Hello! This is Yosshi from Circles Tokyo!
On May 5th, we held the first-ever Circles Tokyo ride event!
Honestly, I was a bit anxious about whether people would actually participate, given that it was a new environment and a new endeavor.
However, once we opened registration, the response was far beyond my expectations, which truly lifted my spirits!
Thank you to everyone who joined us.
Today, I’d like to share a report on our first ride event with plenty of photos, hoping it will be a helpful reference for anyone interested in joining future events. Thanks for reading.
Meeting Point: Toranomon Hills Station Tower
We met at 8:30 AM on the day of the ride. Before heading out, we enjoyed breakfast at RITUEL, located on the 2nd floor of Toranomon Hills Station Tower, where we also did some introductions.
The menu was carefully curated and highly recommended, featuring a choice of a croissant, another bread of your choice, and a drink.
The signature croissant had a thinner crust than usual, making it delightfully crispy, and the aroma of the wheat that spread with each bite was exceptional!
The pain au chocolat I chose also had a perfect balance, with chocolate that wasn’t too sweet.
Thank you so much for your cooperation!
As is typical for ride events, when people with a shared hobby gather, conversation naturally blossoms. My hope was that these rides would help expand connections between people, and any concerns I had about whether such an atmosphere could be created quickly vanished, thanks to all of you!
Belly Full, Time to Depart
The route for this ride started at Toranomon Hills, circled toward the Aoyama area, and passed by the outer perimeter of the Imperial Palace before returning.
We provided BIKEFRIDAY test bikes for those who wanted to try them, and with the support of FULLMARKS, we were also able to rent out POC helmets so that those without their own gear could join in!
The first sight that caught our eyes was Tokyo Tower.
For us riding through the jungle of skyscrapers, seeing it suddenly appear always makes us let out an involuntary "Wow!" I’m sure I’m not the only one who says that every time, despite having seen it many times before. Although it lost its title of Japan's tallest structure to the Skytree, Tokyo Tower still holds a charm as a true symbol of the city.
After slipping through the hustle and bustle of the Golden Week morning in Roppongi, we passed by the National Art Center. It’s a building I personally love, so I just had to include it in the route.
I hope everyone can come inside to see it from the inside next time!
Upon arriving at Meiji Jingu Gaien, we were greeted by classic and super cars.
It really makes you feel how various communities are active in different places all over the city.
After a short break, we passed by the impressive New National Stadium and headed toward the Imperial Palace!
Into the Second Half
We navigated through some ups and downs while passing by the Akasaka Palace. After pushing ourselves a bit up a hill bathed in dappled light from the fresh greenery, we zoomed down the descent on the other side. With very little traffic, it felt like a place where you could forget you were in the middle of Tokyo—personally, it was the most enjoyable spot of the ride.
Since it was Sunday, Palace Cycling was taking place around the Imperial Palace. Having such wide roads exclusively for bicycles is an experience you can’t easily find in other cities.
We took the opportunity to let everyone swap and test-ride the different BIKEFRIDAY models! It’s not often you get to compare bikes like that, so I hope everyone was able to experience the differences and unique characteristics of each model.
Thank You All!
The ride was relaxed from start to finish, and it was precisely because of this leisurely pace that we could truly enjoy the scenery!
Some mentioned that they found shops they were interested in and would come back later; I feel this ride highlighted the benefits of cycling—discovering charming shops and urban spots that you’d otherwise miss when passing by too quickly in a car or train.
I also feel we were able to reaffirm the charm unique to Tokyo, where you can enjoy major architectural landmarks and changing landscapes all within a 17km route.
To those who joined us and those who couldn't make it this time, we will be holding these rides regularly, so we look forward to seeing you at the next one!!