saibot
Maximum Pace
- May 29, 2012
- 821
- 978
Hello TCC people, been lurking here for a month or two now so I though I might as well do an introduction.
Tobias is the real name, I'm a web developer/designer that left Sweden and came to Tokyo last october to study japanese (30-year-old-crisis or something like that ^^).
Been rinding very recreational for a couple of years back home, but last january I broke my leg pretty bad in snowboard accident (still have a lot of titanium and a 11 screws in my leg) and the bike became my primary rehabilitation which ended up getting me in the best shape of my life last summer. Even joined a local club a did a couple of small road races.
I came here thinking that a would leave the whole cycling thing back in sweden, but I ended up buying a single speed bike for commuting to school.
The more I road the more I realized how I missed it, that in combination with deciding to extend my studies here for 1 more year I started looking for a proper road bike in May.
I started going around to the shops without finding much in the right sizes. And I'm sorry to say the staff at most places was not so eager to help either.
I was about to give up, but decided to check out the Bianchi concept store just to have a look. Always liked Bianchi but back in Sweden they are insanely expensive so I wasn't expecting anything. But due to surprisingly decent prices(compared to Sweden) and very kind and helpful staff, two weeks later I could pick up my Sempre Ultegra Di2, which was to be honest way over my budget, but you only live once ehy
My tall and skinny build had me convinced I was relatively good uphill so
after a couple of rides along Arakawa, I started searching for more hilly routes, and that's when I found TCC.
I found a "Takao-Jimba" loop and decided to try it out as it seemed a good beginners climb from what I read.
I don't have any bikebag and stuff like that so I rode from my house in Taito out there, I needed to get some km's in the legs anyway. While Takao was do-able, Jimba (or is it Wada-pass you call it?) kick my big time (twice).
Never had problems uphill back in sweden but we don't have any hills that even come close to that, so I was a bit ignorant thinking it would be "easy".
I been back there again and actually managed to get up there without stopping, talk about satisfaction
Also now I understand why they make compact cranksets, and I want one!
Reading all you TCCers ride reports about climbing 2500-3500m/day here I realized I'm in nowhere near good enough shape to hang with you, but I hope to be able tag along on some rides soon enough if you'll let me.
So if you a see a skinny white guy on a bianchi and wearing celeste bianchi kit that looks like he thinks his sponsored or something, feel free to say hi
Sorry this became a long introduction, this is why I usually only read messageboards and don't post much
Love the nice atmosphere you have in this "community" btw!
Tobias is the real name, I'm a web developer/designer that left Sweden and came to Tokyo last october to study japanese (30-year-old-crisis or something like that ^^).
Been rinding very recreational for a couple of years back home, but last january I broke my leg pretty bad in snowboard accident (still have a lot of titanium and a 11 screws in my leg) and the bike became my primary rehabilitation which ended up getting me in the best shape of my life last summer. Even joined a local club a did a couple of small road races.
I came here thinking that a would leave the whole cycling thing back in sweden, but I ended up buying a single speed bike for commuting to school.
The more I road the more I realized how I missed it, that in combination with deciding to extend my studies here for 1 more year I started looking for a proper road bike in May.
I started going around to the shops without finding much in the right sizes. And I'm sorry to say the staff at most places was not so eager to help either.
I was about to give up, but decided to check out the Bianchi concept store just to have a look. Always liked Bianchi but back in Sweden they are insanely expensive so I wasn't expecting anything. But due to surprisingly decent prices(compared to Sweden) and very kind and helpful staff, two weeks later I could pick up my Sempre Ultegra Di2, which was to be honest way over my budget, but you only live once ehy
My tall and skinny build had me convinced I was relatively good uphill so
after a couple of rides along Arakawa, I started searching for more hilly routes, and that's when I found TCC.
I found a "Takao-Jimba" loop and decided to try it out as it seemed a good beginners climb from what I read.
I don't have any bikebag and stuff like that so I rode from my house in Taito out there, I needed to get some km's in the legs anyway. While Takao was do-able, Jimba (or is it Wada-pass you call it?) kick my big time (twice).
Never had problems uphill back in sweden but we don't have any hills that even come close to that, so I was a bit ignorant thinking it would be "easy".
I been back there again and actually managed to get up there without stopping, talk about satisfaction
Also now I understand why they make compact cranksets, and I want one!
Reading all you TCCers ride reports about climbing 2500-3500m/day here I realized I'm in nowhere near good enough shape to hang with you, but I hope to be able tag along on some rides soon enough if you'll let me.
So if you a see a skinny white guy on a bianchi and wearing celeste bianchi kit that looks like he thinks his sponsored or something, feel free to say hi
Sorry this became a long introduction, this is why I usually only read messageboards and don't post much
Love the nice atmosphere you have in this "community" btw!