The bicycle is a human potential.
. is a tool for spreading the word.
About an hour and a half after departure, the "Kangoo" arrived at its destination, a campground in Odawara. After setting up camp here, we will head out on the mountain bike trail.
Mountain biking was started by American hippies who converted beach cruisers and started riding them in the mountains in California in the late 70's. I'm attracted to that hippie mentality, and maybe it's not enough to ride on paved roads. Now I ride mountain bikes because I'm drawn to that hippie mentality, and maybe because I find it unsatisfying to just ride on paved roads.
. Mr. Kitazawa is one of the leading experts on bikepacking in Japan. Just as he does when traveling by bicycle, he keeps his facilities minimal when camping. I went on a bicycle trip to Hokkaido when the term "bikepacking" had not yet been coined," he says as he sets up his camp.
. we went to Hokkaido for about 10 days. At the time, I was wearing normal clothes, had no proper equipment, and didn't even own a helmet. It was a primitive way of life, riding a bicycle, fishing, camping at night, and sleeping, but it was very interesting and I got hooked.
In this way, he has traveled to many different places on his bicycle, not only in Japan, but also overseas to places such as Morocco, Mongolia, and Oregon in the U.S. . Originally, Mr. Kitazawa was involved in fair trade and NGO activities in Africa, Southeast Asia, and other developing countries. In 2009, he started "Alternative Bicycles," which he now owns.
. Like a car, a bicycle is like a free machine. It can go anywhere without being tied down by anyone. That independence and freedom is what makes it interesting. Steve Jobs said he wanted to create a "bicycle of knowledge," and he completed the Macintosh computer. The bicycle is a vehicle that expands our potential. If there is a road, you can ride for hundreds of kilometers, and it expands your enjoyment.
