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"At first I was scared of the hills, but I was happy when I was finally able to run up them."

JPF Co., Ltd., Ltd. (main office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shuntaro Watanabe; hereinafter "JPF") was commissioned by Toyama City to operate the "1st MTB Challenge (Experience Event)" hosted by Toyama City on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the mountain bike course around the Kubusugawa Dam (NiX Sports Academy Cycle Park, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture). A total of 11 people participated in the experience event that day: 7 elementary school students and 4 guardians. Of these, 3 families participated, and almost all of them were riding a mountain bike for the first time.

This experience event was designed for beginners and those with no prior experience, and included a 90-minute program covering everything from basic operations such as braking, basic riding posture, and gear shifting, to riding on a course in nature and playing mini-games.

[Start with basic controls in the plaza]
After getting on the MTBs to check the size of the bikes and doing some warm-up exercises, the participants put on helmets and elbow/knee protectors provided by JPF and proceeded to basic training.
The instructor was Jun Matsuo, a former professional MTB rider affiliated with JPF. First, he explained how to apply the brakes, which feel different from a regular bicycle, and the basic riding posture. After that, participants practiced riding in a flat area, checking their form, and then moved on to practicing shifting gears. Participants confirmed the basics of braking, posture, and shifting gears one by one.

[From basic practice to a course surrounded by trees]
After finishing their practice in the open area, the participants moved to an MTB course surrounded by trees. Before riding the course, Matsuo explained the key points of riding, and the participants entered the course, which made use of the natural terrain, while checking the maneuvers they had practiced so far. They challenged themselves to ride a course that included hills in an environment where they don't often have the opportunity to ride a bicycle in their daily lives.

Participants who completed the basic training and course run commented, "At first I was scared of the hills, but I was happy that I was able to run in the end." Another participant who took part with their family said, "It was fun to run through the mountains with the whole family."

[Adults and children alike engage in a serious competition, culminating in a limbo dance]
After the course ride, a mini-game called "Limbo Dance" was held, where participants rode their bicycles under a bar. Adults and children alike took part, and the venue became lively with excitement each time a participant seriously made their way to the bar.

[Not just learning about the facilities, but also inspiring you to actually run there.]
For participants who knew of the facility's existence but had never used it before, this experience event provided an opportunity to actually use the facility and ride mountain bikes on courses surrounded by nature. JPF hopes that this experience will encourage participants to continue using the facility in the future, and that they will enjoy the unique charm of off-road riding while connecting with nature through mountain biking.

[Event Overview]
name: 1st MTB Challenge (Trial Event)
Date and time: July 18, 2026 (Sat) 13:30-15:00
venue: Mountain bike course around Kubusugawa Dam
(NiX Sports Academy Cycle Park)
16-2 Kiritani, Yao, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture 939-2333
Organizer: Toyama City
operation: JPF Co., Ltd.
Instructor: Jun Matsuo (Affiliated with JPF Co., Ltd. / Former professional MTB rider)
Participants: 11 people (7 elementary school students, 4 guardians)
Attendees: Approximately 20 people (including 11 participants)
Main contents: Warm-up exercises, how to handle an MTB, basic posture and gear shifting practice, riding on an MTB course, mini-games
Related URLs:https://www.city.toyama.lg.jp/bunka/sports/1010564/1018949.html
　　　　　https://www.toyama-keirin.com/information/detail/2964

【本件に関するお問い合わせ先】
株式会社JPF スポーツ・地域振興部（担当：明珍、田中）
TEL：03-6697-7166
お問い合わせフォーム：https://www.jpf.co.jp/contact/press/