Bike lane design by Japan "LTA"

Sharing this wonderful information Mr Noburu Tominaga by Japan's Ministry of Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the National Police Agency announced the new guideline of "bicycle lane" on 29th Nov 2012. Hope it will help to make cycling a even more pleasurable and viable form of transport mode.  
Taiwoon : BTW, it is interesting to note for Japan, the Land transport is the same department as the Tourism group.

Nitto - Japanese Quality parts

I first came to know about Nitto at TR bikes and chose a north road handle bar. The lines were beautiful and the finishing, Peeeerfecto. As I searched for more infor... I realized I got myself a Nitto. Nitto is a small factory located in Tokyo. But it is big with the Fixies, Keiren and all roadies folks. So much heart and work goes into the making of a seemingly utility parts.
You can see the process here..


Tokyo Fixed visits Nitto from Tokyo Fixed on Vimeo.

NOB with Nitto North road... now I flipped in up.. cuz I can't bend so low..ahahaha

NOB taking a ride in my Red Van...

Nitto Cage on Mr AM.. very de nice!

Lugging the brompton to Sakura Ryokan

I had to write this so that I can tell a full picture to u...it wasn't all a bed of roses at Japan...I extended 3 days in Japan to do more detailed rides and I couldn't afford the nice hotel at shinagawa. So I booked myself to Sakura ryokan which is located in the old district of Askakusa.  The place is simple but cosy... lugging the bike there was a real challenge, take it from me... bring a foldable trolley or u will not be able to move the bike around. I faced some minor issues like there was no elevator at Iriya train stn and had to carry the bike box up a looong flight of stairs. Well nothing that cant be solved.. just need patience and will power. The major station on the other hand don't have this problem and it was easy to manuver around. Here are some of the challenging terrain and the nice Ryokan I stayed.  Suzki san, the owner was very kind and his family stayed in the Ryokan as well.  For the record, I paid the full rates but I just wanted to share...  if u like to experience Japan in another level... u got to stay at here.
http://www.sakura-ryokan.com/english/ehome.html

Now photos to tell all...

waiting for the train at Shinagawa stn, no problem here

getting interesting at Ueno Stn.. more people..

super long stairs at Iriya Stn.. no elevator!!oh no.. just carry, we can do it!

Nice price @ Sukura Ryokan

simple and nice room

totally unglam working area

Noticeboard on the activities around the area

This qualifies for the world smallest lift!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taiwoon/sets/72157625381838592/with/5175073004/

Ride Aoyama 2010 (31st Oct, Sunday)

I had the pleasure of attending Ride Aoyama 2010 which is held at the same time/place of Tokyo design week at Jingu Gaien. Ecology was the main topic for Tokyo design week this time and bicycles are widely featured in many designers work and fringe events. What a cool combination! :) I am not complaining.

The idea of of the Aoyama ride is introduce bicycles to normal folk and also promote bicycle riding in the Aoyama area.It was really cool to know more details as I met up with the Chief organiser Mr Toshi san when we registered onsite for the ride. Apparently, this is the 3rd year running and this is not his day job!
Following registration, we can choose any bikes(labelled test ride) from the booths and ride them around a 3 km route which is closed off - for bikes only.  I headed to the Shimano station and wanted to try the much talked about Alfine 11 while Tahching took the latest top of the line MTB equipped with Full XTR parts. 
The route was relaxing - think riding around the kallang stadium area- minus cars. It was nice to see so many people coming together to ride. From the guys in lyrca, to mummy carrying their little ones and children zooming around.  All having a big smile on their faces. We rode slowly, taking in the sights and feeling the shifter and bike geometry and then swapped the bikes. Snapped more photos.. Wonderful!
To top this up, the organisers even have 2 children training centres where they teach kids to ride. It was fun to watch the children riding around and challenging each other. This is what I call starting them young!

Ok, now here are some photos ... and more here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/taiwoon/sets/72157625211932683/

nice Ginko trees lining the entrance

Toshi san, the driving force behind ride Aoyama

Many bikes to test ride...

Yes, that's right.. Alfine 11!! so smooth like shifting on regular XT MTB shifting. It is that good

A Family that rides together, stays together!

Tah Ching in the all Carbon MTB with Sram XO parts

mini velos

Waiting for grand pah..

Training bikes - No crank and pedals

Children racing each other

Slowly and surely

I also want to ride!!

Brommie packed for Japan!

I am going for 100 percent design Japan come thursday. To make it even more interesting and explore more of Toyko, I am taking my brompton along! 
Maki-san, a member of CycleTokyo will be bringing me on a half day ride on 5th Nov.. it should be fun.... 
Cycle tokyo is really informative on the rides and points of interest to visit.. I like the gourmet route best...:) . Now go check his website out.. 
http://cycle-tokyo.cycling.jp/index.html.en
Packing the bike --- I googled around and apparently the best, cheapest and safest way is to put it in a carboard box. So this is what I did. Here are some photos and other brick bats I will be taking with me
1) Folding bike - Brompton M with pump
2)  Helmet, blinkers, gloves - Safety first
3) Tripod- to take more nite scene and also myself :) 
4) Medical Kit
5) basic tool kit- Spanner, allen keys, patch kit and levers
Seeing that there is some space inside the box... I will pack some clothing in there too... I haven't really done this before and here is how it is with the help of my lovely assistant, momo....:)  
How will I do and survive? Stay tuned... 

check ur blinkers... 

Army style layout, Helmet check, saddle check.. tripod check... bike check.

seatpost wrapped and fasten to the main frame 

all in sir!

now, that wasnt too difficult rite?