Three days of bike events spread over three venues in Tokyo will bring the super cool Tokyo cycling community, as well as local artists and cafe owners together to share their talents, and a few drinks.
This bicycle festival promotes all genres of bike and the idea that owning and riding one should be fun, and it have a few ways of showing it.
On Friday 17th, at Yoyogi Park (map), there will be a Tokyo Bicycle Beauty show (think fashion, girls and bikes), Tokyo Bicycle Builders Award (“The best and most original bicycle award” – eight wheels, anyone?), a Pedal Market (check out the skills of and order original frames from Tokyo’s best builders) and even a bunny hop contest to round things off from 8 p.m. Head there from around 2 p.m. to catch things warming up.
On Saturday and Sunday, the action moves to Aoyama. Out the front of the United Nations University is the Farmer’s Market venue (map) – and just along the street near Omotesando Station is 246 Common, a neat collection of temporary cafes and bars selling drinks and organic grub from stylishly retro caravans and tents between the buildings (map).
There is a wheel dome workshop – yes, making a huge dome from discarded bicycle wheels – and various other two-wheeled goings on, including outdoor film screenings. From fixed gear to road bike to mamachari, all will be catered to and we approve of the whole aesthetic.
With expert frame builders showing almost museum piece frames and local enthusiasts drooling over the cogs, this, for enthusiasts, is a good way to spend the weekend in Tokyo. If you aren’t one for bike geekery, the venues themselves have a relaxing feel and you can always just sip a beer or two and watch the action go by.
On Sunday, from 2:30 p.m. is a Picnic Ride, subtitled “Park Life in Summer”… You guessed it, down the hill (and up a bit again) to Yoyogi park with your new bicycling companions for a late lunch.
The Pedal Day 2012 website (in Japanese) has more information, here, but all you really need to do is go along and enjoy yourself, the venues themselves are worth it.
