Inside the High-Octane and Lucrative World of Japan’s Cycling Spectacle

Watch it full screen!

Keirin: Speed Racers on Nowness.com.

As Sir Chris Hoy surged to victory in the keirin final in Manchester, carnage unfolded behind him with four of the six riders wiped out on the final bend.

Awang’s calf was pierced by a 20cm splinter but he got up to win bronze.

The movie.

And ofcourse THE picture!

And the whole story.

I’m looking for a Keirin-esque helmet, like the Casco Warp II, only I don’t want to spend € 259,95…
So does anybody know of an affordable equivalent? Downside is that I got a huge head (61,5cm), and most helmets don’t go bigger than 59cm. Any help will be appreciated!

And thanks Mo for the link!

Then we got Bram Schilham who wants to see this one (again). But Bram is a friendly guy so here it is:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVbwngNoHm0

There is Willem-Jan who wants to see some downhill and I say yes cause a like that shit.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbLgr-vusNc

We got RC from Riding in circle that they got a new website online, www.ridingincircle.it

And last but not least Matt Vidal who wants us to pay some more attention to the European Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships. And of course we will. I’ll also check if I still can get a flight to London for a reasonable price.

The first annual European Hardcourt Bike Polo Championship takes place on the 1st and 2nd of August. The championship includes 40 teams battling it out to be crowned the best bike polo team in Europe.

These teams are the best of Europe, representing Barcelona, Catania, Glasgow, Stockholm, three cities from France, three cities from Germany, and four cities from England. There are currently 6 spots left if you would like to enter a team.

We cordially invite everyone to come and watch the world-class play and see who takes the glory.

For more details, see www.ehbpc.org 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD8bK2mvqfE

Which remind me to mail Mo (from Keirin) if he could arrange a place to crash during the ECMC.

Fixengers,

Bad timing with the ecmc and all, but they are definitely (and possibly illegally) confiscating brakeless bikes here. I nearly lost mine on wednesday but got lucky and got away. This event didnt even happen in traffic, i was just locking up and he was in his car stuck in traffic.

We meet with the chief again next week where we will try and get an amnesty agreement for that weekend. we have a good relationship them- this is definitely not something specifically against messengers- its just that hundreds of people are riding brakeless now and there has been a lot of press about the “wild” youth and these bikes. It is not yet clear how and when someone will be able to get one of these confiscated bikes returned. (It is also not clear how skateboards and rollerblades manage to escape the same treatment.)

The racecourse is on private property and this will not be an issue at the event. But seriously, do yourself a favor and put on a front brake if possible, or take routine precautions like checking around for 5-0 when you’re out cruising around.

This sudden action by the Berlin police is embarrassing and unfortunately casts a bad light on a city otherwise known for its tolerance and objectivity.

See you soon,
Bregan

Well I just bought my ticked to Berlin and got no worries because I bring my polo bike with me, with brake!