Bicycle action figures

Published / by Richard Masoner / 1 Comment on Bicycle action figures

In America, we can buy action figures for superheroes, soldiers of fortune, anthropomorphized turtles, and Legos. In Japan, they sell character action figures on bicycles. Local bicycling otaku Jill Q (2013 Bike Commuter of the Year for Santa Clara County California) found this figma for Yuusuki Makishima, a teen cyclist from “Yowamushi Pedal,” a popular […]

When is a bike jersey a stick of anti-perspirant?

Published / by Richard Masoner / 2 Comments on When is a bike jersey a stick of anti-perspirant?

I’ve been experimenting with Amazon.com’s sales information, which lists the top sellers for various categories such as women’s cycling apparel. Because this data mining is automated, I sometimes see weird things. Check out, for example, the top seller under the category “Women’s Cycling Jersey.”

The Platonic ideal of a bicycle

Published / by Richard Masoner / 1 Comment on The Platonic ideal of a bicycle

I recently was reminded of this drawing of a mamachari bicycle from a now defunct Japanese guide to bicycles. The text says “Mamachari bikes are usually what you think of when you think ‘bicycle’.” The mamachari style of bikes are the wonderfully utilitarian and ubiquitious form of transportation for Japanese housewives. I wondered what type […]