Circle of Cycling Friends Ring-tomo! ＃01 Daisaku Kawase
Connecting people who enjoy rides. The first guest is the freelance producer, Daisaku Kawase. The most memorable ride of his life was the scene on that mountain in Japan…
目次
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 Daisaku Kawase , Days Inc.
Job Freelance producer
Hobbies Cycling, Running, Reading, Work
Cycling Experience 17 years
SNS Instagram ＠kawabou / X(twitter) @Kawabou
1. What’s your beloved bicycle?
Trek’s Émonda
2. What’s your favorite cycling route?
Starting from Mount Takao and circling around Tsukui Lake, Lake Miyagase, and Lake Sagami, this Spartan course has an elevation gain of about 1800 meters. The lakes are stunningly beautiful. It’s a course I’ve ridden the most in my life, partly because I love mountain trails.
I usually leave home around 6 or 7 AM, ride to the nearest station, take the train with my bike, assemble it at Takao Station, then leisurely spend about six hours on the route. The key is to ascend the final Otarumi Pass without putting a foot down. On the way back, if there’s time, I indulge in Hachioji Ramen or the famous Tororo Soba, soak in the hot springs in Takao, relax in the sauna, and then return by train. I often go on these trips alone.
3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it?
Honolulu Century Ride 2023.
My first time in Hawaii, it was amazing! It was a Hawaiian ride that made me reflect deeply on myself, as I had thought I was just superficial all along.
4. The ride event you’d like to participate in next and why?
BIKE NEW YORK 2024.
Learning about it being the world’s largest ride event, my interest was immediately piqued. The idea of cycling through the streets of Manhattan while they’re closed off sounds exhilarating.
5. The most memorable moment in your cycling life?
The greatest ride route in my life is Aso.
Climbing from Beppu Onsen to Mount Yufu, aiming for Aso, riding along the undulating Yamanami Highway made me feel like I was the only person on Earth. At first, it was all uphill. It wasn’t excessively steep, but eventually, as I smoothly ascended a ridge and descended a bit, suddenly, Mount Yufu appeared before me, colossal and stunning! It shook my soul. Starting early in the morning, the slopes leading up to that point were dark, so when the mountain suddenly appeared, it was dramatic! The sheer scale and beauty were too immense to capture in a photo.
6. Your favorite cycling gear and why
RAPHA’s Essential Case.
It holds all my puncture repair essentials. The size is just right and it easily fits into the back pocket.
7. What does cycling mean to you?
Adventure.
It’s about using my body and senses to discover unseen landscapes and encounter new people or things. These extraordinary experiences make me acutely aware of my own position. Adventures that bring joy are crucial in life. And then, I move forward to the next one.
Introduction of the next guest.
Due to their profession, Mr. Kawase is acquainted with numerous individuals across various genres and regions. One such person introduced by Mr. Kawase is…
Daisuke Imanaka
Introduced by Daisaku Kawase: “For cyclists, Mr. Imanaka is a legend. We met at the 2023 Honolulu Century Ride, and he provided me with a legendary assist, pushing my back during the middle of the course. I already consider him my buddy, without his knowledge! 😄
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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)