In this series, the Global Ride editorial team—connecting fun rides around the world—visits the local bike shops where cyclists gather. With an “all roads lead to the local bike shop” mindset, this time we travel to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture, approximately 230 kilometers northwest of Nihonbashi, Tokyo. Matsumoto is a historic castle town neighboring Azumino, home to the popular Azumino Century Ride, a cycling event renowned for its scenic routes through lush rice paddies and beneath the peaks of the Japanese Alps. * The Azumino Century Ride will be featured in a separate article. Text_Mayumi Kamura Table of Contents 1. A Castle Town on the Plains2. CLAMP Matsumoto Kura Store — Bringing […]
Hello, and welcome back. Early summer already seems to be in the air, and the rising temperatures have been making my head spin a little. I hope you’re doing well wherever you are. The first time I rode in Honolulu was in September 2023. Since then, I’ve only attended as a member of the media. Time and again, I found myself having the same exchange with riders: “Are you riding this year?”“I’m here to cover the event.”“Why not ride while you’re covering it?” Fair point. Maybe I should. That thought was lingering in the back of my mind when I recently took part in my second TD Five Boro Bike Tour, a ride of about 65 km. What struck me most was how many new things I noticed on a cou […]
Southern Italy, the 1950s. For those born on the island, “the outside world” feels impossibly far away. Mario’s friends leave one after another for America, and only postcards make their way back to the island. Beyond the sea, in “America,” they begin entirely new lives. Meanwhile, Mario drifts through his days with a restless frustration he cannot name, skipping work helping his fisherman father with excuses of “feeling under the weather.” His father tells him, “America, Japan—anywhere is fine. Just get a job.” It is reasonable advice. Yet there are places inside a young man that reason alone cannot reach. Mario is searching for something, though he himself does not yet know what it is. One […]
Held every May in New York, TD Five Boro Bike Tour (“TD” comes from the title sponsor, TD Bank) is one of the world’s most iconic urban fun ride events.For one special day, Manhattan’s major avenues, highways, and even massive bridges—normally filled with traffic and blaring horns—are opened entirely to bicycles.This is not a race.It is an opportunity to experience New York City itself.And that is precisely what makes the event so extraordinary. Text_Mayumi Kamura Table of Contents 1. Event Overview FIVE BORO = Riding Through New York’s Five Boroughs Manhattan The Bronx Queens Brooklyn Staten Island2. What Makes This Event So Unique? (1) Ride Through a “Zero-Car” New York (2) A Celebration, […]
Every year, riders from around the world gather for TD Five Boro Bike Tour—North America’s largest fun ride event, drawing some 32,000 participants. Once again, we joined the ride through New York, a global metropolis where the American dream and everyday reality coexist in the Gotham City skyline. With major roads across all five boroughs closed exclusively for cyclists, this bold and luxurious urban ride offers a truly unique experience. But what brings each rider here? What are their reasons for taking part Inspired by BNY’s slogan, “30,000 riders. 30,000 reasons.”, we present a photo album centered on the people of the ride itself. Each rider has their own reason. Their own style.Here ar […]
As spring approaches in Hokkaido, why not set out on a ride from Asahikawa through the rolling hills of Biei to Furano? With the majestic Tokachi Mountain Range as your backdrop, this cycling route takes you past expansive fields and flower farms, with stops at popular sights along the way. It’s a luxurious experience where ever-changing landscapes and local food culture can be enjoyed all at once. Visit iconic spots such as the Seven Stars Tree and Shikisai no Oka, sample regional sweets en route, and make your way toward the final destination of Furano. This is a ride that fully immerses you in both the scenery and flavors of Hokkaido—an ideal way to experience the region by bike. Table of […]
Held in Brisbane, in the eastern Australian state of Queensland, Tour de Brisbane 2026 goes well beyond the bounds of a typical mass-participation ride. Taking over the entire city, it’s an event of remarkable scale—where speed and cycling culture run side by side. The 2026 edition was held on April 12, drawing crowds of cyclists to the City Botanic Gardens from early morning. According to event organizers, participants came from 19 countries and regions, with around 7,000 riders in total—making it one of Australia’s largest urban gran fondos. A defining feature of this event is that it also serves as an official qualifier for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series. The 110 km category is clearly d […]
With cherry blossom season being declared one after another across Japan, many of us are starting to think beyond spring outings and toward summer plans. At the same time, it’s understandable that some travelers may still feel cautious about going abroad. These days, as we gaze at the blossoms, we’re reminded that both travel and sport are privileges made possible by a peaceful world. This year’s Honolulu Century Ride (HCR) will take place on Sunday, September 27, following Japan’s Silver Week holidays (September 19–23). If you can manage an extended break, even better. The Global Ride editorial team recommends heading beyond Honolulu to the laid-back and distinctly local “North Shore” area— […]
We’re pleased to present a guidebook featuring ride courses that extend beyond the Shimanami Kaido and across the entire Ehime Prefecture. “Ehime packs both sea and mountains into an incredibly compact area!”“It’s a world-class cycling destination, with climbs even higher than Alpe d’Huez!” These were just some of the impressions shared by cyclists from Australia who visited Japan to take part in a FAM (press) tour hosted by Ehime Prefecture. While Ehime is best known for the Shimanami Kaido, it also offers much more—from the Seto Inland Sea routes including the Yumeshima Kaido to the mountainous roads stretching toward Shikoku’s borders, all of which are highly regarded by internation […]
Registration has opened once again for one of the world’s greatest ride events— the Honolulu Century Ride, which takes cyclists through the island paradise of Hawaii.The Honolulu Century Ride (HCR), which attracts many repeat participants from Japan, will celebrate its 43rd edition this year. Daisaku Kawase, Communication Director of Global Ride, is now a regular rider and will be taking part for the third time. How does he enjoy Hawaii before and after the event? The answer lies on the North Shore. Within easy reach for a day trip, this popular area offers a laid-back local atmosphere quite different from Honolulu. In this two-part series, we follow a seasoned HCR rider on a cycling trip to […]
