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Update:

I picked up a copy of the latest edition of Road Bike Action for reading on the plane back to Tokyo … and it happened to have a special on the Masi Grand Criterium, the bike that I rented last week (looks like the article it is not yet available on the RBA website, but RBA seems like a nice find — though a bit too much U.S. focus for many Positivistas).  I am not one of those cyclists who was originally inspired by the 1979 movie „Breaking Away“ (nominated for the „Best Picture“ and other Academy Awards and on many „top 10“ lists of inspirational sports films), but the article notes the great pedigree of the Masi Grand Criterium —  made famous originally when the 1978 model was lusted after and ridden by the star in Breaking Away.  The article also points out that a Masi Grand Criterium really should be red, not blue like the one I rented … just as a Bianchi should be celeste green, a Gios should be cobalt blue, Cervelo black and white, and a Colnago should have a beautiful, multi colored paint job.

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After 4-5 days of what the Japanese refer to as „family service“ (mixed with „client service“ via laptop and some clothes shopping for the next year or so in Tokyo), I stopped by Veloce Bicycles on Thursday in Portland and rented a road bike for the week.  They rent a very serviceable Masi bike (aluminum frame, carbon fork and seat/chain stays, SRAM Rival shifters/derailleurs, Shimano Sora compact crank and Ritchey wheels, bars/stem etc.) for $150 a week.  That’ll do!  Why don’t more bike shops rent out decent road bikes?  I don’t know, but this is one area where a good directory by geography is still needed, I think.  Demitri, the co-owner, said that he has always wanted to tour in Japan by bicycle, so I strongly encouraged him to do so.

After a spin in the area outside Lake Oswego/West Linn near my Dad’s house (including a couple of nasty, short hills) on Friday, I joined a Saturday morning ride — one of about 15-20 each week sponsored by the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club.  They had a 3-day ride at the Oregon Coast, but still a regular „metric century“ ride of 100 km near town.  Around 12 persons showed up by 7AM Saturday at a light rail „park and ride“ lot on the outskirts of Portland, crossed into Washington State (over a bike path running across a long bridge in the middle of 10 lanes of traffic, complete with concrete barriers and chain link fence).  At first I thought I would get very frustrated with the pace, but once we got across the bridge things picked up.  On the first real hill, I was 2nd rider in the group as we neared the bottom, but immediately 5-6 riders passed me as they attacked the hillside, while I downshifted way, way down and started my plodding climb.  At least I could pass two of them again just by holding a steady pace all the way to the top … and on the downhill on the other side, no contest.  We had a pleasant ride through the hills and flatlands of eastern Clark County Washington, a mix of forest, agriculture, and subdivisions, maybe 105-110 km in all.  The most prominent manmade features of the area were at least 4-5 huge public high schools, the best landmarks on the cue sheet/map.

We stopped for coffee (16 oz latte!) and food (in my case, a great „breakfast burrito“ with fluffy egg, hashed brown potatos, salsa and sausage inside a soft tortilla — a huge improvement on the 7 11 version from Takao) at the town of Battle Ground, Washington.  I had always thought of this part of rural Washington (and the adjacent areas East of Portland in Oregon) as strictly „bible belt“ — full of born again Christians attending church, doing adult baptisms, and trying to convert the rest of us.  So I was pleased to see that at least one church had been converted into a coffee shop — the cross remaining in place on the steeple.

Two riders who I spoke with worked for the local government, one in the City of Portland’s „planning and sustainability“ function, and another an economist in the Water Bureau, in charge of cost-benefit analysis of their capital expenditure programs.  (Portland has GREAT tap water, from the Bull Run Reservoir on the western slopes of Mt. Hood.  … then again, Tokyo tap water ain’t too bad in recent years).  One of the stronger riders was a woman triathlete.  She said she had taught English in Kobe from 1991 to 1996 … but did not know Jerome B., who may have overlapped.

After a turn around at Battle Ground Lake State Park, we started a longer down hill stretch.  When I got to the turn off at the bottom of the hills, I looked back … no one in sight.  Soon Eric (the Water Bureau economist) showed up, but no others after 5 minutes.  We assumed they had decided to follow the cue sheet, instead of take the alternate route that had been suggested during our stop.  So we pressed on, eventually doing several detours of a mile or so back and forth to see if we could find the rest of the group.  Then we headed for home as a well matched 2-person team.  We made good speed and were at the cars before the others, despite our detours.  They pulled up just as I was about to drive away — apparently 2 flats had slowed them down.

Saturday was the hottest day of the year around here (98 degrees high temp in Portland — 36.67 degrees celsius).  But it was a dry heat, and no problem for riding, especially after the oven that is Tokyo.  Nicer summer weather.  Nice bike lanes.  … nicer than the trip out of Tokyo as far as Takao/Itsukaichi, but not nearly as nice scenery as the countryside that lays beyond, in the mountains outside Tokyo.

