Maybe Die is a documentary film self-produced by Walden Studio and The Roosters, with a total budget that did not reach 5,000 €. It is indeed the debut of its director Aitor Saavedra, who also filmed and edited the documentary.

Maybe Die was filmed in May 2016 in Japan. It follows The Roosters (Nacho, Mario, Carlos, Delvis and Jaime) along their fixed gear and unassisted trip through Japan. From Niigata in the north of the country to the crater of Mount Aso, in the Kumamoto Prefecture, one of the most active volcanoes in the Japanese archipelago.
The route, more than 1,400 kilometers along 16 stages, would lead them to cross most of the impressive Japanese geography: from the immense rice fields of the north to the imposing Japanese Alps. Moving from remote villages between cloudy mountains like Shirakawa-go, to futuristic cities like Osaka or Kyoto where the most avant-garde Japan blends with the centennial Japanese holy tradition.
Discovering the quiet island of Shinjiku or finding the treasures hidden in Dreamland were some of the surprises that the route kept. But none as large as the one awaiting on the summit of Mount Aso.

The team was completed by the photographer Lino Escuris, who besides being in charge of the still photography turned out to be a magnificent first ranger. And Miguel Gatóo, expert bike adventurer who this time acted as driver, team manager and spiritual healer.

Aitor, Miguel, Carlos, Nacho and Delvis resting at a baseball court near Itoigawa. Baseball courts turned to be one of the best places to camp.

 

 

Junpei, Carlos, Mario and Jaime at our favorite spot in Shibuya, Tokyo. The place where it all started.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yuya and Jaime riding by the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo.                                                  Junpei and Mario, riding near W-Base, a local bicycle store.

 

                     

Girls riding in Osaka.                                                                  Lino, Miguel and our Toyota Probox in Osaka. This car was our mobile fortress.

Snacks everywhere. Even in the middle of nowhere.                                                       Snacks, snacks, snacks…

  

Delvis in Tokyo, Mario in Fushimi Inari-taisha and Jaime entering the Japanese Alps.

            

First camp of the whole trip at Niigata. This night we slept 2 hours.                                A nap near Kashiwazaki.

 

Not every night was a camping night. Sometimes we spent the night indoors, like in this Ryokan at Gujo. Or this huge building in Tokyo.

Rice fields near Namerikawa. Behind you can see the Japanese Alps, our next stop.

 

             

The Roosters riding ahead.                                                                                                Aitor filming The Roosters near Iyo.

             

The gates of Dreamland, one the most crazy parts of the trip.                                         Nacho riding in Dreamland.

 

Carlos with Ran-chan and Dori-chan, the Dreamland mascots.

Some months after we return Spain, we heard that Nara Dreamland was closed for good and demolished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

Some police issues near Kyoto. If you ride in Japan you will need brakes.                      Delvis and Carlos resting by the river near Toyama.

 

             

One of the many level crossings in Kyoto.                                                                       Nacho, Carlos, Lino and Mario riding Kyoto near some scholars.

 

The Roosters climbing the first big leap.                                                                          The wild Delvis in the woods of Itoigawa.

This downhill near Niihama was another highlight of the trip. Perfect light, perfect temperature and perfect road.

 

        

Seki, Junpei and Kenny. Part of our Japanese family (we miss you guys!)

 

             

The ferry that connects Yawatahama with Beppu made us get up at 4:00 a.m.               Breakfast at the ferry.

             

Lino and Delvis enjoying some local food.                                                                         Yuki and her favorite wasabi makis.

 

The Roosters entering the Japanese Alps. One of the most beautiful stages of the journey.

 

             

Riding under the rain near Toyama.                                                                                   Leaving behind Shirakawa-go

             

The quiet and silence of Shinjiku.                                                                                      Through the rice fields of Kumamoto.

 

Climbing Mount Aso.

 

7km to the crater of Mount Aso.

 

Photos by Aitor Saavedra, Lino Escuris and Mario Cranks