THE second Niseko Cycle Week kicked off on Sunday with a group ride from Hirafu to Niseko Village, followed by the opening ceremony and barbecue alongside the Niseko Village cross country mountain bike course.
A number of events were run on the course across the day including men’s long and short courses, women’s and kids races, providing a great atmosphere for spectators and those enjoying the day.
Following the barbecue a number of road riders including a group who travelled from Taiwan especially for the event, jumped back on their bikes for a ride around Mt Yotei.
It was a family fun-filled start to the week which aims to promote the fact Niseko is such a great place to ride in the summer, with endless kilometers of quiet country roads and a giant unused ski mountain to tackle on two wheels. As well as an excuse to enjoy the summer and Niseko’s great outdoors.
There are events scheduled every day over the next week including more social group road rides, a Niseko-wide Bike to Work day, some hair-raising downhill mountain bike rides and races down Grand Hirafu’s downhill course, a mountain road tour through the mountains behind Niseko, and a bunch of social events.
The week culminates at Hirafu on Sunday with a closing barbecue while the timed downhill mountain bike race takes place on the hillside above finishing alongside the barbecue.
For full details go to www.nisekocycleweek.com and for those wanting to visit Niseko and experience the cycling for themselves, check out www.groovecyclesniseko.com who can look after all your Niseko bike rental, information and equipment needs.