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.

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.

Kids and the Yuba Mundo

A couple days ago, we grabbed some after school snacks in a "kombini" and rode to a nearby park to eat.  For some reason, the boys didn`t like the looks of the park`s benches - so they plopped right down on the Yuba Mundo`s sideloaders and proceeded to enjoy their kara-age and ice cream.

They do seem to love the "Big Blue Beast".

Yokohama Waterfront Ride

Rode the Yuba Mundo into work this morning, and later, I had a bit of time to enjoy a lunchtime ride along the waterfront.  

Yokohama Rides and Rentals hosts bicycle rides along this same stretch every weekend.

 

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

May 29, 1945 and the Yokohama Peace Monument

If you weren`t looking for it you would never know it was there. 

At the very far end of a park that relatively few people use, and most don`t even know the name of, there is an unknown monument.  Within this obscure and rather simple looking structure are inscribed the names of some 14,000 people who died as a result of the firebombing of Yokohama on this same date 66 years ago.

The location of the monument in Naka Ward`s Odori Park, is probably not a great distance from where the first firebombs struck the city on the morning of May 29, 1945. 

Strange as it may seem, as far as I know, this is the only monument, memorial or marker in Yokohama in remembrance of those who perished that awful day.  It was built in 1995 and financed by "The  Yokohama Association of Bereaved Families of War".

Inscribed into the stone of the large white tablet in front of the monument is a message which explains "The history of the Peace Monument".  The last part of the first paragraph reads - "These were days that under the information and news control of the government, military and bureaucracy, the ordinary citizen unaware of the real situation of the war, were forced into a blind obedience. As the frontline moved on Japanese soil and American bombings rose in intensity both military and civilian establishments in over 100 cities were indiscriminately attacked. A great many unarmed ordinary citizens became victims."

This monument forces one to reflect on the insanity of war and for this reason it and the events of 66 years ago should never be forgotten.

above -Yokohama 1945 at the site of Enmei-en Temple

below - same location today

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!"

Night ride through Chinatown

How to make the most of your time in Yokohama

There are actually many interesting things to see and do in Yokohama!

Firstly, you guessed it - you should rent a bicycle or sign up for a bike tour so you can cover a lot of ground easily and thus make the most of your day! A bicycle is probably the best way to get a good feel for a city when you don`t have so much time.

Three things to do:

Explore Minato Mirai - this is the ultra modern part of the city. Start by shopping and eating at Queens East and Landmark Tower, then ride the roller coaster or enormous Ferris Wheel in "Cosmoworld". As the sun is going down walk toward the waterfront and enjoy the amazing views (and more shopping) at World Porter and Aka Renga (Red Brick Warehouse). Aka Renga are two old warehouses that have been converted to a great shopping and dining space. There are usually events like concerts here as well as seasonal stuff like a Summer beach park, Ice skating in the winter and a great outdoor "Octoberfest" in Autumn.

Yamashita Park and Chinatown - Yamashita is a beautiful old waterfront park that is known locally as Yokohama`s front yard. A great place for a stroll, a ride or to take a break. Not far, from the park is Chukagai AKA Chinatown. Here you should just go with the flow and enjoy the experience of wandering and getting lost amongst the colorful, confusing but always interesting sights and sounds and smells of the area.

Kannai and Noge - Kannai, is just to the west of Chinatown and near to Yokohama Baseball Stadium. It is the cities entertainment area, full of restaurants, bars, hostess clubs and Jazz clubs. Noge is close to Sakuragicho Station, but is a more compact area of old streets and interesting casual restaurants. It`s where the residents go to unwind after work for an inexpensive good time. In Spring, the nearby Ookagawa River is definitely worth seeing when the Cherry Tree, which line it`s "banks" are in bloom. Saddling up to a seat at one of the stalls set up under the blossoms is a perfect way to end the day.

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.

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!

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!