Hello! This is Yoshimoto from Circles Tokyo!
The scorching summer has ended, and the long-awaited riding season is finally here.
I’ve been staring at Google Maps, planning here and there on where to go for my next ride. But no matter how I look at it, areas with gravel are far away, and I am once again reminded of just how vast the Kanto Plain really is.
Ideally, I’d love to ride the entire way, but with my weak legs, I’d be completely exhausted by the time I managed to escape the Kanto Plain. Haha.
That’s when "Rinko"—a unique part of Japanese culture—comes in handy!
While there are various ways to transport your bike, not all modes of transport are welcoming; for instance, bus and taxi Rinko are generally not supported with few exceptions. Airplanes are high-difficulty as there is a high risk of damage if not packed properly. Ferries generally charge for bicycles, but often treat them as carry-on luggage for free if you Rinko them, and some high-speed boats may even allow you to board if you Rinko your bike.
Among these options, I’d like to talk about the most basic form—Rinko by train—based on the area where I live. I hope you can apply this to your own region.
Destinations expand with Rinko
Once you get used to Rinko, your potential destinations expand dramatically. The feeling of reaching a beautiful place without the hassle of waiting at city traffic lights or being blocked by heavy traffic is like teleporting.
So, I’d like to briefly introduce my recent Rinko rides to Fukushima and Izu last month!
Having gradually moved from Kansai to Nagoya and then to Tokyo, I hadn't had much of an opportunity to visit Fukushima. I went on a weekday, taking the Joban Line limited express in the direction opposite to the capital area, as I wanted to see the aftermath of the disaster.
I rode for two days from Minamisoma to Mito. I visited the area still cordoned off around the Fukushima Daiichi plant and stopped by the Ukedo Elementary School disaster ruins, which allowed me to truly feel both the world that changed on 3.11 and the ongoing recovery. I hope to talk about this in more detail another time.
This was a ride I organized after putting out a call on Instagram, heading from Atami to Mishima in search of pleasant gravel and delicious Ohagi (sweet rice balls), crossing the capital region over the weekend using the Joban Line and the Shinkansen.
After a tough climb, we were rewarded with a view overlooking Sagami Bay and the best black sesame salt daifuku for our tired bodies. And then, a gravel descent that combined technical and flowy double-track!
First, start by planning your Rinko ride
1. Destination depends on the day of the week
In large metropolitan areas like Kanto, the flow of people changes significantly between weekdays and weekends. Since I live along the Joban Line, I'll use that as my base for this explanation!
On weekdays, heading to terminal stations in Tokyo like Tokyo Station or Ueno Station to transfer to the Shinkansen is reckless unless you're starting very early, like on the first train. So, I usually use the Joban Line limited express to head toward Fukushima or Ibaraki on weekdays!
On weekends, the crowds thin out a bit, but it starts getting busy again around 9:00 AM, so it’s best to head out between 7:00 and 8:00 AM!
2. Board and get off at the smallest stations possible
You might be tempted to use larger stations because they have better facilities, but I don’t recommend this for Rinko! A gravel bike weighs about 15kg. Carrying that around a large station will leave your arms feeling like jelly by the time you reach the ticket gate. Try to use smaller stations, even if they are a bit further from your destination!
3. Leave plenty of time for transfers
When doing Rinko by train, you should generally head for the front or last car, as they tend to be less crowded and easier to store luggage behind the conductor's cabin. In the capital region, some trains have up to 16 cars, right? Keep that in mind and leave enough time to transfer while carrying a heavy bike!
If you keep these three points in mind, your ride planning should go smoothly!
All that’s left is to research your route while considering your own physical fitness!
By the way, if I'm not familiar with the area, I often build my routes using Strava, Google Maps (satellite view), and blogs from other fellow riders.
Next, let’s organize the essentials for your Rinko gear!
Rinko gear checklist
1. Rinko bag
There are three main types of Rinko bags:
・Types where you only remove the front wheel
・Vertical and horizontal types where you remove both wheels
The type where you only remove the front wheel seems easy with less work, but there is one major pitfall...
Actually, the size limit for personal effects set by most railway companies is a total of 250cm for length + width + height, and the "front-wheel-only" type cannot meet this requirement!
Size-wise, it's also bound to cause trouble finding a place on the train, such as protruding from the extra-large luggage space behind the 3-row seats on the Shinkansen.
Therefore, I recommend the type where you remove both wheels.
Even the horizontal type is barely fitting in the Shinkansen's extra-large luggage space, so personally, I recommend the vertical type as it takes up less floor space!
2. Rear end fitting
This fitting is necessary when using a vertical Rinko bag.
Since it attaches to the bottom, it can easily shift during transport, so when installing it, make sure to insert it firmly into the frame end and ensure the quick-release or thru-axle is securely tightened to verify it won't move.
3. Pad spacer (for hydraulic brakes only)
If you don’t insert a pad spacer, you might accidentally pull the lever, which will close the pad clearance. This could lead to rubbing between the pads and rotor, or in the worst case, make it impossible to put the wheel back on because the rotor won't fit.
4. Rotor cover (disc brakes only), sprocket cover, and chain cover (optional)
The rotor cover is intended to prevent the disc brake rotor from hitting the frame and getting scratched.
It's more about preventing oil adhesion that could cause scratches or squealing than preventing the rotor from bending.
I highly recommend this if you are worried about minor scratches or grease stains on your frame!
Bonus Section
I’ve listed a lot of necessary items for Rinko, but honestly, all I carry is a Rinko bag and three SIMWORKS Thunder Straps. It's an UL style without even using a rear end fitting! Haha.
Depending on the frame shape, if you get the hang of it, you can finish packing with minimal gear and effort (10 minutes once you're used to it) without scratching the frame!
Feel free to ask me for tips at the store, and if there is enough demand, I would love to hold a Rinko school at Circles Tokyo, so please let me know!
Please give Rinko a try!
