Connecting people who enjoy rides. This edition of “Ring-Tomo,” introduced by Shinji Iwanami, the cycling guide at “HOSHINOYA Fuji,” features Kenichi Kawamura. He is not only a cycling guide for tourists visiting Japan but also the founder of “CYCLING JAPAN,” which offers cycling guide tours. We had the chance to ask Kawamura, who guides rides all over Japan, about various aspects related to cycling.

Table of contents

　Profile
　1. What’s your beloved bicycle?
　2. What’s your favorite cycling route?
　3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it?
　4. The ride event you’d like to participate in next and why?
　5. The most memorable moment in your cycling life?
　6. Your favorite cycling gear and why
　7. What does cycling mean to you?
　Introduction of the next guest.

Profile

Name Kenichi Kawamura
Job Founder of CYCLING JAPAN , Cycling guide
Hobbies Surfing
Cycling Experiences 34 years
SNS　Instagram　@cycling,japan
　　　Facebook　@Cycling,japan

1. What’s your beloved bicycle?

Soma Double Cross Disc (Steel frame)
SRAM Apex 1 x 11 speed
Ideal for bikepacking and gravel rides. I’ve ridden bikepacking trips in Hokkaido and Sri Lanka with this bike.

2. What’s your favorite cycling route?

This is the coastline around Toi Misaki in the southern part of Miyazaki Prefecture. With few cars around, you can experience a sense of closeness to nature, with wild monkeys basking in the sun on the roads and wild horses crossing the road. You can also see subtropical plants and enjoy a landscape different from that of Honshu.

3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it?

While not a riding event, I regularly enjoy bikepacking in Sri Lanka. There are many attractions such as historical Buddhist temples, roads through the jungle, and warm-hearted locals. My visits to Sri Lanka started with my hobby of surfing. When I first went there to surf, I met local pro riders in the sea, and that’s how I started riding bikes in this country too.

4. The ride event you’d like to participate in next and why?

In January and February 2025, I’m planning gravel rides in Sri Lanka and would love to ride with anyone interested. I’ve been visiting Sri Lanka regularly for cycling since 20 years ago and can guide you through some recommended routes. I had been visiting as part of scouting for the event, but had to pause my visits temporarily due to the outbreak of a civil war along the way. Afterward, I resumed my visits and finally, it seems like we can make it happen next year. Since local cyclists will guide the event, it will be enjoyable as an international exchange.Here’s a glimpse of an event I attended in 2020.

5. The most memorable moment in your cycling life?

I guide cycling tours, and sharing beautiful scenery with customers is always a wonderful memory. The photo shows us enjoying Toi Cape together. Exercising in nature together feels very liberating, and it’s a great way to bond with fellow riders.

6. Your favorite cycling gear and why

Strap Gear, 12 inches long.

Made of silicone, it stretches well and is durable. Very useful for bikepacking, whether securing a tent to the rear rack, temporarily bundling groceries, and more.

7. What does cycling mean to you?

It’s one of the ways to get outside and play. While there are many outdoor sports to enjoy in nature, cycling stands out as a great option since it starts right from your doorstep, offering an immediate outdoor experience and efficient human-powered transportation. I highly recommend it to all outdoor enthusiasts. Cycling allows you to connect with nature, stay active, sharpen your senses, and adds an element of adventure to the experience.

🚴‍♂️Introduction of the next guest.

Not limited to domestic tours, Kawamura is planning cycling events in overseas locations, including Sri Lanka. The “Ring-Tomo” introduced by him, who is active globally, is…

Akikazu Yamashita / Model and travel writer

Introduction by Kenichi Kawamura:↓
I met through a magazine interview. Since you enjoyed touring abroad, I feel he is someone who shares a similar style with me. He organizes an event called “Bike & Camp,” suggesting a lifestyle that mixes cycling and camping.

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Please look forward to the next time as well!

🚴‍♂️Here are all the Ring-Tomo members🚴‍♂️

#01　Daisaku Kawase (Freelance producer)
#02　Daisuke Imanaka (The first Japanese participant in the Tour de France)
#03　Shinji Iwanami (HOSHINOYA Fuji Cycling guide / Masseur)
#04　Kenichi Kawamura (Founder of CYCLING JAPAN / Cycling guide)
#05　Akikazu Yamashita (Model and travel writer)
#06　Miho Ishigaki (Model)
#07　Kazuyuki Yamaguchi (Sports journalist)
#08　Yoshimitsu Hiratsuka (Cycle Coordinator)

Post Date：2024.04.03