Editor M’s first-time participation, what to do? #5
“Inexperienced rider at the Honolulu Century Ride 2023”

>Previous Entries

Up to the Previous Entry

I cursed my lack of planning as I struggled to find time for practice. Nonetheless, I completed my final ride in Japan (the second one). I put on my newly purchased helmet…

During a class, the math teacher told a student who had forgotten their compass, “Your state of mind depends on your state of things!” This is something that I remember to this day. Many mathematical details have faded into oblivion, but this has stayed with me. Indeed, preparing one’s tools is like a ritual before starting something or a demonstration of determination.

I had purchased my helmet and cycling jersey a few days ago.

Regulars apparently buy from the e-commerce site, but for someone like me, who’s inexperienced, advice is a must, so I decided to visit a specialty store. After some online research and asking around, I found my way to “Y’s Road,” which is synonymous with cycling.

I approached a store clerk who seemed like they would provide thorough guidance. While there’s no significant difference in their politeness, I chose a female staff member for uniform selection since having a female perspective on body fit is important. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of kindness and the meticulous guidance I received.

I initially thought about sharing the interesting details of this process here, but I forgot to take pictures during the fitting process, and I’m approaching the character limit. So, here’s a summary of the advice instead.

・Cycling jerseys are designed with the assumption that you’ll be riding in a forward-leaning position, and they have different patterns and details compared to regular jerseys (such as pockets at the lower back). So, if you’re serious about cycling, it’s a good idea to have one.

・In particular, cycling bottoms have padding around the buttocks (or rather, the crotch area) to reduce friction with the saddle. The innerwear is similar.

・The products available for sale were all meticulously designed to cater to the movement of the body. Truly, it’s what you’d expect from a specialty store!

Especially women seem to pay a lot of attention to the design around the hips. The leggings-like design with relatively thick padding can make it look like your buttocks are too big while cycling. But for amateurs like me, that doesn’t matter… The priority is to choose a uniform that allows you to ride without stress. To be honest, there were items that weren’t quite up to par in terms of design, but anything recommended for its functionality was purchased. With already insufficient training, I didn’t want to add to my anxiety by worrying about equipment.

At that moment, one of my editing colleagues told me, “It’s a fan ride, so enjoy it!” I had forgotten. That’s right, this is a fan ride event meant for enjoying cycling… ✨

With a mixture of excitement and anxiety, I set off for Hawaii.

I went to CROSS COFFEE in Yanoguchi, which I also used for interviews, for a cafe break.
I didn’t know how to use the bike rack, so I parked it like a regular city bike.

To be continued…

Text_ Mayumi Kamura

🚴‍♂️Editor M’s first-time participation, what to do? series🚴‍♂️

#01 Road to Nowhere
#02 Under Pressure
#03 One Fine Day
#04 No women , No cry
#05 Here Comes the Sun
#06 Kaimana Hila
#07 ANOTHER WORLD
#08 Bonus episode : An Accident as Expected

Profile

Mayumi Kamura
I’m a Global Ride editor. My expertise lies in visual expressions like design, art, fashion, and more. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted me to focus on my physical and mental health. I started playing tennis and resumed taking contemporary dance lessons. Considering that bicycle-related accessories often boast high design quality, I have a feeling I might become a fan during this experience.

CULTURE
Music Cycles Around The World
#01 New York
3rd Bass “Brooklyn-Queens”

After 15 instalments, my column CYCLE MUSIC, where I’ve written about cycling and the music I love, has come to an end.Starting from this issue, I’m launching a new series titled Music Cycles Around The World. With the theme of “cities and music”, the idea is to explore the world through both cycling and sound. We begin with New York, where the Five Boro Bike Tour—a ride event that takes in all five boroughs including Brooklyn and Queens—is scheduled for 4th May. The title speaks for itself, so let’s kick things off with “Brooklyn-Queens” by 3rd Bass. 3rd Bass were a mixed-race hip-hop trio formed in Queens in 1987, made up of MC Serch, Prime Minister Pete Nice, and DJ Richie Ric […]

#3rd Bass
TRIP&TRAVEL
Local Rider Noriko Guides You
Through Hokkaido’s Drift Ice Ride & Extreme Winter Outdoor BBQ

Hello! I’m Noriko, a cyclist living in the Okhotsk region of Hokkaido.Winter has already arrived here. In Kitami City, where I live, the inland areas get relatively little snow, and it takes a while for it to settle permanently. Even in December, you might occasionally spot someone braving the cold to ride their bike, but seeing a road bike cutting through the wind is practically unheard of.That said, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, including cycling! For riders and tourists who want to fully experience the snowy landscapes and winter flavors, I’d love to share some local highlights for this season. First up, for those who want to keep biking in the snow, let me introduce the &#8220 […]

#HEROS PARK