Thank you to everyone who joined us for the recent Akigase Gravel Ride with ARAKAWA OUTBACK.
Although I was the organizer, I think I might have been the one looking forward to it the most beforehand, and having the most fun on the day of.
I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such great people (both in my personal and professional life), and the fact that this ride turned out so wonderfully is all thanks to everyone who helped and participated.
The route this time was mapped out by Kako-san from #ArakawaOutback
This was my first time on a Kako ride since last year's BIKE to Ashikori Amagoi, and it was a top-tier route that exceeded expectations—or rather, defied them (in the best way possible).
Add to that Kako-san's wonderful hospitality, and it always provides more fun and surprises than I could ever imagine.
Since the ride was held during the POC POPUP at Circles Tokyo, special thanks to Kunimitsu-san from POC for kindly letting us borrow sample helmets.
I think all the participants were able to fully experience the appeal of POC products, which you can only really understand by using them out in the field. (I completely fell for them and ended up ordering a helmet. Haha. More on that in the second half.)
I’m still basking in the afterglow, but I’d like to briefly review the ride and share some items that I felt were truly great after testing them in the field.
(There are also some fantastic bike snaps of everyone who participated at the end!)
RIDE START!
It was a fantastic route that plunged straight into Arakawa gravel shortly after departure. The excitement spiked immediately.
Passing through farm roads, before we knew it, we were being drawn into the dense woods.
"How do you even know about these roads?" and "I have absolutely no idea where we are right now," were phrases flying around. This is a staple of a Kako ride.
I experienced it last time, but again, I lost track of where I was. Haha.
This mysterious experience is a charm unique to a Kako-san ride.
We had a minor setback when a customer’s bike got a flat, but then H-san pulled out an electric pump he’d just bought, inflated the tire in an instant, and there was this strange moment where everyone just got really hyped up.
It was the moment we felt most united that day.
Then we arrived at our first destination: Seicomart.
It was my first time at a "Secoma," and what a dream convenience store it is. I want one in my neighborhood. Seriously.
Hosokawa-san from Tadequi, who joined us, proudly recommended the "sujiko (salmon roe) onigiri," saying, "Ishikawa-kun, you have to eat this when you come to Secoma!" It pains me to admit it, but it was amazing...
Although it was a bit cool in the morning, the temperature became typically summery during the day.
But you get so caught up in the fun that you forget the heat—that’s what makes cycling the best.
As the ride reached its final stage, we headed to our next destination, KURU.
This is a cafe run by Tokyo San-Esu. It serves as a place of relaxation for many cyclists riding along the Arakawa River.
I can see exactly why cyclists gather here. The ice cream after a ride is simply delicious, and it’s such a relaxing space.
What surprised me was that the president of Tokyo San-Esu himself makes the ice cream and coffee, and serves customers! It’s open only on weekends, so all you Arakawa cyclists should definitely check it out.
Thank you, KURU!
We finished the ride by returning to Akigase Park.
The start and end points were the same, and we did about 65 kilometers, including gravel, to get back to where we started.
The fact that no part of the route or scenery was the same during that time is a unique experience that I really want everyone who loves cycling to try.
As Kako-san mentioned while we were riding, the roads in this area change their expression drastically depending on the season. Regardless of whether it’s spring, summer, autumn, or winter, the scenery changes so much that it feels like riding a completely different road each time, always fresh and offering new discoveries.
ARAKAWA is a place you can enjoy all year round.
Look forward to seeing which season we hold it in next time.
Now, here is my setup for this ride.
It’s almost the same style as usual, but I’d like to briefly introduce some items I used for the first time, as well as some I rediscovered.
① POC Ventral Air
I borrowed a sample to test this time.
I wore it for the whole day, and it was just so light...! And cool!!
I was honestly surprised that I had absolutely no fatigue in my neck, shoulders, or back after riding such a long distance. (I was talking to a customer who also borrowed a sample, and we joked that it was so light we wondered if we were even wearing helmets at all. Haha.)
And because the vents are larger than other helmets, the airflow is superb. It stays comfortable without feeling stuffy, even in this hot summer.
It makes total sense that there were many POC users among those who participated in this ride.
So this is why John and Yoshimoto both wear them...
(I definitely ordered one for myself.)
② CHAORAS
CHAORAS is a sports tenugui (towel) brand that adds ideas to fit modern lifestyles, based on the excellence of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
I knew it was trending, but this was my first time using it on a ride.
Just wrapping it around my neck helped prevent sunburn, but when I soaked it in water, it performed even better!
Wrapping a wet, wrung-out towel around your neck feels surprisingly cool. Plus, if you soak the whole thing and wring it out, it stays wet for a long time, keeping your heated neck cool throughout the ride!
It really feels great, so for those of you who cycle in the sweltering midsummer heat, take my word for it and give it a try! There’s a huge difference between having it and not having it.
I now use my wet tenugui in my daily life as well. It’s incredibly useful when I go out with my kids.
CHAORAS will be hosting a POPUP at Circles Tokyo on 7/19-20!
③ RAL Merino Coolmax L/S Tee
I’ve raved about this item many times, but it’s just exceptionally good, and without a doubt, my best buy of this summer.
As you know, merino wool has excellent moisture-wicking, heat-retaining, and antibacterial/deodorizing properties. It keeps you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. It’s a versatile material that can be used all year round.
The temperature on this day was 34 degrees. It was relatively cool in the morning, but the sun was out and it was scorching hot during the day. One thing you have to be careful about during this time is sunburn.
Just getting sunburned can lead to fatigue, and if it turns into something like a burn, it can interfere with daily life. I wore a long-sleeved shirt as a sun-protection measure this time. To be honest, I thought it would be hot, but that fear was completely unfounded.
Because of its high moisture-wicking capacity, it absorbs sweat from your skin and disperses it, making you feel constantly cool, and it never felt sticky or clingy—it stayed dry to the touch.
Even when I went into an air-conditioned room during a break, it dried quickly so I didn't get too cold.
I absolutely recommend this to anyone struggling with choosing apparel for riding.
RAL Merino Coolmax L/S Tee
Color: Heather Grey, Grey, D.Green, Olive, Navy
Size: S, M, L, XL
Material: 50% Merino Wool, 50% Polyester
Price: ¥17,380 (tax in)
Finally, I would like to wrap things up with a BIKE SNAP of all the participants.
To be honest, since this was a large-scale gravel ride with a total of 20 people, we had two very reliable customers (Matsumoto and Takii) help us with ride support and photography.
They took some wonderful photos that only people who know the Arakawa area inside and out could capture. Thank you so much!!
And to everyone who joined us with your incredible bikes.
Even though it was hot, it was your cooperation and your passion for cycling that made this an amazing RIDE.
Thank you so much!
