Cycling in Japan

i71jskz5xu42pb

Berry, berry nifty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyeqIuHlaTw

I'd hate to see what he spends on tyres.

Junior

Ahh yes the Japanese obession with drifting takes to two wheels, seen that before, still impressive to see a lad on a bike doing choku dori.

BostonB

That has to end badly a lot.

petethedrummer

Since this is the only cycling in Japan thread I can find. I'd just like to say that I have just been cycling in Japan (Takayama). I didn't do any drifting. And the bike had one gear and was designed for a 5'1 woman. My poor knees. But it was fun none the less.

I cycled around Tokyo at the weekend. Best way to see it. Using the metros will have you underground and indoors for most of the day in large crowds. The roads are pretty easy to cycle on. They use the same side as us and cyclists don't seem to obey many laws. Much worse than here. You can use the path or the road and cycle through pedestrians crossing and go up streets the wrong way. So I did lots of those things. The pedestrians do however stick religiously to lights, which always disappoints me in a nation. My faith in their defiant streak was renewed by the cyclists though.

I've seen some fantastic bikes barely locked up along the streets. The thinnest of thin cable locks, like you use for luggage. But they don't seem to steal things here. Gonna see if I can get to some Keirin racing before I leave on Sunday. If anyone has any info on it let me know. Will hit the bike shops at the weekend in Tokyo and photograph some bike porn.

Harrybelafonte

This guy (still don't know his real name) has an excellent blog (he's no longer in Japan though) about his time racing and spectating at Keirin races. I thought he had a little guide somewhere in there about visiting races, but I can't find it now.

Keirin-jo Tourist

Also, probably the best English language source for Keirin in Japan (AFAIK) is Tomity. The Internetz is littered with stuff by him, but this may be a useful start:

Tomity on BikeFourms

PS, Am extremely jealous of your visit to Japan. I'd be at Keirin races every night if I visited, try and find someone to help you bet well

Whitehawk

First time to see the Vid, class going to look for more! love the basket on the bike to!!

kumate_champ07

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

This guy (still don't know his real name) has an excellent blog (he's no longer in Japan though) about his time racing and spectating at Keirin races. I thought he had a little guide somewhere in there about visiting races, but I can't find it now.

Keirin-jo Tourist

Also, probably the best English language source for Keirin in Japan (AFAIK) is Tomity. The Internetz is littered with stuff by him, but this may be a useful start:

Tomity on BikeFourms

PS, Am extremely jealous of your visit to Japan. I'd be at Keirin races every night if I visited, try and find someone to help you bet well

that might be on 'fixed gear fever' forums

Harrybelafonte

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

that might be on 'fixed gear fever' forums

Most likely, but he has hundreds of posts on there and I've scanned them wuickly with no luck.


However, Pete, this may be useful, it's a list of all the velodromes in the world, and loads listed in Japan, you may be able to fins the one nearest you.

Velodrome list

petethedrummer

I have a list of velodromes for the tokyo region. But i just wanted someone to say,, go here... at a particular time.

Deleting the rest of this. I came across as an asshole. which I am. I just don't want to broadcast it to the world.

petethedrummer

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

PS, Am extremely jealous of your visit to Japan. I'd be at Keirin races every night if I visited, try and find someone to help you bet well

I think keirin races are very coruppted. but being in japan is an eye opener other wise. The Arcades (whre I got to play street fighter2 (the pinnacle of gaming)), the pachinkos (grindcore/jackhammer to the head fun) and the harahuku rockabilly dancers. have been the highlight. I am also committing possibly by best drunken story to paper right now.

Iwannahurl

petethedrummer wrote: »

Will hit the bike shops at the weekend in Tokyo and photograph some bike porn.

It being Japan you may find that in places other than bike shops.

petethedrummer

Iwannahurl wrote: »

It being Japan you may find that in places other than bike shops.

Yes, I know what you meant. I won;t be taking pictures of any of that.

Harrybelafonte

petethedrummer wrote: »

I think keirin races are very coruppted. but being in japan is an eye opener other wise. The Arcades (whre I got to play street fighter2 (the pinnacle of gaming)), the pachinkos (grindcore/jackhammer to the head fun) and the harahuku rockabilly dancers. have been the highlight. I am also committing possibly by best drunken story to paper right now.

What makes you say its very corrupted? AFAIK they have very strict anti-corruption laws in place for it as it is one of the few things Japanese are allowed bet on?

Ah, Pachinko, I got all excited thinking there was some new Japanese Grindcore I could listen to, I was very disappoint.