Spring operations have begun at the Ark Tategamori Ranch area, and this year they have introduced a new option for getting around the premises: rental bicycles (electrically assisted bicycles).

The vehicle being introduced is Bridgestone Cycle's 24-inch RAKUTTO, which has a reputation for "moving smoothly even up hills."

Previously, the only ways to get around the site were by sightseeing bus or on foot, in accordance with the guideline of "reducing the environmental impact," but now bicycle rentals have become a new option for getting around.

Ark Tategamori is located in the hills of the Tategamori Plateau, and is an area with many ups and downs. I have been riding mountain bikes for decades, but I was very interested in this electric-assist bicycle. On a nice day, I went for a ride around the ranch.

Reception is at the Farm Entrance and the fee is 1,000 yen for 3 hours.

Fill out the necessary information on the "Ark Tategamori Bicycle Rental Application and Consent Form", receive your key and helmet, and head to your bicycle's location, "Treehouse Kukunochi".

Bridgestone Cycle's RACUTTO 24-inch is suitable for children from 130 cm tall, so they can be ridden by children from around the third grade of elementary school, and of course adults (I'm 176 cm tall) can also ride it easily by adjusting the saddle.

When I turned it on and started pedaling, it started up easier than I expected. The electric motor drives the front wheels, and the rear wheels are driven by pedaling, so it's an all-wheel drive model. The ride is very comfortable, and you can feel the exhilaration of cutting through the wind and racing through the park with your whole body.

The place I was most interested in was Sakurazaka, which runs from Yumemigaoka Garden to the Sheep Farm, and the latter half of the slope has a maximum gradient of about 20 degrees. The start of the slope is easy, but halfway up the slope the speed drops, so I pedaled a little harder about 10 times. Then I reached the top of the slope. I wasn't even out of breath. From there I could glide down the Azalea Slope with a great view. There is also a convenient function that charges the battery when you brake on the way down.

Why not try touring the facility on an electric assist bicycle, a refreshing and fun new form of mobility?

Hiroshi Yabe, Agricultural Department