For the bike lovers

Hi All,

When in Oji today we stopped in at the bike shop, I took a few photos of some interesting bikes. Enjoy the following pics Amon, Brad, Alton and Dave

 Notice the square box section frame $380NZD

 $1700NZD on special

$440NZD 

 Notice the deep rims and spoke configuration

Bit of a grunter looking bike

A we bit of spring in the air

Hi,

Today we walked to Oji and then to Jadolkan on the way I spotted some spring in the air.

 Fresh spring growth

 Cherry Blossom

Another small cherry blossom tree

 Taken 1 April

 Taken 1 April

 Taken 1 April

 Taken 1 April

Taken 1 April-  new bud

New Transport

 Hi All,

I am nearly 40, been driving since I was 16 and never bought a brand new push bike in all my life, so I have gone from a 2001 Toyota Mark II Grande to a black 5 speed push bike, I guess the push bike is a 2012 model making it newer than the car I owned, not to mention the bulk standard Japanese commuter bike hasn't changed how it looked for 30+ years. I am looking forward to it, not having a car must be good exercise. I start school next month (as a student) and it is a 30min bike ride each way. I could actually catch the bus not far from home to close to the school but what fun would that be, I have a few ups and downs to go over, a couple police stations to pass, a fire station, so will be a good ride each day. Should be real nice in spring time as I have quite a lot of cherry blossom tress on the way.

Its not that easy to get a bike home when you have no car or trailer, so my shopping was limited to several shops in the area, I have about a half an hour walk to get to the shop to pick it up. I am so excited my first new bike!!!!

I pick up my racer tomorrow 27 March, I will post some photos of it when I get it!!!

To wet your whistle here are some specs

26 inch frame
Alloy Spoked Wheels
Bell
Dynamo Light
Front Basket
Back Carrier
Drum brake on the rare
5 Speed Shimano back hub, I just found out its 6 speed BONUS!!!
Twist the handle to change gears
Stand
Lock

To be honest Japanese commuter bikes are real nice to ride, nice springs in the seats and just go for ever, they are not built for speed but rather to get you from A to B and carry things. A racing road bike is just that, fast transport but rather impractical here, a mountain bike is just that an off road machine and really not suited here for day to day travel, a Japanese commuter is perfect!!! Its used to get you from the train station to home, carry your groceries, carry your umbrella, school etc

The other day we were in a Toyota Mark X, it was a nice car but after riding in trains for a while now the car did feel rather cramped.

Do check back soon for a photo of my new bike :) - Photos added

 Bike Shop

 More bikes for sale

 My cruiser ready to be picked up

 Shimano gears

 At home

 Gear changer

Bell - handy when you are riding on the foot path past people

 Straight handlebars

Straight handlebars

Update - The bike went really well but when turning tight corners my knees hit the wrap around handle bars, so yesterday I swapped over the straight handle bars off my wifes old bike to my new one, it changes the riding position(lean forward a bit) but now I don't hit my knees on the handle bars. I have also added a bungy cord around the carrier in case I need to bring something biggish home.

I have had a we ride on it now and I am impressed, Amon yes it can pop a wheelie :) Its smooth and comfy to ride, good brakes, quite light, if it had all the heavy stand removed and the carrier it would be very light indeed! Its perfect, if you work your way up the gears it can get along quite fast actually, faster than what I thought a commuter would go :) I am happy!!!

Spring is close

Hi All,

Spring is close, Tuesday was a public holiday here for the first day of spring, you can see the buds on the trees ready to shoot, the days are getting lighter in the evenings, the temperatures are trending up and some small cherry blossoms are coming out. Cherry Blossoms will be in full bloom early next month, can't wait to see. I will take some photos and put them up when there are lots of Cherry Blossoms.

See You

Painting

Hi,

My father in-law has an exhibition coming up soon, he is painting the image from a 6x4 photo on to a huge canvas, I snuck into his work room and took this photo of him creating his masterpiece.

Festival at Hokutopia

Hi All,

Well I guess you are wondering what Hokutopia is, its a big building near Oji station, each area has some sort of big building and Hokutpoia is what it is called for Oji.

They had a festival there on all weekend, there were some food stalls, games, and shows put on by various companies.

Disney Land was their promoting their new Disney TV Channel, Tokyo Gas was there and a few others.

The Japanese are more proactive on education than in NZ, they are always doing things to educate children on Safety, Fire Saftey, Gas Saftey, Quake Safety, they always make it fun events with lots to do and see. On our way to Hokutopia the fire service pulled up one of their big trucks just around the corner form the house and were giving a free demo didn't take long for the kids to arrive.

 Disney was there giving all the kids a toy

 Leo learning about gas saftey

 Some of the stalls

 That was a soft rubber ball

 Not anymore after being in dry ice, thats it in pieces on the botton

Hand gestures in Japan mean different than NZ, check out the banner on the table, the girl is waving and whats the boy doing?

300 series Shinkansen retired

Hi,

For all the tain buffs out there the 300 series bullet train (Shinkansen in Japan) is to be retired for more efficent models. They were put into service in 1992 and had a top speed of 270kmph. A toal of 300 will be retired from service. In 2006 I traveled from Tokyo to Kyoto on one of these babies they go fast!!! But my friend Darin will tell you his Mazda RX7 is faster.

Shinkansen, Mt Fuji, Tokyo tower and Sky tree are iconic symbols of Japan.

This is a photo of the last run of the 300 series