Since this happened last November, it’s quite a while ago now, but I participated in the Yamamichi-sai (Mountain Way Festival) by bicycle, carrying gear like my tent and sleeping bag for the first time in a long while.
Previously, the event was held in the mountains of Shikoku and Tohoku, but since it took place on the western shores of Lake Biwa last year, I started from Nagahama, riding through the northern part of the lake on the outbound trip the first day and the southern part via the Lake Biwa Bridge on the return trip the second day.
This Yamamichi-sai is a festival held once a year by "Yamatomichi," a brand offering hiking backpacks and apparel that we also carry at Circles. Participants spend the two-day event however they like—enjoying food and drinks at the booths, chatting around campfires at their respective tents, or relaxing in a tent sauna.
The main event is the Bon Odori dance. Watching everyone dancing wildly in circles around the tower was a shock for me as a first-timer—I couldn't believe how much energy everyone had.
That said, having participated in the Gujo Hachiman All-Night Dance almost every year, I soon caught the fever myself. Once the familiar music of "Harukoma" started, my voltage hit its peak, and I take pride in the fact that I was likely more absorbed in dancing than anyone else there.
I don't know where it will be held this year yet, but if possible, I’d love to participate by bike again.
I don't have photos, but I made some other fun memories there, including meeting various new people.
By the way, this WILDE BICYCLE CO. Rambler is my new partner, and this ride served as its shakedown. I assembled it with OUTER SHELL items specifically for this day.
For the handlebars, a Drawcord Handlebar Bag and Handlebar Harness
I attached the Drawcord Handlebar Bag and the Handlebar Harness to my handlebars.
The Drawcord Handlebar Bag features a groundbreaking design—the first of its kind—where a drawcord on the flap hooks onto the base of the stem, pulling the bag upward to maintain balance. I kept my wallet and snacks inside. By adding the Handlebar Harness, I secured my ARAI TENT Trek Raiz 1, which I’ve used for many years. Since the weather was a bit uncertain, I also packed it inside an Ortlieb dry sack.
For the frame, a Half Framebag
I attached a size M Half Framebag to the frame. It fits my size S frame perfectly, with absolutely no gaps. This allowed me to stow my tent poles inside it.
If this size hadn't fit, I would have had a hard time finding a place for the poles. I also used it to store a portable pump and a spare tube. On the left side, there is a flat pocket where I kept thin items like tire levers and a puncture repair kit.
For the front fork, Pico Panniers
I attached Pico Panniers to the front fork. Like the Drawcord Handlebar Bag, this product is packed with OUTER SHELL's creative ideas.
The base is a thick, polycarbonate plate with three holes. You mount this to the fork and then attach the small pannier bags to it.
Each side has a capacity of 1.8 liters. I stored my sleeping bag in one and my sleeping pad in the other. I stuffed my rain jacket and rain pants into the little remaining space.
In the outer pockets, I packed an emergency blanket, a SIMWORKS Thunder Strap (which might come in handy!), and a simple lock.
For the seat, a Dropper Seatpack
I attached a Dropper Seatpack to the seat. I packed clothing for warmth, like a PATAGONIA Micro Puff Jacket, and Baggies Shorts for the tent sauna, along with a cook set.
I also strapped a pair of BEDROCK SANDALS to the bag to wear at the campsite. (By the way, I wore Mountain Clogs while traveling.)
I’ve used OUTER SHELL products before, but this was my first time doing a full setup for bikepacking. I was already aware of their high functionality, such as stability, ease of access, and durability, but I feel there is still much more to be gained from them.
I hope to do more bikepacking this year and use these bags as much as possible, regardless of the situation.
OUTER SHELL
OUTER SHELL is a brand that continues to create eco-friendly, long-lasting cycling gear with excellent focus and sharp ideas. The founder, Kyle Ng, stands firmly against the disposable culture, making it his motto to eliminate zippers—the parts of bags that break most easily—whenever possible and keep seams to a minimum, aiming for craftsmanship that builds a healthy relationship with "nature." The entire process, from design and testing to manufacturing, is managed and overseen by the two co-founders, and every product is made in San Francisco, California.
