Hello, this is Uno-chan.
April is already here in the blink of an eye.
The cherry blossoms at Tsuruma Park, near Circles, are currently at their peak. It’s a bit off my commute route, but I keep finding myself taking a detour just to gaze at the beautiful trees. It’s such a joy to be able to feel the changing seasons.
Well, the other day, Urban Bikelore Osaka was held in Umeda, Osaka. Here is a quick look back at those two days, March 30th and 31st, spent having fun with our bikes.
What is Bikelore?
It’s an event where adults and children alike can participate casually—a mix of a "bicycle sports day" and a "bicycle school festival."
I can almost hear people asking, "Wait a minute! Can I only enjoy it if I have a bike?" Actually, it’s an event that everyone can enjoy even without a bike, thanks to the wide variety of activities, delicious food vendors, and workshops. Some people come to enjoy the races, while others come for the local shops, food and drink, and outdoor-related booths—it’s packed with something for everyone!
The next Bikelore event is scheduled for May 25th–26th at the Hakushu Forest Bikelore 5, so please be sure to check the official website!
Let’s have fun together!
It’s a Theme Park
When you enter the venue, the first thing you see are kids having a blast on their bikes, and as you head deeper into the venue following the delicious scents, you find a line-up of great food stalls—the atmosphere is just fantastic.
For Urban Bikelore Osaka, the race course was a specially built short course about 500m long within the Umekita phase 2 construction zone. The unique design, which included asphalt, bumpy roads, and a section connecting two carrier trucks, created an environment where you could participate in or watch a variety of races.
Since it was "Urban" Bikelore, there was even a "suit race" specially hosted by the fashion brand narifuri, where dressing the part was the most important rule of all.
Racing is Crucial Too
I didn't want to just watch, so I joined the Delivery Class by JPBMA alongside the folks from Daisy Messenger!
The idea is to ride your bike, carry a large messenger bag, hold your manifest (instructions) and a pen, pick up cargo from spots within the course, and deliver them securely to the designated locations. While it sounds simple, it actually requires a cool head, thinking through the best routes to reach the goal safely, while competing to see who can deliver the most cargo to the various locations.
As for my personal results: out of 23 participants, I scored 11 points out of a possible 30. It was a lackluster result, plus I ran out of time, so there’s nothing more I can say. (Cries)
Although many of the participants were pro messengers, I also saw some first-timers participating. I really felt that it was a delivery race where everyone—the organizers and the participants—were on equal footing and having fun.
Watch Up Close
Among the other major races, the finals of the sfiDARE CRIT OSAKA STAGE, a fixed-gear criterium that has been gaining popularity in the Chubu region lately, unfolded right in front of the spectators!
A fixed-gear criterium is a competition where the bikes have no front or rear brakes and use a fixed gear, typical of track bikes. There were domestic riders, of course, but also riders who came from South Korea just for this day. The Korean rider was riding an ENGINE11, a track bike based in Los Angeles, and was speeding through the course with such flair.
By the way, Culture Club has a few ENGINE11 Crit-D framesets available, so if you are interested, please stop by there as well!
The Grand Finale!
And the main event that capped off the second day was the Owl Class!
As you can see, this race is just about how much you can show off. (Haha)
It was my first time seeing it, and it was hilarious just to watch, with everyone’s unique outfits and bikes. Now I understand why it’s called the signature event of Bikelore.
Events Built by Everyone
Lastly, by experiencing the scene of Urban Bikelore Osaka firsthand, I was able to have a great time myself. The children and adults, both local and from other prefectures, were all the stars of the show, enjoying the day to the fullest.
This time was made possible by the staff members involved in running Urban Bikelore Osaka.
I sincerely hope that Urban Bikelore can be held again somewhere next year. Thank you all for your hard work!
