(Top image) Courtesy of the official Pharrell Williams website. Text_Mayumi Kamura At the Louis Vuitton Spring–Summer 2027 Men’s Collection, presented on June 23, one item immediately caught my attention amid the luxurious runway transformed into an urban beachscape of waves and sand. It was a road bike. The bike was based on the Pinarello Dogma F, the flagship model from Pinarello. Wrapped in leather on the saddle and handlebars and finished with a gold-colored chain, the bike unmistakably carried the Louis Vuitton aesthetic. Seeing a model stride down the runway with a road bike slung over his shoulder made for a surprisingly striking image. Founded in Italy in 1952, Pinarello is one […]

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. * Read the article about the Azumino Century Ride here! Text_Mayumi Kamura Table of Contents 1. A Castle Town on the Plains2. CLAMP Matsumoto Kura Store — Bringing Together Tr […]

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 […]