The season is over.
What am I talking about? Baseball, of course.
That said, even though it's over, I've been riding an emotional rollercoaster over the hot stove league trade rumors.
Yusei Kikuchi signing with Shohei Ohtani’s former team, the Angels.
Sugano deciding to challenge himself in MLB at 36.
And I’m genuinely excited about the Japanese treasure, Roki Sasaki, making the jump to MLB.
When I visited this place a few years ago, I never imagined that Shohei Ohtani would eventually stand here.
Time has flown, and now Shohei Ohtani is out there performing at the very spot in this photo.
Shohei Ohtani is from Hanamaki Higashi High School in the Tohoku region.
Hanamaki Higashi is a regular at Koshien.
As someone with distant roots in Tohoku, I find myself rooting for high schools from that region unconditionally.
And speaking of baseball in Tohoku, you've got Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, Yusei Kikuchi, and Yu Darvish (though he’s originally from Osaka).
Speaking of Darvish, he went to Tohoku High School.
Tohoku High School’s rival is Sendai Ikuei.
Two years ago, Sendai Ikuei won their first Koshien championship.
That was when Manager Sue famously said, "Youth is dense."
That’s how my train of thought connected the dots.
The internal associations of the brain are a mysterious thing.
It was right around then that I was looking for a blog title, and I decided to hop on the trend by saying, "Rinko (taking your bike on a train) is dense."
But I digress.
"Rinko is dense" wasn't just a random play on words; in reality, the inside of a rinko bag is often quite cramped, and you generally want to avoid being in dense crowds when traveling with your bike, right?
With that in mind, I want to talk about the "density" associated with rinko.
What is Rinko, anyway?
Rinko is the act of taking advantage of the fact that the tires and other parts of a "sports bike" can be easily removed, placing the partially disassembled bike into a special bag, and using public transportation.
Since the act of rinko isn't necessarily welcomed by every mode of transport, I’ll share my general take on how different public transit services receive it. (Note: These are just my personal views.)
Taxis: Depends on the driver, but they usually don't look too happy about it. In rural areas, they might let you in if you're stuck due to trouble.
Buses: Often prohibited or simply not an option. Some night bus companies will allow it if you book in advance and travel during off-peak hours.
Trains: The easiest to use. And it’s often free! (Some private lines charge a fee.) You can even reserve space for it on the Shinkansen.
Ships/Ferries: With ferries, taking your bike as rinko often waives the bicycle fee, whereas keeping it assembled would incur a vehicle charge. For some high-speed boats, rinko is the only way to get your bike on board.
Airplanes: You can check your bike as sports equipment on both domestic and international flights. Costs depend on the airline. Domestic handling is relatively careful, so I think a rinko bag is fine, but I highly recommend putting it in a sturdy cardboard box for international flights. (I’ve heard plenty of horror stories from people checking their bikes internationally and being shocked at the state they arrived in.)
So, those are my subjective thoughts—does that cover it?
Trains are the Main Stage for Rinko
Considering the points above, I suppose the most used mode of transport is the train.
I’ve used various forms of transport for rinko myself, but trains are by far the most common. I started back in my university days, and I must have done it well over 1,000 times by now. (I’m on my 4th rinko bag.)
It’s a nostalgic thought, but when I was a college student, all train rinko required a fee.
Regarding the specific regulations like size, please check the websites of the train companies you intend to use. However, I would like to share some tips on how to avoid "density" when traveling with your bike.
Avoid Rush Hour
It might seem obvious, but you need to be careful when choosing your train during morning/evening rush hours or peak vacation seasons.
Choosing the right time of day is the most important factor for a comfortable rinko experience.
Ride in the area by the door near the driver’s cab in the front or rear car
This is because there is generally a bit more space there, making it easier to place your rinko bag.
My recommendation is the door closest to the very front of the lead car.
That’s because the driver is in that car, so they rarely come out, allowing you to stay tucked away in the corner with peace of mind without getting in anyone’s way.
The driver’s side of the last car is also good, but the conductor is often located there. You have to stay alert to ensure you aren't in the way when they enter or exit.
Avoid Major Stations for Boarding and Alighting
Major hub stations in big cities like Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Fukuoka are convenient for transfers, but the stations themselves are massive, and you often have to walk a nightmarishly long distance from the platform to the ticket gate.
In contrast, stations adjacent to major hubs are often smaller and require much less walking. It’s often easier to just get off a stop early and ride your bike that extra distance rather than navigating the massive station complex.
Pack Light
No matter how light a sports bike is, it’s still heavy to carry around for a long time.
Once you add the gear you use for your ride and your repair tools, it’s going to get pretty heavy. Excessively large saddlebags or handlebar bags will also likely get in the way during rinko, so it’s best to keep your luggage as compact as possible.
If you keep these points in mind, I think you’ll be able to have a comfortable rinko experience. I hope this helps!
"Rinko Bag" Is Just a General Term
Now, about the most important item: the rinko bag.
They actually come in a wide variety of types:
・Bag style for just removing the front wheel
・Cover style for just removing the front wheel
・Type where you remove both wheels and stand the bike up
・Type where you remove both wheels and lay the bike down
・Dedicated types for small-wheel bikes
・Large types that can fit larger bikes like mountain bikes
There are many options. On top of that, there are differences in fabric thickness, whether there’s a storage pocket for wheels, and so on, so please choose one that fits your bike and your specific travel conditions.
As a rule of thumb, if you want the smallest possible size while traveling, choose one that lets you remove both wheels. If you're nervous about mechanics and want the simplest method possible, go for the type that only requires removing the front wheel.
The Parts That Cause "Density" in a Rinko Bag are the Handlebars and Pedals
The parts of a bicycle that stick out the most are the handlebars and the pedals.
You have no choice but to loosen the bolts for the handlebars, but there is a one-touch way to avoid "density" with the pedals.
It is none other than the MKS Ezy system.
The "Bubbly" series released by our very own SimWorks uses this MKS Ezy system.
This system allows you to attach and detach the pedals with a single touch, letting you remove the pedals that would otherwise poke out and cause density inside the rinko bag, thereby securing more space.
Seeing is believing; when you actually try it, you can avoid having a bulging, overstuffed rinko bag.
Before I started using the Ezy system myself, I hated loosening tight bolts—getting my hands dirty or risking injury—and would sometimes just force everything in, which would occasionally tear the rinko bag.
Since I started using this, everything goes smoothly, and it even comes with a dedicated storage bag so you won’t lose the pedals. It really is one of those systems where once you use it, you can never go back.
Baseball Is Over, and the Bicycle Rinko Season Is Upon Us
It feels like just the other day we were saying how hot it was, but now we've reached the season where it's cold, cold, cold.
A ride that utilizes rinko is highly recommended precisely when the season gets tough.
Head to your destination by rinko to enjoy sightseeing and local food.
And if you plan to head home by rinko, you can even enjoy a soak in a hot spring or a nice drink.
Rinko is packed with charm. Now is the perfect time to start—feel free to consult with us at any time regarding rinko bags, pedals, or anything else!!