"Bicycles make the world a more fun place to live.
This is a web media that disseminates global riding life.
JP|EN
"Bicycles make the world a more fun place to live.
This is a web media that disseminates global riding life.
“The Kid With a Bike (Le gamin au vélo)” (2012, directed by the Dardenne brothers) is, as the title suggests, a story centered around a boy and his bicycle. The protagonist is Cyril, a boy living in a Belgian foster care facility. One day, his cell phone with his father suddenly goes offline. When he contacts the apartment manager, they claim that his father has moved away. He can’t believe it. His father wouldn’t just move without telling him. Moreover, his precious means of transportation, his bicycle, is still in his father’s apartment. Cyril runs away from the facility and visits the apartment, but as the manager said, his father has already moved, and there […]
This serial column, which began last month, started with an introduction. In the first installment, I wrote about “My Ever Changing Moods” by The Style Council, a song that accompanied my youth and how cycling made the world more enjoyable. In this second installment, let’s introduce Cordelia, a talented young British female singer-songwriter with a hauntingly beautiful voice, whose debut song was released just this summer. The song “Play Pretend” is a delightful groovy tune with a hint of introspective mellowness, set to the cool, bossa nova-flavored strumming of the guitar that’s hard not to appreciate. I immediately liked it upon listening. However, whe […]
Hello everyone, I am Yuya Ishizuka, a cycling guide covering the entire Hokkaido region with a focus on Sapporo. Today, I’ll be introducing you to a scenic cycling route that embodies the essence of Hokkaido, stretching around Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido. When you think of Sapporo, you might picture landmarks like the TV Tower, Clock Tower, and the bustling entertainment district known as “Susukino,” giving the impression of a bustling metropolis. However, if you drive just 30 minutes from Sapporo, you’ll find the vast natural beauty that Hokkaido is known for. Our route for today is a comfortable cycling course of approximately 100 km, starting and ending a […]
Introducing a How-To Video on Traffic Rules for foreign cyclists who are interested in cycling in Japan. In Ehime Prefecture, which hosts the largest cycling event in Japan called “Cycling Shimanami,” they promote bicycle tourism and provide an introduction to basic rules of cycling such as traffic regulations and riding on the left side of the road in English. They also explain exceptions where cycling on sidewalks is allowed and provide important points to note in such cases. Additionally, they provide clear explanations of prohibited behaviors. Please take a look at the video for more information.*Note: While basic bicycle traffic rules are generally the same nationwide, some […]
Occasionally, we come across wonderful Japanese titles for great movies. For example, “An Officer and A Gentleman” becomes ” A Journey of Love and Youth ” in Japan. It’s filled with youth and love. Don’t you want to watch it? The Japanese title for “THE BODY” is ” Stand by Me “. I’m glad I don’t have to say, “You know, River Phoenix had the potential to become a big star even in the time of ‘THE BODY’.” It’s a great title taken from the iconic song by Ben E. King that’s used in the film. I really think that the Japanese title ” Shoot for Tomorrow!” for the movie “Butc […]
I will be starting a serialized column from this month. Thank you in advance for your support. I hope to deliver essays that make music even more enjoyable with bicycles every month, but for the first installment, let’s start with a self-introduction as well. It was a day in February 1984, as I was about to finish my second year of high school in Japan. I happened to be casually watching MTV, which was at its peak back then, and listening without much thought. However, my ears were instantly drawn to a very catchy, light and groovy acoustic number with an intro guitar riff. In the music video, set amidst a typical British countryside, a road racer was seen cycling with slightly comical […]
Located in Ibaraki prefecture, starting from Tsuchiura at the western side of Japan’s second biggest lake Kasumigaura, lies a cycling course that will take you along 125km of beautiful scenery and well maintained path. Bring your own bicycle (1hr 16min from Tokyo station on the Ueno-Tokyo / Joban line) or rent from the conveniently located Le Cyc which offers a wide range of bicycles and gear. The station itself is quite bike friendly with ‘Ring Ring Square” which includes showers; lockers; changing rooms; and parking. For this ride we’ll take the shorter version: 90km (by crossing the bridge and cutting across the lake, instead of fowling around at the top). There are plenty of places to ta […]
In the early 1990s, China had a completely different landscape compared to today. During the morning and evening rush hours, one could witness the famous “bicycle rush hour” that was synonymous with China at the time. Many people used bicycles for commuting, creating a breathtaking sight of thousands of people riding the same roads. Moreover, since most bicycles were of the same model and color, there was a sense of harmony. Brands like “Fenghuang” and “Yongjiu” from Shanghai were quite popular. These bicycles were tough and sturdy, serving as the essential means of transportation to support people’s daily lives. Indeed, bicycles played a significant […]
Bicycle theft. Everyone would want to avoid this worst-case scenario. We carefully select parts and body materials, striving to reduce weight to the gram, yet chain locks for theft prevention weigh 500 grams, which seems counterproductive. Bicycle thieves are unforgivable. They should disappear from this world. There is an old film called “Bicycle Thief” (1948). It was directed by Vittorio De Sica (known for ” Sunflower” filmed in the sunflower fields of Ukraine). This film depicts the poignant lives of Italian laborers after the war. The stage is post-World War II Rome. The aftermath of the war has brought a severe economic downturn, and our protagonist, Antonio, has […]
Hello, I’m Noriko, a cyclist from Kitami City, Hokkaido, Japan. This time, I would like to introduce a ride course in the captivating region of Okhotsk, which offers plenty of charm, including delicious treats, during the early summer. Kitami City is a core city located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, with a population of 110,000 people. It is a region that combines agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hot springs, making it a perfect place to live. For those outside of Hokkaido, it may be famous for its drift ice and curling. Despite being in Hokkaido, which is known for its cold climate, Kitami is located in a basin, so it can experience temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in s […]