it flourished because during the Edo period, the lord encouraged the Bon dances that were performed in villages within the domain, bringing them to the castle town and declaring, "For the four days of Bon, everyone may dance without regard to social status."
We strolled through the streets, feeling that history firsthand, before heading to the station to take our bikes on the train back to Nagoya. It's sad to see it end, but looking forward to what kind of encounters and adventures await next time, we wrapped up this camp ride.
 
　

-TODAY’S RIDER & GEAR-

 
My companion for this camp ride was the recently announced Doppo.
I've tried bikepacking without a carrier, but the orthodox style still feels the most like me. This frame offers stable and reliable handling, and I felt it was the perfect partner for someone like me who wants to do it all—bringing plenty of drinks and snacks, taking photos with an SLR camera, and everything else. The Doppo is on display at the Circles store, so please come and take a look.
 

 
And here is the gear I actually used on this ride.
At Circles, we carry not only bicycles but also plenty of apparel and gear that you can use for camp rides. Must-have items change with the season, so please feel free to consult with our staff.
 
　

-Gear Used-