center of attention

center of attention, a photo by owenfinn16 on Flickr.

There are bicycles everywhere you look in Japan, but the Yuba Mundo is still a head-turner wherever it goes. I have yet to see another longtail or bakfiets in Yokohama. I did see a Big Dummy in Tokyo once.

Upcoming Hanami Rides!

It`s that time of year again!

A bike ride through Yokohama is always nice, but during Cherry Blossom season it is truly something special! Once again, Yokohama Rides and Rentals will be leading bike rides using our unique and fun to ride Pacific Carryme folders on Friday April 6th, Saturday, April 7th, and Sunday April 8th. Along the way, we will pass through some of this city`s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots. Book a spot and be sure to bring your camera - the scenery will be spectacular!

￥5000 for one person, ￥9000 for two, ￥12,000 for three, and only ￥14,000 for a group of 4. Price includes one complimentary post-ride beverage of your choice at one of the stalls that will be set up under the cherry trees along the Ookagawa River. A great experience in itself!

We can meet you with the bicycles (Pacific Carryme folding bikes - rental fee, deliver/pick/up included) at Yokohama Station, Sakuragicho Station or at your hotel or residence in Yokohama. Choose either 9AM or 2PM start time. Riding time will be from 3 to 4 hours and if you like you can use the bike(s) for the rest of the day.

For more info james@yokohamabikerides.com

ikea run with junko

ikea run, a photo by owenfinn16 on Flickr.

I`m used to using the Yuba Mundo to haul folding bicycles to and from "Yokohama Rides and Rentals" customers, so I knew the bike could handle some heavy loads, but I wasn`t so sure about this almost 6 foot long carpet!

However, as soon as, I got on the bike I knew it wouldn`t be a problem.  Even with half the weight of the carpet jutting out behind, the bike was remarkably stable. Got a lot of stares from passing motor traffic on the way home - but that is part of the fun IMO!

Kids, folding bikes, mega amounts of groceries, cargo, all of the above simutaneously - where there is a will there is a way with the Yuba! I am starting to believe that there is almost nothing this bike can`t handle.

Via Flickr:
btw - the side go getter bag was loaded up with about 10 kg of stuff. The carpet on top weighed about 25kg and was about 180 cm long.

yokohama twilight cruise

Untitled, a photo by owenfinn16 on Flickr.

A day in the life of my Yokohama Yuba Mundo.
In the A.M., I used the bike to drop off my 6 year old boy at school, and then continued on to work. After work, I picked up some groceries, then my son, and brought them and him home. I then put one of the "Yokohama Rides and Rentals" folding bikes into the go-getter bag, gave it the bungee treatment, and delivered it to a customer(dropped it off at his hotel). Now, with the suddenly unladened Mundo feeling quite spry(kinda sorta), I couldn`t resist a nice twilight cruise around the city before heading back home.

Yokohama Evening Cycling Cruise along the Waterfront

OK  - the Yuba Mundo is finally fixed and itchin` to haul some bikes.  Let`s ride! 

During the hot summer months in Yokohama, an early evening bicycle ride along the 3.3 mile stretch of waterfront, from Bay Quarter to Yamashita Park, is a great way to relax and get a bit of exercise.  The views all along the way are spectacular!

Yokohama Rides and Rentals will be offering escorted excursions along this route on Pacific Carryme folding bikes, - every Saturday and Sunday evening starting from Yokohama Station`s NorthEast Exit A at 7:00 PM.  The ride will be slow and leisurely with a few stops so you can take photos.  Should not take more than 60 minutes to Yamashita Park - by which time you will have worked up a healthy appetite which you can satisfy in nearby Chinatown.  Hope you will join us for a ride!

You can reserve a spot here:

bookeo.com/yokohamarides

Finally!

It`s been over two months since the accident, but at long last, the bike is finished.   Picked it up this morning and and took it for a short ride to Yamashita Park.

"Big Dumb Yuba" - New Surly Big Dummy Fork and Salsa Gordo rims.

New Tioga threadless headset and Bazooka adjustable stem.  Sweet!

BUT...what is wrong with the above picture?
Highlight to reveal answer -- > They put the #%$&!#*!!ing stem on upside down! sheesh.

OK - no big deal.

The bike rides great and, after changing the handlebar position a bit, it feels very comfortable.   So, aside from above mentioned screw-up,  which I can take care of, I`m very pleased with the end result.   It definitely sucked not having the bike around for 2 months and dealing with the insurance company was a big PITA, but after all that, I think I ended up with one helluva nice ride.

Yuba Mundo update

Update - the insurance company is only willing to pay the difference between the cost of the bike and what they have already paid. :(   Bitched and moaned as much as I could for a week but to no avail.  Also, my wife has to act as interpreter and go between, and she is sick of it. 

Anyway, this means I could pay about $500 of my own money for a new bike and then try to sell the other to make my money back, however, I am not certain I would be able to (with the broken fork) - so, after all that, I have decided to try to get the broken fork replaced.
 
