CMWC is finally here this weekend!
CMWC 2023 Yokohama (Cycle Messenger World Championships) kicked off in Yokohama today. The main event will be held this weekend at Nissan Stadium!
The Cycle Messenger World Championships (CMWC) is held somewhere in the world every year. It’s a massive event where messengers from all over the globe gather, not only to compete in delivery races but also to enjoy markets and parties.
Messenger culture and the track bike boom ignited interest in Japan, leading to the first CMWC in Asia being held in Tokyo in 2009. This marks the first time it has returned to Japan since then.
Fourteen years have passed since that last Tokyo event, and despite the unseen fear of COVID that continues to affect people today, the messengers at the Yokohama-based company Courio-City worked tirelessly while managing their daily deliveries to make this Yokohama event a reality. We are truly filled with gratitude for everyone at Courio-City.
Challengers Wanted!
The main races of CMWC are the Delivery Race and the Cargo Bike Race. You can still register for the Delivery Race on the day of the event and the Cargo Bike Race up until the day before. Why not bring your own bike, join the real messengers, and tear up the course at Nissan Stadium?
Apparently, unlike the JCMC pre-event held last year, this race will take place on the first-ever "3D course"!! I'm honestly overwhelmed by such a realistic course layout. (Joy) I suspect it will truly test the intelligence, physical strength, and experience that messengers rely on for their daily deliveries.
By the way, Uno-chan will be participating in the Delivery Race!
In addition, Kame-chan, our young representative mechanic from Circles, and Gishi-san, the captain of our distribution department CWD and a former active messenger, will also be competing in the DSP Race!
Gishi-san is always cool and collected. Even though you can't tell from his expression when he says, "I'm doing the DSP," I'm sure he'll take on the race with a fiery heart reminiscent of his active days. So Gishi-san, let's complete the fastest delivery together!
We'll also have a booth in Yokohama!
Of course, Circles and SimWorks will be hosting a joint booth!
Just like at JCMC, we'll be bringing a fresh Nagoya vibe, focusing on original soft goods from Circles and SimWorks. Plus, we'll have new items from RAL that are scheduled for release this autumn, as well as a special item we've been prepping with a certain California frame builder, which we'll be showcasing ahead of its release. In other words, you absolutely have to come check out our booth!
We'll also have unique bikes from Circles on display, such as the SIMWORKS / Doppo ATB, SKLAR / Super Something, and BIKEFRIDAY. We'll also have our staff bikes available. The venue has a test ride course where you can actually ride these bikes. It's usually hard for those in the Kanto area to visit our store in Nagoya, so I'd be thrilled if you took this opportunity to jump on a variety of different bikes.
Bike Messengers Life : New York City / Eddie Williams & Friends
One last announcement!
"Nice to meet you. Thank you for receiving this sudden letter. My name is Takuya Sakamoto, a former bicycle messenger." That's how a letter arrived, filled with warm words on a single sheet of A4 paper.
Uno-chan isn't the best at reading long texts, but perhaps the gentleness of the opening lines put him at ease. He was moved to the very end by a message that conveyed Takuya-san's passion for his photography exhibition.
If ever there was a case of being truly moved, this was it. In fact, Takuya-san actually stopped by Circles the other day and asked, "Is Uno-san here?" to come see him.
It's rare to feel so happy, and I was charmed by the gap between his face-to-face persona and the one conveyed through his writing.
"Let's meet in Yokohama again!" we told each other, and Takuya-san headed off to Yokohama a bit early.
So, Takuya-san, a.k.a. @tak_nyc, whose hometown is the event's location, Yokohama, has organized a photo exhibition titled "Bike Messenger Life New York City: New York and Japanese Bicycle Messengers." It will be held from the 20th to the 24th at the Minato Mirai Gallery, a citizen's gallery located in Yokohama Queen's Square.
The exhibition focuses on the history of Japanese bike messengers in New York, featuring photos taken by the legendary NYC bike messenger and photographer, Fast Eddie Williams, right up until his passing seven years ago. Please make sure to check it out!
We are grateful to be able to sponsor CMWC 2023 Yokohama, and we plan to have as much fun and let loose as possible this weekend.
Please make sure to come visit the Circles booth!!
See you all very soon at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama with smiles on our faces!