Great Adventure at the End of Summer
Back in late March.
In truth, my RIDEALIVE 2016 had already begun.
Having volunteered to take the lead on this year's Ride Alive, I wanted a fresh start, so I frequently trekked to the remote areas of Toyota, running around looking for a new campsite different from those of the past two years.
The top photo shows one of those test runs.
I wanted to propose a new way to have fun that could only be achieved by utilizing a field different from what we had used before, but I just couldn't find the campsite I had envisioned.
It was one day before true spring arrived when I went for a camp ride with our part-timer SHIGA-chan and the hungry cyclist Kasai-kun.
We were camping while nearly freezing, and when we were completely exhausted, the sign that read "Campsite This Way" appeared before us.
Knowing we would have to climb a brutal 3km hill, some of us suggested we should just give up, but after whipping our bodies—which had already ridden 160km the day before on heavy-duty bikes—into doing the hill climb, we found our event venue waiting for us at the top.
That hideaway of a campsite, known almost exclusively to locals, is located on a route used for the Gourmet Century Ride, in a wonderful, serene, and nature-rich place called Shimoyama.
Follow the slope past this sign, and you will arrive at Kobiso, which operates as a bed and breakfast, teahouse, and campsite.
The lovely couple who run it will welcome you with open arms.
Did you know that in the Shimoyama area, which boasts one of the most vast natural landscapes in the mountainous regions of Toyota City, there are many bike racks installed that were made using locally harvested thinning timber?
These were created by the folks from the Shimoyama Saikuru Project, who provided full support for the venue construction for this Ride Alive, from the entrance gate to the bike racks and log chairs.
We first met the Shimoyama Saikuru Project through last year’s Gourmet Century Ride. We are very fortunate to have been able to join their cycle of activities, which aims to create a new flow between nature and people by carefully connecting cycling activities with local charm.
Thank you so very much for all your cooperation!
A group photo in front of the handmade gate, which we built in collaboration with the Shimoyama Saikuru Project and many others.
"Ride—Alive!"
This rallying cry, which we were initially too shy to shout, has now become our tradition.
After the group photo came the long-awaited party time.
The evening was brought to life by a DJ session featuring Mr. Motnorm, who handles designs for RAL (the concept brand born from this Ride Alive), and Mr. Inocchi from Welldone, along with drinking around the campfire—needless to say, it was so much fun that I drank way too much.
I’m pretty sure I didn't hit the sack until around 3 AM. lol
Day 2
Though I had collapsed into my new tent, I slept deeply and was able to fully rest my body. I woke up to the pleasant sound of footsteps and chatter outside, a welcome notification of the morning. Even with a slight hangover and only about 3 hours of sleep, my steps were light as I headed toward the ALL NEED IS BREAKFAST venue—in other words, to breakfast. Of course, we made this breakfast ourselves, too. The difference from last year was that we used the signature *koppe-pan* (bread rolls) from Pine Fields Market (PFM) to make our camp meal. I had been trying to figure out what to make, but I decided to make something that I personally would love to see on the PFM menu.
Sautéed Mushroom Koppe-Pan
Could it be that the Mushroom Chicken with Cream Sauce Koppe-pan currently being offered for a limited time at PFM is my influence? What do you think, PFM? lol The taste was delicious, needless to say, but cooking for yourself and brainstorming the upcoming day’s adventure with friends while eating is one of the true highlights of this experience.
Once breakfast was over, we packed up our tents, got ready, strapped our gear to our bikes, and the Day 2 ride began.
The activity I was most looking forward to on Day 2 was this: the Adventure Alleycat.
This orienteering event through the vast fields of Mikawa provided a chance to touch upon the history and culture of the land that we hadn't known before, even if we had ridden there. With a shared starting point, some riders found friends and collaborated in small groups, while others devised their own routes and headed out solo. As for me, I ended up escorting a women's team that was worried about reaching the destination. The routes were infinite, and I struggled with the tricky checkpoint settings created by the organizers, Shige and Kamo-chan, but I decided to go with a route that seemed likely to earn high points while heading toward the goal. To the ladies' team I joined: just between us, I knew there would be ups and downs and that it would be a bit tough. Let me take this opportunity to apologize! (haha).
It was a repeated cycle of screaming on the uphills and feeling the joy of the downhills. Precisely because the route was so dramatic and full of ups and downs, I believe it allows people to cheer each other on, fostering a sense of camaraderie that is stronger than ever after finishing the ride.
And just when I had grown a little tired of the mountain scenery, the ocean view greeted us. On the way down to the coast, I was relieved to see people enjoying SUP and sea kayaking—activities that had been at risk of cancellation due to a typhoon. We headed for the finish at CAFE OCEAN.
Even when looking at the same place, CAFE OCEAN shows a completely different face depending on the weather and the season, making it fresh and exciting every time I visit. The staff working there are so vibrant, and the store is constantly changing, creating a wonderful space. That is precisely why we made CAFE OCEAN our finish line again this year, our third year.
When I arrived at the goal, I felt a sense of accomplishment for having finished, mingled with a sadness that this year's great adventure was coming to an end.
I imagine all the participants felt the same way.
RIDEALIVE 2016, through which we worked hard together, laughed together, and shed tears together, was drawing to a close.
While Ride Alive is conceptually "Circles' Summer Vacation," I think there are many things that even adults can realize and enjoy, such as the exploration of play and taking on new challenges. This year, we had so many participants bringing their children and joining as families; watching them take the values of Ride Alive and internalize them to enjoy these two days to the fullest is burned into my mind and heart.
I look forward to the day when I can pedal together somewhere else with the irreplaceable friends I met through this playground and share more laughs.
Ride Alive has been built up with the patience of "three years on a stone."
We were able to spend another truly fun two days this year.
Allow me to express my gratitude once again to everyone involved.
Thank you so very much.
I’m sure even greater adventures await us next year.
Ridealive 2016
Special thanks to everyone who supported RIDEALIVE 2016 (in no particular order)
Minshuku Kobiso ／ Shimoyama Saikuru Project ／ SundaySpice Mr. Shimada ／ Kissa Hiraya Mr. Oda ／ Engiya Mr. Hayashi ／
Atelier Michikusa Mr. Imoto ／ EDIT Motnorm ／ Aki Corporation ／ Motocross International ／ SUNWEST ／ Intertec ／ Globeride ／ CAFE OCEAN / ISLAND SURF ／ Hidenori Hanamura ／ Mochizuki Co., Ltd. ／ .HYAKKEI
TODAY’S RIDER
| Frame | Salsa | Casseroll |
| HeadSet | Campagnol | |
| Rim | H＋3 | The Box |
| Hub | Shimano | 105 |
| Tire | Challenge | Strada Bianca |
| Stem | Simworks | Dirty Rhonda |
| Brake | Paul | Midium Racer |
| Main Group | Shimano | Ultegra 6603 |
| Crank | Sugino | |
| Cage | King cage | Oliver Cage |
| Rack | Simworks | On The Road |
| Frame Bag | RAL | EL Loader |
| Pannier Bag | RAL | EX Loader |
| Helmet | Giro | Aspect |
| Shirt & T-Shirt | Patagonia | Capline |
| Short | Deeper’s Wear | FastPass Shorts |
| Shoes | Giro | Terraduro |
TEXT by TAKA ／ by Circles & Eri Tanaka