There is only one Yuba dealer in Japan, and they don`t have any forks in stock, so I told the shop to go ahead and install the Surly Big Dummy fork.  Since the BD fork is threadless, they will need to install a threadless headset and stem and possibly new handlebars. 

One thing I am worried about - the Surly fork is about a centimeter longer than the Yuba`s, so there will be a slight change to the geometry -  but I see it`s been done before on a Yuba V2. 
http://www.ecovelo.info/2010/07/21/gallery-sheilia-terrys-yuba-mundo-v2-deluxe/

Will have it back in a week. 

Fingers crossed.



Mobile Park Bench

"Don`t jump!  It`s just a bent fork!"

Bent Fork

or The Bike that Doesn`t Ride Straight

About a month ago, I was hit by a car while riding the Yuba Mundo.  The car pulled out of a side-street suddenly and hit the right front of the bike at a 90 degree angle. To make a long story short, I wasn`t hurt, but the bike`s wheels were both bent and obviously totalled.  The police came, the driver apologized profusely and told me her insurance company would pay for any damage. 

I carried the heavy beast about a kilometer to a shop I had done business with in the past, and the following day the shop assured me that there was no frame damage and the bike required only two new wheels and a set of cranks.

Well, I picked up the bike today and was very impressed with the nice new Salsa Gordo rims and Shimano cranks, but after a couple minutes of riding it became apparent that something was very wrong. The bike which used to be very stable (I used to be able to ride this bike with no hands!), now wanted to pull off sharply to the left if I didn`t hold on firmly with both hands.


When I got home, I stood looking straight down at the fork and I could see that it was bent - only 2 -3mm perhaps, but definitely enough to effect the ride. What`s more, I noticed it is even worse with weight on the back, essentially making this cargo bike useless. Now, I have to bring it back to the shop and hopefully won`t have to fight the driver`s insurance company. What a PITA!

Carryme and a Kingfisher "where the birds reside"



agh - blurry photo!  Anyway, a very beautiful kingfisher(I`ve never seen one before) has apparently made a home at this lovely little, out-of-the way Yokohama shrine.  The large moss covered rock he was contentedly perched on, is surrounded by a small pond full of turtles.  The pond, in turn, is surrounded by bright red torii gates.  I`ll have to go back with the tripod soon!

yuba night ride

After a long work day it`s nice to jump on the Yuba and go for a "decompression" ride around Yokohama.  The pent up stress of the day melts away as I pedal through the old narrow streets and lanes of Kannai or Noge and the futuristic "Blade Runner" type scenery of Minato Mirai.

Ride around Asakusa in Tokyo

On Tuesday, I had the day off so I decided to take the train up to Tokyo for a day of sightseeing.  Spent a very pleasant day riding the Carryme around Asakusa and the Sumida River.   Visited Meiji Jingu Shrine and enjoyed the deja-vu experience of returning to a place I haven`t been to in many years.  The last time must have been 8 years or so ago. Time flies!

 

Not much has changed in the area except for one really big thing - the ginormous new construction project already towering above the old traditional neighborhoods in which it stands. Tokyo Skytree will eventually be 634 meters high and is due to begin bombarding Tokyo residents with powerful microwaves sometime in 2012. 

Where is Godzilla when you need him?

Hauling the boys to soccer

Owen and Finn love riding to soccer practice on the back of the Yuba.  Here the new "Stand Alone" kickstand is being put to the test.  No problem!

Rain cover for Yuba Mundo

The bicycle parking area next to our house, unfortunately, does little to protect the bikes from the elements. There`s a roof but that doesn`t help much when the rain is really coming down and blowing sideways, as it very often does!  Until now, I`ve been using two cheapo bicycle covers to cover the Mundo but they are poorly made and were starting to tear. 

Well, I finally found a quality rain cover that fits the Yuba Mundo and won`t blow off.  I found it in an autoparts store - it`s made to cover big motorcycles like Harley-Davidsons.  Kind of expensive at 5000 yen but worth it I think! 

Autumn Ride

Took one of the Carrymes out for a ride around Yokohama yesterday.  Took it nice and slow and enjoyed the cool weather and the Fall scenery.    Here`s a shot of the Carryme and some of the spectacular scenery around Yamashita Park.

Yuba Mundo

My new Yuba Mundo!  The Mundo, with it`s 200 kg load capacity, should be up to the task of hauling folding bikes to "Yokohama Rides and Rentals" customers.  

In addition, I placed an order for four Pacific Carryme folders for the new rental bike biz today. 

BikeRadar.com review of Carryme

Pacific Carryme in NYC -  some nice photos illustrating the many ways the Carryme can enhance a tourist`s sightseeing experience. 

Still thinking about other bikes to offer rental customers.  

Night cycling along the Yokohama waterfront

First post!

The best way to see Yokohama is on a bicycle - and the best time to ride in Yokohama is at night.  Few Cars, no crowds, and the scenery is spectacular!