Lake Biwa.
For a cyclist, the term "Biwaichi" (riding around Lake Biwa) probably rings a bell, doesn't it?
Riding your bike along the lakeshore, feeling the breeze—it's the best way to experience the scale of Japan's largest lake. Of course, I’ve ridden it myself several times. Lately, however, I find myself heading even further inward, to the water's edge, more often than I go for a full Biwaichi. Astride my bike, fishing rod in hand. I’ve been into bass fishing since I was a kid; back then, going to Lake Biwa with my father was a special treat.
Through the process of refining what we at Circles consider to be the "shape" of cycling and play—which we call RIDEALIVE—I personally arrived at this way of playing: a mix of cycling and fishing.
You might wonder if the combination of cycling and fishing is even viable on a field as massive as Lake Biwa. But personally, I think this simple, focused approach of doing only the kind of fishing that works with this style is the right way to go.
Park the car, unload the bike you packed, grab your rod, and start pedaling. Sure, the distance you can cover while carrying gear is more limited compared to a car, but that’s exactly why you end up fully exploring an area or discovering spots you can only reach by bike; the bicycle becomes a tool to further enjoy the high-game nature of bass fishing.
And when you look around, you realize there are fellow cyclists enjoying the same thing. Eventually, I wanted to do it with everyone, so we made a plan, and 10 BikeFishers gathered at Lake Biwa.
Our base was a campground in the northern part of Lake Biwa. With autumn deepening and our prediction that fish would be actively moving in search of food, we set off pedaling in search of fish, each with our own choice of tackle.
Slower than a car, faster than walking. I personally think that's the best part of cycling—you can feel the wind on your skin, move while observing the state of the lake, and when you get a response from a fish after fishing based on your own thoughts, taking into account the season, the day's weather, and various other factors, the joy is truly immeasurable.
Of course, if you step back from the fishing, the surrounding area is overflowing with rich nature that never lets us get bored. Fishing has its "golden hours" at dawn and dusk, but the beauty of the sunrises and sunsets you can watch while casting a line on the shore is unique every time; it’s a constant stream of inspiration that sometimes makes me forget I’m fishing and causes me to get lost in clicking my camera’s shutter.
In the end, everyone was hooked, casting repeatedly over the two days, and we all managed to catch some fish. I’m genuinely happy about that, of course, and the time spent with friends who shared the experience went by in a flash. Whether you catch anything or not, spending this time with someone is truly fun.
If you are an angler who already has a bike, or if you're thinking about getting one, please try out #BikeToFishing at least once. You’ll definitely be able to feel the goodness of cycling.
And if you're a cyclist who is also interested in fishing, by all means, let's start. As an activity involving nature, it’s just as fun and deep as cycling, and at the same time, it shows you a whole different way to enjoy cycling. Just be warned: it’s a deep rabbit hole (lol).
World-record fish have been caught in this Lake Biwa, and it’s a field where every bass fisherman comes to chase that dream. I’m not saying I’m chasing a world record, but I’ll likely keep coming back in search of "lunker" size, just as I have been... on my bike, of course.
Even though this BikeToFishing was held on a weekday, friends joined us from all over Japan, and some even came from across the sea. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came. Those two days, packed with everything we love, went by in a flash. It was undoubtedly an incredibly fun time.
#BikeToFishing has so much potential. Of course, I’ll be back at Lake Biwa, but I can’t help but be excited about the prospect of playing like this in different fields next time.
-ANGLER SPECS-
| Cap | RAL | Camp Hat |
| Tops | RAL | Player Shirt Chambray |
| Bottom | RAL | Fast Pass Player Pant |
| Eyewear | SMITH OPTICS | Snare |
| Wader | DAIWA | |
| Rod | LURE SHOP OHNO | Arriver 72 |
| Reel | DAIWA | Cardia LT2500 |
-BIKE SPECS-
| Frame | SIMWORKS | Doppo ATB |
| HeadSet | CHRIS KING | NTS 1-1/8″ |
| Front Rack | SIMWORKS BY NITTO | Obento Rack |
| Front Bag | OUTER SHELL ADVENTURE | 137 Basket Bag |
| Tire | SIMWORKS BY PANARACER | Volummy 27.5×1.9″ |
| Handle | SYCIP | JJJ Bar |
| Stem | SIMWORKS BY NITTO | Rhonda |
| SeatPost | SIMWORKS BY NITTO | Beatnik |
| Brake | PAUL COMPONENT | Klamper Chocolate Edition |
| Brake Lever | PAUL COMPONENT | Love Lever Chocolate Edition |