Japanese trial pro Tomomi Nishikubo has built a new training area in the Odawara Forest Bike Park. The project, called "Tomomi's North Shore", was created after the filming of his video "Ride to Survive II" and comprises three differently challenging routes with wooden elements. French freerider Eliott Lapotre was also a guest at the inauguration. The project was realised in collaboration with fork manufacturer SR Suntour.
After completing the elaborate filming of his video "Ride to Survive II", Japanese trials specialist Tomomi Nishikubo has realised a special project: In the Odawara Forest Bike Park near Yokohama, "Tomomi's North Shore" was created, a new training area specifically designed to improve bike control and balance. The facility, which was realised in collaboration with suspension partner SR Suntour, was recently officially opened and is primarily intended to benefit the local mountain bike community. French freeride and North Shore expert Eliott Lapotre, who tested the new trails together with Nishikubo, also travelled to the opening ceremony.
Three lines for different riding levels
The new training area consists of three differently challenging routes, each designed to improve technical riding skills. The wooden constructions include narrow bridges, ramps, seesaws and wall rides - typical North Shore elements that have become particularly popular in the Canadian mountain bike scene. Nishikubo has deliberately integrated different levels of difficulty: A beginner's line for beginners, an intermediate route for advanced riders and a challenging line for experienced riders. This gradation is intended to give mountain bikers of all skill levels the opportunity to improve their riding technique in a targeted manner.
Video documentation of the project
Nishikubo captured the construction and inauguration of the North Shore area in a video entitled "Building North Shore in Japan". The film provides insights into the creation of the wooden structures, shows the first test rides and documents the opening with Eliott Lapotre. The video also includes scenes from the Odawara Forest Bike Park and gives an impression of the growing Japanese mountain bike scene. In addition to this clip, Nishikubo's current project "Ride to Survive II" is also available online, for which he also filmed at the Odawara Forest Bike Park.
Thank you to the community
The motivation for the project arose during the 1.5-year filming of "Ride to Survive II". Nishikubo wanted to give something back to the local bike community and at the same time create a permanent training ground. "Odawara Forest Bike Park is the place where I filmed my latest edit 'Ride to Survive II'. After I finished the project, I thought to myself: Okay, now it's time to build some cool stuff for other people," says Nishikubo, explaining his motivation. With the training centre, he wants to contribute to the development of the Japanese mountain bike scene: "Mountain biking is growing in Japan, and I think this will help people improve their riding technique." The project was also significantly supported by SR Suntour
International inauguration
The grand opening of the new training area turned into a small event for the local mountain bike scene. In addition to numerous Japanese bikers, Eliott Lapotre was also there as an international guest. The French freerider, who is known for his impressive North Shore skills, tested the new trails and also explored the other trails of the Odawara Forest Bike Park with Nishikubo. This not only gave him an insight into the Japanese mountain bike scene, but also into the local culture - which Nishikubo describes in the video as "Japanese savoir-vivre".
Laurin Lehner
Editor
