The Radavist

When you want to carry just a little more than your jersey pockets will allow and the idea of having a backpack on just isn’t cutting it, pack bags are great alternatives. With more and more companies breaking into the market, Blue Lug Japan is supporting their local manufacturers, Fairweather.

I have to admit, these are the nicest looking pack saddle bags I’ve seen so far. I really like the easy-to-access top velcro pocket. I know Marty at Geekhouse has been loving his for weekend trips. See more photos at the Blue Lug Flickr and pick one up at Blue Lug.

This video is too good. What else would you expect from Defgrip:

“I recently had the opportunity to travel to Japan with Brian Yeagle, KC Badger, Joseph Frans, Broc Raiford, Chad Kerley, Alex Magallan, and Greg Illingworth. They went over there to do demos, but afterwards Brian, KC, Joseph, and I rented a car and took off on our own with the goal of seeing as much of Japan as we possibly could. It was much more of a recreational trip than a riding trip, and we had one hell of a good time. I put together this little video with bits of footage I shot while shooting for a Ride UK article and some footage Joseph shot with his GoPro. Nothing beats exploring interesting and unfamiliar places with your friends.

– Walter Pieringer”

From what Google tells me, the title for the latest Death Spray Custom video translates to “imagination”.

Max from Tokyo Fixed visits Japan every year to see family and on his most recent trip, he visited Cycle Sports Center in Shizuoka-Ken. The photos are rad, so see more here.

Mission Workshop is opening a pop-up shop in Japan for two weeks, starting this Friday. Here are the juicy details:
[Launch Party]
Friday, 17:00 to 20:00 November 23, 2012
[Mission Workshop POP-UP STORE]
Open for a limited time: Friday 23 November 2012 – December 2, 2012
Open hours 11:00 to 20:00 (Closed Wednesdays)
[Location]
vic2 Bikkutsu
1-8-8-1F-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo Kichijojiminami
Tel :0422-24-6426

It’s not every day you see riding from Osaka Funny and having met him a few years ago, I can really appreciate his riding in video, as much as in person. Dude is persistant and consistant.

Here’s a new one from the Rapha Continental:

“In the spring of 2011, Rapha Japan set up a charity ride and asked for your help. We all rode for Tohoku. Everybody in Japan would like to take this opportunity to thank those who contributed. A little over a year later, general tourism is still out of the question in this area but for cyclists, there is no shortage of great roads to ride here.”

See more at Rapha.

I’m not exactly sure what this photo is promoting, but it’s in a Flickr Set on the Starfuckers stream and I had to post it. See more photos here.

Shiokaze is the longest-running fixed freestyle competition in the world and it’s really rad to see Japan holding on to that tradition. This year, Chacon went out and took 1st place.

Marco mixes it up for Sadio in Japan. Loving the fusion of his fast and precise riding with the pegs. Makes it look so easy doesn’t he?

Both completely different but they kept me watching. Ramon Antonio puts in work in the LBC (land that footplant bar dude!) and Shinya throws down some speedy flatland action in Meriken Park.

It’s been a while since there’s been a good video from Japan and Osaka Funny brings us just that.

Kinfolk posted up this baby blue road bike to their blog and I like what I see. The Brooks saddle is a great addition to this very classy build.

After years of development, Loop Magazine‘s website has been relaunched. Head over and check it out!

Photo by Brian Vernor

Watch out man! You’re on the wrong side of the road! Oh, wait, never mind. Brian Vernor was in Japan a few weeks back, shooting for Paved Magazine, on a story called Form and Function. You can see his article in print or catch some out takes over on his Flickr. How ’bout you do both?

Photos via Ta_Do’s Flickr

I love it when I come across some random photographer on a Flickr photo group. These two photos are from last month’s Sanuki Cross 2012 in Zentsūji, Kagawa, Japan. Sharp panning, low and shallow, bokeh-filled shots. Just my thing.

Check out more at their Flickr.