The weather in Nagoya today is unfortunately not great, but how is everyone spending the long weekend?
Before I knew it, today became our last business day of the Heisei era. We have been incredibly fortunate to have so many people—both locals and those from afar—visit us during the first half of the holiday; honestly, it’s been even busier than I imagined.
Well then, the Circles Golden Week Ride series is already at its halfway point. Tomorrow we have JUS’s 【Fujimi Panorama Downhill Tour】, followed by Kamo-chan’s 【CHILL!! #100kfxd】 on Friday, and then I, Shige, will be leading the ride on Saturday.
【Seto Gravel Ride】
Date: Saturday, May 4th, 2019
Time: Scheduled to depart from Circles / Earlybirds at 8:30 AMAlternatively, you can join us at Owari-Seto Station between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
What to bring: Helmet and equipment necessary for the rideBike: Any type is fine, but tires wider than 700x28c are recommended!
Route: From Nagoya, we’ll head through the Yada River area to Owari-Seto Station. After that, we’ll ride while connecting several unpaved paths in Seto and Toyota via paved roads. It’s about a 40–50km ride from Owari-Seto Station, so we’re planning a round trip from Nagoya of about 70–80km.
Notes: Cancelled in case of severe weather (It’s definitely going to be sunny!)
I’ll be guiding you through the gravel paths around Seto and Toyota that I usually ride on!
It’s a bit early in the morning, but why not start your day with breakfast or a coffee at Earlybirds?
While any bike is welcome, I think it’s better to have tires wider than 700x28c if you really want to enjoy the gravel. That said, everyone is welcome, so please feel free to join us!
There is no specific limit on the number of participants, but I’d appreciate it if those who want to join could let us know via the contact link above!
If you’ve already told us you’re participating, there is no need to contact us again, so rest assured!
Also, just in time, we’ve received a pair of pants that are a must-see for gravel lovers and perfect for this ride.
【CAFE DU CYCLISTE】 M’s Renee Gravel Shorts ¥20,000
True to their name, these are new riding shorts released by CAFE DU CYCLISTE with gravel rides and adventure rides like bikepacking in mind.
Made with cutting-edge materials aimed at balancing comfort and functionality, these slim-cut shorts are highly stretchy and breathable. They don’t have a built-in pad themselves, but by wearing them over a pair of padded bib shorts, you can confidently tackle even long rides.
The side pockets, positioned slightly towards the back of the hips, allow for easy access without any stress while riding. There is also a zippered pocket on the center-back for valuables.
The fact that the hems are bonded to reduce friction during pedaling shows just how much comfort was pursued in the design. The material is surprisingly stretchy and quick-drying—once you wear them, you’re sure to get hooked.
Personally, I recommend pairing them with a casual top like the PATAGONIA / M’s Nine Trails Bike Jersey.
They’re also perfect for those who do long rides and take the train home afterwards. Since the fabric is easy to layer or pack compactly into a large saddlebag, I think these will see a lot of use in the coming season.
The weather looks like it will be nice for the second half of the holiday, and I’m looking forward to riding gravel with you all!