As I mentioned in my recent blog post, the ride last Thursday was in pouring rain, but the following Friday was dry and beautifully clear. With RIDEALIVE in Yamanashi ~Yabureyama-Bure~ approaching, I headed off to Yamanashi on my own. I spent some time driving through the route planned for the first day, and I was simply moved by the incredible location; it is such an enjoyable route. Of course, there are some tough climbs, but I’m sure you’ll feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment when you arrive at the lodging.
The occasional glimpses of Mt. Fuji are sure to soothe your soul as well.
I don’t know how people who live where Mt. Fuji is always visible feel, but there is always something deeply moving about Japan’s number one mountain.
Speaking of Mt. Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes at its base are famous scenic spots that attract many visitors. As mentioned in the announcement blog for RIDEALIVE in Yamanashi ~Yabureyama-Bure~, the Outdoor Experience MOTOSUKO event will be held at one of these spots, SUMIKA CAMP FIELD on the shores of Lake Motosu.
Since it’s an outdoor experience event, the participating brands are planning all sorts of things, and we naturally want to join in the fun with you, so... we're doing it!
#GURUREN @ Outdoor Experience MOTOSUKO!!!
#GURUREN
@ Outdoor Experience MOTOSUKO!!!
Date: Sunday, August 26
Meeting Point: In front of the General Information Tent
Meeting Time: 8:00 AM
Itinerary: 1 lap around Lake Motosu (approx. 12km)
Eligibility: Participants of Outdoor Experience MOTOSUKO who have a bicycle
*Please note that there is no bicycle rental service available.
#GURUREN is a weekly ride event where we cruise around a loop course of our own choosing every Sunday night. For some, it’s a training ground; for others, it’s a social space for “saddle talk.” We’re planning to hold this on the morning of the second day, Sunday. That said, it won’t be an intense session, but rather a relaxed ride to enjoy a full 12km lap around Lake Motosu. Since you can’t see Mt. Fuji from the SUMIKA CAMP FIELD venue, let’s enjoy some saddle talk while taking in the full view of the mountain.
And back at the venue, a wonderful reward awaits our participants. AKITO COFFEE, based in Kofu City, Yamanashi, will be serving delicious coffee. The owner, Akito Tanzawa, will also give a lecture on how to make even better-tasting coffee outdoors while camping or in the mountains.
It’s a special program where you can enjoy beautiful scenery, delicious coffee, and learn the brewing craft itself. We encourage both participants and vendors to bring their bikes and enjoy a wonderful Sunday morning with us.
The AKITO COFFEE team joining us is a coffee stand located north of Kofu Station in Yamanashi Prefecture. They procure high-quality beans through negotiations with several raw bean suppliers and roast them in-house. They adjust the roast degree to best draw out the unique characteristics of each bean. Beyond their coffee, their pound cakes and puddings are also very popular. If you ever find yourself in Kofu, please do pay them a visit.
For those who don't have the chance to visit in person, you can also purchase their house-roasted coffee beans via their online shop, so why not check it out along with their website?