Photo by Shinya Tanaka/Photo by Rie Sawada
One of my recent favorite places is a town about a 45-minute drive west of Napa.
Santa Rosa
The most famous thing about this town is Snoopy.
(Because it is the birthplace of the creator, Charles M. Schulz, many Japanese tourists visit every year.)
Probably the second most famous thing is Levi Leipheimer.
(It is important that this is something only cyclists would understand.)
But there is no doubt that he is the most “important” thing to this town.
(Please note that this is entirely my subjective opinion.)
Sycip
SycipDesign, made by Jeremy Sycip, was my idol.
When I first saw their bikes at NAHBS, my blood ran cold for a moment.
How could they have such exquisite taste?
With a little jealousy mixed in, the only thing left in my head was a confidence without certainty that we would eventually cross paths.
That was six years ago.
And three years ago, Jay Sycip moved to Oregon and started Cielo.
SycipDesign also became Jeremy's solo project.
Furthermore, SimWorks began as a full-fledged business.
Driven by such extraordinary circumstances, although we are individuals,
we have formed something that could not lose any one of its parts.
(Perhaps business is nothing more than the repetition of such things.)
In a sense, having an environment where I can believe in fate and charge ahead has opened my eyes to a new world.
I am truly grateful to the Sycip brothers.
The things Jeremy makes are somehow enveloped in kindness.
That is how I feel about them.
More clearly and physically, this is good, or
numerically, it is this many grams, and there are still many people who want that,
but I seek kindness in him, and in the things he makes.
Major bicycle manufacturers try hard to trace the things they make in great detail,
but they are almost always unable to reproduce the atmosphere as well.
Each has its own position and role.
Major manufacturers have their role, and individuals have roles that only individuals can play.
That is Jeremy.
A great father, a great friend, a great older brother, a great younger brother,
a great craftsman, and a great cyclist—the best person.
Many of the makers here almost certainly own every vehicle.
And they repair, modify, and finish them to their own taste.
They have a great deal of affection for their things.
Of course, many Japanese craftsmen are probably the same.
They know the advantages of various things, combine them, and skillfully bring ideas to light.
And that is primarily for their own use.
For themselves.
The Anacortes State Park shown on the Google Map above
is simply massive and has trails that can be shared by a wide variety of people.
Jeremy's house is a five-minute bike ride from the park.
It is right there just across the highway, and if you feel like going, you can enjoy top-notch singletrack every morning.
When connected, they total over 50 miles, and there are lines with shortcuts,
so you can play freely according to your preference, skill, and schedule.
Of course, it is free.
And what was moving was the BikeRescueBox above.
I should say beforehand that this is quite rare even in America,
but it is equipped with everything from tire levers to tube patches, pumps, various wrenches, and even valve core removers.
It is checked and maintained every day by many sponsors and supporters.
Also, it almost always requires the morals of the riders,
and the simple accumulation of strictly following the rules is ultimately
a good example of how the standards of public trails can be raised to this level.
And regarding trail maintenance, there is something that everyone should equally protect.
Cyclists, hikers, and horse riders.
It is also important that it never becomes “something that belongs only to someone.”
It is an accumulation. Accumulate without giving up.
Everyone knows it is the most important thing,
but the reality is that we inevitably take the easy way out.
I understand that too.
But I think.
The result of taking the easy way out is the reality we see today.
That does not mean I give up.
Because it is never too late, and I know that many people are facing it in various ways with similar feelings.
And that it is something that many people should be able to enjoy equally.
Because I want that to be the goal we strive for.
Tomorrow, this diary will end.
But finally, I will return to the ultimate form of moving the target that is always waiting for me,
and return to Santa Cruz once again.
(Actually, I drove the car after this mountain ride, but... teehee.)
Yes, I am an idiot.
You could call this kind of trip an idiot's trip too...
Sycip – Sycip
( http://www.sycip.com/ )
SycipBikes is in the city of Santa Rosa in North California, America, where Jeremy Sycip, a master who translates humor and seriousness into bicycles, holds the torch every day for everyone from world-class riders around the world to messengers. Using a wide range of materials including titanium, aluminum, and of course steel, he makes it his daily goal to give shape to every detail of the riders' requests. So, what do you want? Please know the reality that your dream bike is almost within reach.
– Please see the product samples [Flickr Sycip Set
