My first visit to Izu was at the end of 2015 for an Izu training camp.
After a wild year-end party in Nagoya, I drove the Shin-Tomei Expressway all night long. The next morning, I dove straight into exploring the mountains deep in Izu. I still remember being completely knocked out by the sunset I witnessed in West Izu just as my fatigue and sleepiness were hitting their peak after a full day of non-stop riding.
Because it is separated from major transportation arteries like expressways and railways and isn’t easily accessible, Izu is a land where you can enjoy getting a little distance from everyday life. Surrounded by sea and mountains, with endless places to ride, plus delicious seafood and hot springs—I became completely captivated by this perfect place.
The person who gave me that opportunity was Monja-shi from SimWorks. He used to live in Tokyo and would bring his bicycle to Izu every weekend to ride around. As an extension of his own play in Izu, he organized Ridin’Birds Passhunting “FLYING HILL”, wanting to enjoy rides with everyone else.
FLYING HILL from Ryota Kemmochi on Vimeo.
The act of "passhunting" enjoyed by those who came before us is a true adventure using a bicycle. Ridin’Birds is something that gives shape to the way we like to play—learned from the methods of those predecessors, and started as a way for us to run through and learn about the Japanese lands we live in using our own approaches.
The Izu special edition of Ridin’Birds held three years ago is coming back to life this year.
Those who participated in the previous Flying Hill faced their own ways of enjoying cycling and gained stronger "cycling power." We also saw a lot of female riders participate, and we saw them go on to take the initiative in planning their own rides and sharing experiences, sparked by the connections they made here.
I think this is a great ride for people who have started cycling but have never done a hard or long-distance ride, and for those who have been racing or doing intense touring, it’s a chance to rediscover the fun of a slightly different style of touring.
I will be participating from Circles, and I look forward to enjoying Izu to the fullest with all of you. It takes four hours by car from Nagoya to Izu, and connecting by train can also be a hassle, so we are planning a carpool tour from Nagoya—please consider joining us. We still have a few entry spots left for Flying Hill.
Of course, it’s not just about the ride. Enjoying the post-ride hot springs, camping at REN VILLAGE, and having amazing meals in cooperation with the Early Birds & Pine Fields team and local favorites—all of this combined is the "Raku-SimWorks" way of playing in Izu.
Let’s go ride Izu together!
Departing Circles: Saturday, September 23rd, 5:00 AM
Tour fee: Split costs for carpooling.
Capacity: First 9 people to sign up.
Apply here.
Click here for the Ridin’Birds event page
http://sim-works.com/rbph17
Please see below for ride details.
About the Ride Route
This is not a group ride, but a free-ride format where you complete the route within a set time. Of course, there is support, so if you are anxious about the route or your fitness level, you can ride with the staff. There were quite a few people who participated solo last time, and you can still have a great time.
DAY 1 is a paved road route. (The dirt route for DAY 1 has been cancelled due to safety.) You can also choose to join the YAMABUSHI TRAIL TOUR MTB ride on DAY 1.
On DAY 2, you can choose a dirt course. Groups will be divided at the time of departure on the day. No advance application is required.
DAY 1
Road Route – 70km / 1500m elevation gain
A route that tours the dynamic terrain of Izu, which is registered as a Japanese Geopark as a volcanic island. All roads are paved.
MTB Trail Tour (Additional fee / separate meeting point)
You can participate in the YAMABUSHI TRAIL TOUR, which organizes MTB tours while restoring old mountain paths in West Izu. A plan with MTB on DAY 1 (rental KONA MTBs are available) and Road on DAY 2 is also possible. (The tour requires a minimum of 5 participants.)
Click here for tour details.
http://www.yamabushi-trail-tour.com/
SimWorks has participated in this tour twice before. Rather than obsessively over-maintaining ancient trails, it’s a very pleasant, natural trail feel, like a local backyard hill, which is just great.
If you participate in this tour, you will meet in Matsuzaki Town, not Shimoda. Please contact us if you need help planning your travel.
DAY 2
Road Route – 75km / 1600m elevation gain
A mountain stage starting in West Izu and heading towards Numazu. It’s a spectacular but slightly challenging hill climb. Aiming for delicious Numazu seafood and beer.
Dirt Route – 80km / 2000m elevation gain
A route that replaces a portion of the road route with over 10km of dirt forest road. For those who find regular roads a bit lacking. You can clear it with slick tires, but be careful of falling rocks and flats.
*The route is subject to change.
Access to Izu and Pre-stay
South Izu is far from major transit routes and has poor access. That difficulty is part of its charm, but because this event has different start and finish locations, getting there requires a bit of planning.
Access by Train
This is the most basic method. The scenery from the Izu Kyuko Line running along the coast is stunning, but if coming from Tokyo, you need to catch the first train in the 5 AM hour.
Access by Car
We recommend parking near Numazu Port, the finish line, and taking the train (Rinko) to Shimoda. (It is difficult to park in Shimoda and return on the day of the ride.)
Access by Bicycle
You would need to travel south from the Shuzenji area and cross the Amagi Pass, which takes 2–3 hours and is quite strenuous.
Pre-stay
If possible, we recommend staying the night before or after. Staying at a guesthouse in Atami and taking the Izu Kyuko line with your bike early in the morning is our top recommendation. If you can arrive in Shimoda the day before, we can help you find a guesthouse we often use for our Izu trips, starting from 1500 yen per night (dormitory). There are delicious meals and wonderful hot springs, too. Please inquire if you are interested.
Camping / Meals
The scheduled campsite, REN VILLAGE, is a private campground limited to one group per day. It’s a popular spot with many repeat visitors, often booked solid year-round. Izu is plenty warm even in September, and you’ll likely be able to swim in the sea and catch fish.
Camping Gear
We will provide basic equipment like tents and tableware. Please bring your own personal items such as a sleeping bag, change of clothes, and recreational items. We will collect your luggage at the meeting point and transport it to the campsite by car, so traditional bike-packing setups are not necessary. We will provide detailed packing lists to participants separately.
Meals
SimWorks’ passion for delicious food remains unchanged for this event. With the cooperation of Keita Ohira from EARLY BIRDS BREAKFAST, the PFM team, and local shops in West Izu, we will provide special meals.
・DAY 1 Snack/Fuel
・DAY 1 Lunch
・DAY 1 Dinner
・DAY 2 Breakfast
・DAY 2 Snack/Fuel
The above is included in the entry fee.
*Meals after the finish on DAY 2 will be at a recommended famous restaurant in Numazu, but participation is at your own expense and optional.
Purchase entry tickets here
http://ticket.circles-jp.com/products/detail.php?product_id=11
※We also accept bank transfers and payments at the Circles store; please contact us via the form.