Now, it’s about time to talk a bit about the organizers of TJO, the real masterminds behind the mysterious setup.
France, home to the world’s greatest cycling race, the Tour de France, has embodied and preserved the tradition, prestige, and pride of cycling like no other country since the invention of the bicycle’s prototype in Paris in 1791. Many races and events held across France boast over a century of history, with the Tour at the pinnacle. This cultural foundation nurtured the format of *brevets* and iconic events like Paris-Brest-Paris, leading the way for global cycling culture. For the French, the bicycle might be more than just a means of transportation.
Now, while the discussion about a Japanese cycling event has unexpectedly shifted to France, there’s a deep reason for it.
The story begins in Strasbourg, a major city in the Alsace region of northern France, near the German border.
This area, with its beautiful rolling hills perfect for cycling, is where Emmanuel Bastian and Guillaume Schaeffer grew up. These two individuals are the masterminds behind the tale.
In the foreground is Emmanuel, and in the background is Guillaume.
2. Eco-Conscious Companions
Jumping ahead in the story, from the 1990s to the early 2000s, the cycle messenger culture originating from North American streets was sweeping across the globe. Simply put, cycle messengers were urban bike couriers. Rooted in an independent and practical cyclist community, they embraced a creative DIY spirit and an eco-conscious mindset that preceded today’s SDGs philosophy. These ideals, carried solely by the cyclists themselves, spread through streets worldwide, influencing a generation of socially conscious youth.
The older of the two, Emmanuel, was deeply inspired by this movement and decided to make cycling his profession by founding a messenger company in his hometown. Eventually, Guillaume, a younger counterpart who shared the same passion, joined him in this endeavor.
Although Strasbourg is a regional city, it lies just across a river from Germany. As messengers, Emmanuel and Guillaume crossed the border daily, delivering packages by foot and bike. Living in continental Europe, where borders are connected by land, they may have always had a global outlook. While pushing their limits with their legs and wheels each day, they were searching for something more.
3. Into Ultra-Distance
One day, a new possibility in cycling appeared before them: the 2013 *Transcontinental Race*. This race, conceived by the exceptional British endurance cyclist Mike Hall, marked the beginning of a growing excitement around “ultra-distance” cycling in Europe. Emmanuel and Guillaume resonated with this movement from its earliest days. Similarly, experienced veteran cycle messengers from around the world eagerly participated in *The Transcontinental Race*.
It was intriguing to see those who had been initiated into the messenger culture creating and leading a new realm known as “ultra-distance” after a decade. Regardless, the two of them, fueled by the excitement of this new wave of ultra-distance cycling, decided to organize their own ultra-distance race in a foreign land where they had no connections—specifically, in the far East, Japan.
“To be continued”
Next time “Japan favoritism” or “Bias towards Japan”
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.
