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…!

I never imagined that a day like this would come in my life. Being invited as a guest rider for the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR), which boasts a 40-year history, is quite an honor. And the fact that this ride will be professionally recorded for a television program adds another level of excitement.

Reflecting on 2023, as the year draws to a close, how has it been for all of you? It’s likely that riders from around the world have cycled through various locations this year. To wrap up the year, the Global Ride editorial team is bringing you a photo album from three international events: ‘BIKE NEW YORK (FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR)’ in New York City, ‘PORT DOUGLAS GRAN FOND FESTIVAL’ in Port Douglas, and ‘HONOLULU CENTURY RIDE’ in Honolulu. Enjoy the exclusive shots captured by our editorial team, different from the official photos!