What we’re about
日本語がペラペラです。質問どうぞよろしくお願いします。
Where I'm from, the United States, there are cycling clubs everywhere, but in Japan there are apparently none. While I'm here, I would like to fix that problem, at least for myself.
A cycling club is simply a group of people who ride together. They often get more organized and become active in community cycling related activities such as events and bicycle safety, but first and foremost they're groups of people who meet to ride together. These cycling clubs often have hundreds of members or even thousands in large cities.
Various types of rides will be offered depending on who wants to lead them, so this would be anything from elite, hardcore cyclists training to groups of people riding their mamachari to a favorite pancake restaurant. The more people who join, the more variety we can have in the rides.
Right now, we are starting with me. I typically start from near Keisei Usui Station, in front of SEO Cycle and go for 40 to 50 kilometers though sometimes as much as 100 kilometers or more. My average speed is usually about 22 kph, but I can go slower or faster, no problem. I have various courses and they're all very interesting. I would like to do these rides with other people--which is why I'm creating this meetup group.
Another benefit of cycling clubs is bike maintainence and learning. As I mentioned, any type of bicycle is fine. What makes a good bicycle a great bicycle though is maintainence. Before we start each ride, we will check our bikes to make sure the brakes work, that you have enough air in your tires, and nothing is coming loose. Any problems, I can either fix them myself or we can get the mechanic at SEO Cycle to fix the problem before we leave.
Recommendations:
Helmet: Normally, in the United States, we would require helmets. Being that Japan hasn't generally caught on to this idea, helmets are not required but highly recommended. Cheap or expensive, they're all just as safe, but a more expensive helmet will be more comfortable and therefore more likely be on your head when you need it.
Tire Tube (spare): I carry all the tools needed to fix flat tires, except spare tubes of every possible size and type. I carry a spare tube for my tires and a patch kit. Please at least bring one tube that is the size and type for your tires. If your wheels don't have quick release--in other words, you need a wrench to remove them--please bring the tool you need to remove your wheel so I can replace your tube.
ID, Money, etc ...: For your own comfort and safety please carry the following items when you ride. ID such as a driver's license or passport, insurance card, cash money, a bank card, and a fully charged mobile phone.
Water: Sports drinks are fine, but I recommend that you mix them 50/50 with water. For long rides, one of my two bottles is filled with coffee. Whatever you bring to drink, it's important that it be something you like because you will be less likely to drink something that isn't palatable, and you need those fluids.