The fun Nobeyama Cyclocross has come to an end, and before I knew it, it's December and the cyclocross season is already at the halfway mark.
I imagine many people are starting to worry about their standing in their respective categories by now, aren't they? I, of course, am one of them.
Nice to meet you all! My name is Takuto Watanabe, and I’ve joined the Circles team as of December. Everyone calls me "Nabetaku."
Photo by Kikuzo
I previously worked as a messenger in Tokyo while racing cyclocross and studying photography and media as a freelancer, but I decided to pursue my long-held dream of working at a bike shop and started working here at Circles.
I’m a little late with this, but I’ve posted an album of photos from Nobeyama Cyclocross, so I’d love it if you took a look.
DAY 1 https://flic.kr/s/aHsknd1Pnn
DAY 2 https://www.flickr.com/gp/133002434@N03/5zg6NZ
At the shop, I am working hard to study bicycle mechanics under the guidance of our chief mechanic JUS-senpai and many others.
I’m still inexperienced in many ways and I’m sure I’ll cause some trouble, but I’m going to do my absolute best, so I look forward to working with you all!
Now, getting back to cyclocross, this weekend is the 7th round of the JCX Series, Tokai Cyclocross at Wild Nature Plaza. Known as the "Koksijde of Japan," this course is famous for its sandy hell.
For those participating, are your preparations done?
On sandy courses, lowering your tire pressure to the absolute limit and avoiding putting too much weight on the front are key points, but another important factor is tire selection.
Tires with a diamond tread pattern reduce resistance, making sandy areas much easier to ride through.
A prime example is the IRC TIRE SERAC CX SAND.
Whether you have tubeless wheels or clinchers, I recommend using this tire with a tube. We have them in stock right now.
For those using clinchers, switching to Challenge cyclocross latex tubes has the advantage of making flats less likely even at lower pressures. It also makes for a lighter ride, so please give it a try.
However, what worries me is the dirt section on part of the course. Tire grip drops significantly there, so there's a risk of falling in the corners...
That is why I recommend a semi-slick tire that has knobs on the sides of the sand tread pattern!
This type is a versatile tire that offers the best of both worlds: the grip of a mud tire and the low resistance of a sand tire.
We have a lineup of both tubular and clincher tires, starting with A.DUGAST. If you haven't prepared for the sand yet, there is still time, so we look forward to seeing you at Circles!
JCX Tokai Cross is a home game for Circles. It will be my debut race for the Circles Racing Club, and SimWorks will also have a booth set up. I look forward to seeing you all there!