Riding through Manhattan on a Brompton. Just imagining it makes me smile. After all, I’ll be riding my Brompton through places like Soho and Central Park, making it a truly rosy Manhattan experience. I’ve bought a few guidebooks like ‘100 Things to Do in Manhattan,’ and I even got a new denim jacket. I’ve also downloaded some Netflix shows on my iPad to watch on the plane. I’m all set and ready to go. One day, I suddenly realized something. By the way, how will this Brompton be transported overseas? Within the country, as long as it’s in a bike bag, it can be safely transported. However, when I Googled ‘Brompton overseas transport,’ I fou […]

It was love at first sight. I fell in love the moment we met. “Where should I go next with this one?” I find myself thinking. When was the last time I felt this excited? But it’s not a person I’m talking about. It’s a Brompton. And now, I’m truly enjoying life and travel with my Brompton. I’ve always been interested in folding bikes. But compared to road bikes, I thought small-wheeled bikes might be unsatisfying. I believed they wouldn’t reach the speeds of road bikes or be suitable for long distances. In my mind, road bikes were the “King of Bicycles.” That was my fixed idea. But even road bikes have their weaknesses. One of them i […]

In last month’s column, I mentioned the DJ party held on 27th April at Cafe Apres-midi. The event brought together the editor and artwork production team of this series, their friends, and even the staff of “Global Ride,” including designers and translators. The atmosphere was filled by good vibes with an array of fantastic music, and it was genuinely a delightful and lively gathering. During the event, our mutual friend and interior designer, Takashi Kobayashi, who runs the architectural firm ima, was spinning records. This month, I’d like to introduce a favourite song of mine that I remembered, “Ah, this one had a bicycle cover too!” They are acclaimed as the best l […]

In the final installment of the Hokusai bicycle stroll, I trace the peak of Hokusai’s life and career. From manga and art performances to the “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji” and fascination with Mount Fuji, I’ll explore the areas from Honjo to Asakusa, searching for traces of his legacy. Table of Contents 　1. The Day “Manga” Was Born (50s)　2. The Eccentric Man (60s)　3. The Great Wave (70s)　4. The Man Who Traveled with picture (80s)　5. The buried Giant (90s) The manga artist Akira Toriyama, known for creating “Dragon Ball” and “Dr. Slump,” passed away in 2024, and his death was mourned worldwide. “Manga&#82 […]

Connecting people who enjoy rides.  This time, we introduce Miho Ishigaki, a model, through Akikazu Yamashita, a model and travel writer. While working as a model for sports magazines, she also participates in ride events and teaches at the gym as an instructor. During her time as a fashion model, she developed an interest in cycling as a gentle sport she could engage in, and a few years later, she won first place in the Fuji Azami Line Hill Climb. We talked to her about her experiences with riding. Table of Contents 　Profile　1. What’s your beloved bicycle?　2. What’s your favorite cycling route?　3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it? […]

The largest cycling event in the Northern Hemisphere, the “FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR,” commonly known as Bike New York. Here, we present Part 2.Part 1 is here. Riding alongside the cable car on the Queensboro Bridge! One hour after the start, I refueled at the rest area, munching and drinking. Crossing the 1,135m-long Queensboro Bridge, I am headed for Queens. There was a gentle incline, and I started to get a bit out of breath. In the midst of this, I glanced to the left and saw a cable car! “A first in my life! Riding alongside a cable car!” It was also my first time crossing a bridge over 1 km long. Cycling through a new city brings new experiences and excitement one aft […]

Table of Contents 　1. My Dream Bike, the Brompton　2. Surprisingly Easy and Safe Bike transport Experience　3. Finally Touring Hakata with the Brompton　4. Isono-kun on “Sazae-san Street”　5. Bicycle-Friendly Fukuoka　6. To Hakata’s Famous Shop “Udon Taira”　7. Travel Rides are the Best! 1. My Dream Bike, the Brompton I’ve recently discovered the joy of travel rides. Riding a road bike through vast nature is thrilling. However, exploring a city at your travel destination brings a different kind of pleasure. Admiring famous architecture, taking a break at a café, and visiting parks and shops are all enjoyable activities. Road bikes with large wheels aren’t […]

Hello! I’m Noriko, a local rider from the Okhotsk region of Hokkaido.As the drift ice recedes and the snow melts away, the cycling season is finally here!This time, since it’s the beginning of the season, I’d like to take you on a route where you can feel the breath of nature while warping by car. So let’s start right away from Memanbetsu Airport! In the pleasant seasons ahead, you can enjoy leisurely rides along the stretches of roads in Hokkaido, surrounded by the great outdoors. Passing by viewpoints like the ‘Märchen Hill Memanbetsu’ and ‘Märchen Hill Road Station,’ our first stop is ‘Gelateria Rimo’ in Yobito (Abashiri City). T […]