I dedicated about 10 years to track and field during my student days. It began with trying out various events, but I felt drawn to jumping, and since I was good at it, I ended up specializing in the high jump after a couple of years. However, despite thinking I was good at it, my first competition was a disastrous result. Given my personality, I’m the type who wants results quickly, so I once practiced 60 jumps in a single day the day after that competition.
At that time, my mentor told me that "change" comes only after continuing steady, diligent preparation. In other words, achieving results requires daily, accumulated effort.
If I keep going like this, I feel like I'm going to end up writing an autobiography, so I’d like to get to the main topic!
Now, what I’d like to introduce to everyone today is Critical Mass Nagoya, which has been held on the last Friday of every month since this year.
What is Critical Mass?
I hear some of you asking what Critical Mass is, so let me give a brief introduction.
Critical Mass originated in San Francisco, USA, in 1992.
It is generally a civic movement where people ride through the city to advocate for better status for cyclists in urban areas and to promote bicycle use.
I want to eliminate the contradictions of a car-centric society!
Critical Mass Nagoya was initiated by Mr. Izuru Shimazaki of Daisy Messenger, who felt a strong connection to the movement. With the hope of "changing" the way our car-centric city works so that more people can ride their bicycles properly, it was decided to hold this event as a monthly commitment on the last Friday of every month.
Broadening the circle of connection
Results won't come overnight. Just as I learned from track and field, we want to express what we can do, little by little. By hopping on our bikes, we want to spread the energy radiating from Nagoya into a large circle that reaches the next generation and the one after that.
The first step is creating this event together with all of you. If you have even a little bit of interest, please come and join us.
Critical Mass Nagoya
Date & Time: February 28 (Fri) 17:30~ (Starts at 18:00)
Location: Hisaya Odori, Kibo no Hiroba (Hope Plaza)
What to bring: Lights, helmet
No restrictions on bike type, age, gender, or nationality. Whether alone or in a group, everyone is welcome.
We will be riding slowly through Nagoya city for about an hour, covering 5–7km, so a city bike (mamachari) will be just fine.
And there is another important event on this day. A talk event featuring Aya Akamatsu of SimWorks Racing and photographer Nobuhiko Tanabe is also "on your mark," so please be sure to head over to Hedgehogdiner after Critical Mass. Doors for that event open at 18:30!
Click here for details on the World Championship talk show
https://circles-jp.com/blog/99922/