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.

FEATURE EVENT
Editor M’s first-time participation, what to do? #2
“Inexperienced rider at the Honolulu Century Ride 2023”

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…!

#How to #Japan
CULTURE
Tour de Natural Wine
#01 Programma Agricolo Dinamo “NUCLEO 1 Rosso”

Recently, there’s been an interest in natural wine*. It surprisingly shares a connection with bicycles, which is often noticeable on its labels. This column will delve into the world of natural wine related to cycling, featuring insights from various buyers and importers. Starting off, Mizue Kawamura from ‘WINES&THINGS’ in Naka-Meguro, Tokyo, will share their expertise. Stay tuned for irregular installments that coincide with new arrivals!

#Wine
FEATURE EVENT TRIP&TRAVEL
Honolulu Century Ride 2025
Trip Notes from Five Riding Duos #04
5 Nights, 7 Days / Life-Changing Views …Why the 80km Course Is the Best Way to Experience Hawaii — My Third Journey to Honolulu —

This series presents Honolulu ride trip notes from riders participating in the Honolulu Century Ride 2025.In this fourth installment, we feature Daisaku Kawase, Communication Director of Global Ride and a television producer, who is taking part in the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR) for the third time. With extensive experience in ride events across Japan, Kawase prefers to travel with his own bike whenever possible, relishing the freedom of exploring destinations by pedaling through them. He delights in local cuisine just as much as riding, seeking out great neighborhood spots along the way. On race day, his approach to HCR feels less like a competition and more like an extension of a cycling j […]

#Hawaii