Serious FOMO for those who got to do this years summit. Was curious to hear from members on how the trip was? Highlights? Challenges? What surprised you the most? Would you do it again?
We’re still in Japan touring, having enjoyed the Summit in Takayama last week.
We also attended the first summit in Belgium in 2024 and toured for 3 months that time too.
So I think you it’s safe to say we enjoyed it and we’ll do it again. 
The riding was definitely challenging - and the humidity made the heat really tough. I can cope with Canberra and Adelaide in the high 30°Cs but ~30°C here is really hard work.
As for surprises, maybe the speed that Jack & Ronan passed me on the really looong, hot, sweaty climbs.
Or the speed Andy could hold as he chased Helen up the climbs on her e-bike!
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That makes me triply sad that I moved away from Japan in 2023 after close to 10 years in total. I really miss riding in Japan, the backroads can be spectacular.
Those tracksuits are awesome
Thanks for the update, and the pics! Looks like a tough trip with the humidity. Loving the trackie’s! What was the make-up of the other riders? Mostly Aussies? Wonder where next year will be?
How was Takayama chosen? Does it have some classic climbs? Like Max, most of my riding was in Tohoku and I didn’t get around to exploring further afield.
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The members were from all over.
Jase may be able to confirm numbers, but lots of Americans, a fair few Aussies, Brits, Canadians, Finnish, Croatia…. 
Did you get the email inviting interest in a repeat next year?
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I dunno why Takayama was chosen, but it’s definitely an interesting city and spectacular riding.
Bring your climbing legs, or hire an e-bike like Hels did.
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Oh, I just thought of my biggest surprise - as I throw yet-more plastic wrappers in the “burnable rubbish” bin in our BnB!
The way EVERYTHING is wrapped in plastic - in very small portions to maximise the plastic ratio, is bad enough but it seems this is all then just disposed of by burning.
Then multiple hotels have signs asking us to help the environment by re-using our towels and using toilet paper to the end. YAY.
All while cooling the hotel public spaces so cold we’d need a jumper if we were there for long.
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Real Turkmenistan national cycling days vibes!
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I don’t know exact numbers but definitely not a majority of Aussies, or anything close to that.
One of the reasons we chose Japan is that it has relatively equal traveling times from our major membership bases around the world. USA, EU and AUS participants all have relatively similar direct-flight options to get to Japan.
We also want to provide a special riding experience and Takayama really delivers on that. Superb quiet roads with stunning scenery all around. Some of the nicest climbing I’ve done and somehow you’re always riding near some kinda water - rivers, streams etc. It’s beautiful.
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Did you get the email inviting interest in a repeat next year?
I did not but I also didn’t go to Japan. Guessing it only went to those who were on the trip?
It was sent out via the Weekly Member Newsletter for last week (29th August). You need to be subscribed to the Member Newsletter to receive that (most members are).
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It was a lot of fun. I spent time in Tokyo before and after, but Takayama was nice! The riding and routes were good. Weather was a bit iffy, but Brad and the Raid team were up to the challenge! I cannot speak more highly about the Raid Cycling and Escape teams. I have not been a member long and did not know a lot of the people, but everyone was very welcoming. Other attendees were awesome! The jet lag was very tough on me, and I had just gotten over being sick, so I was not up to my normal level. I still had fun! I would do it again, but probably not next year. The flights were pretty hard on me!
The customer service level is off the charts in Japan! It is so different then most other places I have lived or travelled. Everybody should experience it!
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Hi Tim,
Where’d you fly from? 
Those Turkmenistan track suits also giving Squid Game vibes as well!