Dan, a cyclist traveling through Japan from Switzerland, visited our shop. His purple-coordinated bikepacking setup was very stylish.
A cyclist traveling through Japan from Switzerland—the first thing that caught my eye was his beautifully coordinated purple bikepacking style.
I instinctively tried to tell Dan how I felt by saying things like "COOL" or "NICE," but
it didn't quite feel right, so
I told him, "In Japanese, we call this 'oshare' (stylish)."
Seeing the bike that appeared at our shop, I couldn't help but think, 'Stylish...!'
Meeting cyclists who drop by during their travels is one of the moments I enjoy most about running a bike shop.
Where are they coming from, and where are they headed? What kind of roads have they ridden, and what kind of scenery are they going to see next? Hearing those stories is a unique pleasure of running a bike shop, a little different from maintenance or customer service.
Purple bags are very rare, and on top of that, all the bags were in the same shade of purple...
This is quite unusual.
When I asked, it seems he had them made by a company that does custom orders...
Gear for travel tends to focus on practical aspects like "can it carry enough," "is it durable," or "is it light."
Of course, that is very important. But Dan's bike, while fully equipped with that practicality, was functional and stylish...
Even though it's "travel gear," it's properly "stylish."
Or perhaps it was completed precisely because the bags were attached...?
That balance was truly wonderful, and I found myself captivated by it.
From Takamatsu, through Route 439 to Saijo. A long journey continues from here.
Dan visited Saijo during his current trip through Japan.
He traveled from Takamatsu to Miyoshi City, and then came through National Route 439.
For those who ride in Shikoku, many will say "Oh...!" just hearing the name Route 439.
And the route from here is also amazing.
Matsuyama → Onomichi → Sea of Japan side → Iki → Niigata → Tokyo He said he would continue his journey circling Japan.
It's too cute.
There was a touch of Dan's personality in the small accents, too.
There were small accents on Dan's bike that caught my eye...
There was also a Kabosu-kun sticker.
It was an item that brought a sense of relief amidst the smart look.
We performed a chain cleaning in preparation for the mountain routes.
This time, we performed a chain cleaning for him.
For a bike traveling long distances, the condition of the drivetrain is very important.
Especially on routes with many ups and downs, the state of the chain and shifting directly affects the comfort of the ride.
By removing dirt from around the chain and keeping it running smoothly,
it's easier to maintain a good shifting feel
it's easier to reduce resistance while pedaling
it's easier to reduce stress during long rides
These are the benefits.
Considering Dan's route ahead, there is still a long way to go.
I would be happy if we could help him enjoy the rest of his journey even a little more comfortably.
I want our shop to be a place cyclists can stop by during their travels.
Maintaining the bikes of our local customers every day is, of course, our important work.
On the other hand, there is a different kind of joy when a cyclist traveling through drops by like this.
If our shop can be of any help in the flow of their journey, it makes us very happy.
A bicycle is a tool for riding fast, and it is also a tool for going far.
But it is not just that; it is also a tool that connects people to people.
Talking with Dan, I felt that once again.
I hope he is blessed with wonderful scenery and encounters ahead,
and that Dan's trip in Japan becomes his best memory.
Dan, thank you for visiting us.
I look forward to the day we can meet again somewhere on the road.
Have a great trip!
From WINDS BIKES
At our shop, we also accept requests for inspections before long rides, chain cleaning, and maintenance during your travels.
Whether you are riding around Ehime/Saijo,
or are a cyclist traveling the Shimanami Kaido or the Shikoku area,
please feel free to stop by.