Reviewed by: Sprocketeer , from Narashino, Chiba, Japan (native New Yorker)

Summary:
I don't know what the event was called, but it was run by a bicycle shop (href:http//www.taki-cycle.com). The shop mainly sells Cannondale bikes and it was apparrent that the roughly eighty or so people there were customers of the shop. We each paid 3000 yen to join the event, which included an all-you-can-eat international selection of food that was absolutely delicious--some of the best non-Japanese food I've had at a buffet in or outside of Japan. There were guides who lead us in skill-level-based groups through the trails, and I met a lot of cool people there. They also had reps from Cannondale come bearing demo bikes. This was a particularly rare opportunity in Japan because they allowed us to ride the entire trails on the demo bikes if we wished. I tried out a few and got them good and dripping with mud. Cannondale also had one of its technical team riders come and do a whole show, including jumping over eight people lying side by side on the ground. Great stuff. It was a hell of a lot of fun, the food was excellent and plentiful--something for everyone--lots of people were there, and I had a great time. So if you have a chance, please come to the next event. If you don't speak Japanese, I'll be your translator.

Recommended Route:
Go to the Japan Aerobics Center--it's basically a country club for regular people, which features a hotel, tennis courts, and just about anything to get your heart pumping.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I've never seen a place to mountain bike in Japan as good as this place--not even close.