About Japan by Bike
Thanks for dropping by Japan by Bike and the main purpose for building this website is to inform others of some of the fantastic places you can explore by bike in Japan, particularly in Niigata. Although we have not been everywhere in the prefecture we have covered a lot of ground in the 15 years we have both lived here. Often even locals have never heard of some of the places we have discovered by bike, although we both live and work in the center of the city we try to get out and discover as many new places as possible often finding fantastic scenic cycle routes and local shops serving up great food. The other main aim of this site is to promote bikepacking in Japan and our brevet series that incorporates sections of off road. This type of event is very new in Japan and offers the adventurous cyclist a chance to join other like minded cyclists. These events have no entry fees , no support and no prizes !. So check out our site and if you have any questions re cycling in Japan or are planning a cycle tour we are more than happy to answer any questions you might have. If you are keen to take part in one of our brevets please check the Brevet series page and for further questions just contact us.
Happy cycling
Brian Southwick
Don Speden
Thanks for dropping by Japan by Bike and the main purpose for building this website is to inform others of some of the fantastic places you can explore by bike in Japan, particularly in Niigata. Although we have not been everywhere in the prefecture we have covered a lot of ground in the 15 years we have both lived here. Often even locals have never heard of some of the places we have discovered by bike, although we both live and work in the center of the city we try to get out and discover as many new places as possible often finding fantastic scenic cycle routes and local shops serving up great food. The other main aim of this site is to promote bikepacking in Japan and our brevet series that incorporates sections of off road. This type of event is very new in Japan and offers the adventurous cyclist a chance to join other like minded cyclists. These events have no entry fees , no support and no prizes !. So check out our site and if you have any questions re cycling in Japan or are planning a cycle tour we are more than happy to answer any questions you might have. If you are keen to take part in one of our brevets please check the Brevet series page and for further questions just contact us.
Happy cycling
Brian Southwick
Don Speden
Our Bikes
Although both Brian & I have been cycling our whole life and have owned a variety of bicycles from vintage bicycles, road bikes and MTBs we are now riding 29 inch single speed mountain bikes - Why ride a single speed ?
Well in Niigata in often rains a lot so if you own a multi geared bicycle of any type you will be doing a lot of maintenance, keeping the drive train clean and free of the dreaded sand and grit that is blown in from the sea of Japan. As a bicycle mechanic I know only too well how much work is involved in keeping a bike clean and trouble free. My first 29 inch MTB was the Kona Unit which is a single speed with mechanical disk brakes, a fantastic solid bike although the 16 inch frame was a little small for me. Once Brian purchased his limited edition Salsa El Mariachi single speed I decided to purchase one as well as that model came in a 17 inch frame size and with its unique adjustable rear dropouts it makes altering the chain tension trouble free and with oil disk brakes it is the perfect trouble free bicycle. As for gearing I experimented with the gearing ratio and now run a stainless steel drive train with a front chain ring size of 33 T and a rear cog of 16T that allows me to commute easily and tour through the mountains either on or off road fully loaded with bike packing bags , while this set up is convenient I will not be braking any speed records as the bikes we have chosen are intended for all day comfort and simplicity instead. After a 5 day tour into Fukushima and back in Oct of 2013 I now love touring on the single speed as well . Pictured below is the 2013 limited edition Salsa El Mariachi single speed that we now both use on a daily basis for commuting to work and exploring Niigata by Bike !
Although both Brian & I have been cycling our whole life and have owned a variety of bicycles from vintage bicycles, road bikes and MTBs we are now riding 29 inch single speed mountain bikes - Why ride a single speed ?
Well in Niigata in often rains a lot so if you own a multi geared bicycle of any type you will be doing a lot of maintenance, keeping the drive train clean and free of the dreaded sand and grit that is blown in from the sea of Japan. As a bicycle mechanic I know only too well how much work is involved in keeping a bike clean and trouble free. My first 29 inch MTB was the Kona Unit which is a single speed with mechanical disk brakes, a fantastic solid bike although the 16 inch frame was a little small for me. Once Brian purchased his limited edition Salsa El Mariachi single speed I decided to purchase one as well as that model came in a 17 inch frame size and with its unique adjustable rear dropouts it makes altering the chain tension trouble free and with oil disk brakes it is the perfect trouble free bicycle. As for gearing I experimented with the gearing ratio and now run a stainless steel drive train with a front chain ring size of 33 T and a rear cog of 16T that allows me to commute easily and tour through the mountains either on or off road fully loaded with bike packing bags , while this set up is convenient I will not be braking any speed records as the bikes we have chosen are intended for all day comfort and simplicity instead. After a 5 day tour into Fukushima and back in Oct of 2013 I now love touring on the single speed as well . Pictured below is the 2013 limited edition Salsa El Mariachi single speed that we now both use on a daily basis for commuting to work and exploring Niigata by Bike !