I went to compete in the Keirin Race at the Uchinada Velodrome in Kanazawa City for the annual Bang King Track Race on August 28 – 29. The event is organized by Daisy Messenger Nagoya and sponsored by Circles.

Girls Keirin Qualification

This event tends to be casual and light-hearted even though many race to win. Me and my friends dressed up as cheer leaders to cheer everybody and got in the Keirin Race. It was my third time this year and there were more girls than last year.
Many of the Nagoya cyclists were in attendance as well as cyclists from around Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa local…etc) The race is rather laid back and friendly, this is a weekend of racing, riding and BBQ event, but most of all a great excuse for cyclist to get together and have fun. It is easy to make lots of new cool bike friends from all over Japan especially at the BBQ party.:D
Nagoya cyclists drink and get crazy the most and can beat up other cities at the BBQ party but on the Velodrome, Tokyo messengers are always cool and take the top 3 at the most race evey year…

Everybody sleeps together like a school trip.:D
It was amaging seeing that some of the girls were the first time to ride a fixed gear bike until the day. Even the first time to wear a helmet & tight fit, the drop handle bars are required and the breaks are not allowed but they had no fear, all girls enjoyed riding and being in the Keirin Race.
I got my special weapon GIANT. This is super light and fast! I even felt like I could finally be on my dream podium for the first time this year but all race I was in, I got the 4 th place, weeeeeeeeee… I hate daily practice and never do it.:-(
It is said that participation is more significant than winning at the Bang-King track race. Right?
I can’t to wait to go back and try to get on the podium again next year!
Thanks for sharing this.
More photos HERE.



































4 responses so far ↓
1 Jean // Sep 29, 2010 at 1:10 am
Interesting.
Everyone looks so clean-cut and ‘organized’. Always interesting to see how fixie bike culture translates in different countries/cultures.
2 Nimzi - Honolulu // Sep 29, 2010 at 3:26 pm
This looks so amazingly fun! I neeeed to go to Japan when this is happening again!!! ^_^
3 Kathleen - Toronto // Oct 6, 2010 at 9:07 am
i love the cookie monster jersey and all the cool patterns on the hats. WANT!
at least you got 4th, i’d be too scared to race. I do go to the velodrome for fun though…
4 Rie - Nagoya // Oct 21, 2010 at 2:08 am
Thank you for all your comments. This is the one of the greatest event in Japan.
You have a small keirin lesson too. It is rare and also great feeling to get serious and nervous for the race between some friends once a while.
This is the roots and how to ride the real fixed gear bike.
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