Special Thanks / Photo By Kenji Muto a.k.a @muto_photo
Before we knew it, the season has shifted to autumn, and the streets of Nagoya are filled with the scent of sweet olive. Around this time of year, you also start hearing the cry "Cross is coming!" here and there.
Since the cycling industry is in full swing all year round, I’m going to put some energy into writing this blog!
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I first learned about this project when I visited a place called "104 Cycle" in Gode-cho, Gifu Prefecture. 104 Cycle is a place where they handle bicycle consultations, repairs, and sales daily, while also planning and managing a race called sfiDARE CRIT.
Since I hear people asking what sfiDARE CRIT actually is, let me introduce it briefly.
sfiDARE CRIT is a closed-course cycling race using fixed-gear track bikes. Fixed-gear bikes, also known as pisto bikes, feature a race style full of speed unique to their fixed gear.
It is no exaggeration to say that sfiDARE CRIT was born after Toshifumi Kodama, the representative of sfiDARE CRIT and a current professional keirin cyclist, participated in RED HOOK, which can be called the pinnacle of crit races held in Brooklyn, USA.
Kodama-san learned from what he experienced at RED HOOK and brought the operations and philosophy back to Japan. Currently, the activities of sfiDARE CRIT in Japan are attracting a lot of attention.
The true charm of sfiDARE can only be understood on the field
This edition of sfiDARE CRIT was held on a special course at the National Kiso Sansen Park in Hashima, Gifu Prefecture.
I loaded my bike into my car, drove from my parents' house in Toyota City using the highway, took the nearest Gifu-Hashima JCT exit, and arrived at the venue in about 10 minutes. On the way, the Ichinoeda Cosmos Square had cosmos flowers blooming beautifully all over the field.
Upon entering the venue, the athletes and those exhibiting booths for the day were in the middle of preparations.
BUCYO COFFEE was busy preparing for the main event—the meat—and cooking to satisfy our appetites, fully dedicated to supporting the participants. Thank you as always!
Bicycle inspection is essential
Registration started at 8:00 AM, and individual bike inspections for the riders were conducted in the pit area next to it.
Maintenance before the race is super important for racing safely!
They say injuries are part of racing, but I want to avoid them as much as possible.
Don't waste the 20 minutes
Course practice starts at 9:00 AM. With only 20 minutes, you have to hurry to check your cornering feel and positioning on the course.
Personally, since it was my first race, I first stuck behind experienced riders to watch how they handled the speed going from straightaways into corners and how they exited from corners back into the straights.
The key points of this course were the long straightaway and multiple corners, making for a layout that required both physical fitness and technique.
The race begins
There were about 60 participants, men and women combined. First, each person did a one-lap time trial on the course, and the results determined which stage they would move on to.
For the men, based on the TT (Time Trial) results, they were divided into preliminary groups A and B, started simultaneously, and raced for four laps to determine ranking.
Riders who finished in the top 10 in their respective preliminary groups automatically moved up to the Super Final.
However, sfiDARE’s charm is that those who didn't finish in the top 10 aren't necessarily out of the game!
There is also an "A Final" race provided for those who didn't make the top 10 in the qualifiers and for beginners. I was able to battle through to the A Final. But the feeling of being nervous because you’d be caught by the riders behind you in an instant if you let your guard down was also fun. I’ll do my best so I can compete in the Super Final next time!!
I'm hungry, give me some meat
All the racers finished safely, so let’s move on to the main dish!
Wait? BUCYO COFFEE is looking flustered.
That’s to be expected, since it’s "YAKINI CRIT," meat is a must.
I was so obsessed with the meat that I didn't take any important photos... Skipping that part. *sobs*
Not just the athletes, but their families and friends who came to watch can join in and enjoy the barbecue.
There were also beers and soft drinks. BUCYO COFFEE also provided their popular cafe menu items. Thank you for the meal!
After YAKINI CRIT
It was my first track bike race, but every moment was thrilling, and the sensation of controlling my body and the bicycle while riding was like nothing else.
Also, there were no boundaries between the athletes and the staff, and I could catch glimpses everywhere of an atmosphere where everyone was just having fun.
I could feel from being on site that it wasn't just about racing or competition, but about the spirit of simply riding a bike and enjoying it.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who put their efforts into planning and operations, and I hope to witness such a wonderful event again.
Thank you so much.
If you are interested in sfiDARE CRIT, please ask Uno-chan. If possible, let's go to practice sessions or races together!