OMM BIKE is one of the events that the Circles staff look forward to every year. While the event in Yogo has been postponed to the fall, after much deliberation by the organizers, it has been decided that the Hakuba/Otari event will go ahead this year in early summer! It will be held from July 17th to 18th (with a pre-event festival on the night of Friday the 16th).
Entry is now open. Spots always fill up, so be sure to register early.
OMM LITE/BIKE HAKUBA,OTARI 2021
https://theomm.jp/omm-bike-hakuba-otari-2021/
OMM BIKE is a navigation gravel race
The goal of OMM is to visit as many checkpoints (CPs) as possible—marked on a map—within the time limit, competing for the highest total score. It requires reading the map to navigate efficiently while finding hidden CPs, putting your comprehensive riding skills to the test; it's not just about speed, but also knowledge and experience. The routes consist of all kinds of terrain, from paved roads and gravel to overgrown trails, hike-a-bike sections, and steep descents, so you'll be riding a mountain bike or cyclocross bike.
OMM has both the main trail running competition and LITE/BIKE events, with LITE/BIKE featuring easier rules and a lower difficulty level than the main event. It’s also unique in that running and biking take place together. It's a fun event even for beginners, so we encourage everyone to participate.
OMM is a team sport – the experience you gain can be applied to your everyday rides
Furthermore, OMM is not just about map reading; the know-how required for survival in the mountains is built right into the regulations. For example, the requirement to compete in teams of two or more exists because you need a partner to help you if you run into trouble. There is also a list of mandatory gear that you must carry, all of which serves a purpose in handling emergencies in the mountains.
It’s the perfect way to build experience, as it covers all the necessary elements for heading into the mountains for rides or hikes.
If you’re interested but don’t have a partner (buddy) to participate with, feel free to consult with us at Circles. We have a staff team, and we might be able to match you up based on your experience level. Wearing matching team outfits can make it even more fun!
Hakuba is a world-class mountain resort
Another joy of OMM in Hakuba is the ability to enjoy the beautiful nature of Hakuba and Otari. It might be hard to fully appreciate when you’re used to it, but Hakuba is a mountain resort boasting a world-class environment.
Starting with the Hakuba Iwatake mountain bike course where the event is held, there are countless famous spots and breathtaking views to mention. The checkpoints designed by organizers who know the local area inside and out are very exciting, and since you’ll be riding trails that don't even appear on Google Maps, the experience will definitely come in handy for future adventure rides.
And there’s another benefit: the night camping with family and friends.
Check out the #ommbike tag on Instagram for inspiration.
Let's be diligent with COVID-19 precautions
We believe it’s important to continue with the hobbies and economic activities we can safely enjoy even during the COVID-19 pandemic. OMM BIKE is far from a high-density event and carries minimal risk, but it remains crucial for every individual to take strict precautions and not push themselves beyond their limits. Let’s remember to be considerate of the local residents and other participants so that we can all enjoy the event safely.
It sounds like this year’s checkpoints will avoid the city areas and will mostly be located in unmanned areas like the mountains. Looks like it’s going to be a pretty tough route...
Photo by Eri Tanaka , Welldone , Circles
OMM LITE/BIKE HAKUBA,OTARI 2021
Date: July 17 (Sat) - 18 (Sun), 2021 *Pre-event festival on July 16 (Fri)
Location: Hakuba Village / Otari Village, Nagano Prefecture - Hakuba Iwatake Ski Resort
Website: https://theomm.jp/omm-bike-hakuba-otari-2021/