Folding Bikes!

A new way to look at the world? Well, maybe!

We can hop on a train, go somewhere new and not worry about being in the middle of absolutely nowhere. Why not? Because we have these new and awesome bikes.

In principle this idea is brilliant - class A, brilliant! In practice, it is taking a lot longer to get off the ground.

The bikes arrived and loitered in our kitchen for about a week. We had no time to even unpack them, despite the excitement. But, once that box was opened - oh boy. They are a thing of beauty!

We have set them up, although they still need pumping up and tightening.

Then there was the bag...you would think that for a bike built for convenience, you would easily find a bag that would hold the bike and off you go.

Well, no.

Perhaps it is these little challenges in life that spur us on? This is definitely not the case, but let's just pretend that we have enjoyed such a challenge, rising to it and conquering it.

Now, when you 'google' terms and expressions, you always take for granted that there will be something on the web to help you - and in most cases there are. Well not for the stupid Ostrich Chibirin bag we bought, so from now on, I shall be blogging much more, not just about our travels on the wonderful folding bikes (probably now minimised by the hassle of the bag itself) but, I shall be trying to figure out if I really am carrying bag correctly each time.

The thing that got us was that we had paid 5000yen for each bag. They have the joy of being attached to your bike and that is very useful. But there were no instructions to guide us. Even on their webpage, all they seme to boast about is their 'craftsmanship'. Yet, the canvas bag we have, is a fiddly way to simply 'throw the bike in and get on the train'. (http://www.ostrich-az.com/)

Basically, in Japan, the bike has to be covered when you travel. It works on the same principle as carrying pets, I suppose. However, we don't always put Elbi in the pram. We have been busted though a few times, so rules are rules. The bike too must be covered.

The clips on the side are to give the bag shape, but we would benefit so much more if they were on the handle too.

So the bike goes in the bag and then you must manually add the strap to the frame of the bike. Surely it would be so much easier if there were clips to do it.  So, (I think) we carry the bike from the frame, through a slot in the bag and off we go.

It's not quite the 'hop-on, hop-off' fun we had intended on, but it was all our local bike shop had to offer.

Nevertheless, the bicycles are amazing and we shall bit hitting the road really soon. Can't wait!!