My biker chick and I spent the weekend in Tokyo. She planned everything, including getting us a flat in Sendagaya via airbnb that was around the corner from the Rapha Cycle Club Tokyo.
That was the first stop for us.
We needed lunch, and the café obliged.
Having refuelled, it was time to go downstairs into the store. An Aladdin’s cave for Rapha fans.
I picked up just a few items for my Flipside friends and for myself, and a model of la voiture-balai for my biker chick.
After loading up at the Rapha store, we headed north to explore the Shinjuku and Harajuku districts. Less than 300 meters from the apartment is Crown Gears.
Stuffed to the gills with very nice stuff.
The next day we headed west towards Minami Aoyama to find the flagship Hakuhodo store. My biker chick had her list of ‘must see’ places too.
On the way we passed Athlonia. A specialist triathlon shop established by a professional triathlete.
Photograph courtesy of Athlonia
It is not just the bike shops that make Tokyo a cycling city. Bicycles are everywhere.
We even ran across a childrens’ cycling event in the area around the national Olympic stadium.
I am bringing my bike the next time I visit Japan.
Old Roots, New Routes 