This trip marked my very first time setting foot in Kyushu. Kenporo was also just traveling there recently, wasn't he?
My destination this time was Oguni, located at the northernmost tip of Kumamoto Prefecture. This small town, situated outside the Aso caldera rim, is known for its high-quality timber, so much so that it's named Oguni Sugi (Oguni Cedar). Looking back now, it was easy to guess why, given how many trucks loaded with felled trees we passed on the way to Oguni, and how many cedar trees we were surrounded by during our ride.
The base for the start, finish, and lodging for this fourth Rapha Gentlemen’s Race was "Mokkonkan." The building's roof, constructed using a box-beam method that makes abundant use of local cedar, was inspired by the traditional Oguni "okiyane" (raised roof) style. The shape of the Mokkonkan roof seemed to symbolize the undulating landscape of this region, almost as if it were foreshadowing the course we were about to ride.
The Gentlemen’s Race, where teams of five aim for the finish line together, is a race, but it also has a side that isn't about racing. Rankings are just a byproduct; we ride seeking something that lies beyond overcoming a 135km, 3000m elevation gain course packed with many elements, such as gravel sections and intense, dramatic hill climbs, all by working together as a team of five.
The course, directed mainly by Fukuoka rider Mr. Tanno (a wonderful cyclist who himself rides a Cielo), featured rhythmic ups and downs as we sped through the cedar forests of Oguni in the first half. Honestly, the first half alone was fulfilling enough to satisfy me, and I ended up increasing my pace too much and tiring out my legs. However, the second half featured dynamic scenery that made me forget that fatigue, and I was moved by the sheer scale of the caldera and Daikanbo views as I rode.
I have participated since the very first one, and I can find no words other than gratitude, as I always discover wonderful things and meet amazing people.
In the RGR, you ride as a group of five aiming for the finish, but the finish is actually where things begin again. Beyond it lie encounters with people, journeys to unfamiliar lands, and various things waiting for each participating cyclist. Through this RGR, it becomes clear that while you are alone in the saddle, you are never truly alone. And every time I participate, I feel strongly that this must make the lives of the individuals and those around them richer.
To the organizers, the volunteer staff, and all the gentlemen who shared the same time in the saddle, thank you so very much!
・Check out #raphagentsrace on Instagram for photos uploaded by each team!
・Check out #circlesracingclub for photos uploaded by us, the Circles Racing Club!