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02-26-04, 05:50 PM
Hello all! I'm originally from the East coast of the States, but moved to Tokyo some years back and got into cycling as a means of escape from the stress and pressure this crowded city can bring. The very day I bought a mid-priced mountain bike and rode it home (instead of going into yet another battle with the subway armies!), my mindset, my blood pressure, and life in general took a major turn for the better. Like most of us, I grew up riding bikes, but it never had this much meaning before. I became pretty much obsessed, and the whole thing progressed in stages - upgrading the wheels, the brakes, the seat... getting more and more into wearing the kit... reading about form and technique... learning names like Moerenhout and Planckaert (even I already knew the name Armstrong)... I don't want to get too melodramatic here, but I'm sure a lot of you know this progression well. Now, I'm a goner. I'm currently trying to figure out the best way to catch as many races as possible this year... in Japan, it ain't easy! Cycling is a low priority here from the viewpoint of the media. And the ol' mountain bike has been upgraded about as far as it's going to go - the time is at hand to take the plunge and invest in the road bike that will take me into the next stage. I look forward to sharing the ride!