Oh man.. someone get the blue Unicanitor back to the man… he will hook you up with a Zo bag.. BOOM…

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As promised – I have uploaded another twenty pictures from a visit to Cycle Square. Last month we went over to Cycle Square in Tokyo to check out the spot and see Erik’s exhibition.
Cycle Square is in Sendagaya, which not too far from Shinjuku and a bit north of Shibuya. It’s a quieter neighborhood, surrounded by several parks and garden such as Shinjuku Gyoen National garden, Yoyogi Park and Aoyama Cemetery.  A very tranquil place to be.

The inside Cycle Square is like a bike nut’s heaven. No - you can’t buy anything here, but there is an array of bicycle objects which blends in with interiors all around 360 degree.  So what is this Bicycle Square is all about?  Think of it as a super-specific Cycling Lounge.  It’s where you come and get a cup of coffee, a bite of cake, maybe some lunch, read magazine, get information about bike ride, see listing of bike events, rent a bike, learn about health care as bike rider, and get a massage, yes there you can get a full on athlete massage pamper session.   Most of all, though, is that this is a real place where people can come together and socialize, similar to the internet but a lot better since it involves face-to-face interactions inside a plush environment that is catered to your love of the bike.  The interior feels very comfortable; there is a concierge lady that will help guide you on cycling topics. Servers and the barista on duty are friendly. Dishes served there look real nice, I think in the menu there’s even the all important Nutrition Facts listed. Very healthy looking place, I tell you.

The Art show that Erik set up there had us all stunned. Erik’s exhibition on the first 4 years of CMWC was very well put up. Collections of manifests, t-shirts, photos and small schwags were nicely presented.  Each item seemed so special, and to see them all together was very impressive.  Erik’s collection grows on and on, and it is his dedication to preserving the past that provides us all with a bit of a guiding light towards the future.

Here’s slide show of the set…

I really glad we stop by to check out the show, the cake was so goood…..

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Wrap up from Tokyo CMWC 2009:

Well, 6 days and 5 night in Tokyo was really fun.

Ok – it took me 4 days to come down from the trip. I feel like I have to wrap up the CMWC before it’s too late, but there are more stories and photos from Tokyo that I have to dig out to share.  For now I will just say……I Really had fun. Tokyo oh Tokyo, what did I get from Tokyo? Let see, two pairs of Japanese natural indigo dyed denim pants, two Japanese chambray shirts, hundreds of new friends, and a proof of true love. Yes – I asked, and she said Yes.

Though I had been to Tokyo numerous times, this trip was the first time I got to travel through the city by bicycle. Was it easy? Yes! Tokyo streets are perfect for city riding, I’m no city planner, but it was very easy to navigate around, very easy to change lane and direction, even though they drive on the wrong side.  The road condition is top notch - smooth,  not bumpy with pot holes like San Francisco. They take care of their streets, they respect them.  Cars know how to share road with bicycles. My lady never rode a bike in any city traffic before, but in Tokyo she had no problem splitting lanes between cars and trucks going 40 km/hr.

Oh I almost forgot, CMWC results!!! Well the organizers only had a chance to announce the first 3 finishers of men and women for the main race.

Here’s the breakdown:

Out of 380 racers that came for qualification, 60 men and 10 women were in the main race

Mainrace Men

Juri (Tokyo). Prize. Custom Crank bag and Soma Frame
Shino (Tokyo)
Stevie (Zurich)

Mainrace Women

JoJo (Stockholm) Custom Crank bag and Gold pedal necklace
Yuki (Tokyo)
Christina (Chicago)

Fixie King

Jumbo (Copenhagen)

Sprint

Men:Alex Forolettii (Canada??)

women: Alex’s girlfriend.. forgot her name..

Skid

Men: Jumbo (Copenhagen)

Woman: Sarah Murder(San Frandisco)

Backward circle

Daz. 149 ROUNDS!!!

Trackstand

I don’t know.  Someone needs to fill me in on this. I left when the organizer decided not to let both men and women do the trackstand at the same time….

How about the two that I followed throughout the event? Both qualified for the Final, Fergus came in top ten. Mr Chas.. DQ because he can’t read the rules! Actually, he finished the race, he scored money that would have gotten him 5th place, but he had 3 packages left in his bag, DQ for him :(

Well you know what? everyone is a winner……

CMWC Tokyo was well organized, perhaps a little too well organized for my taste. I thank them for taking time and organized such event. Turn out was in the thousand each day at the Race venue. After party at disco club was not my cub of tea. Smoke filled 4 level dance floors, with bouncers checking every bags for chocolate bar really ticked my nerves. I would prefer a tall can gathering in the parking lot with friends.

Bottom line is, I had a hell hec of fun. Thank you Incase for all the Japanese denim garments I bought, thank you all the friends that let me take pictures of you doing nasty move and funny faces. Thank you my lady Jassy for booking the room, helped carrying camera gears  and being the prettiest girl in the show, I love you.

I hope you guys enjoys my love story in Tokyo….. Oh and the pictures. Feel free to drop me  e-mail if you want copy of high Res photo puck@cyclezine.net
Or if you just want to help me go shopping in different country, I will do it.

Next year CMWC 2010 Guatamela… I’m going!!!!

and here the slide show if you have time to see 200+ pictures..also posted here in Incase Bloggy

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We got into Tokyo on Saturday evening. The flight form SF was amazing. Japan airline is my favorite airline now, they did not hassle with me about the large bike cases I have with me, no question about what in the cases, no large baggage fee charge. I think it is because I paced the box and did not go over the 50lb weight limit. I brought Alex Moulton for my girlfriend, and the Track bike for myself. We checked in at Westin hotel in Ebisu. Sunday we got up real early to build the bike and hit the road.

