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.

FEATURE TRIP&TRAVEL
Gravel Enthusiasts Ride Ancient Routes #02
~ Kumano Sanzan Pilgrimage, Exquisite Tuna, Cycle Train ~

Hello, this is Ontama Negitoro. I’m here to share the second half of our ride through the Kumano Kodo and the Kii Peninsula. We had planned a two-night, three-day ride trip, and we were able to end the first day while gazing at the mountains that felt almost divine. On the second day, we are finally heading to Kumano Hongu Taisha. The excitement is building as we approach the Kumano Sanzan pilgrimage! Table of Contents 3. Following the Mountain Paths 4. Red Torii Gates and Lean Tuna 3. Following the Mountain Paths  On the first day, we planned to stay at a free campsite, and on the second day, we aimed to reach Kumano Hongu Taisha by evening, traveling along the forestry road […]

#Jinja
FEATURE TRIP&TRAVEL
Ise Grand Shrine, the highest shrine in Japan.
Circumnavigating the sacred mountains of the gods.

In Japan, there are numerous shrines and temples. Among them, Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture holds significant importance. This time, we will introduce a route of about 20 kilometers that revolves around Ise Grand Shrine, deeply intertwined with history and culture. Starting from Chubu Centrair International Airport, we’ll cross to Mie Prefecture by ferry, pass through Ise Grand Shrine, and reach the goal at Toba Station. Ise is often called the Land of the Gods. Along the way, you’ll encounter several torii gates. Torii gates signify the boundary between the world of gods and humans. When passing through a torii gate, stop just before and bow in reverence. Now, let’s e […]

#Ise Udon #Mie
CULTURE
CYCLE CINEMA #13
“Wadjda”
The Story of a World Where Women Can’t Ride Bicycles

The interesting thing about movies is that they show us diverse worlds. The bloody history of the mafia. A war that happened on a distant star. The encounter between a hitman and a young girl. The life of a samurai at the end of the Edo period. A soldier in a desperate situation. A battle against a killer by the lakeside. Crossing borders, eras, and time, they bring us surprise and inspiration. **”Wadjda” (2012)** is a Saudi Arabian film (co-produced with Germany) that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the Venice International Film Festival. The director and screenwriter, Haifaa al-Mansour, is Saudi Arabia’s […]

#Colunm #Wadjda