Hanami ride
 

Tokyo area people:

There is going to be a fixed gear (well, mostly fixed) Hanami get-together/ride for cherry blossom viewing on March 31st. Organized by Eli and Junko (who organized Pillage), it's starting in Yoyogi Koen at 14:00 near "those big white (non-operational) fountains." I think I know where those are (maybe someone does for sure?) but I'm sure if you look for flashy bikes you'll find it. Junko and maybe some others who don't feel like riding will stay at Yoyogi and hold a place for us (the park will be crazy crowded during the sakura days) while we ride around to different cool sakura viewing places (route yet to be worked out) and after a few hours head back to Yoyogi Koen for a drunken* Hanami party.

*optional


To make this relevant to everyone else, while on the train to Yokohama I saw a bunch of nice bikes in a building along the tracks. Turns out it's a Yokohama Bicycle Museum. Unfortunately it was closed, but I took some (bad) pictures of the bikes in the window.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._5929Large.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._5927Large.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._5926Large.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._5925Large.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._5924Large.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._5923Large.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._5922Large.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._5921Large.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._5920Large.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r..._5919Large.jpg




p.s. most of the ride info was paraphrased (or directly copied) from Eli.

I know exactly where the fountains are. If you or anyone else doesnt know, i can meet you somewhere else and we can head over to the fountains.
Also, we need to plan a field trip to that museum! :eek:

If they're the big fountains on the main path where the hippies play their drums, then I know where they are.

As for the Museum, I agree (it was multiple floors and had escalators (which means it's a big deal)) but I didn't see any hours and can't find any (english) info online. :(

Ill hunt for the museum info or get the wife to.
Yes, the fountains with the hippies.

I wish that there was stuff like this in Korea.

I wish I wasn't working on that saturday :(
I get off work at 7 :(

You sound sick. You should call in that day. :)

i live 2 mins away from that museum in yokohama and its been in the process of opening since ive been here (about a year)... ive seen other displays floating around in the back but ive never seen it open. no other info on it either...

im also predicting a bout of illness coming on come saturday...

see you guys there!

what kinda messed up bicycle museum puts bikes in the window with the drive side obscured!?

I want that 3rensho. That is all.

I was just thinking the same thing.
If the display is supposed to feel like you are viewing the bikes from the infield of a track, the bikes would be correct.

go fast turn left bro other than that it looks like fun

they have hippies in japan? damn there is no getting away from those people

japanese hippies are the best. i partied with some when i was in kyoto, they were awesome.

Bumping this cause i want everyone to come that can.
Oldsprinter, you coming?
Since you live down the street we could ride that way together if youre going.

I love this! Man... that purple Watanabe is amazing.

This is killing me softly. Must. Finish. Degree.

Those cf bikes look pretty slow.

br995 finally pointed out this thread to me. I got the day off work today, so I'll be there. Look out for me on a white Eurosport frame. Does anyone know if there will be racing on during the day ( like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQUwJJxuvpQ ) - not sure whether to put the drop bars back on or not.

I highly doubt it; the place will more than likely be PACKED with people having hanami parties, so it probably won't be possible to race even if we want to. We'll be able to get the riding out of our systems though on the ride to the various Sakura stops around the city. If you have any suggestions for places to check them out on our route, let me know and I'll forward it to Eli (he asked for suggestions).

Yeah, I forgot about that. It will be packed won't it. I've always fancied my hand at one of those last man standing events though - they look fun - not sure what they're called, but involve riding around knocking other contestants over.

That's "foot down". Never done it, and love the bike I have here too much to subject it to it. On my beater though... ;)

hippies in japan?
now i've heard of EVERYTHING!

You name it, we got.

Well, I don't think I can make the ride, but I am negotiating with work to take off early. I can probably make it to the hanami party if you will all be there around 7?

I'll be on a geared bike though :o

hey, i haven't been on this forum in a while ... just started checking it out again cause i'll be in tokyo for an extended (2mo) visit starting next wed. not sure if i'm bringing a bike with me from nyc or if i'll try to put something together while i'm in town... this ride, though, sounds like a nice way to check out cherry blossoms (are they in bloom yet?). by any chance does anyone here have an extra bike or two to loan for this ride? i ride 50-53c, my girlfriend 47c. just thought i'd ask.

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/may/MookChigga.htm

There are some blooming but very few right now.
I dont have a bike you can borrow.
You should show up there and at least check things outs/meet people maybe.
Maybe someone on here has bikes to lend.. but not too likely i think