Photo by Shinya Tanaka/Photo by Rie Sawada
My new favorite place is a town about a 45-minute drive west of Napa.
Santa Rosa
The most famous thing in this town is Snoopy.
(Since it’s the birthplace of creator Charles Schulz, many Japanese tourists visit every year.)
The second most famous is probably Levi Leipheimer.
(It’s important to note that this is something only cyclists would understand.)
But for this town, he is without a doubt the most "important" person.
(Please note that this is purely my own subjective opinion.)
Sycip
Sycip Design, produced by Jeremy Sycip, has always been an idol to me.
When I first saw their bikes at NAHBS, I felt breathless for a moment.
What an exquisite sense they have.
Mixed with a bit of jealousy, only a groundless confidence that we would eventually cross paths remained in my mind.
That was six years ago.
Then, three years ago, his older brother Jay Sycip moved to Oregon to launch Cielo.
Sycip Design became Jeremy’s solo project again.
Furthermore, the start of SimWorks as a full-scale business.
Guided by such strange intent, while we remain individual entities,
a form has emerged where not one of us could be missing.
(Perhaps business is just a repetition of things like this.)
In a sense, having an environment where I can run forward believing in fate has opened new eyes for me. I am truly grateful to the Sycip brothers.
The things Jeremy creates are somehow wrapped in kindness.
That’s how it feels to me.
There are still many people who seek more concrete things, like why something is physically good, or how many grams it weighs, but I look for kindness in him and the things he makes.
Large bicycle manufacturers try hard to trace the things they build in great detail, but in most cases, they can't replicate the "vibe."
Everyone has their own position and their own role.
Large companies have their roles, and individuals have roles that only they can fulfill.
That is Jeremy.
A great person who is a good father, a good friend, a good big brother, a good little brother,
a good craftsman, and a good cyclist.
Most of the makers here seem to own every type of vehicle imaginable.
And they repair them, modify them, and finish them to their own liking.
They are very attached to the things they own.
Of course, many Japanese craftsmen are likely the same.
They understand the benefits of various things, combine them, and skillfully bring new ideas to light.
And they do it first for themselves.
For their own sake.
Annadel State Park, listed on the Google Map above,
is enormous in scale and has trails that are shared by a diverse group of users.
Jeremy’s house is a 5-minute bike ride from the park.
It’s just across the highway, and if you’re in the mood, you can enjoy top-tier singletrack every morning.
The total network is over 50 miles long, and since there are lines for shortcuts and such,
you can play freely according to your preferences, skill level, and schedule.
And, of course, it’s free.
And the Bike Rescue Box above was truly moving.
I should mention that these are quite rare even in America, but
the contents range from tire levers to tube patches, pumps, various wrenches, and spoke wrenches.
It is checked and maintained daily by many sponsors and volunteers.
This also always requires the moral compass of the riders, and
isn't the simple act of sticking to the rules a good example of how you can ultimately
raise the standard of a public trail to this level?
And regarding trail maintenance, there are things everyone must equally uphold.
Cyclists, hikers, and horseback riders alike.
I think it’s important that it never becomes "just someone’s property."
It’s about building up. Building up without giving up.
Everyone knows this is the most important thing, but
the reality is that we end up taking the easy way out.
I understand that, too.
But I think:
The reality we see now is the result of taking those shortcuts.
That doesn't mean I've given up, though.
It's never too late to start, because I know that many people share the same feelings
and are standing up for it in various ways.
And that it's something that should be equally enjoyable for everyone.
I want that to be the goal we strive for.
This travel diary will conclude tomorrow.
But finally, I return once again to Santa Cruz for the ultimate "are you just waiting around?" trip.
(Actually, I drove like a maniac after this mountain fun... oops.)
Yes, I am an idiot.
They do say this kind of travel is a "vacation" (idiot-cation)...
Sycip
( http://www.sycip.com/ )
Sycip Bikes, located in Santa Rosa, Northern California, is where Jeremy Sycip, a master of translating humor and sincerity into bicycles, holds the torch daily for everyone from world-class riders to messengers. He aims every day to transform every detail of a rider's request into reality using a wide range of materials including titanium, aluminum, and, of course, steel. So, what is your wish? Realize that your dream bike is within reach.
– Product samples [Please view the Sycip set on Flickr]
