RAL COMMUNE @SUNDAY was blessed with unseasonably warm weather and clear skies that made the surrounding mountains stand out in sharp relief, even though we were well past the middle of November. It was a fulfilling three days that felt purely and simply fun, as many people stopped by to talk, drink, eat pizza, and head out for rides.
To everyone who stopped by, to FAR YEAST BREWING and ROCKiN’ PiZZA for supporting us with food and drink, and to Mr. Ishikawa and all the staff at SUNDAY—thank you all so much. I have nothing but gratitude to express.
Though I’d love to visit Yamanashi again soon, RAL COMMUNE is setting its course for the next destination: Kyoto.
The venue will be Cycle Hatena, a shop located on Kawaramachi-dori in Kamigyo Ward. While the name might be new to some, it’s a shop that opened just this spring as an annex to EIRIN Marutamachi. Eirin is a chain with multiple shops throughout Kyoto city, but the Marutamachi branch specializes in sports bikes like road and cyclocross models and is also an authorized SimWorks dealer.
Cycle Hatena is where that same EIRIN Marutamachi team has gathered their own personal favorites, including gravel road and touring bikes, related apparel and parts, touring items like bike packing gear, and camping supplies.
This time, RAL COMMUNE will be held in cooperation with Cycle Hatena over two days, December 15th (Sat) and 16th (Sun).
-RAL COMMUNE @ Cycle Hatena-
Place：Cycle Hatena (EIRIN Marutamachi Annex) @ Kyoto
Date：December 15th (Sat) - December 16th (Sun)
Time：12:00 - 20:00
Content
RAL & DEEPER’S WEAR POP UP STORE
DATE : All day
RAL meets DEEPER’S WEAR Mofu Player Overshirt pre-order event.
We will be hosting a pop-up store in the shop featuring RAL and DEEPER’S WEAR products.
Sunday Cycling
Date : 16th (Sun), meet at 9:00 AM
Meet at Cycle Hatena at 9:00 AM. A two-hour ride that incorporates gravel, making the most of the mountain-surrounded landscape. Let’s enjoy a ride feeling the crisp, skin-pricking wind, clear air, and the colorful mountain views.
Ride to Live
Date : 15th (Sat), around 20:00 @ Live House Saiin
On the first night, after the shop closes, we’ll head to the live music venue in Saiin to catch a performance by LIQUID SCREEN, which features shop manager Nambu, who also has a life as a musician. Let’s get swept away by vocalist Nambu’s passionate voice. The event will also feature several other bands. It’s a venue where you can also get food, so let’s enjoy a lively night.Please check here for more details on the live event.
At this RAL COMMUNE, you’ll be able to see many of the newly styled LOADER-related items, such as the just-arrived DL LOADER and EM LOADER. Of course, we’ll also have samples of all sizes of the new RAL meets DEEPER’S WEAR item, the Mofu Player Over Shirt, which was well-received at SUNDAY, so you can try it on and place an order. We’ll also have DEEPER’S WEAR original items that aren’t usually available at Cycle Hatena, so please look forward to that.
The Sunday Cycling is a recurring ride event held before the shop opens. This time, leveraging Kyoto’s excellent location surrounded by mountains, they have planned a roughly 2-hour route from the city into the mountains, including some gravel. I’ve only done it a few times, but I once had an acquaintance guide me on a ride in Kyoto, and it was a fulfilling experience that condensed the essence of riding into a short time. I am very much looking forward to seeing what this ride will be like.
Also, we have something to look forward to on Saturday night as well.
While discussing work, I learned that shop manager Nambu is a musician, and by good fortune, his band is playing during the RAL COMMUNE event. This is perfect timing—I couldn't miss the chance to hear him sing. Some of the staff members will be going too, so please join us if you’re interested.
And on the same days as RAL COMMUNE, there’s another important event happening in Kyoto.
KYOTO HIKER’S GEAR MARKET, an outdoor exhibition and sales event hosted by MINIMALIGHT, known for their Player Wallet. Brands that are essential to the current outdoor scene will all be gathered together, including Nagoya’s proud activity masters Welldone, DEEPER’S WEAR / ALL YOURS, and others handled by Circles such as Rawlow Mountain Works, Yamatomichi, TORAYA EQUIPMENT, and TRAIL BUTTER. The venue is Shin-Omiya Hiroba. It’s about 5km away from Cycle Hatena, but I recommend checking out both venues. I’m hoping to swing by there during the Sunday cycling.
Kyoto is sure to be more vibrant than ever this weekend. I highly recommend that locals and visitors alike come by to see it.
I look forward to meeting many of you at this RAL COMMUNE as well.
Thank you, and I hope to see you there.