Hello from Circles Tokyo.
As a bike shop, we spend our days with wrenches in our hands, but we also strive to be "masters of play." For us, a bicycle isn't just a means of transport—it’s the adhesive that connects cultures.
With that in mind, we’ve teamed up with the exquisite lakeside sauna facility "CYCL" at Lake Yamanaka to help set up their rental bike service!
"Rental bikes? You mean city bikes, or maybe hybrids if we're lucky?"
If that’s what you were thinking, you’re in for a surprise. To be honest, this lineup is a little "over the top." But that’s exactly why it’s the best.
It’s not just a sauna. It’s an "architecture for the senses."
First, let us talk about the stage for this project: CYCL. If it were just a place to sweat, we wouldn't be this excited.
Located on the shores of Lake Yamanaka in Yamanashi Prefecture, the architecture—inspired by "kasa-gumo" (cap clouds)—sits quietly at the base of Mt. Fuji, looking like a gallery of contemporary art.
"Architecture × Nature × Sauna." Step inside, and you’ll find a red sauna room designed to evoke the magma chamber of Mt. Fuji. Most importantly, the cold plunge—a sauna-goer’s lifeline—is fed by natural subterranean water from Mt. Fuji. This water is actually drinkable. It cools your body from the outside and hydrates it from within. When you submerge yourself into the 120cm depth, you reach a point where you feel at one with the water.
The post-sauna outdoor rest, sinking into an infinity chair while gazing at Mt. Fuji across the lake. All artificial noise fades away, leaving behind pure "pleasure." Their stoic aesthetic and obsession with detail resonate deeply with how we approach every single bike part we touch.
CYCL is a playground for adults who know what "good" really means.
It started with campfire smoke and a shared groove
The seeds for this project weren't sown in an office or a boardroom. They were sown last year at an event called "TARP to TARP to CAMP."
Sitting around the campfire, sharing good liquor, music, and the "playful" vibe of the gathering, we met the CYCL crew. "Sauna and bikes just seem like a perfect match, right?" "We want a bike that isn't just for riding, but one that acts as a tool to feel the wind and the scents of the land." ...Those conversations and the spontaneous vibe of the moment grew into what you see today.
Projects born from such accidental encounters are the things we treasure most at Circles.
The Lineup: 6 Machines for CYCL
Now, for the main event. The six bikes Circles Tokyo seriously selected for "CYCL." To be blunt, these are in a different league than standard tourist rentals. We’ve brought in bikes that are even too luxurious to be considered mere "test ride" vehicles.
01. BASSI / Hog’s Back (Size: S / Color: Black)
The Hog’s Back from Montreal, Canada. The S size features 26-inch wheels, making it exceptionally agile. The highlight is the handlebar: we’ve installed the SimWorks “Fun 3 Bar,” a reimagining of motorcycle handlebars. It allows for a super-relaxed, upright cruising position. Instead of "speeding," you’re "flowing." For a pre-sauna warm-up, this ATB (All Terrain Bike) style might just be the perfect solution.
02. BASSI / Hog’s Back (Size: M / Color: Black)
Same Hog’s Back, but this one is built for "off-road prowess," sporting 27.5-inch wheels and thicker tires. Designed for everything from the back alleys of Montreal to the unpaved paths of Peru, this frame, paired with powerful disc brakes, provides rock-solid stability on even the roughest terrain. This tough companion is ready to embrace the adventurous heart of any sauna-goer who wants to "get muddy like a kid again" or "see how far they can go."
03. BASSI / Rachel (Size: S / Color: Brown)
Just for city riding? No way—Rachel is a "wolf in sheep's clothing." While it has a step-through frame, it’s equipped with SimWorks “Homage” 26-inch tires. Thanks to these tires, which offer both light rolling on pavement and great grip on gravel, it’s much more nimble than it looks. With high-stopping-power V-brakes, it’s a bike that, despite its relaxed look, will definitely give you a true taste of "bike travel."
04. BASSI / Rachel (Size: M / Color: Blue)
The M-size Rachel in striking blue. Don’t be fooled by its cute, skirt-friendly look. One pedal stroke will reveal the true potential of the frame—its heritage as a genuine touring bike. Designed to handle loads, it’s ready for anything from a quick run to the convenience store to a trip to a distant scenic point, all while keeping you looking stylish.
05. WILDE / Rambler (Size: S / Color: Blue)
The masterpiece "Rambler" from WILDE, carrying on the DIY spirit of Minneapolis, USA. The handlebar is the SimWorks “Wild Honey Bar,” perfect for touring. Its flared shape provides great control on rough surfaces, balancing stability and a sense of speed. The combination of modern disc brakes and a modern chromoly frame makes you feel like you could ride forever. If you want to know what a "real gravel bike" feels like, start here.
06. WILDE / Rambler (Size: M / Color: Khaki)
This is the closest thing to a true "adventure" in our lineup. It’s a monster spec equipped with massive 55mm-wide tires. Forest trails, gravel, or no path at all—this bike handles it. With plenty of eyelets for mounting, it’s ready for bikepacking, camping, or even grueling events like OMM. Not just for a quick spin before the sauna, this bike allows for a stoic approach: "Ride deep into the mountains and jump into the sauna in an extreme state."
Break a sweat, become the wind, and finally, find your center.
Winter at Lake Yamanaka, with its crisp, clear air. Believe it or not, this is the best season for a cyclist to enjoy the "delicacies" of the scenery.
The dry air displays Mt. Fuji in its most majestic and clear form of the entire year. And because you’re setting out with a chilled body, the post-ride outdoor bath after breaking a gentle sweat feels truly exceptional. This contrast with the best scenery is a privilege unique to this time of year.
Imagine it: You’re straddling a WILDE or a BASSI, clearing the climbs along the lake shore, rhythmically pedaling while staring straight at Mt. Fuji. Your heart is beating comfortably, and you’re just starting to break a light sweat. The wind blowing off the lake surface is pleasantly stripping away that heat.
And immediately after, you dive into the exquisite sauna at CYCL and finish it all off with the cold plunge.
Isn’t this, in the modern age, a luxurious time where you can truly set your senses free? Physical play through cycling, and meditation through the sauna. Movement and stillness. We want you to taste this contrast with the highest quality gear. That is our wish as Circles Tokyo.
CYCL Rental Gravel Bike Service
Location: CYCL (Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture)
https://cycl.co.jp/
Booking: Click here!
https://coubic.com/cycl/booking_pages#pageContent
Lineup: BASSI Rachel, BASSI Hog’s Back, WILDE Rambler (6 bikes total)
Price: 3,000 JPY (3,300 JPY incl. tax) per person when using the CYCL sauna on the same day
4,000 JPY (4,400 JPY incl. tax) per person for bike rental only
Rental Items: Gravel bike, helmet. Duration: Approx. 100 minutes
(Includes check-in, equipment setup, instructions, etc.;
actual riding time is approx. 90 minutes)
Meeting point: CYCL reception
Area: Lake Yamanaka cycling path (approx. 14km)
Whether you're a bike lover or someone who's never ridden a high-end bike and wonders "what's the difference?", we hope you'll come to CYCL to experience it for yourself. There’s no doubt that these six bikes, curated with pride by Circles Tokyo, will take your sauna experience to the next level.
And we’re not the type to just drop them off and leave. We’re currently planning a Ride & Sauna event led by us at Circles Tokyo. Stay tuned for more info!
Until then, happy riding and happy sauna-ing!