I also consulted with Mr. Ito, the initiator of TURE DE TSUMARI, who had just completed the event recently. When I mentioned that I needed advice, he said that he would first like to hear about my current situation. A true architect, I couldn’t help but admire his attention to detail. He also looked up the elevation differences for the HCR in advance and suggested that I should ride for the expected duration to get a sense of my stamina and riding style. It does make sense…!

*TOP Photo / The Tour de France Uses One-Lane D Roads (Equivalent to Prefectural Roads in Japan) © A.S.O. Pauline Ballet The Tour de France, which takes 23 days to circle around France in the middle of summer, gained attention in Japan after being featured in the documentary program ‘NHK Special’ in 1985. Riders race across the harsh Alps and Pyrenees, striving for the single yellow jersey, the Maillot Jaune. Like the Hakone Ekiden, there are both good and bad sections, which creates drama. Naturally, it captivated the hearts of Japanese sports fans and had such an impact that it sparked a road bike boom in Japan. I am the writer in charge of this article, and I have been reporti […]

An Extraordinary Experience: Racing Through Manhattan The “FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR,” commonly known as Bike New York, is held every May in New York City. It’s the largest event of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere, drawing cycling enthusiasts from around the world. About 30,000 people gathered with smiles on their faces, and of course, I was one of them. I wondered what kinds of bicycles everyone would be riding and what sights I would see as the morning of the event arrived. Around 5:30 a.m., in the dim light, I first rented a bicycle. They helped me choose a bike that fit my size and even adjusted the saddle, giving me a sense of security right from the start. It’s am […]