Riding through Manhattan on a Brompton. Just imagining it makes me smile. After all, I’ll be riding my Brompton through places like Soho and Central Park, making it a truly rosy Manhattan experience. I’ve bought a few guidebooks like ‘100 Things to Do in Manhattan,’ and I even got a new denim jacket. I’ve also downloaded some Netflix shows on my iPad to watch on the plane. I’m all set and ready to go. One day, I suddenly realized something. By the way, how will this Brompton be transported overseas? Within the country, as long as it’s in a bike bag, it can be safely transported. However, when I Googled ‘Brompton overseas transport,’ I fou […]

I headed to New York with my Brompton in tow.However, I had some trepidation about cycling in NY. After all, New York is a pioneering city in cycling, known for its messenger culture. Unlike Japan, cycling on the road is strictly enforced. Additionally, bikes follow the opposite rule of riding on the left side. I had ridden a road bike in Hawaii before, but this is New York, the greatest city in the world. It would be strange not to feel a bit nervous. This time, accompanying me to New York are Karen-chan, the runner and cyclist Karen Maruyama, and a friend who was a renowned cyclist during his university days. Originally, Osamu Suzuki was supposed to be part of this group as well, but for s […]

An Extraordinary Experience: Racing Through Manhattan The “FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR,” commonly known as Bike New York, is held every May in New York City. It’s the largest event of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere, drawing cycling enthusiasts from around the world. About 30,000 people gathered with smiles on their faces, and of course, I was one of them. I wondered what kinds of bicycles everyone would be riding and what sights I would see as the morning of the event arrived. Around 5:30 a.m., in the dim light, I first rented a bicycle. They helped me choose a bike that fit my size and even adjusted the saddle, giving me a sense of security right from the start. It’s am […]