Japan Bike Adventures - About - JAPAN BIKE ADVENTURES

Our Story

K.K. GS ASTUTO - 40yrs of cycling innovation

Brand start in 1980 (US / Europe) Amateur Racing Team
Operated as Import / Export Trading until 1986
Hiatus Period as founders pursued other careers (software, engineering, etc)
Original Founder resettled to Japan (2002)
Cycling Hobby becomes Venture (2004) reboot GS Astuto
Venture becomes lifestyle business in Japan (2006)
Formation K.K. in Japan Software / Lifestyle / Business
Consolidation under GS Astuto (2012)
Continuous operation as Cycling Lifestyle Brand
Established cycling base in Kiryu, Gunma (2017)
<COVID>
Relocated to Matsuida, Gunma - Historic Nakasendo Cycling Base Renovation and startup.
Established co-existence of Cafe, Minpaku, Atelier, Touring Support (1st in Japan)
Operated Japan’s largest inbound single tourism tour 2022 (600 participants)

Our Philosophy - Astuto

I started GS Astuto about 40yrs ago with a couple of other young cycle racers. I was the ‘old man’ in the crew in my late 20′s and just off a stint of cyclotouring and racing in Europe. We were all Italiaphiles, if you’ve seen ‘Breaking Away’ , which was popular at the time, you’d pretty much have us nailed. Add in some basic punk-rock nature, pre-grunge socialism and the target narrows. But more than anything we loved to ride and race. And that’s what we did. A lot.

Coming from a mixed farming, logging, aircraft and engineering mashup family history, being a mechanic and engineer was just in the DNA. Working on and building bikes was no different. Serial entrepreneurship followed.

GS Astuto is about being clever. My heroes have always been the clever ones. Who challenge the status quo and don’t fear to rides paths unknown. When you ride with GS Astuto you are riding on the result of experience, cooperation and innovation. You are also riding my wheels, bikes and I take that very serious.

Our Founders

Tim Smith - CEO

Naoko Smith - COO

Our Bikes

In addition to our bespoke titanium RAMAX cycles, we also feature selected carbon and e-bikes from top brands and manufacturers. All of our bikes are selected and maintained to meet very high performance standards and suitability for the unique Japanese roads. Since we are also a retail bike shop, we have access to almost major component brands and service items. This means we can easily keep our bikes in top running condition as well as provide parts and service for almost any brand, make or type of bike.

bIKE RENTAL PAGE

Sustainable Travel

We are proud to include sustainable travel practices as one of the key points of our tours end experiences in Japan. What does this really mean? And is it the right fit for your adventure?

Japan has a highly developed transportation infrastructure based on extensive high speed rails connecting almost every part of Japan. That along with a large network of highways and smaller roads means that access to the countryside (where much of the great cycling is) can be reached with minimal hassle and low impact transport.

The personal transportation combined with excellent overland logistics means that we can actually transport the visitors and their gear more or less asynchronously, yet match up on critical times so you have your gear when you need it. Also, byt focusing on small groups (1-8 people) we can more easily access the smaller lodges and ryokan which are often space limited and higher chance of reduced advance booking. So- how does all this work?

- We have our own cycling lodge. Located less than 2hrs from Tokyo and easy access by Shinkansen. Our place is the perfect (geocentric) location in Japan to start any tour or visit. By combining the provisioning, planning and routing from a convenient base, we can welcome guests quickly and get them rolling on amazing rides with minimal extra logistics, handling or gear gathering.

- Provide awesome gear. It's no secret our bikes are among the best in Japan (if not anywhere). High end Titanium , Carbon and also the latest e-bikes are always ready for your adventures. Great gear means lower en route support requirements. It also means more user smiles! Whether you are going out for a Perfect Day loop or multi week adventure, we have you covered with the best.

- Japan is well suited to individual travelers. With many resting areas, convenience stores, vending machines and roadside shops. It's hard to ride more than an hour without passing some place to eat, snack, rest or view.

- The immersive experience. Japan has a pilgrimage culture. Taking time in one's busy life for introspection, meditation, exploration and seeking. Many of the trade routes became pilgrimage routes and vice versa. By mindful traveling, one can tune into the country in a deep and meaningful way. Without external distractions your experience becomes deeper and more personal.

- We have your back. We totally understand that adventure can be too adventuresome or raise some pretty big challenges. Our method is more to support you as a traveler and ensure you are well covered in case of any event that is too extreme. It's not necessary to follow along, micro-guiding. In fact this is something that we don't really do. However if you do need assistance - we are there to help and make sure that your challenge is resolved with minimal upset.

- Sustainable travel really means a more integrated way to explore and experience tourism. Without disrupting nature, cultural artifacts and reducing the carbon impact of your trip. Smaller slices of daily life, interacting with others, enrichment and growth.