As the Japanese expression "jinba ittai" (horse and rider as one) suggests, a bicycle is like a mirror that reflects the person riding it, expressing how they engage with cycling in their daily life. “With Bicycle“ is a Circles-style archive focusing on those who lead such lives with their bikes.
In this feature, we introduce Ms. Sugiura, who enjoys weekend rides on her Cielo road racer. She joined us for this year’s Gourmet Century Ride on her Cielo, and we asked her about what life with a bicycle means to her.
・What has changed since you started cycling?
My range of activity has expanded significantly. I’m always thinking, "Where should I go next?" or "Is this a place I can ride?" Even when I’m driving a car, I find myself thinking, "This might be fun to ride on!" I’ve definitely accumulated a few more scrapes and bruises from falling or bumping my legs... (laughs). Most of all, I never expected to meet so many people through cycling.
・What kind of rides do you enjoy?
I often head out to the sea or lakes in search of delicious food. I’m not great with hills yet, but once I overcome that, I want to ride forest roads too!
・What does a bicycle mean to you?
It allows me to move my body, use my five senses, and refresh my mind. It’s an essential part of my life that broadens my world. The time I spend on my bike is a space where I can be alone, and also a place for important encounters.
Her road racer, featuring a refreshing sky blue frame accented with pink Chris King parts, perfectly reflects her style. She chose a disc brake model to ensure reliable braking on descents, especially since she was concerned about her grip strength. Aboard this bike, she will no doubt head out on rides in search of new encounters and worlds yet unknown. We certainly hope she continues to enjoy her rides in many different places.