Grobal Ride

CLOSE
JP EN

Circle of Cycling Friends
Ring-Tomo！
＃02　Daisuke Imanaka / The first Japanese participant in the Tour de France.

Connecting people who enjoy rides.”Ring-Tomo” from TV producer Daisaku Kawase is none other than Daisuke Imanaka, whom you all know. He is the first Japanese participant in the Tour de France. I wonder what kind of rides he has been enjoying lately.

Table of Contents

　Profile
　1. What’s your beloved bicycle?
　2. What’s your favorite cycling route?
　3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it?
　4. The ride event you’d like to participate in next and why?
　5. The most memorable moment in your cycling life?
　6. Your favorite cycling gear and why
　7. What does cycling mean to you?
　Introduction of the next guest.

Profile

Name　Daisuke Imanaka
Job　The first Japanese participant in the Tour de France. / INTERMAX CO.,LTD. CEO
Hobbies　Bicycle / Racing a go-kart
Cycling Experience　For about 45 years (since creating the cycling club in college).
SNS　Instagram　@imanaka1
　　　Facebook　＠d.imanaka1
　　　blog　ameblo.jp/imanaka11

1. What’s your beloved bicycle?

InterMax Ivector

2. What’s your favorite cycling route?

I like the area around the Fuji Five Lakes. The roads are surrounded by mountains such as Mt. Fuji, Mt. Yatsugatake, and the Southern Alps in all directions. The area around Lake Yamanaka has been developed since it became an Olympic road, making it a recommended route that can be enjoyed even with family members who are not used to cycling.
Due to my job, I ride with various people, but on weekends, I often ride alone for 40 to 80 kilometers. It’s a time to seize freedom.

3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it?

Aso Panorama Line Hill Climb 2023.
Normally, this route is a tourist road with a lot of traffic, but for this event, traffic restrictions are imposed, allowing cyclists and marathon runners to participate. The course is about 11 kilometers long. The event seems to have started with casual conversations between local residents and motorcycle police officers, making its origin quite interesting.

4. The ride event you’d like to participate in next and why?

Event in Hokkaido.

I’ve experienced the Tour de Hokkaido, although it’s been a while. When I was a member of a racing team in the past, I had the memorable experience of eating king crab at an inn during a course inspection, and it was incredibly delicious, haha.
Places like Bergamo in Italy and around Lake Como are also great. While I’ve participated in the Giro d’Italia, these days, I’d like to ride for the enjoyment rather than in a race.

5. The most memorable moment in your cycling life?

Of course, it’s the Tour de France. When I participated while being part of an Italian team, I truly felt the reason why people around the world are enthusiastic about it. The starting locations vary each year, such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, etc., but the landscapes throughout Europe are incredibly beautiful no matter where you ride. The spectators, especially in challenging mountain areas, are particularly enthusiastic. They must want to cheer for their favorite riders who are pushing themselves to the limit. Receiving passionate cheers up close is truly special. There are also passes that exceed 2400m, making it quite challenging.

6. Your favorite cycling gear and why

Citric acid BCAA. There are various options, but lately, I’ve been taking them before and after rides to alleviate fatigue. Also, dorayaki. It’s high in calories and moist, making it easy to eat even during rides.

7. What does cycling mean to you?

A companion that helps balance both mind and body. When I was an athlete, I focused on running fast, but now I enjoy it in a way that suits my age. I find excitement in exploring adventures by riding on dirt (unpaved roads). It’s thrilling to ride routes that I haven’t experienced yet.

🚴‍♂️Introduction of the next guest.

A pioneer among Japanese riders, Mr. Imanaka. The “Ring-tomo” introduced by him is…

Shinji Iwanami, Cycle Tour Guide

Introduction by Daisuke Imanaka:↓
Introducing him from Mr. Imanaka’s recommendation:
Shinji Iwanami is a cycle tour guide based in the Fuji area. Originally, he was an athlete in the Osaka region, just like me, and his sports massage skills are excellent.
At one point, he awakened to the world of cycle tourism in nature. Since then, he has been primarily guiding tours for “Hoshinoya.” In 2023, he participated in the Gran Fondo World Championships in the age-group category.


※

Please look forward to the next time as well!

🚴‍♂️Here are all the Ring-Tomo members🚴‍♂️

#01　Daisaku Kawase (Freelance producer)
#02　Daisuke Imanaka (The first Japanese participant in the Tour de France)
#03　Shinji Iwanami (HOSHINOYA Fuji Cycling guide / Masseur)
#04　Kenichi Kawamura (Founder of CYCLING JAPAN / Cycling guide)
#05　Akikazu Yamashita (Model and travel writer)
#06　Miho Ishigaki (Model)
#07　Kazuyuki Yamaguchi (Sports journalist)
#08　Yoshimitsu Hiratsuka (Cycle Coordinator)

Post Date：2024.01.24

Category

Tag

#Aomori

#Aomori Museum of Art

#Besshi-Suiha Flower View Cycling Course

#E.T.

#Hirosaki

#Imabari-Dogo Sea Breeze Cycling Course

#Imabari-Saijo Hot Springs Cycling Course

#Ishizuchi Mountains Cycling Course

#Iyonada-Sadamisaki Seto Seaside Cycling Course

#Kokuhou

#Nebuta

#Neputa

#Okuiyo-Hijikawa River Cycling Course

#Ringo

#Shimanami

#Spielberg

#Uchiko-Nakaiyo Rural Cycling Cours

#Ume

#Yoshitomo Nara

#Zuiganji

All Tags
TRIP&TRAVEL CULTURE
Tokyo old town bicycle stroll #02
Searching for the remnants of Edo’s oldtown legend, Hokusai.(Part 1)

In 1856, the young French printmaker Bracquemond was shown a collection of ceramics by an acquaintance. These ceramics, imported from Japan, a country then closed to foreign relations, would likely have been rare in Western Europe. However, what captured his attention was not the ceramics themselves but their wrapping paper. It was a page from Katsushika Hokusai’s “Hokusai Manga.(Hokusai Sketch)” Impressed by the artwork, Bracquemond went on to obtain a copy of “Hokusai Manga” through great effort and introduced it to his painter friends in Paris, eventually leading to Hokusai becoming widely known across Europe from France. …Unfortunately, the story is sa […]

#Hokusai #Tokyo
CULTURE
Circle of Cycling Friends Ring-Tomo!
＃06　Miho Ishigaki

Connecting people who enjoy rides.  This time, we introduce Miho Ishigaki, a model, through Akikazu Yamashita, a model and travel writer. While working as a model for sports magazines, she also participates in ride events and teaches at the gym as an instructor. During her time as a fashion model, she developed an interest in cycling as a gentle sport she could engage in, and a few years later, she won first place in the Fuji Azami Line Hill Climb. We talked to her about her experiences with riding. Table of Contents 　Profile　1. What’s your beloved bicycle?　2. What’s your favorite cycling route?　3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it? […]

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

Hello, this is Onsen Tamago 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 forestr […]

#Offroad