I apologize to all for not having my P.E. jersey with me — I really did not expect to ride, and so was not prepared to add to our „global domination“ series of photos.  On the other hand, I acquired a great Mavic orange, reflective short sleeve jersey that you will see upon my return to Tokyo.  In fact, you will all see it from 1000 meters away as you approach, in any level of light.  So at least on Saturday I could carry on Jerome’s tradition of the „orange bullet.“

„Today’s midlife crisis more likely to result in purchase of Pinarello than Porsche“

New research highlights rise of the MAMIL – Road.cc

* Middle Aged Men in Lycra

Shrinking Leisure Market Deals Blow To Tourism, But Cycling, Hiking and Camping Thrive

TOKYO (Nikkei)–There seems to be no relief to the contracting domestic leisure-related market. Growing consumer frugality and the flu outbreak sapped people’s thirst for outings, but environmental awareness and health consciousness nurtured people’s interest in cycling, hiking and camping, a recent report shows.

Some segments posted a positive growth from a year earlier. The sports bicycle market jumped 21.8% to 190 billion yen. Hiking and camping gear also rose 8.1% to 161 billion yen. Behind the boost in these two segments was burgeoning demand among women who like to enjoy outdoor activities in style.

As to popular leisure activities, pleasure driving topped the list for the first time, a 31.1% jump year on year, thanks to cuts in highway tolls. Dining out, which had long stayed at first place till 2008, slid back to third, down 13.6%, as consumers tightened their pursue strings.

Also gaining ground were casual leisure activities, such as visiting zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums and museums, and going on picnics, cycling, hiking and taking walks. Jogging also remained popular.

Buzzwords of the year, such as „environment,“ „fashion“ and „reasonable“ are believed to be behind the growing popularity of these casual leisure activities.

Adapted from a Nikkei Business Daily article translated by Nikkei staff writer Tomoko Wakasugi

(The Nikkei Business Daily Aug. 3 edition)

I awoke later than expected at 5:55AM and quickly checked my email for any responses to my „call to ride“.  Jerome had left a note that he is off to France this weekend.  Ludwig had left a  note inviting me to join him and Tom at Koremasa Bridge at 6:15.  They would be on cyclocross bikes, giving me a fighting chance to keep up … until the first hill or offroad section, but I was way too late to make the rendezvous.  Instead, I took my time and left home a little after 7AM.  The air was heavy as a ton of bricks as I stepped outside, and it did not get any better along the Tamagawa.

But I made decent time to Itsukaichi, stopped at the traditional „last convenience store“ 7-11 for food and water, then rode to Motojuku (Honjuku?), the „T“ intersection where a left turn heads up the S. Fork of the Akigawa toward Tomin no Mori and Kobu Tunnel, and a right turn takes one up the N. Fork toward the infamously steep Kazahari „rindo“ climb, or the road over Nokogiri-yama and down to Oume/Okutama.

Just 50 meters after the left turn, there is a perfect swimming hole in the S. Fork of the Akigawa.  There are 40-50 stone, then metal steps all the way down to the water, and it is possible to take your bike down the first few steps and leave it resting against bushes/grass, out of sight from the road — this to avoid the experience Jerome had in Hyogo Pref. outside of Kobe 2 weeks back, when his Look 585 was stolen while he bathed in a river.

The water was incredible, and it was easy to walk up a shallow stretch of the stream to a 1-meter deep pool where I could soak for a few minutes — a better coolant I cannot imagine.

I remounted and made it up to and through the Kobu Tunnel and back down to Uenohara, then hopped the train home.  Too hot for much more.

There are many people out of town, few posts this month … I’m tempted to check out the TCC site, except I’m clearly not ready to ride with the big (thin) guys yet. … I rode home from work today on the fixie and felt almost strong … I think it was a tailwind. 

Some people at my office saw me with my cycling gear as I readied to leave.  I got a few cheers from staff who were happy to see me looking happy.  One of my partners practically screamed „what do you think you are doing“ … incredulous that I have not learned my lesson and stopped riding after 2 crashes in 6 months.

Saturday the weather will be dry and we will get some major relief from the heat — predicted high in Tokyo of only 34 degrees C (instead of the usual 35).  I need to work on Sunday, so I will be heading out early on Saturday.   6AM departure if I can stand it, back by mid-afternoon.  Tomorrow I’ll take a rinko bag for the train so I can hope to get a little further out of town than on my rehab rides so far.  

Leave a comment or try my mobile or email if you want to join or meet en route.

My „rehab ride“ series continued today heading out with Michael H. on a nice half-day ride.
We went via Takao, over Otarumi, then back along the forest road on the North side of Tsukui-ko (past the „drug lord compound“ — complete with palm trees and beat-up Land Rover), then back via the „tank road“ and One Kan-sen.

