Special Thanks / Photo By Kenji Muto a.k.a @muto_photo
Four months after the showdown under the overpass, a new challenge arrived, leading me to the battlefield in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture.
That was the race venue for "KYOTO NIGHT CRIT."
The venue was packed with riders who had gathered to decide the Japanese representatives for the Yokohama CRIT, which will take place at the "CMWC 2023 Yokohama" at the end of September.
The venue was enveloped in a strange atmosphere and tension that felt different from any race I'd been to before.
Toshifumi Kodama, the representative of "sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN," also looked somewhat tense, and just watching his expression had us all feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Uno-chan also competed while having fun, so I hope you'll keep an eye out for that too!
"Alright! Time to win that ticket to represent Japan!!"
Don't Neglect Preparation
Keisuke Honda, the former Japan national soccer team player, always used to say during his active career: "It all comes down to whether you can avoid neglecting preparation."
The same can be said for any single race.
I am well aware that I'm neither a top athlete nor even close to being an amateur rider. The fact that the barrier to entry is so low is perhaps a defining characteristic of "sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN," and could be the secret to its fun.
With the cooperation of the operational staff, the riders can head into the race with peace of mind.
Organizer Kazuyo Kodama was also there in the scorching heat, acting as the sfiDARE CRIT captain and directing operations for the sake of the riders. (Sweat)
Thank you as always!!
The riders themselves spend their time making sure they don't neglect "preparation" by doing bike checks and scouting the course.
According to this time schedule, we were able to start test runs around 3:00 PM. Each rider prepares their body for the race.
Then, shortly after 4:00 PM, we proceed to the flat-bar class qualifiers and the fixed-gear bike men's and women's expert class qualifiers.
Once the qualifiers settle down, there's a great initiative where kids can "freely ride" on the course, because we want them to have fun too!
There are many different styles of test runs among the riders.
Personally, I try to follow behind skilled riders to steal their sense of speed on the straights and their line choices before curves. Though, even as I say I'm stealing these techniques, I still get too nervous to pull them off during the actual race. (Sweat)
Some riders also use rollers to get themselves in condition.
This family always participates in "sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN," and with the son, the dad, and their daughter Nanaho-chan, they seem to be enjoying the race more than anyone—smiling from ear to ear (though they are serious about the race!). They take on the challenge so positively.
It’s been about three years since Nanaho-chan first joined, right?!
I remember her being unsteady on a rental fixed-gear bike during an sfiDARE CRIT workshop.
But I feel like her attitude of gradually learning to enjoy practicing is paying off "now." "Let’s keep riding powerfully and having fun together!" by Uno-chan
Now, all that’s left is Mom. (Laughs)
Let’s Enjoy the Race!
Tetsuya Honda (known as Honda-kun), perfectly capturing the camera gaze?! He’s looking great in a tank top under that intensely glaring sky.
Honda-kun is a long-time customer of Circles, but whenever I'd see him, I’d just greet him with a "Hello!", and we never really had a chance to talk much at the shop.
Even so, we’ve actually ridden around the night roads at Heiwa Park in Nagoya together!
How should I put it, I treat him like a slightly older senior. (Laughs)
Seeing Honda-kun compete in "sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN" for the first time this time filled my heart with joy. I want to continue cherishing the feeling of being able to connect with people through bicycles—even if it's not exactly a dialogue through the bikes themselves.
"Honda-kun, next time let’s switch to drop bars and compete together!! Let's practice a lot!" by Uno-chan
Cheering is the Ultimate Energy!
Turning that cheering into power, the riders dash through this race with laps of about 500m each.
It's not something to brag about, but even when I crash, that loud cheering always echoes through, so I end up keeping on riding even if I’m disqualified! (Sweat)
It’s like having an adrenaline drip.
I am a rider, of course, but I am also in a position to cheer for the other riders.
Even though they are my rivals, when I see them riding with all their might, I naturally find myself cheering them on at the top of my lungs.
And cheering isn't just for the riders and spectators.
There are also cameramen who deliver the "real" experience of "sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN" at all times!
"That really is the true 'camera gaze'! Mokkun..." (Laughs) His account is @sanzou.motoya.sanui.
I had a chance to talk to Mokkun, and we were chatting before the race.
He bought some prosciutto at a convenience store and asked me, "Do you want some? You need to get your salt intake, right?" I was completely charmed by his frank and kind consideration, Uno-chan style.
As for Mokkun, he’s actually a gung-ho former competitive cyclist... "Whoops, you'll have to ask him about that directly." I'll keep that off the record. (Laughs)
I’m starting to feel the children’s gaze of "Are we there yet??" so please, feast your eyes on the riders who are off to win that ticket to Yokohama!!
※ To everyone watching this, please, I beg you: do not ride without brakes on public roads.
For those of you who want to try brake-less riding, regardless of age or gender, "sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN" holds workshops and the like, so please do send your questions there! Or you can contact Uno-chan, so feel free to reach out!
Summary
The race flow in the final was too fast, so I’ve had to skip quite a lot. (Sweat)
At the very least, I’d like to introduce the three riders who brilliantly made it through the finals!
First, Teppei Takase made it to the podium in 3rd place!!
The final was a high-level 15-lap race, and despite his small stature among a lineup of formidable opponents, he was a rider whose race craft—balancing a "grab the opportunity" boldness with coolness—was truly charming!
In his final comments, he said, "I want to practice even more so I can prepare to compete on equal footing with the strongest riders," and he is definitely a rider to watch in the future.
In 2nd place was Rei Goto. He kept the lead in the first half with such calm race management that one might have wondered if he was saving his strength for the Yokohama stage! Just as it seemed he might win, it was as if Shunto Seshita, who ultimately took the victory, had been standing by right behind Goto the whole time. The high-speed race between 1st and 2nd place had the gravity of two experienced veterans!
Watching from the side, the drama was so intense that I was left speechless.
Goto-kun was full of fighting spirit, saying, "I lost this time, but I'll beat him up in Yokohama!" So stay tuned!!!
Seshita-kun, who took the win, said, "Well, (Goto-kun) was exhausted, so I just passed him!" with a strong conviction that he has no rivals, and it seems like he’s headed straight for Yokohama just like that. (Scary)
And with that, I’d like to put a period on the "2023 KYOTO NIGHT CRIT."
As for my personal results, I got a cramp in the knockout race and ended up being thrown off my bike, leading to a disappointing finish. My body and heart are safe, so please don't worry!
And while it’s frustrating that I won’t be able to slide onto the stage in Yokohama, I hope to pour all my energy into supporting the riders instead!!
I have high expectations for all the riders' success. Please show the international competitors an overwhelming performance that will leave them stunned!
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to everyone involved in "sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN."
I hope to continue participating in races and grow into a rider who can aim for high goals as always.
Alright everyone, until next time, let’s meet again with plenty of energy!!