The Kansai CX season opener was held at Biwako Miami Land, known as the "sand hell."
It feels like the starting gun for the season has finally gone off for those of us around here.
Whether aiming for a higher category or fighting to secure a spot to stay, everyone pedals with single-minded focus, turning the cheers of friends and family into strength as they battle both themselves and their rivals.
Shaking off bad memories from last year, enjoying their first-ever CX race—everyone’s season has begun right here.
We even had a challenger from overseas this time.
Shawn Wolf from the New York bike shop "Kingkog" was visiting Japan and enjoying the Kansai CX race. Kingkog carries SimWorks products, and Shawn himself is a big fan of the Dirty Rhonda. It’s always a pleasure to meet a rider who uses our products across the sea (even if it is here in Japan). By the way, he mentioned he likes that the SW logo on the stem clamp cap also stands for Shawn Wolf.
Starting this season, we have fully introduced the SportCrafters Omnium Trainer as our warm-up trainer. Not only is it foldable and convenient for travel, but the load-equipped drums provide solid resistance, allowing for a highly efficient warm-up.
I always bring mine whenever I race, so I hope you’ll give it a try.
We even offer special local racer pricing, so please feel free to ask.
As for the result of my own race, I finished 18th (46%) and secured the spot I was worried I might lose. This year, I’ve switched my main bike to a Cielo CX Racer and will be racing as the Cielo/SimWorks CX Team. (Although the jersey I wore yesterday was the freshly finished new kit for the Hunter/SimWorks CX Team...)
It was my first time experiencing a cross race in such scorching heat that they actually permitted water breaks. Since I realized my running was slower than others in the first half, I focused on endurance, and whenever I could clear the climb from the water's edge to the end of the sandy beach on the bike, I went for it aggressively. I’ve identified several areas to work on, so I’ll be preparing for my next race in Nobeyama.
This weekend, the Tokai Cyclocross, which riders in our region have been eagerly awaiting, will take place.
It takes some resolve to travel all the way to Kansai, so why not enjoy a race closer to home?