cycling

  • Springing Into March And Marching Into Spring

    Spring seems to have come a bit early this year; sort of. And I got to celebrate my return to cycling shoes amid glorious sunshine, warmth and conditions pretty much perfect for being on a bike. From March 2020 through to August 2024, I wore cycling shoes more than any other type of footwear, and even since then it would be a good chance that I had maintained that record through to November 2025. Then, I fell and broke my leg, and my orthopaedic surgeon and physio therapist had banned me from using cycling shoes as they require a jerking movement in the leg to unclip from the pedal, which…

  • Green Godzilla

    On what was something of a strange weekend, perhaps the weirdest moment came when I got to come face-to-face with a green, as in made of plants, Godzilla. There’re plenty of Godzilla statues and effigies all over Tokyo, as I’ve reported before, and the rest of Japan, some life-sized, others tiny and plenty in-between and loving devoted to Japan’s most adored monster. In western Tokyo, where I live, the most famous example is probably the Godzilla statue outside the TOHO CO., LTD. studios near Seijogakuen-mae, which is a bit of a trip for me further out in the boonies. So, I was surprised to learn that there is actually a…

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    Putting The Limp Into Olympics

    Japan did the most amazing job of hosting the Olympic Games under the mostr trying of circumstances, and I would argue there probably isn’t a country on earth that could have done it nearly as well. But the big question is: Why? We held the Games behind closed doors. Only the most privileged of guests were able to see the athletes do their thing, and I’m sure the quarantining rules were broken for many. Personally, I got to see almost nothing. I saw none of the downtown Tokyo events, but did get to perform an errand near Horse Park, where the equestrian events were held. The park was surrounded by…

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    Strewth! Roo-ed Awakening for Unsuspecting Cyclist

    An Aussie cyclist got more than they bargained for in Australia recently. 　最近、オーストラリア人女性サイクリストが想定外の事故にあった。 While riding along at a gentle pace, the cyclist collided with a kangaroo. 　ゆっくりと走りながら、なんと、カンガルーと衝突事故した！ The kangaroo leaped out of the bush and struck the unsuspecting cyclist. 　カンガルーが道路脇にあった森から飛び出し、女性とぶつかった。 The woman hit by the kangaroo sustained minor injuries. 　カンガルーに引っかかれた女性が軽傷で済んだ。 Queensland cyclist crashes into kangaroo

  • Kangaroos Have a Proud History Adorning Japanese Marushi Bicycles

    Maruishi Cycle Ltd. is a prestigious bicycle manufacturer perhaps best-known today for its vintage models that until late in the 20th century also included penny farthings. Maruishi continues to make fine touring bikes in Japan. The company’s history dates back to 1894, though it has been Chinese-owned since 2006. Of greatest interest for Kangaeroo readers, though, is that Maruishi’s symbol throughout its history has been a kangaroo! Why Maruishi chose a kangaroo remains a mystery, though its cycles are renowned for their luggage-bearing capability, which probably goes some way toward providing an explanation. Although current Maruishi kangaroo displays appear largely limited to bicycle decals and store signage, marsupial images once…

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    Rainbow Over Allah And Putting A Tiger In The Tank

    Work slowed down and it was a little easier to enjoy life, which allowed for stopping to smell the roses and capturing such opportunities as a rainbow shining above the Tokyo Mosque and beefing up Bargearse the bike. Mrs. Kangaeroo and I also got to visit an exhibition by the delightful Kyoichi Tsuzuki, who has been chronicalling Japan’s quirky side for decides. He was showing displays from hihokan, the now vanishing but once almost ubiquitous sex museums across Japan. Bargearse, meanwhile, my erstwhile fat bike, got an upgrade with tiger decorations, taking over from a predecessor pedallar that piqued my interesting in pedalling.