Bike
Exploration
How this rider took on active volcanoes in Japan
Watch Ring Of Fire, the video that tells the story of Stevie Smith’s exclusive ride in Miyake-jima.
3 min
Ring of Fire with Stevie Smith
Watch Ring Of Fire, the video that tells the story of Stevie Smith’s exclusive ride in Miyake-jima.
When the volcano on Miyake-jima erupted in the year 2000, the entire population of the island was evacuated and forced to live off-island for four-and-a-half years until 2005.
Canadian downhill racer Stevie Smith was fortunate enough to visit the island and was granted permission to explore the volcano by bike. This is a record of the first successful filming of the peak approved by Miyake Village since the eruption in 2000.
Watch the full video above and scroll down to find out more about his adventure.
The volcanic landscape of Miyakejima island
© Hiroyuki Nakagawa/Red Bull Content Pool
Volcanoes
Japan is a land of volcanoes and the Japanese people have long lived alongside and revered them. There are more than 100 active volcanoes across the country, 13 of which are considered, 'A rank', which means they have a highest possibility of eruption. One of these 'A rank' volcanoes is Miyake-jima.
Steve Smith making the volcanic ash fly
© Hiroyuki Nakagawa/Red Bull Content Pool
The first summit since the eruption 15 years ago
About 3,000 people have since returned to live on the island since the evacuation in 2000 and, this year, they celebrated the 10th anniversary of the lifting of the evacuation order. Through steady recovery over the past 10 years, life on Miyake-jima has returned to as it was before the eruption and authorisation for the filming of this project was given as part of the local government’s continuing tourism initiatives.
Steve Smith riding alongside the volcano
© Hiroyuki Nakagawa/Red Bull Content Pool
Battling the elements
Unfortunately, the peaks of Miyake-jima were enveloped in fog the entire time the team spent there. But Stevie still pushed his bike up the mountain each day, checking ground conditions along the route and, without the cameras rolling, he continually rode through the thick fog.
The day after filming was extended, the fog lifted. As if to clear the gloom of not being able to film for days, Stevie’s riding was at 100 percent. Speeding past the cameras, he could not be stopped.
It was peculiar but almost holy experience. I felt the power of the earth.
The crew spent days working in thick fog
© Hiroyuki Nakagawa/Red Bull Content Pool
The Hawaii of Japan
Miyake-jima is essentially the mouth of a volcano that is 8km across and begins 400m below sea level. A new caldera was created for the first time in 2,500 years, and you can now see scars from the powerful 2000 eruption from where masses of lava that reached the coastline.
Surrounded by the ocean, the island is abundant with powerful natural beauty and was once known as the Hawaii of Japan.
Heading towards the Pacific Ocean
© Hiroyuki Nakagawa/Red Bull Content Pool
Black lava and volcanic ash
The view changes drastically as you climb above the village on the coast. Beyond the gate of a restricted area there is an otherworldly zone that's populated only by the decaying tree trunks rotting from years of volcanic activity.
The final approach to the summit can only be made on foot. The path follows a mountain ridge where there was once a hiking path prior to the eruption in 2000, but it has been swallowed up by ash. It took about 40 minutes to hike to the summit and the view at the peak is awe-inspiring.
Volcanic plumes pour from the great maw of the volcanic crater that cuts several hundred metres straight down. When you're up here, there's no doubting that you're at the summit of an active volcano.
