The details for The Japanese Odyssey (TJO) 2025, set to take place this autumn, have finally been announced! This year, the journey starts in Kagoshima and finishes in Matsumoto City. Riders will navigate through 20 checkpoints over 13 and a half days, including ferry crossings along the way. The route spans 2,300 km with a total elevation gain of 46,000 m.
For the full schedule and route details, please check the official website.
In this column, we bring you a detailed report on the bikes and packing setups of three “intense” riders who took on TJO 2016. Their gear choices reflect their professions, nationalities, and personalities—so take notes and get inspired!
＊You can find the previous essay here.
Tyler, originally from Canada, was living in Shanghai when he participated in TJO 2016. A man of many talents, he was the leader and drummer of a Shanghai-based heavy rock band that toured the world, as well as the boss of the high-end cycling shop Factory Five. He quickly embraced the ultradistance movement from Shanghai, competing in the 2015 Transcontinental Race before choosing TJO the following year. And just as his appearance suggests, his riding style was just as intense.
His bike of choice was the Factory Five original chromoly cyclocross frame, the CXCUSTOM, a model he personally designed and tested in Shanghai’s booming cyclocross race scene. With a torque-focused gear setup for racing, he also installed a massive 36T cog in the rear to tackle the brutal climbs awaiting him at TJO’s checkpoints. And to top it off, his choice of Campagnolo components added a stylish touch.
Before diving into cycling and music full-time, Tyler was an accomplished architectural designer working for a major general contractor. Many of his designs have taken shape in Shanghai’s cityscape. His choice of a cantilever brake-equipped frame reflects his dual identity as an urban designer and a mud-loving cyclocross rider.
Although he was deeply involved in Shanghai’s construction boom of the 2010s, he left his corporate job early on to fully enjoy life on two wheels and behind the drums. Alongside teammates Nick and Gypsy, and Pascal, a French designer they bonded with through racing, the four were nicknamed “Awesome Foursome”, bringing energy and excitement to the tour.
The youngest 26-year-old fresher / ／DANIEL “GYPZY” LICASTRO (Australia)_ Participated in 2016
Also known as “Gypsy,” he is a young, playful, and friendly Aussie who runs his own cycling garage brand, FARACI. He entered TJO with an original titanium frame, OEM-ordered from Taiwan and China. Like many others, he was also a veteran of the 2015 Transcontinental Race. At just 26 years old, he was the youngest participant in TJO that year. His sharp riding style put him at the forefront of the AWSOMEFOURSOME, effortlessly leading the group over mountain passes with fresh energy.
Over the past 15 years, Australia has emerged as a powerhouse in the global cycling scene, with strong performances in races and a growing cycling culture across generations. It seems only natural that young and independent figures like him, inspired by the ultra-distance movement, would rise to the challenge, proving that Australia can stand toe-to-toe with Europe and the US. His stylish cycling wear and bags were carefully selected from cutting-edge garage brands, reflecting his keen eye for trends.
His bike? The very first model from his FARACI brand—a titanium prototype designed based on his Transcontinental Race experience, refined in both geometry and specifications. When asked about the model name, he casually remarked, “It’s just a prototype, but maybe I should call it ‘Odyssey’ after the Japanese Odyssey.”
A year later, to everyone’s surprise, he teamed up with French designer Pascal to officially release a new model under the same name: The Odyssey. The two of them then rode their newly born Odyssey bikes in the NorthCape, a grueling 4,000km ultra-distance race from Italy to the northernmost reaches of Scandinavia—and finished!
His lighthearted spirit, adaptability, and playfulness truly embody the essence of ultra-distance cycling. Seeing such stories unfold firsthand is exactly what makes covering TJO so exciting and fulfilling
A pure New Yorker rider with eye-catching gear / NICOLAS PEDEN (USA)
Nick, born and raised in Queens, New York, is a true New Yorker through and through—passionate about pizza, cycling, and family.
During his time working in Shanghai, he frequently visited Tyler’s bike shop, Factory5 (https://www.instagram.com/factory5/), which led to him joining The Japanese Odyssey as part of the Factory5 team. In 2016, he was the only American participant.
The U.S. has long been at the forefront of cycling trends, and Nick’s gear selection perfectly reflects the personality of a cycling enthusiast from the heart of it all. However, his choices stand apart from the “win-at-all-costs” setups commonly seen in the ultra-distance scene, making them all the more intriguing.
First, his bike was different. He rode a beautifully crafted Icarus Frames randonneur, handmade in Texas, with a strikingly unique finish. While it had the classic aesthetics of a randonneur, it was modernized with wide tires and disc brakes. Even more remarkably, it was a demountable frame, meaning it could be split into two for easier transport—especially useful for air travel.
Among the 2016 TJO participants, Nick was the only one (aside from the small-wheeled David) using a front rack with a large bag, rather than the conventional ultra-distance race setup. His front bag & frame bag combination offered excellent accessibility while riding and improved balance during climbs. But the appeal of Nick’s bike went beyond just practicality. Unlike the race-driven, performance-focused trends of the ultra-distance scene, his setup exuded a laid-back, effortlessly stylish vibe—one that lingered in the memory. Back in 2016, I found myself thinking, “Now that’s a true New Yorker.”
And yet, behind his relaxed appearance, his setup was thoroughly prepared for hard riding. He had a long-cage derailleur with a 40T cassette, ensuring he could tackle the steepest climbs with ease. This meticulous attention to detail, combined with an overall laid-back touring mood, created a fascinating contrast.
What’s truly astonishing is that Nick’s 2016 bike and setup would still hold up perfectly well in 2024, both in terms of performance and current trends. It’s a testament to the depth and richness of American cycling culture.
Unfortunately, Nick was forced to retire mid-race due to an injury. Still, he grinned and said, “At least I lost some weight!”
(Then again, everyone who participates in TJO ends up losing weight—or rather, completely wasting away…)
Text＆Photo_ Eigo Shimojo
Next time, we will introduce three more crazy rider, too. Stay tuned!
Overview of the 2016 TJO:
Theme: Japan’s Top 100 Mountains (Mt. Haruna, Mt. Norikura, Mt. Tsurugi, Tengu Highlands, Mt. Sasayama)
Route Overview: Nihonbashi/Tokyo → Gunma Prefecture → Nagano Prefecture → Nara Prefecture, Mie Prefecture → Sanin Region → Tokushima Prefecture, Ehime Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture → Dotonbori/Osaka
Distance: Approximately 2,400 km
Total Elevation Gain: Approximately 3,500 km
🚴♂️The Japanese Odyssey Report Series
Second series
#01 Before Dawn
#02 The wave has arrived.
#03 “Be prepared”
#04 Moving Dots in Motion
#05 CARLOS / DAVID / PASCAL
#06 TOM / GUILLAUME / EMMANUEL
#07 TYLER / DANIEL / NICOLAS
First series
#01 Into the World of Ultra-Distance
#02 2015, aiming for July 18th.
#03 Toward The First Year of My “The Japanese Odyssey”
#04 A crazy setup.
#05 The mastermind behind the “mystery”
#06 “Japan favoritism” or “Bias towards Japan”
🚴♂️The Japanese Odyssey Official Website
https://www.japanese-odyssey.com/
Profile
Eigo Shimojo
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1974
Belongs to IPU Japan Photographers Union
He became independent in 2000 as a freelancer and established Greenhouse Studio, which handles a wide range of photography and video production.
His life’s work is pursuing underground HIPHOP and bicycle culture around the world.
Post Date：2025.03.12
