I was rushing around until the very last day, trying to get this and that ready. It felt almost exactly like the excitement I used to feel the day before a field trip when I was a kid. But this time, it certainly wasn't on such a small scale; this was a grand adventure for adults.
“RIDEALIVE2014”. The weather, which I had been worried about, turned out to be perfect, and there is no doubt that everyone started the day feeling absolutely wonderful.I first met up with A-kun, who lives near my house.
Since A-kun had been preparing right up until the day of RIDEALIVE, he had visited the shop again and again, and was really looking forward to this day. He’s such a enthusiast that he even went for a test ride of the route once. He participated in this trip using his beloved SURLY “1x1,” which he built with us at Circles several years ago, now set up for touring.
The two of us headed toward Owari-Seto first.Owari-Seto Station is a place where we at Circles often meet up or take breaks when we go for weekend rides in the Seto mountain passes. As soon as we arrived, we ran into other participants. It seems like they had gathered with their favorite friends.
This ride event wasn't a group ride for all participants at once; it was two days for people to enjoy the ride to the designated destination either alone or with friends they love, while finding discoveries and having fun with a spirit of adventure along the way.
Since everyone was carrying gear they wouldn't normally take on a regular ride, it was very clear that they were all excited about the ride that was about to begin.
And so, the ride restarted. First, we crossed the Togoshi Pass in Seto. At this time, the temperature in the mountains was 26 degrees Celsius. The clear air and the fields surrounded by greenery gave us a glimpse of the adventure ride that was about to unfold.Once over the pass, we descended at once, heading toward the Asuke area. Climbing and descending repeatedly. It wasn't all flat roads by any means, but they were all truly pleasant.
That said, A-kun’s climbing speed was fast for someone on a single gear... lol
Arriving in Asuke, we headed here without hesitation. Everyone was thinking the same thing. Just as expected, there was a huge line. Most of the people waiting were RIDEALIVE participants. lol
A ride is only worth it if there’s a reward, right? It was delicious.
“Unagi Kawayasu”After everyone took a free break, we rode again. From here, we entered the deep Mikawa adventure zone.In the hot summer, you start looking for cool places.
Mountains are one type of summer retreat. If there are mountains, there must be a river. 
The fact that we could have fun in a place like this just during a break made every bit of the effort to bike this far worth it. Everyone had a blast, as if they were grabbing the moment. We’ve all returned to being children again lol
Places reached by bicycle often leave a deep impression. Let’s all come back here again.
For the final spurt, we climbed all at once to the camping village.
One thing that made me happy was the high number of female cyclists participating. Everyone was pedaling hard at their own pace. It was wonderful. 
We arrived safely at the camping village.
Some people arrived early and enjoyed the MTB course in the camping village, while others relaxed by pitching tents and hanging hammocks in their favorite spots.
Time flowed slowly for everyone in their own free way. 
After being tired from riding, delicious food was waiting for us.
One of the themes of this RIDEALIVE was "food." On DAY 1, we were served handmade curry by "SUNDAY SPICE," and cold beer and piping hot hand-drip coffee by "Kissa hiraya."
It was truly delicious for our tired bodies, and we had a lot of fun and laughed a lot together. I think the meal we shared will be a flavor we'll never forget.
We often head out on rides in search of delicious food in our everyday rides too, and that is surely a common pastime for anyone who loves bicycles.
Eating delicious food together, drinking coffee, and talking about the events on the road that day... experiencing how fun cycling really is, and being reminded that those kinds of moments are very important even when applied to our daily lives.
August 30th. Just a little more until the end of summer. We all played to our hearts' content this night.
I will now pass the baton to staff member Shige for the DAY 2 report. Look forward to it!