# Social Culture Institute and the Bicycle Trend to Consider. | feature

Noteworthy Keyword 4: Downhill (Number of related comments: 1,520)

Although it has been around for a long time, downhill bicycling is gaining attention, pulled by the bicycle boom. . riding downhill on an off-road slope on a bicycle with good suspension. The number of word-of-mouth reviews has also increased dramatically in recent months.

. I see and hear the term "downhill" a lot these days, and I get the impression that it is becoming popular. What is the reason for this?

Sawabe: Bicycle enthusiasts tend to buy bicycles specialized for each genre, so if they want to ride on the road, they buy a road bike; if they like the feel of riding on the street, they buy a pistol. In the meantime, bikepacking has become popular, and off-road riding on gravel roads is increasing. This may be the reason why people who used to ride bicycles started buying mountain bikes.

What is it about downhill that attracts you?

Sawabe: . where you can enjoy playing in the dirt and getting covered in mud even as an adult, right? Boys used to play in the sandbox and in the mud when they were children. I also do trekking, and I think the pleasure of running off-trail, not on the road, is the same. And the feeling of running fast. Because you are literally going downhill, you will naturally go faster.

. As adults, we don't have as many opportunities to play in the mud, do we? Are there places in the suburbs of Tokyo where you can enjoy downhill skiing?

Sawabe: The closest is Inagi City's "Smile Bike Park." Here, you can enjoy downhill riding on rented bikes.

Sawabe: Then there's the Zoorasia, next to the "Trail Adventure YokohamaThere is a park called , which also has a rental service.

Sawabe: If you want to enjoy downhill skiing with gusto, go to the off-season ski areas that are open for mountain biking. I often go to "Fujiten Snow Resort." is also easy to get to, as it is an hour and a half drive from Tokyo.

I guess it's a surprise.

Sawabe: Many places offer complete rental equipment, from bikes to helmets, so you can go empty-handed and still have fun. . It is common to load the bike on the lift and come down the course from the top.

. Sounds a little scary....

Sawabe: . It's okay. Just like skiing, the courses are divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses, so even first-timers don't need that much skill. The fact that anyone can do it may be the reason why downhill skiing has become so popular.

. Once I get used to renting a bike for downhill riding, I'm sure I'll want to get one of my own. Does Tempra Cycles also offer mountain bikes?

Salsa cycles/Rangefinder, Salsa's entry-level hardtail with low cost. Although the parts are not high grade, it is a very good entry level MTB with good propulsion and stability, and can be used in town, off-road, and even on moderate downhills.

Sawabe: Tempra Cycle mainly deals with "hardtail" mountain bikes, which have only front suspension, even though they are located in the same area. The full-suspension models (with front and rear suspension) that are specialized for downhill riding cost a lot of money.

The catalog shows that a complete bike costs 520,000 yen, and the frame alone costs 300,000 yen. ......

Sawabe: Of course, if you want high specs, it would be nice, but full suspension would make it more competition oriented. . Besides, the forward propulsive force will be very weak compared to a normal one. On the other hand, hard tails do not lose as much propulsive force as full suspensions, so they can be used for street riding, and more importantly, they are sturdy and can be used vigorously. However, full suspension absorbs shock better, so beginners can downhill with confidence.

So, do you still feel the bicycle boom?

Sawabe: There is no doubt about it . We have more customers, and I have the impression that there are so many more people running around town.

Thank you very much! Finally, do you have any message for people who want to start biking?

Sawabe: Tempra Cycle is all about outside fun, so if you tell us what you want to do with your bike, we can make a proposal to suit your needs. Our latest trend is gravel roads. If you like camping but don't have a bicycle, this might be a good time to try bikepacking.

With the Corona Disaster, bicycle culture is becoming increasingly compatible with outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and trekking. It is also attracting attention as a new leg of the commute to work and school, a genre that is sure to continue to thrive. If you are interested in learning more, please check out the reviews on social networking sites and the "Sew Literature Institute's"This articlePlease also check out the