NUTS! Fes 2009

The 2008 NUTS! Fes cycling event-rave-performance art-whack fest was a blast. It seems we may have had a little too much fun the last time, causing the local Inuyama residents to deny us permission for using their camp site for this year's repeat performance. No worries, the pedal monkeys at NUTS found a better place for the 2009 NUTS! Fes, and the party will go on! Grease your bikes and get ready to pedal on October 24th, 25th to the town of Yaotsu in lower Gifu prefecture (map here). You can find more detail about this year's event here. On the menu we'll have the usual mix of cycling, races, battles and silliness. In addition, we'll performances by 5 bands and a slew of DJs. The event will be held at a restaurant/Inn, so no need to bring a tent. Indoor sleeping area will be provided for about 100 people on a first come first serve basis. Just bring a sleeping bag and warm clothing. Tickets for the NUTS! Fes are available here or you can buy them at Circles bike shop in Nagoya City. There will likely be an arranged group ride from Nagoya City to the event location. I'll post again when I have the details. Hope to see you all there!

Alley Cat Surprise

Last Monday night the NUTs group held the monthly alley cat race in downtown Nagoya City. I expected to see the usual bike nuts eager to ride and drink afterward. Little did I know that we would be joined by about 100 fellow cyclist from around the world! To make a long story short, Izuru san organized a group ride of about 100 visiting cyclist in Japan for the CMWC event in Tokyo (Cycle Messenger World Championships). The group met in Kyoto and rode up to Nagoya Monday night in time for our Alley Cat race. I had never seen such a large group of smelly, tired and jet lagged cyclist in my life. I was immediately conscripted as an interpreter/organizer. Many of the guest cyclists joined in the evening's race and met at Cafe Palwr. We helped organize sleeping arrangements for those who needed it. I really enjoyed meeting so many fellow cyclist from just about every continent I can name. The next morning the group was off on their journey to Tokyo for the big event. I hope they made it all there safely. I won't be in Tokyo for the CMWC event, but we have a couple local guys racing and I'll be rooting for them.

Cycling BBQ at Shonai Park

Just in case any of my cycling friends are in the area, today I will be in Shonai Park by the lake with my Surly BBQ Cycle. Stop by, say hi and taste my ride.

September Alley Cat Race

Quick reminder that this month the NUTs Alley Cat bike race will be on Monday the 14th instead of Saturday. Meeting time is 8:30 PM at Shirakawa Park with after race party at Cafe Parlwr in Shin Sakae. Happy cycling!

Bang King 2009 - A banging success

Just back last weekend from the Bang King Track bike race in Kanazawa City. It was great seeing a lot of my Nagoya cycling friends and even managed to make a few new friends. Though the race is rather laid back and friendly, we had two people there who proved to be serious contenders and good sports. On the Dude side was an Aussie named Rob who just only started racing less than a year ago. He was quite impressive and left everyone behind in the sprint races. Rob eventually won the whole shebang and took home a track bike and messenger bag for his effort. On the femenina side was a Japanese lady who turned out to be a semi pro track cyclist. I missed her race but I heard she took home top prizes too. Over all the event was fun and we all got to enjoy a nice BBQ at a local beach campsite. I'm really impressed by how the local cyclists go out of their way to cultivate a friendly and fun cycling culture that lacks the usual pretentiousness of hipster cycle chic. It seems like Tokyo and Nagoya are the two cities helping to define what cycling is in Japan and leading the way in showing people how to have fun on two wheels. I look forward to partaking in more cycling events with my Japanese pedal freaks in the near future.