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

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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
CYCLE CINEMA #04
“The Kid With a Bike (Le gamin au vélo)”
The boy abandoned by his father searches for hope on a bicycle.

“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’s no sign of the bicycle. Cyril has been abandoned by his father.

#Column #Cinema
EVENT
The Japanese Odyssey Report Season 2
A Crazy Journey Returns: Setting Sail for the 2025
#01 Before Dawn

The Japanese Odyssey (TJO), a little-known ultra-long-distance cycling event traversing the length of Japan, has captured the fascination of dedicated riders. The Global Ride editorial team, with great admiration, has been following this enigmatic event and recently learned that it is set to return in 2025.Checking the official website, which had been dormant for some time, we discovered a message on the homepage from the organizers announcing the event’s revival!The thought of this crazy journey* unfolding again after a two-year hiatus is enough to set our hearts racing.But wait—how does one even prepare for a grueling ride spanning thousands of kilometers, with gravel sections and a fully […]

TRIP&TRAVEL
Riding the French Cycling Route “ViaRhona”
A Bicycle Journey Through Southern France’s Wine Country and Ancient Cities

While Japan has been enduring days of heat that feel hotter than midsummer, far to the west on the European continent, France too is under an intense heatwave. And just recently, the grand festival no cycling lover can ignore — the Tour de France — had been in full swing there. Watching the riders circle the country under the blazing summer sun, who wouldn’t feel the urge to ride in France themselves? However, the vast farmlands blooming with sunflowers are scorching, and the legendary Mont Ventoux is known as “The Mountain of Death.” For beginners, such rides may seem a bit too demanding. Yet, there’s no need to give up so soon — France is full of cycling routes made for leisurely rides. Am […]

#Ride #Cycling