CYCLE MODE TOKYO 2023, one of Japan’s largest sports bicycle festivals, was held at Tokyo Big Sight on April 15-16.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, on the second day I visited Odaiba in my own Panasonic “Jetter” to feel the spring air. Some places in Tokyo were reported to have hail in the afternoon, but fortunately we arrived at Odaiba without any thunderstorms. The area between Gaienmae, the starting point, the Imperial Palace area, and Odaiba is usually a popular area for cyclists. As we passed through Ginza and entered the Ariake bay area, we saw a number of road bikes that were probably on their way to the venue.
As expected, the bicycle parking lot at Tokyo Big Sight was crammed with visitors’ road bikes. On the first day of the show, there were many people waiting in line in the rain. It seems that the sport bicycle, which can be enjoyed outdoors while maintaining a social distance, is attracting even more attention.
In addition to the latest models from various manufacturers, handmade bicycles and vintage bikes were lined up in the exhibition hall. If there was a bike you were interested in, you could experience its comfort on the long test ride course. A huge indoor and outdoor course was set up, and on the second day, after the rain had stopped, many visitors gathered at the outside course where they could ride in the sea breeze.
The actual bicycle of Yusuke Ochiai, who set a Guinness record by completing the fastest journey across Japan from Cape Sata in Kagoshima Prefecture to Cape Soya in Hokkaido, was also on display. The bike was made by macchi cycles, a custom-made bicycle manufacturer in Shiga Prefecture, and was equipped with the most suitable CAT EYE “GVOLT70” light. According to the person in charge, the “GVOLT70” has a long operating time, making it ideal for traveling across Japan.
© Source travel watch