Looking for ride company in Okinawa,Camp Lester..
 

Hello,

I've recently arrived in this beautiful culture and have about another 3wks before my 'horse' gets here. With no current means of transport beyond my feet, I'm very tempted to sink some cash into yet ANOTHER BIKE!:D
Was hoping to meet up with other nature sensitive & outdoors loving persons of indigenous or foreign extraction for recreation and eventually, lots of riding. By the way, would you happen to have a bike for sale?

Cheers
Anton

Well, one problem solved. Got a MTB used for a very good price & exceptional quality/components. Only need to swap out the big nobbies for slicks and put on a bigger chainring.
Anyone up for a ride?

Hi JamadianSparrow,
Do you do any road riding? My riding buddy and I usually go up to Nago or out to Zanpa?
Cheers, PL

Greetings PL and thanks for the response.

Yes, I am a roadie(veteran NYC messenger) and I had my '01 Schwinn Fastback Pro shipped here but it was damaged in shipping(bent derailleur dropout) and I haven't had it repaired/assessed yet. I'm currently w/out a car and living in base facilities so I bike/walk everywhere(which suits me fine for now;-) ). I've spoken to a handful of riders just passing in the street but not hooked up w/ride company.
Meeting would be great. I'm going to be off-island for this week but further down I'd like company.

I've gotten a used IronHorse 980(mtb) cheap and had mail ordered slicks,a carbon rigid fork and a set of 650C's. Only the 650Cs arrived(frustrating) and I'm actually testing them out this afternoon. The day is already late(I've been too exhausted from work to get up early as I planned!) so I'm starting as soon as I log off. I actually like the mtb/650C "micro-roadie" combo; I hashed one together 6 yrs ago @Iwakuni and frequently preferred it to my Schwinn although it weighed 24 lbs(abandoned steel mtb frame & parts). I built another for a girl I worked with from all new parts and alu. frame and it weighed 18 lbs and rocked. Climbing Japan's mountains was easy!

I've been exploring Naha and the southern tip mostly and have gone down to Nakagusuku almost as far as the Ocean Sports Park. There is a Bridgestone Ji-tensha-ya(bike shop) on 58 a couple blocks past the Naha Marina Hotel where I've sought service and one worker/operator informed me there is Keirin racing at that site, so I'm going back.

Besides a few trips to Torii St., I wanted to wait until I had a fast enough 'road' set-up to explore north, although I'm sure the roads toward Nago are less threatening from traffic congestion. Also my drivetrain is only 42T and quite worn. I'm not sure what type of pace I'll be able to crank out with the tri-wheels. Its a Shimano 94/58 BCD, so getting large rings is a PITA. What burns me is that I've got lots of replacement cranks back in Cali and no one to sort/ship them to me. I hate spending for stuff I've already got.

Would you have any extra, 'beater' parts you might want to sell or know someone w/an old square-taper road crank? I look forward to touching base with you.

Anton

Still looking for ride company!
 

Fast forward 5 mos and a several hundred miles of Okinawa under my wheels & behind me.

This place rocks! Have completed a great deal of touring on my micro-roadie mtb and have picked up a couple of touring buddies for the sites, sports, food & spirits here. I've got them outfitted on urban rocket mtb's too for cheap and weather and 'political circumstances' permitting, we will tackle Nago, White Beach & Ei Island soon. I've also got my Schwinn Fastback Roadie up & running; I slow down for my companions but it also frees up another bike(my slick-mtb) for another rider!

Anybody willing to join us to ride & explore? Usually we meet near Kadena or American Village and weave thru the city or countryside w/a historical site or tour-worthy venue as the ultimate goal, with lots of interesting food & photo stops along the way.
Weather permitting, we bring snorkeling gear, fishing poles or rent kayaks along the way.
Single day trips carrying about 10-15 lbs gear max.
Prefer that you are comfortable w/city riding and can comfortably negotiate traffic(Nihon & Okinawan
society is generally very bike/moped & pedestrian conscious--never had any fender benders or
altercations and I still ride w/my old, NYC messenger fervor!).

We hope to be able to ride again by the weekend of March 7-9th.

New companions are welcome, American or Nihon/Okinawa-jin--we are also eager to learn the language. Please e-mail me back at: anton.allen@med.navy.mil

We hope to be able to ride again by the weekend of March 7-9th.

I'll be back in Okinawa in a few weeks and will eagerly getting back out on the road again! There is a pretty good biking community in Okinawa and I sure miss the rides!