This was not the Michael H. who started riding with the Ebisu crew not so long ago, but the new, slimmer, stronger version (v 2.0) that showed up sometime last year and is still very much with us — the one that waits for me at the top of Otarumi, reading a copy of „Dune“ that he pulls out of his back jersey pocket.

Indeed, this Michael H. seems to be in „desert training“ mode.  He enjoys the early morning start and the hot weather, knowing that in a few weeks he will be in Dubai and riding at a very high pace with the Dubai Roadsters — with an early morning start and in even hotter (if less humid) weather.

In any event, we made decent time, and my back muscles (and legs) were a bit stronger than last week.  Michael had a Noon return deadline, and I waved him ahead at the Odakyu Line underpass on the Tamagawa, since I needed to stretch and get rid of some numbness in my feet for a few minutes, before limping home in the mid-day sun.

I stopped by the C Speed „soft open“ Friday evening. Hiroshi and Mrs. Hiroshi, Tom and Mrs. Tom, James M., Fumiki (in business suit), Tim and James (of fixie fame) as well as many of Hiroshi’s friends and Keihin Pista Clubmates were present. Michael K. sent a kind of email shuku-den from Bremen.

The shop is beautiful, the bikes are beautiful, and the audio system is very nice (for the customers or the staff?). Now we just need to do our part to help make the business nice. I was pleased to learn that Mrs Hiroshi works at W in G, so they will have one steady paycheck until the bicycle shop takes off.

These photos are a bit blurry, as the Blackberry camera phone does not do very well in low light. Then again, there was plenty of sparkling wine in a cool room on a hot evening, so the photos reflect the mood.

We will be the #1 shop in metropolitan Tokyo for high end road and track bikes:

… were these lights just out for the party, or are they for sale? I want one.

James shows Fumiki the Nakagawa craftsmanship.

James M. telling Tim a story, complete with plenty of hand gestures. We got some nice High 5 drink tablets and water bottles to take away from the party.

I have a hard time recognizing everyone without the kit, helmet and glasses, but I’m pretty sure this is Fumiki-san.

The good stuff. Track parts. Tim tells me that Hiroshi has some pretty cool components for single speeds — some of those parts you cannot get anywhere outside of a few shops in Japan.

Hiroshi’s previous job was in the fashion biz. WWD (Women’s Wear Daily?) in a bike shop, as David Bowie’s „Fashion“ plays on the audio system?

Lugs, by Panasonic.

More lugs, by Futaba.

There is only one „tetsu chunen“ frame (tetsu=iron; chunen=middle aged guy).

Tokyo’s Hot Spot For High-End Bicycles

Specialized of the U.S. opened a concept store in Aoyama in 2008 – its first direct-run store in Japan.

TOKYO (Nikkei)–The Akihabara district — or Akiba for short — is the place to go for electronics in Tokyo. For high-end bicycles, however, the city’s Aoyama neighborhood is where it’s at. In fact, people are calling this posh area in the center of the capital the „Akiba of bikes,“ as it is home to about 10 shops offering upscale models.

This spring, bicycle shop operator Nalsima Friend closed two smaller stores around Aoyama in order to open a plusher, larger one in the same neighborhood. The new outlet offers an extensive lineup of bikes as well as components ranging from tires to wheels to drivetrain parts.

Most of the staff are cyclists with racing experience. The shop even has a courtyard decked out with tables and chairs where visitors can relax and talk about their two-wheeled steeds.

Nicole EuroCycle Co., a dealer of high-end bicycles, last year opened a shop in Aoyama that focuses mainly on Italian road bikes, offering such brands as De Rosa and Colnago. Models priced at about 200,000 yen sell especially well there.

Before being converted into a bicycle shop, the store was a Nicole Group dealership for luxury import cars. Yoshinori Sato, who heads the shop, says sales have grown 100-200% since opening.

Bridgestone Cycle Co. opened its first-ever showroom in Aoyama last year. At Bike Forum Aoyama, visitors can test ride the company’s latest models.

Specialized Bicycle Components, a California-based manufacturer of high-end bikes, launched a concept store in the area in 2008. The outlet, Specialized’s first directly run shop in Japan, offers a wide range of models for men, women and kids.

So why has Aoyama become such a popular spot for selling high-end bicycles? „The number of people who ride such bicycles is increasing particularly sharply in Aoyama, because of the high concentration of wealthy people and foreigners here,“ said Sato of Nicole EuroCycle.

Another likely reason is that because Aoyama is home to scores of fashion- and design-related businesses, there is a larger number of people there who are attracted to products that are en vogue, including fancy racing bikes.

(Source : The Nikkei July 21 morning edition)