[Video] RustOut 2025: “Rust Is Proof of Life”

Jan 31

By Go and Paul.D

Fixed gear criterium track bike show Japan RustOut

If you haven’t read my previous coverage of RustOut in 2024 (Keirin and Karting: Welcome to RustOut), here’s a quick recap of what this event is all about. Take a bicycle show, a criterium race, a go-kart track, and a lot of friends, mix them together, and you get something so fun that we decided to do it again.

Organized primarily by Go from FumukiriGang and Taiga from Path Backyard, RustOut is proof of two simple things. First, you don’t need wild concepts or spectacular venues to create something great. Second, when your local community is strong, people will show up.

To avoid the wildly expensive costs of hosting such an event in Tokyo, RustOut was held in the neighboring prefecture of Saitama, nearly two hours away by car. But still, people came! They shared rides, organized group rides from the nearest train station, and made the effort without hesitation. All of it because a day spent riding, hanging out, and looking at beautiful bikes is worth far more, to a lot of people, than you might expect.

Finally, I’d like to (re)introduce Go a.k.a @3l05. A talented photographer, videographer, and all-around creative, but also a close friend, and someone I was finally able to convince to share the incredible work he produces with a broader audience through Slow Spin Society. And since we figured you might have a few questions, we put together a short FAQ below so Go and Taiga can explain the hows and whys behind RustOut.

What is RustOut?

RustOut is a culture-rooted bicycle event centered around fixed-gear bikes. It combines original races, designed to be enjoyable for everyone, from beginners to experienced riders, along with a custom bike show. It’s a place where racing and bike culture coexist, allowing participants and spectators alike to experience both at the same time.

Why does RustOut exists?

Whatever you might hear around you, we believe fixed-gear bikes and culture are still gaining momentum worldwide. Yet in Japan, events dedicated to this scene remain rare. As a result, opportunities for connection, exchange, and new energy within the community have unfortunately slowed. RustOut was created to help revive the scene by offering an event that can be enjoyed not only through riding but also through watching, hanging out, and sharing this awesome atmosphere.

Why steel frames?

One of RustOut’s key features is “TETSUJIN”, a race limited to NJS-certified frames.

Quite simply: We love Keirin bikes, and we love steel frames.

In Japan, keirin frames are relatively affordable and built to last, which is something that feels like a unique local advantage. The name RustOut itself comes from steel. It’s about not letting bikes sit unused in a room but riding them, using them hard, and letting them age naturally. Rust is not neglect, it’s proof of life.

So what’s next for RustOut?

Going forward, RusOut aims to reach beyond traditional bicycle culture by incorporating activities that exist outside the usual boundaries of cycling. We want more people to discover the joy of riding bikes and create more opportunities to play, connect, and enjoy time together.

If more people start riding fixed-gear bikes, the scene grows stronger. But above all, what matters most is that we keep having fun ourselves and invite others to do the same.

Finally, here’s a brilliant idea for anyone planning an event: give your staff a bunch of disposable cameras and let them shoot freely. A few days later, you’ll be rewarded with a stack of unexpected, honest, and genuinely great photos.