Good evening. It’s Nabetaku!
The Tour de France has come to a close with Froome’s third consecutive victory.
Thank you to everyone who came to our live viewing party!
Froome really kept us on the edge of our seats, what with the mechanical trouble that forced him to run, and finishing the stage on a teammate’s bike.
Next up is the Olympic road race. I’m curious to see who will take home the gold.
You might think of me as the guy who only does cyclocross, but inspired by the Tour, I participated in my first road race (the Hirata Criterium) this past Sunday! Naturally, I did it wearing my brand-new Circles jersey!
Photo by Kikuzo
Cyclocross and road racing are completely different beasts; I really felt like this was a game of strategy and positioning.
To stay in the lead pack, you have to weave through the field effectively, or you’ll get dropped at the exit of a corner and lose the group.
If you get impatient and try to bridge the gap alone, you’ll burn your matches and won't have the legs left for the final sprint, so working with those around you and rotating is also crucial.
When you think about it like that, it just shows how incredible Yukiya Arashiro’s breakaways in the Tour truly are. Seeing is believing, indeed.
The race was so much fun—even though it should have been exhausting, I found myself laughing the whole time.
Thank you to everyone I raced with!
Photo by Kikuzo
Racing is great, but riding mountain passes in the fresh, lush green of summer feels amazing, so I was out riding in the hills last week, too.
Even when you're just going for a quick ride, you can't avoid the risk of trouble like a flat tire, so I always carry emergency repair parts and tools in my saddlebag.
Today, I’d like to introduce some recommended items you should keep in your saddlebag.
【PDW Ninja Pump】
A portable pump that comes with a CO2 inflator.
Since the pump itself is tiny, it takes a lot of effort to get much air into the tire, so I treat it as a backup for my inflator.
Still, having a pump function versus not having one makes a world of difference. Better safe than sorry!
PDW makes such fun videos, and they have plenty of other products that really hit the mark, so be sure to check them out.
【CO2 Cartridges】
Just because you use a Topeak inflator doesn't mean you have to use Topeak CO2 cartridges; most of these are compatible with each other.
For the wider tires common on gravel bikes these days, or for tubeless-ready tires where the bead can be stubborn to seat, I recommend the 16g cartridges. For super-fat tires like the SimWorks Homage or the WTB Horizon, there are even 25g cartridges meant for MTBs.
Just keep in mind that CO2 leaks out faster than regular air, so treat this as a portable solution only—once you reach a place with a floor pump, deflate your tire completely and pump it back up with regular air.
【Flat Repair Kit】
I can hear you asking, "Why do I need a kit if I’m carrying a spare tube?" But this is another case of "better safe than sorry."
I have one spare tube, but what if I get two flats...? That’s why I carry this.
I recommend the Park Tool set—it comes in a neat plastic case, which is a big plus since it keeps everything together.
【Tubes】
At our shop, we recommend Schwalbe tubes.
They cover a wide range of sizes and have a great selection; they might be a bit heavy, but their puncture resistance is legendary! They are especially great for touring and long rides.
When putting a spare tube in your saddlebag, don't just toss it in; wrap it in plastic wrap or put it in a Ziploc bag to protect it, and it will last much longer.
【Multi-tool & Missing Link】
In case your chain snaps or your derailleur breaks, I recommend a multi-tool that includes a chain breaker.
It’s a lifesaver if your chain snaps or you run into an unforeseen problem. Of course, you’ll also need a missing link to reconnect the chain and get back to riding, so don't forget to pack one of those too!
【Saddlebag】
[RAL] UT LOADER - 3,888 yen (tax incl.)And finally, the most important part: the saddlebag.
RAL saddlebags are incredibly spacious, yet their design suits any type of bike, keeping your gear packed away stylishly.
If you're unsure, this is the one to get.
By the way, entries are currently open for RIDEALIVE, which is where the RAL brand name came from!
This list is just an example, and you’ll eventually figure out what you personally need and don't need.
If you have any questions, feel free to drop by the shop and ask our staff. We’ll help you find the perfect setup!
See you at Circles!