Better late than never, I’m taking a look back at my trip to Izu this past December.
With the ocean in front and mountains towering behind, this area—a sort of isolated island that takes at least four hours to reach from Nagoya—has a certain allure precisely because it’s not easy to get to.
On this trip, I fully enjoyed Izu, using Lodge Mondo, the newly opened guesthouse from the folks at Yamabushi Trail Tour, as my base. It’s an incredibly reliable home base for anyone looking to enjoy the vast natural activities this region offers—whether that's cycling, hiking, surfing, or fishing—so if you’re planning a trip to Izu, I highly recommend staying at Lodge Mondo.
On our final day in Izu, the whole Circles team went for a ride with Yamabushi Trail Tour. Since we could access the trails directly from Lodge Mondo, I took my SKLAR / Monster Cross out for the ride. Thanks to the wide 480mm reach of the Smog Cutter Bar, I was able to power through the rough terrain without a worry. (Pre-orders for the second lot are open until the 13th!)
Saying "this one bike can do anything" can, from another perspective, be interpreted as it being mediocre at everything. However, considering the way I ride—heading out from home under my own power and tearing up both on and off-road terrain—I don’t think there’s anything else that compares. I’m a greedy rider who doesn't necessarily need to score 100 on any one thing, but rather wants a solid 80 across the board, and a bike like this is perfect for that.
✔️: As wide a handlebar as possible
✔️: As fat a tire as possible
✔️: An inquisitive spirit to forge new paths
✔️: Friends to share it with
If you have those things, new roads will always open up. I can guarantee that this is the conclusion reached by people who have ridden many different bikes, and it’s the best choice for anyone looking to challenge themselves with all kinds of new ways to play.
