I participated in Shisoichi Ride Event 2025 as a support rider.
The event started and finished at the Shiso Yamasaki tourist parking lot. It was a 63-kilometer ride with an elevation gain of 630 meters, offering beautiful scenery and tasty aids.
On the day of the event, the host and guest riders, AD Fujimoto, Mr. Shiu who belongs to corporate team Niki, Miss Yukari on the verge of Fuji Hill Bronze, Reyan who often appears on AD Fujimoto’s YouTube channel, and Miss Mai from Cycling Kingdom Wakayama, came to add a touch of the color to the first event.
The event began with an enjoyable talk by AD Fujimoto. Then, the Shiso Police Department gave a presentation on how to prevent traffic accidents. Finally, the event began.
The course is clockwise, so after the start, it climbs Kirimado Pass to the first water station.
The team started at the water station and headed west toward Sayo Town. They crossed the Yaedani Pass and arrived at the Michi-no-Eki Chikusa aid station.
The first aid was apple pie.It is filled with apples and is hearty!
After enjoying the apple pie, head north through Chikusa Town toward the Torigawa Tunnel.
Once over this point, the climb is almost over.
After descending through the tunnel, we enjoyed lunch.
We had a bento from Wannesu Shokudo for lunch.
It consisted of fried fish and karaage. The vinegared side dish was tasty and helped relieve my tired body.
After lunch, the course took a downhill turn, and our pace quickly picked up.
We were able to run without worrying about the slight headwind. Before we knew it, we had arrived at Michi-no-Eki Minami-haga station.
In Minami Haga, we had “apple ice cream” at the aid and separately purchased a “Shiso beef burger” at the Shiso Beef Festival, which was held on the same day. The beef was tender and the sweetness of the fat soaked into the buns, making the burger very tasty.
(When I pulled the camera out for AD Fujimoto, he posed firmly.)
After starting at Michi-no-Eki Minami-Haga, go to Michi-no-Eki Ichinomiya.
The aid here offers croquettes or minced pork cutlets.
I chose the Tamakoro, which is filled with onions.
The onions are full of sweetness and delicious!
After leaving Michi-no-Eki Ichinomiya, we have only 10 kilometers to go.
We will not let up and will safely reach our goal with all the participants.
A picture with the participants who ran with us as we were passing the Yochi Cave Gate on the way to the finish line.
When we stopped at the last water station, we were told that the leader had crossed the finish line.
We had plenty of time, so we weren’t in a hurry to reach the finish line.
Everyone arrived safely at the tourist parking lot after passing in front of the Shiso City Hall.
Upon arrival, a grand raffle was held with prizes including lodging tickets in Shiso City, Shiso beef, wheel bags (RK-02/RK-03DR), rice, sake, and other luxury items being given away.
In the rock-paper-scissors tournament for the AD Fujimoto prize of “Matsuzaka beef shigureni”, we were down to the last two players, but lost at the last minute…
(Well, we avoided the situation where the driving staff took the prize home.)）
After the raffle, we took a commemorative photo, socialized with the participants, and then went our separate ways.
It was an enjoyable day!
As a support rider, I was very happy that all participants were enjoyed Shisoichi without any accidents.
I hope it will be held again next year!
