I’ve posted an announcement on the Culture Club website for an upcoming cycling event at the end of this month, starting with the question: "Who was the first person to ride a fixed-gear bike on the streets?" I’d love for you to check it out.
That's right. The weekend after the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse messenger event that Uno-chan introduced recently, there’s an underground event held deep in the mountains of Izu called "Slow Burnin' Man," also organized by messengers. Unlike the sports-focused Yokohama event, this feels more like a cultural, off-the-grid event in Izu. It’s not necessarily for everyone, but for those who get it, it looks like it will be an incredibly immersive experience.
One of the highlights of this event is the "TRACKLOCROSS" Japanese Championship—fixed-gear cyclocross, or "Tracklo" for short. Despite the "Japanese Championship" title, just like the 2019 World Championships, it’s open to anyone.
Just as road bike enthusiasts have moved to gravel and all-road bikes to ride unpaved paths, street-riding fixed-gear bikes are now heading onto the dirt. It’s the nature of thrill-seekers to constantly expand their field of play in search of new excitement and fun.
Tracklocross is, simply put, fun because it’s difficult. You have to navigate obstacles while your pedals are fixed in position, constantly misaligned. There’s a specific thrill and technique involved in forcing your way through. The fact that it’s such a new discipline, full of untapped potential, is another reason it’s so interesting.
Enjoy Customizing Your Gear
The great thing about fixed-gear bikes is that you can enjoy them with a minimalist setup. You can go for high-quality parts, or build it up with whatever you have on hand. Once you get used to it, you can handle your own customization and maintenance.
You need slightly wider tires for dirt, so figuring out how to set them up and testing the maximum tire clearance for your bike is a great way to deepen your understanding of the machine.
Let’s Start by Trying It! Akuro Kotei Nagoya Vol. 0
Tracklocross is bound to get more exciting. We’re holding a casual meetup for anyone interested in riding dirt at night, so if you’re curious, reach out to Culture Club.
We’re also looking for participants for the Izu "Slow Burnin' Man." With events like Bikelore and various other Tracklocross events coming up, let’s go play together!
Akuro Kotei (Rough-Road Fixed) Nagoya Vol. 0
Date/Time: Saturday, Nov 12, 19:00 - Meet at Culture Club
Location: TBD
What to bring: Fixed-gear bike, lights
How to join: Please DM us via our store, CC’s Insta / Twitter, or send an email to express your interest.