Special Thanks / Photo By Kenji Muto a.k.a @muto _photo
When Gan-chan asked me, "Uno-chan, what are you writing?!", I replied, "Oh, I'm thinking of writing an article about sfiDARE." Then, Gan-chan started worrying, saying, "I'm going to ride gravel with a customer soon, but my bike..." As I looked straight into his eyes, he suddenly said, "Ah! I'll just go with a fixed gear. My MASH Steel!" I wonder what he sensed right then...
I naturally found myself quoting ski jumper Ryoyu Kobayashi, saying to Gan-chan, "Let's just fly!" (lol)
Well, regardless, he declared he’d be taking on the challenge with a fixed gear, so I hope he really enjoys the ride.
Gan-chan, take care and have a great trip!
Now then, let's move on to the main topic.
I'd like to share how it went at the fixed gear race held on Saturday, September 10, 2022, on temporarily closed public roads in GODO-cho, Gifu Prefecture!
It was a race so hot it could rival the authentic, American-born "RED HOOK CRIT"! (Sweat) So, please take a look at the highlights from the very first GIFU GODO MINOURA CRIT!!
Men's and Women's Individual Time Trial Qualifiers
This time, we started with the individual time trial.
There was a 1.0km circuit course set up, and in the qualifiers, each person raced one lap to get their time, which would then determine their next qualifying class.
In terms of the course, both the home and back straights were long, and I felt the corners were easy to navigate.
However, when thinking about what kind of rider would prefer this course, it seems that being able to pedal hard and having the physical stamina to keep going lap after lap is essential, right?!
Regardless, you can't get a feel for it without actually riding, so let's start with the practice run, which is first and foremost.
sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN always expands the riders' perspectives with a different course every time.
For instance, the course held in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture, in September 2021 was a 400m circuit with tight corners, where decelerating before a turn and accelerating out of it were quite difficult.
I want to answer those of you thinking, "I can't quite imagine that!"
Since it's hard to convey just with words, please take a look at this very cool video captured by Tsuyoshi Sato (a.k.a. Sato-chan), who always comes to help film for sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN!
"Wow, wow, Sohei. You look incredibly nervous, huh?! (lol)"
Yes, he is one of the new members who joined sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN. He is the son of Izuru Shimazaki, the representative of “DAISY MESSENGER” located in Shinsakae, Nagoya.
Influenced by Toshifumi Kodama, the organizer of sfiDARE CRIT JAPAN, he set his sights on this public road race even though he's still a junior high school student!
Just like Sohei, I find it incredibly fun to clash feelings in a "race" through training sessions, and I feel a charm in it that nothing else can replace.
I have high hopes that not just Sohei, but more and more people will knock on the doors of sfiDARE CRIT!
Now, the time trial qualifiers. From shortly after 2:00 PM, each athlete stepped up to the start, ready to take on the one-lap challenge.
It was a full house with about 60 participants, and the top-tier riders averaged under 1 minute 30 seconds per lap!
Races like this, where you ride individually, are different from pack races and interesting in their own way.
Personally, I have a bit of a mental block when it comes to time trials. "Kodama-san, can I join your off-the-record early morning training sessions?! (lol)"
As for my thoughts after finishing the time trial, all I can say is, "I did what I could!" Because in this world, there are no excuses! (Sweat) I want to prepare my heart and body for the next race.
"Wait! You were so fast I almost missed you, Hajime-chan!" That cool bike of yours caught my attention, so let me introduce it to everyone through the Uno-chan network.
The MASH AC-3 that Hajime-chan is riding is currently available not only at the Circles store but also at our online shop, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out!!
I use a MASH AC-1, and it's a machine that allows for an incredibly comfortable and responsive ride exactly as I imagine it.
Hoping for even more MASH fans, I intend to keep showing everyone what it can do in races!
Kids' Experience Race
It's a shot that makes you want to say, "Osu! Thanks for your hard work as the site foreman!" isn't it?
At sfiDARE CRIT, we also host our customary kids' experience race.
For first and second graders, they can experience riding round-trip on the home straight. It would be a waste if only the adults had all the fun. Any type of bicycle is welcome. Please, do come and experience the race.
I feel like in our day, there weren't many events where you could actively play with bicycles.
Seeing the kids smile and laugh, and sometimes showing strained faces in events like this, is healing, and more than anything, imagining how they will associate with bicycles in the future makes me happy, causing the intense heat to vanish for a moment! (Sweat)
Now then, as for the older kids, they can challenge themselves by riding 1 to 2 laps of the actual course.
I just want them to pedal with all their might and burn out completely like only children can.
To the Final Stage!
"Mokkun, thank you for taking photos in the harsh sunlight!!" For about a year now, he's been coming to sfiDARE CRIT venues, camera in hand, diligently capturing photos that boost our motivation!
This was the first time I'd ever talked to him at a race venue, and he's a fine young man with a very crisp, clear way of speaking!
There was an accident involving a collision with a bike during this race, but I'm personally relieved that there were no major injuries. Let's capture something great again at the next race!
The boss is looking this way.
Our Toshi is rushing us, wondering when we're starting, so let's take a look at the final races! Everyone was so fired up, and I remember the tension being incredible. Are you listening? I'll say it again, this is a race on closed public roads.
As for me, I rode in the middle class, where I had a fierce battle with sfiDARE CRIT's rising star, Sohei Shimazaki, and our boss's wife, Kazuyo Kodama (a.k.a. Kazunyo).
I had a good start, keeping up by watching the back of the first-place rider, but about three laps in, I pitifully couldn't control my body as I wanted, and I dropped in position before managing to finish at the end. (Sweat)
"Man, Sohei. Thanks for showing such a great race! You're already faster than me (sob)."
That said, Sohei didn't seem satisfied with his own performance either, and seeing him looking so frustrated after the race left quite an impression. He'll likely get his revenge at the next race scheduled to be held in Yokohama in November. I won't be outdone either!!
Finally, I'd like you to take a look at the high-class final race.
These aren't exactly expressions from before a race, are they?! (lol) But racing is something you want to enjoy and finish to the very end.
Naoyuki Kusaka (a.k.a. Kusakayan), who was doing well in the qualifiers, is always the mood maker, acting the joker, but seeing the look on his face before the start, I found myself thinking... well, he might just make you fall in love with him, or maybe not..
Anyway, everyone, stay safe, keep to the rules, and go full speed ahead!!
And the one who conquered the high-class final was Toshi!! Congratulations!!
I don't even know what to say, was it all according to plan? That final straight dash was incredibly thrilling!
I wish I could let everyone hear the sound of the tires—that "shhhh!" sound.
When you watch from the sidelines, the sound of the bikes moving, the breathing of the riders—it's something that makes you grip your hands with tension too!
Once again, I want to send a huge round of applause to the top 3 finishers in the high-class final. One day, I want to prepare perfectly and challenge them as a contestant.
In Conclusion
I am grateful once again for the ability to discover new things and take on challenges through cycling.
And, while it's hard for me to be laughing all the time, others' smiles are beautiful, and I think that what allows us to share things and enrich our relationships with others is surely the smile that overflows from the heart.
I am still immature, and I may still be learning more from others than anything else. However, I want to be a person who accepts that honestly without feeling ashamed, becomes confident in what I have absorbed, and can pass that confidence on to others.
I hope you will continue to watch over Circles, the bike shop in Nagoya, and me for a long time to come.
Lastly, there is something I want to say in my own way, so please listen.
It's that "Enjoying things is a lifelong asset." That is the lesson I, Uno-chan, wanted to leave behind.
See you again! sfiDARE!
