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„The bicycle was named after its inventor, Robert Bicycle, a Dutch man who, dissatisfied with having to walk to the cheese shop, created the first two wheeled human-powered vehicle in 1972. Due to the non-existent petroleum requirements that the bicycle presented, its use quickly become popular with social workers and crystal healers and within just a few years, the smell of patchouli oil became inescapable even within the comfort of one’s car on the freeway. Although primarily regarded as a woman’s hobby, bicycle riding has since gained popularity not only amongst the homosexual male community but also people who enjoy wearing Spandex® of all persuasions.“

I didn’t know that.

There’s more…

„I am often asked why my Spandex® bicycle riding costume features eight hundred and thirty corporate sponsorship logos even though I do not actually have a sponsor. The reason for this is simple. For every thirty male bicycle riders there is one female bicycle rider and, as in nature where the most adorned peacock gets the peahen, the male bicycle rider with the most brightly coloured Spandex® and most corporate sponsorship logos gets to mate with her.“

Do you want a dinky to the shop? – www.27bslash6.com

Some of my younger colleagues are taking this bicycle commuting into the office, well, into the office.  I’m told it is forbidden by the producer/director/actors to watch this without speakers on, since the music is integral to their art.

Friday, December 11, 2009
New Mask Keeps Pollen, Dust Out Of Cyclists‘ Way

OSAKA (Nikkei)–Major sports eyewear manufacturer Yamamoto Kogaku Co. will launch in March a mask that protects bicycle riders from airborne dust and pollen.

This mesh mask prevents heating around the mouth and boasts better sealing around the nose. A disposable filter, usable for a week, attaches inside. A fastener holds the mask in place, making it easy to put on or take off.

The mask comes in gray, blue and pink. It and two filters will be sold as a set for 2,625 yen, with a filter 10-pack to cost 2,100 yen.
(The Nikkei Dec. 11 morning edition)

… on a temporary basis starting Dec 15 … from Tomin no Mori down to Okutamako. Too many accidents, and 5 motorcyclist deaths since 2006.

Read about it (in Japanese) here.

Maid Cafe Popping Up In Yamanashi Mountains

(Source: The Nikkei Marketing Journal Dec. 9 edition)

„Cross“ Part I

„It’s the aspect of the sport that I’ve chosen to perfect“

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7513047&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

„The Thoms“ Part III

„Pain & Pleasure“ Part IV

After the terrifying loss of my MOST Chall rear wheel to Route 246 last week I decided to shop around and see what was out there. First store I hit was STAGE1, which is the store I purchased the Pinarello from, although not Positivo approved I’m calling „Grandfathering“ on this one and the purchase of anything Italian should automatically be approved and encouraged by the team, along with flamboyant hand gestures, dodgy accents (Michael, Ludwig & Tom seem to have this perfected) and “Mullering” your bike for any technical issues.

Anyway back on track, STAGE1 is going to see if the wheel will be covered under the warranty as it’s only about 6 months old and to be honest a rim should last longer than that. The store believes the last pair died due to me having too much power, talk about an Ego Boost! So with that in mind I was after a “Machin Proof” set of wheels. Having looked around the store none of the wheels on display caught my fancy. (Basically the bank manager was with me and they didn’t take her fancy)

So off we went to Sagami Cycles in Mitskiyo. Now this store is great and is also run by an ex pro mechanic, although I’m not sure who or what he did in the past but he knows his stuff and after what he did to my beloved FP3 I’ll listen to anything this guy tells me.

After consulting with him he offered me two choices for my needs. A pair of 2010 Aksium SL wheels or the new Shimano 6800 Ultegra SL wheels both of which had very high “BLING” factor but came at a very reasonable price.

Now the wheels will be used for the daily commute to Tokyo as well as training rides out in to the mountains, they need to be light but stiff and able to take the punishment of hill climbing. In the end I was recommended the 2010 Ultegra SL wheel set, which although slightly more expensive were the ones I was leaning too, especially after I was told that they are also very good for racing on.

With the new wheels under each arm I headed for the cash register only to find Kaori, the bank manager and my official sponsor paying for the wheels, she turns smiles and mouths “Merry Christmas”.

Guy’s there really is a Santa!

Last night I built the wheels up with a Shimano Ultegra SL cassette, now I love my 11-23 range that offers 11-12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23 and its perfect for 98% of the ride to work but I found that I need more on Wada-Toge and other mountain climbs. So with this in mind I stripped down my other Ultegra cassette that offered a 12-25 gear range.

Combining the two I now run an 11-25 with 11-12-13-14-15-16-17- 19-21-23-25. Also for some of the major hill climb races I tempted to purchase the rear block consisting of 21-24-28 gears. A lot cheaper than buying a whole new cassette and allows me to mix and match the cassette as I need it.