I participated in the annual big event for Eirin Marutamachi and Cycle Hatena, "VILLAGE GREEN RIDE 2024"! (From the perspective of the Imadegawa store manager)
I participated in "VILLAGE GREEN RIDE 2024," the annual event hosted by Eirin Marutamachi Store & Cycle Hatena!
What is VILLAGE GREEN RIDE?
“VILLAGE GREEN” is an annual big event hosted by “Eirin Marutamachi Store,” our branch specializing in sports bikes and camping gear, and its annex, “Cycle Hatena.”
It's a cycling event where bike enthusiasts from all over Japan gather, regardless of bike type—cross bikes, road bikes, gravel bikes, MTBs, mini velos—and whether they're fast or prefer a relaxed pace, with the concept of "everyone can enjoy themselves!"
About the 2024 Event Overview
Choose from two ride courses.
■Course A
On-road (Distance: 63.9km, Elevation gain: 1507m) Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge ⇒ Rokuchotoge Pass ⇒ Hozukyo Station ⇒ Mizuo Yuzu no Sato ⇒ Shinmei Pass ⇒ Oe no Tanada (terraced rice fields) ⇒ Hiyoshi Dam Lake Shore (Springs Hiyoshi) ⇒ Urakyo-mitoge Pass ⇒ Takagamine Mercato
■Course B
On-road & Gravel Course (Distance: 55.2km, Elevation gain: 1460m) Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge ⇒ Kiyotakigawa Gravel (some sections require carrying bikes) ⇒ Forest road/Old road hill climb & gravel downhill ⇒ Tochimoto River Park (A & B route junction) ⇒ Urakyo-mitoge Pass ⇒ Takagamine Mercato
Course A is an asphalt-only road course, suitable for various bike types including road bikes with narrow tires.
Course B is a course mainly on-road but including gravel sections. It's more challenging, with hiking sections where you carry your bike.
Both courses start at Arashiyama, a popular Kyoto tourist spot, and aim for "Takagamine Mercato" at the summit of Kyo-mitoge Pass.
According to the Marutamachi store and Hatena staff, it's a "mid-level course for cyclists," but honestly, for me, an office worker, both are super tough, sadistic courses💦
And at the goal, at the "Takagamine Mercato" restaurant in the sky, a reward of spectacular views and exquisite roasted chicken (exclusive to ride participants) awaits!
In addition, this year, the "VILLAGE GREEN MARKET" featuring luxury brands was also held at the same venue, "Takagamine Mercato"!
And, as has been customary since last year, camping accommodation is also allowed, making it an all-inclusive event.
My experience participating in VILLAGE GREEN RIDE 2024
This time, I recklessly chose Course B.
Registration began at 7 AM, and groups started around 8 AM. Since VILLAGE GREEN welcomes various bike types, just looking at the participants' bikes is fun!
From Arashiyama to the hike-and-carry area, the pace was relaxed. It was perfect for my sleepy body and I enjoyed the scenic views typical of Kyoto's tourist spots◎
The hike-and-carry area was tough for those unaccustomed to carrying bikes. Nevertheless, all the participants were incredibly kind, helping each other out, and we cleared it without difficulty!
I received photos from mappy777さん (Instagram) who participated with me! It's rare to get photos taken by anyone other than staff, so I'm really happy!
There was a mishap where a bottle fell into the river midway, but the participants rescued it together◎ It's wonderful to have an event where everyone supports each other!
After that, we walked our bikes through the hiking course and entered Taniyama Forest Road, the most difficult section of the day. The climb was about 7km long with an elevation gain of about 600m, and a maximum gradient of 16.4% (average 7.3%).
The road was narrow, and I couldn't alleviate the incline by zigzagging... I just kept climbing silently (I got picked up by a car about halfway through).
Among the participants, there were many ironmen carrying camping gear, or riding single-speed bikes...💦
However, there are no water points on Taniyama Forest Road, so those going alone should be careful! During this event, a support car was always on standby for hydration, but it's difficult to get water on your own.
And then, the highlight of today's ride: we plunged into a gravel downhill that felt endlessly long. The road surface was good, and I thoroughly enjoyed the gravel descent!
I had a puncture from pushing too hard on the way...
After the gravel course, we reached the meeting point with Course A. We had a lively chat with the Course A participants about the differences in our courses◎
After that, we cycled together with the Course A participants until the goal.
From the meeting point to the summit of Kyomiga-toge Pass, it's usually not a very difficult course, but I was completely exhausted💦 I reflected on needing to build up more stamina.
The participants, however, were all smiles, saying, "I'm looking forward to the chicken!"
And, we reached the goal at Mercato!!
At the Mercato goal, not only ride participants but also many market visitors came, and it was a huge success beyond imagination◎
Ride participants enjoying their reward of roasted chicken, and visitors enjoying the vendor booths.
Perhaps the staff of other Eirin stores who helped out were even more surprised than the staff of the host Marutamachi store💦
Anyway, everyone enjoying this event instantly blew away all the fatigue from the ride!
The exquisite roasted chicken at Takagamine Mercato was superb!!
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