Hello!! This is John from Circles Tokyo.
I’ve just competed in my first OMM BIKE!
I usually ride through the city center, and buildings are my everyday scenery, but the exhilaration of speeding through nature is truly something special.
It felt like my mind and body were finally set free after a long time, and even now, as I write this, I’m still savoring the lingering excitement.
The whole team is a "WILDE" crew!
Surprisingly, my entire team participated riding WILDE bikes! The local heat was quite intense, but our team's passion was even more so.
And what personally got me incredibly pumped was...
"There were so many WILDE users‼️"
Every time we passed another rider on a WILDE during the race, we would both exclaim,
"Oh, a WILDE!"
Even though we were rivals, that momentary sense of connection was great. Communication fostered by bikes is simply the best.
Reaffirming the appeal of the Rambler SL.
"The Rambler SL is just the best...!"
Merging gravel, adventure, and all-road elements, this bike was absolutely perfect for the terrain in Hakuba.
The SL has a carbon fork, which smooths out fine vibrations and reduces fatigue in the hands and shoulders. It allowed me to finish both days stress-free and in top condition without any fatigue.
The mountains had some notably rough sections, but thanks to the frame geometry that keeps you from leaning too far forward, I felt secure enough to charge down hills without ever having to dismount. I chose 650B wheels for quicker handling and paired them with wider tires to boost grip and shock absorption, achieving a perfect balance of off-road performance and comfort.
As someone who loves climbing, Hakuba was heaven!!
Whether sitting or standing, the bike’s responsive nature was clear. The surprisingly direct acceleration helped me push forward on the final uphill climb to the finish line, even with my energy completely depleted from the race. What struck me about participating in OMM was that there were more paved roads than I had imagined. I had assumed it would be almost entirely unpaved, so the high number of road-like sections came as a bit of a surprise.
If I participate again, I’d love to try a setup with 700x40C tires. It's a size that handles paved roads well while providing peace of mind on light off-road sections. I want to build it into a well-balanced machine that takes advantage of the nimbleness of 700C wheels while remaining comfortable for long distances.
Gear was on point, too!
RAL Merino Coolmax S/S Tee
The day had sun like midsummer.
As someone who—perhaps rivaling Shige-chan—is the biggest sweater at Circles, this is what I chose.
The performance of the RAL Merino Coolmax is in a league of its own.
It absorbed and wicked away sweat much faster than I expected, keeping me cool and dry the entire time. I was so impressed by the smooth, non-sticky fabric and the relaxed fit.
Even after a tumble into the river, it dried in 20 minutes! This is a must-have for summer rides.
BIVO Trio 21oz Insulated
This BIVO Trio 21oz Insulated bottle was a total lifesaver during the OMM.
Pull the cap, and water flows out like a waterfall!
After wandering the mountains for about an hour and a half in search of 70-point checkpoints,
how much of a relief was that cold water…
It was an item that reminded me of the "joy of drinking."
Truly, it was a savior, just like Kenshiro.
BEDROCK SANDALS Mountain Clog Suede Leather
For footwear, I went with the reliable BEDROCK. I usually wear the Cairn Evo 3D Pro, but this time I chose the Mountain Clog for added foot protection.
- The sense of security from having your entire instep covered
- The safety to handle diverse terrain
- And yet, the comfort to wear them casually
Though, maybe a more open sandal would have been better for taking a dip in the river? (lol)
Great friends, and an amazing summer.
The most fun times pass in an instant.
July's summer has come to an end, but the real fun of summer is just getting started.
I want to do OMM again!
It was a summer that made me feel exactly that way.
And to the two people who rode on the same team as me:
Once again, thank you so much.
When you come to the shop, please make sure to share your fun memories with me too!
I cooked for everyone at night.
Circles Tokyo
John
