capilene lover2 Kenta Kobayashi / owner, tempra cycle
Owner of "tempra cycle," a bicycle shop in Gakugeidaigaku, Tokyo, which opened in 2008 and has since gained the support of core bicycle riders. The staff members who work there are all outdoor enthusiasts. He also offers a variety of original products.tempra_jp
Patagonia started with the DAS parka.
Mr. Kobayashi, you don't stand in stores very often now, do you?
Kobayashi:In the past, the office function was located behind the storefront, but now that function has been moved to my house, so I have fewer opportunities to come here than before. Also, I feel that I have to pass on the sense of the young people to the bicycles as well. These days, I am exclusively involved in product planning and development, as well as public relations.
Do you have any activities?
Kobayashi:Of course I ride a bicycle, but I've become very lazy. I had a painful experience with downhill biking a few years ago when I tried it for a long time (laughs). Recently, my daughter has learned to ride a bike, so I just take a hammock and a coffee set and go to a nearby riverside to relax.
I think you saw the prosperity of Patagonia in the 90's and 00's. Did you wear Patagonia yourself?
Kobayashi:I wore the "DAS parka" a lot. I think I wore the fluorescent green model for quite a long time.
Do you have a reason why you started wearing it?
Kobayashi:It was partly because my friends were wearing them, but at the time, there was no synthetic cotton either. Basically, it was down. So I thought, "Wow, there's a great new type of garment that's washable and easy to care for. At the time, it was more geeky than it is now. It was a bit on the side of the mainstream. That was also cool.
What do you actually wear when you ride your bicycle?
Men's Caplin Cool Daily Graphic Shirt
How to Save: Abalone Blue ¥5,060
Kobayashi:It is exactly as rough as "Capilene" and shorts.
How do you feel about the comfort of "Capilene"?
Kobayashi:It feels really good on the skin and is perfect for biking. You can wear it as a cycle jersey. Also, I have sensitive skin, so I sometimes feel like I can't wear something made of synthetic fibers the moment I put it on. But "Capilene" is smooth and comfortable, so I have no problem at all. I also like that Capilene fits me well, even though many of them are now in extreme sizes.
You frequently hold events at your store.
Kobayashi:We are planning to open an event in Hokkaido this August. Hokkaido also has a special bicycle culture, something unique to the snow country. Of course, the location is great and there are many fields. We will let you know on our Instagram, so if you are in the area, please come.
