Rediscovering the City! I took my mountain bike for a relaxed exploration of Hiroshima.
Hello, this is Ikeda.
The other day, for the first time in a while, I went out for a city cycling ride on my mountain bike. The reason is, I recently saw a young customer at the shop with sparkling eyes, riding an MTB... I was inspired by their excitement, and my own desire to ride surged up within me.
◆ Enjoying the "MTB = mountain" image in the city
When you think of mountain bikes, you probably imagine riding on trails and forest roads in the mountains, but this time I specifically rode in the city of Hiroshima.
As I researched the topography and history of Hiroshima, I learned that the small hills in the city were once "islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea." As someone who loves history and historical ruins, once I knew this, I couldn't stay still. So, I decided to go on a "city exploration ride."
◆ Why MTB for city riding?
There are surprisingly many ups and downs in the city, with steps, bridges, and even some unpaved roads scattered around. In such places, the thick tires and low gear ratio of a mountain bike come in very handy. Especially on extremely steep hills, I truly felt the reliability of an MTB!
My companion for this ride was an Unauthorized "33rpm." It's a hardtail MTB specialized for trail riding and downhill, so it's frankly overkill for city riding. But that's exactly what makes it fun.
The goal this time wasn't intense trails, but "exploring casually and having fun." I wanted to get used to riding again, recover from recent lack of exercise, and most of all, ride a mountain bike! I set out with those feelings.
Another point is that MTBs don't require too much of a forward-leaning posture, making them comfortable to ride. They are also recommended for those who want to get back into exercise.
◆ Exploring the "former island" hills hidden in the city
This time, I explored the western area of Hiroshima city. I rode around small elevated areas within the city, such as Ebisuyama, Iguchi Park, and Sarayama in Eba.
These "mountains" were originally islands floating in the sea, which over a long period of time were filled with sediment and connected to the mainland.
Even though it was city riding, it felt like "island hopping" or "low mountain trekking." Slowly riding while encountering plants along the way and feeling the small histories associated with the land was the real pleasure of this ride.
◆ From paved roads to "that path" just off the beaten track
The charm of a mountain bike is not only that it can run stably and comfortably on paved roads, but also the freedom and sense of security it provides when you venture onto unpaved paths.
There are surprisingly many "paths you want to ride on" in the city, such as grassy areas, gravel roads, and back roads covered with branches and fallen leaves.
When you find a small path that makes you wonder "What's beyond here?", you just can't help but want to ride it. That's probably the magic of mountain biking.
Even on your usual commute route or in a familiar city, if you change your perspective a little, you'll find many unexpected discoveries. Let's enjoy city riding on an MTB as a first step to riding, and as a way to overcome lack of exercise.
The "Un Authorized 33rpm" introduced in this ride is in stock and available for sale. We also have a test ride bike at the store. Please come and try it out to experience the fun!