Hello! This is Yoshimoto from Circles Tokyo!
Last weekend, we held the second installment of our "Ride To Ride" series, a project that utilizes cycle trains and "rinko" (bike transport on trains) for our rides! We had originally planned to ride to Tateyama using the "B.B.BASE" cycle train, but due to the impact of Typhoon No. 25, the Uchibo Line was suspended indefinitely, so we had to reluctantly cancel that plan... While the change in route was disappointing, the long rains had finally stopped, and with a high of 26°C, the perfect season for riding had arrived.
So! Pulling ourselves together to fully enjoy the autumn, we headed out to ride from Kasama in Ibaraki Prefecture to Mashiko in Tochigi Prefecture. Today, I'd like to share how "Ride To Ride vol.2 Kasama/Mashiko" went!
Crossing the Yamizo Mountains toward Mashiko
Although there was about a one-hour delay due to the suspension of service on the Joban Line, we departed safely from our meeting point at Tomobe Station. From here, we headed to the southern side of the Yamizo Mountains, which run north to south near the border of Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Tochigi prefectures. We crossed several satoyama (foothills) and pedaled toward Mashiko for lunch.
The route this time was about 70km long with an elevation gain of about 700m. In terms of numerical specs, it was almost the same as Vol. 1, but whereas the previous ride featured fine ups and downs between flat land and hills, this time we had to cross several mountain passes of 150m to 200m, which was a significant difference not conveyed by the numbers alone. Considering our stamina for the second half, we paced ourselves on the climbs to gradually gain elevation, repeating the reward of descending while slicing through the wind.
When we crossed the peak and stopped pedaling, a tranquil rural landscape opened up before our eyes in the mountain valley. Quiet, harvested rice fields and a slightly chilly autumn breeze. With little traffic noise, as I savored the feeling of being far away from the city center, before I knew it, I was gliding into our destination: Mashiko.
The charm of Mashiko, a town I highly recommend
As I mentioned in the recruitment blog, Mashiko is my favorite town in the North Kanto area, and the one I find most charming. It is a very profound region where a peaceful atmosphere, appropriately removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, coexists brilliantly with the unique culture exuded by famous shops like "Starnet."
The history of this town is deeply involved in that background. Perhaps it is because Shoji Hamada, a ceramic artist who led the "Mingei (folk craft) Movement" (the philosophy that true beauty lies in everyday utilitarian objects created by the hands of anonymous craftsmen) alongside Soetsu Yanagi, settled in Mashiko.
I feel a good culture in Mashiko that continues to promote the universal value of harboring beauty in everyday tools.
This time, we focused on food in Mashiko and had lunch at "Mingel," a shop for craft beer and sourdough bread. At the time, the "MASHIKO BEER TRAIL," a festival of craft beer, food, and culture, was in full swing.
Though I was tempted by all the beers from across the country I wanted to try, I had to resist this time... I enjoyed the sourdough focaccia and an exquisite focaccia dog made with herb-scented sausage!
Aiming for the flavors of autumn in Kasama
Reluctantly leaving Mashiko behind, we jumped back on our saddles and headed south on Prefectural Road 257 toward Kasama. This Road 257 is an irresistibly pleasant route for cyclists. Once you cross the peak on the prefecture border, the road turns into a gentle descent. Along both sides of the road, where you can keep moving through the wind even without pedaling, rich fields of produce including sweet potatoes stretch out endlessly along the gentle slopes of the mountains.
When I glanced over, in the autumn landscape where the green was gradually losing its saturation, a field appeared where pure white flowers bloomed like a carpet, as if lit by light. Looking it up later, I found they were "autumn buckwheat" flowers. It makes sense why Mashiko is a famous production area for delicious buckwheat noodles and why there are so many attractive soba shops along the road. I vowed to myself that next time, I would absolutely slurp some new-harvest soba.
