Introductions - Hello, It's about time...

i'm so glad to meet other people who love bicycle's as much as i do.
I feel like the original bike freak of all time.
I'm 43 , live in Toyko Japan , with my family, and stationed in the military.( USAF)
Riding in Japan is very different, than where I grew up, Moline, Illinois.
First , there are billions of people, cars, scooters, bikes, and trains everywhere!
You really have to be on your toes.
Secondly, the Japanese people respect bikes, unlike Americans.
How many time in the States have you been yelled at, cussed at, water balloons thrown at, forced off the road, ALMOST HIT, OR JUST GENERALLY NOT SEEN.
HERE, EVERY BODY IS SO BIKE FRIENDLY,THEY ALWAYS GIVE the CYCLIST THE RIGHT OF WAY...
ALL THE TIME!!
If a CAR HITS A BIKE EVER...ITS THE CARS FAULT,
If a BIKE HITS A CAR ...IT'S THE CARS FAULT.
I'm happy to be with you all and look forward to many great discussions!
Thanks
"King"

Hahaha... yeah, the Japanese are very respectful.

Do you actually live in Tokyo or close to the area? ie. a base around there.

The Air Force Base is in the Suberbs of Toyko.

Hello, king koeller!

Sure wish we could import some of that bicycle respect/love from the Japanese! I've had all of those things happen to me except replace the water balloons with soda cans... Not much love for the bike in southeast MO. btw, my minister is from Moline....He'd be a little older than you though - early fifties, I think. Last name is Miner. Maybe you know of the family.

chalkdusty

Thanks for sharing! My nephew was an exchange student in Japan last year and he was so impressed with the people and culture - and fascintaed with the differences between their culture and ours. He mentioned the fact that he didn't know any adult in America who commuted to work on a bike and over there everyone did (I realize that's a little over-exxageration), but it's also a shame. I expressed a desire to my kids to ride my bike to work, and my 13-year old said, "but mom, only poor people ride bikes to work". Yes, I sat him down and gave him a good what-for, and now he's decided biking to work would be the coolest thing his old mom could do!!

Small world! I was stationed at Yokota for 3 years (91-94). In fact, I got engaged to an Air Force brat (her daddy was a MSGT) over there. We came back to Georgia (their home) for the wedding...but our marriage was "made in Japan".

Welcome!

King, I'm from the Quad Cities. When and how long were you living in Moline? Did you bike often while living there?

Check to make certain that "fault stuff" works if one of the participants is a foreigner.

King Koeller, I will be visiting Japan in November. Do you recommend any good bike/bike clothing shops along JR Chuo-sen? Thank you.

King, I'm from the Quad Cities. When and how long were you living in Moline? Did you bike often while living there?
I was born in 1962, and raced in the local moline 7th street criterium races every year from 1973 to 77.
i was a member of the quad city bike club and also a member of Augustana college from 1980-82. My dad was a local jazz musician who played a the red carpet club (down town Moline)from 1964 -1967.
I used to hang out at Bike and Hike in Rock Island in the seventys and still have my same road bike from the seventy's.(Centurion Super Lemans with full nuevo-record,and tubulars).
tell me more about your self,algorithmo...

King Koeller, I will be visiting Japan in November. Do you recommend any good bike/bike clothing shops along JR Chuo-sen? Thank you. i would check out Nakamura's in fussa,he still builds his custom made katakura Silk frame sets up any way you want. A friend just got one that is like a rivendale with total dura ACE.

Check to make certain that "fault stuff" works if one of the participants is a foreigner.

YES,THAT IS VERY GOOD ADVISE!!

Small world! I was stationed at Yokota for 3 years (91-94). In fact, I got engaged to an Air Force brat (her daddy was a MSGT) over there. We came back to Georgia (their home) for the wedding...but our marriage was "made in Japan".

Welcome!
thank you so very much ,,, yes it trully is a small world,
I love Japan and just picked up a Bridgestone folding road bike with full shimano, but it can fit in a big suit case! The Japanese are so totally creative when it comes to bikes.
i've never seen so many bikes in my life!
Yokota probably hasn't changed much from when you were here, but we have a new BX now! Congratulations on your marriage!
Best of luck in the future!

Hello, king koeller!

Sure wish we could import some of that bicycle respect/love from the Japanese! I've had all of those things happen to me except replace the water balloons with soda cans... Not much love for the bike in southeast MO. btw, my minister is from Moline....He'd be a little older than you though - early fifties, I think. Last name is Miner. Maybe you know of the family.

chalkdusty yes that name is very familar, There were some Miner in Moline High when i was there...1976-78...
wow, soda cans!!?!
it is a culture that enjoys getting out and riding around, instead of sittng on the couch and watching DVD's, because of this , we americans are so much chunkier and bigger.
JAPANESE people will out live us too!