The other day, I went on a two-day gravel ride with several staff members and customers from Tokyo and Nagoya.
We headed to Fuji on the first day and Izu on the second.
I hadn't been able to visit these mountains recently, so I was probably the most excited person there, and I had a blast—perhaps a little too enthusiastically for my age.
Our staff member Yoshimoto planned the route.
Personally, I was really happy to be able to ride with Yoshimoto again after such a long time.
Although Fuji and Izu aren't that far apart in terms of distance, each area has such distinct road characteristics that the two days were never boring.
Fuji offers diverse off-road terrain unique to volcanic landscapes, with varied trails including rocky sections formed by lava, black soil singletracks, and gravel paths.
Izu, on the other hand, featured incredibly varied routes weaving between paved and unpaved roads, including forest trails, farm roads, and paths on the verge of disappearing, making it an epic adventure.
Both areas are relatively accessible by train or car from Tokyo and Nagoya, yet you can enter a completely extraordinary natural environment just by venturing slightly into the mountains.
I love the fun of riding on the sophisticated, urban roads of Tokyo, but riding through the great outdoors lets me truly play, getting covered in mud just like when I was a kid.
It is precisely because we play seriously out in the field that we realize so many things.
Today, I’d like to highlight and introduce the appeal of some items I rediscovered after finishing our recent gravel ride.
Since I'm usually at the shop and often get asked by customers, "What kind of clothing do you wear for gravel rides?" or "Is this gear okay for gravel riding?", I hope this will serve as a helpful reference.
RAL Merino Coolmax L/S Tee
As you know, merino wool offers excellent moisture absorption, thermal regulation, and antibacterial/deodorizing properties. It keeps you cool when it's hot and warm when it's cold. It's a versatile, year-round material.
However, I personally haven't chosen many of the merino wool tees on the market until now. I knew they were comfortable and versatile, but most designs out there are too sporty, and many look a bit too much like base layers, which made me hesitant as I prefer to wear them casually on their own.
The thing I love most about this RAL Merino Tee is that it looks just like a regular long-sleeve tee and has a refined feel. I wear it all the time, whether in the mountains, in the city, or anywhere else.
And its outstanding functionality was a huge help during this ride, too.
When cycling, you suddenly get hot and sweaty, and your body heat can be stripped away in an instant.
Even though it’s only May, the temperature was around 25°C (77°F).
It felt fresh and pleasant while riding in the city, but the sweat wouldn't stop once we started climbing.
The blend of 50% merino wool and 50% polyester works perfectly, absorbing sweat and wicking it away quickly, keeping the feel cool and dry. Once you experience that comfortable, non-sticky feeling even while sweating, there's no going back.
Then, we reached the summit—time for the reward: the descent.
However, there’s a trap here.
Many of you have probably experienced how, if you keep wearing the sweat-soaked gear from the climb, the descent will instantly sap your body heat, turning what should be a reward into a shivering ordeal.
The RAL Merino Tee handles it just fine—it truly shows its worth here too.
Even after sweating profusely on the climb, by the time I took a short break at the top, the sweat soaked into the shirt was already bone dry. It dries at a speed cotton simply can't match.
The reason I could fully enjoy the rewarding descent while getting covered in mud is thanks to this unsung hero, the Merino Tee.
It's the kind of shirt that, once you wear it, you can never go back.
RAL Merino Coolmax L/S Tee
Color：Hether Grey,Grey,D.Green,Olive,Navy
Size：S, M, L, XL
Material：50% Merino Wool, 50% Polyester
Price：¥17,380（tax in）
Adidas Velosamba
You might think about upgrading various parts to improve your ride, but one thing I highly recommend is switching to clipless shoes.
Clipless shoes allow you to ride faster, for longer distances, and with more ease. While that makes sense, there are hurdles, right? One of them is style.
I’m not a racer; I do a lot of fun rides, mountain climbing, gravel riding, and city commuting, often wearing street clothes. I used to worry that "hardcore" clipless cycling shoes would look out of place, but the Velosamba solved that problem for me.
The soles are softer than standard clipless shoes. If you prefer the feeling of thin, stiff soles for power transfer, this might feel a bit lacking, but it's perfect for our unhurried riding style.
On gravel rides like this one, there were times we had to push or carry our bikes on rocky sections, and these soft soles were very comfortable to walk in.
When wearing them in the city, the cleats are recessed so they don't touch the ground on flat surfaces. They are definitely recommended for those looking to get into clipless riding.
Also, since they are made of leather, it's a nice bonus that they develop a unique patina over time. It’s fun to get them dirty, polish them up, and make them your own.
TOMII CYCLES Faraway
This tire is currently a hot topic.
Thanks to everyone, we already have very few in stock at Circles Tokyo, but I wanted to introduce it because it was a standout during this ride.
A triple collaboration between TOMII CYCLES, SimWorks, and Panaracer, the titan of Japanese tires that brought it to life.
The Faraway: a tire infused with Nao from TOMII CYCLES’ wish for "a tire that makes you want to go far and makes every ride fun."
The tread pattern features iconic motifs of the American Southwest, such as cacti and mountains, making this tire visually unique—but it’s more than just good looks.
I set these up tubeless on my RITCHEY SWISSCROSS. My RITHEY, which I use not as a pure CX racer but as a fast gravel bike, was a perfect match.
The first thing that surprised me was how well it rolls and maintains speed on pavement. You stop pedaling and think, "Is it going to stop soon? No, it's still rolling... wow, it’s going quite a distance... still rolling!? That’s amazing momentum!" (You know what I mean, right? haha)
I’m 174cm tall and weigh 58kg, and for pavement, 60psi (tubeless: max pressure) felt fantastic.
The smooth sensation of rolling is really addictive, making pavement rides fun. Since I put these on, I’ve been taking my RITHEY for my commute every day. My commute is 42km round-trip, but I find myself taking the long way just because I love riding it.
It wasn't just fun on pavement; I thoroughly enjoyed the unpaved sections too.
The other participants on this ride were mostly using fat, 50c block tires. I was a bit worried if I would be okay with 40c, but when I dropped the pressure slightly, the side pattern gripped the ground firmly, providing excellent traction.
For routes that bridge paved and unpaved roads like this one, it delivers peak performance.
After all, when exploring gravel in Japan, you often end up riding long distances on pavement too.
TOMII x SIMWORKS Faraway Tire
Color：Black x Tan,Sand Beige x Tan
Size：700c x 40 (40-622)
Price：¥8,580（tax in）
OWL MILS
They have many appeals: lightness, frame flexibility, and stress-free comfort, but above all, the performance of their proprietary MILS LENS is outstanding.
The colors through the lens are just beautiful and so sharp.
This clarity allows you to accurately see road conditions, which helps you react instantly during critical moments on rocky gravel sections.
Even under cloudy skies or when entering tunnels, visibility is maintained without having to take off the sunglasses, so I leave them on for the entire ride.
Since purchasing them last year, they’ve become an indispensable partner for both city and mountain riding. Their classic look fits in stylishly beyond just outdoor scenes.
The OWLMILS POPUP is currently being held at Circles Tokyo until Sunday, 5/25, so please come check it out.
The Importance of Playing Seriously
Playing seriously in the field is necessary—it helps you notice what’s missing, lets you feel the true value of your gear, deepens your attachment to it, and helps refresh your own mood and knowledge.
Changing your perspective based on how you think about choosing bikes, parts, and clothing to maximize your enjoyment allows you to engage with cycling with a fresh mindset.
Most of all... it was just fun!!
I will continue to plan various riding events, so let’s enjoy all kinds of fun through cycling together.