Met up with Yohei at W-base. W-Base is a well known track bike shop. Yohei used to be messenger in San Francisco, he moved back to Tokyo last year and now he is w-base store manager. Of course, many people that in town for CMWC show up one after another while we were at W-Base.


After that I went to register for the race at B1 building, also in Shibuya. The CMWC Tokyo registration team is very well organize. the location set in the basement of the building. You walk down and come to the first table which check your name take your payment, they gave me a package which includes wrist band for oot down competition, race number sign to attach on my bag, my number is 69. Then along the line they would take my picture to make ID card, this Id card is use to enter various event that happening every night.
Lots of people show up at the registration office and flocked the whole street with messengers boys and girls and their bikes, their bag and even their sleeping bag sleeping on the street.


After the registration we went to Club Asia to see Goldsprint race. Club Asia is also in Shibuya. the party start early at 3pm. Again , tons of people showed up and flocked the whole single lane street. By night time about 9pm, the whole street go even more crazy because people would come out the the near by bar…

Some other messenger groups, San Francisco crew are down the street hanging out in front of 7/11, I thought that was funny, drunk messengers decided to pick 7/11 as their drinking base..

Overall, I think lots of people from around the world showed up for the event. We get to meet, Irish, Scottish, Finish, Taiwanesse, Swedes, French, German, and even Australian. Everyone s happy to be in Tokyo, to share their stories, to exchange culture, and best of all, to make new friends.

ALSO .. Read more see more here at Incase Blog

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My good friend, and fellow Moultoneer, Erik Zo handed me a bag full of Alex Moulton goodies a couple weeks ago… If you don’t know Erik, he is one of the most interesting guys you can ever hope to meet. His love of bicycles is rooted deep in his bones and I know his veins pump nothing but vintage Campagnolo grease. 

In the 1980s, Erik started making bags for messengers and has been doing the same thing ever since – his work is traditional and, most importantly, hand made in the exact same way he’s been doing it for more than 20 years.  Aside from his vast knowledge of all things related to sewing, fabric, and how to find anything for free, Erik has also had quite an illustrious cycling career stretching far back into his youth.  A road racer turned courier, and now a widely recognized World Champion in cargo bike events as well as having multiple Cycle Courier Championships under his belt, Erik has raced across the world and collected countless victories and stories along his two-wheeled trip.   

We like to consider Erik something of an Oracle here in San Francisco, he possesses a wealth of knowledge, an infallible authority, prophetic opinion, and a happens to brew one hell of a cup of coffee.  When he opens up and starts sharing stories about bikes,  I would drop just about any date just to listen and be part of the conversation.  His smile is infectious when he gets on a roll and starts talking excitedly about some of the most obscure and rare bicycle parts in the world.  Not only does he know the precise threading of an impossible to find Swiss headset, but he can tell you the history of the company that made it as well as which racers won or lost using the same equipment.  Erik’s stories of San Francisco are even more amazing, as he has been around to experience so much that many of us were not involved in.  The best word I can think of to describe Erik is “giving”, he is happy to give advice, give opinions, give knowledge, and give history — he shares his stories at no cost and I really appreciate that.  He’s a walking encyclopedia for all things punk, all things DIY, and all things related to the bicycle.  He does not discriminate, nor does he narrow his focus – instead, he collects all the wisdom he can on any and every subject and that makes him a very amazing individual.
 
Ok, back to his latest gift -in the bag of goodies that he so nicely donated to me were the following items: Two books by Tony Hadland (the Moulton bicycle, 1980 and The Spaceframe Moultons, 1994), some old brochures (even Japanese editions), an old Moultoneer publication, a few catalogs and AM-7 & AM-2 assembly instructions.

I was so stoked. I’ve had my AM since last december, but have to admit, I’ve never taken it apart- I couldn’t figure it out since the spaceframe is a very complex bicycle.  As a fellow mechanical engineer, I must say of Sir Alex Moulton that he is beyond genius. His dedication produce an amazing invention that’s not so quite easy to decode still amazes me.

Let me say no more, I’ll let these illustrations speak for themselves.

Click on the images below. Best viewed LARGE! Enjoy!

*** Editor’s Note:

Stay tuned for more “ZO’s Gifts” posts to come in the future!

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I managed to get very lucky when my friend, Jeremy, gave me his spot in line for a Zugster bag.  Zugster Bags is a one-man show run by Adam Alpern right here out of San Francisco.  As to prepare for the Ebisu build, I thought it would be great to have a small bag up front and how conveniently Adam started making these rando bags!  They come in various sizes, mini – “Picnic”-sized.  I decided to go with the Mini bag because on a day-to-day basis, I don’t really carry much more than a few small tools, a U-lock, wallet, keys,  and a phone.  Seeing as I’ll be using this bag on a daily basis, I got the size that would suit my lifestyle the best.

I went with the earthy-tones rust, olive and sand with a charcoal grey/black binding and a grey vinyl interior.  The bag turned out GREAT with various (optional) 3-D pockets and big enough for a lightweight jacket, lock, and small accessories – it’s everything I hoped for it to be!  The Mini size is nice because I don’t have to use a decaleur to support the bag so it’s nice and easy on-off the bike.

Visit Adam’s site at Zugster Bags if you’re interested in getting on the waiting list for one of his many types of bags.  I got my bag pretty quickly, but I really lucked out on that part.

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