As we reached the final stretch, a pleasant sense of fatigue naturally began to show. That is precisely when the participants encouraged each other, saying "Just a little further!" as we pushed toward our final destination.
Speaking of Kasama, it is above all a famous production area for "chestnuts." The "Roadside Station Kasama," which we stopped at as our goal, was more crowded than we imagined with people seeking the seasonal delicacies.
Unfortunately, the raw chestnuts I had planned to buy as a souvenir for my family were completely sold out. Even so, I replenished the calories I consumed throughout the day with a rich Mont Blanc, piled high with plenty of chestnut paste. It didn't bring me to full recovery, but along with the sense of accomplishment of completing the ride, the sweetness of autumn slowly permeated every corner of my tired body.
The participants' ride styles
I'd like to introduce a few of the wonderful bikes of the participants who made this ride colorful!
First is the DOPPO Locust, which was delivered after the owner fell in love with it at the Circles booth at Bikeland. The flawless assembly of SHIMANO XT with WHITE INDUSTRIES cranks is, of course, attractive, but the inclusion of inner bar ends really struck me, as it reflects the owner's style of prioritizing touring while also riding mountain trails.
Next is a customer who participated on a SURLY Midnight Special in a special color. They told me that they regularly go touring all over Japan with their wife. They had equipped a rack capable of carrying a heavy load, but for the items on this ride, they chose the SIMWORKS Rice Bean Bag, and the "subtractive" style of just putting that on was nice!
As for me
Since the route had almost no unpaved roads this time, I participated on my SYCIP all-road bike. Along the way, there were few places to resupply like convenience stores, so I prioritized water storage over the theory of gathering heavy items in a frame bag.
I packed items necessary for repairs, such as tubes and tools, in my saddlebag, and in my handlebar bag, I put things like a sacoche for bringing back chestnuts (didn't get a chance to use it as they were sold out...) and my wallet. For these types of road-focused rides, I like light handling, so I often pack heavy things in the saddlebag.
For wear, I wore the RAL Merino long-sleeve I wore last time. You might think "again?!", but it really is great! I've been a loyal user of the short sleeves, but this was my first time buying the long sleeve. Kasama that day had a huge temperature difference, with a low of 12°C and a high of 26°C. While I was torn between the option of short sleeves plus an outer layer, it turned out to be the perfect choice.
Even on a route with mountain passes like this one, I didn't feel stuffy in the long sleeves, and since it absorbs sweat and dries quickly, I didn't get chilled by sweat even when the temperature rose after the ride. Also, the sleeves, which seem a bit long when worn normally, didn't slide up when I reached for the handlebars while riding, which was a pleasant sensation I felt upon actually wearing them. It’s the same detail as why rider jackets have long sleeves. The pocket on the back, added this year, is also very convenient, and I will definitely be using it heavily from now on!
More freely, further away. The charm of Rinko.
Lately, because it’s brand new, I’ve found myself riding my SEVEN CYCLES gravel bike a lot, but by participating with my SYCIP all-road this time, I reaffirmed the pleasure of "tuning my bike and gear for the road I imagined and riding it." No matter how well a SEVEN titanium frame rides, you can’t get the sensation of a road bike lightly ascending a paved mountain pass, and the reverse is true as well. That is exactly why the number of bikes and parts I have keeps increasing.
Also, the previous Ride To Ride vol.1 had a large group and the constraint of a cycle train departure time, so it was a stoic day mostly focused on riding. However, being able to do "rinko" means you don't have to worry about train times as much. Freer and further away. You can enjoy route changes and little mishaps as a spice, and deeply savor the land by bicycle. I hope you will all try a "rinko" ride.
Well, the next "Ride To Ride" is planned for November. Next time, we are planning a ride toward the Chichibu area utilizing the Seibu Line's cycle train! I look forward to riding with you all again in this season of beautiful autumn leaves. I'll let you know as soon as the details are decided, so please look forward to it!
I sincerely look forward to your participation!