Alsan

I've recently caught the cycling bug. And I seem to have lots of questions about bikes now that I never thought I would have. I've been cycling a lot in Kyoto recently (you're allowed to ride on the pavements, it's like being ten again). Although the bike I've been using is functional, I soon realised that it would be a lot more fun if I had a slightly better bike.
So I've ordered a new one from a bike shop here. They had to order one for me because I needed a bigger frame than any of the bikes in the shop at the time. So I thought I'd join the forum so that I could search, read and perhaps get some advice and answers to questions I have, from those with more experience in bikes.
The roads are quite flat here in most places, but I live at a higher elevation than most of the more built up busy areas, basically where all the shops are. So it's a fun downhill ride to get to pretty much anywhere I want to go, but more effort required to get home.
I do have a few questions which I'll ask separately.
So anyway, here I am, happy to be here. Looking forward to some bicycle talk.

Ciclisti Greco

Hello Alsan , Greetings from Greece .

I am new in the forum also ! Wish you Good riding experiences !

Alsan

Hello Ciclisti. Thanks, you too. I'm looking forward to my new bike arriving in a few days. There should definitely be some good riding coming my way.

linnefaulk

Welcome.

Alsan

Hello. Thanks.

Lacumo

Welcome to BF!

Alsan

Hello, thanks.

klmmicro

Hello from San Diego!

Alsan

Hello San Diego.

klmmicro

I am always curious about different places people ride. Are the streets there orderly, or do you have to pay extra attention for drivers? Is there rural riding that you can get to?

Alsan

Well, the streets are fairly orderly and pretty much set out in the same way as roads in England are. As a driver in a car there are a few things that don't make any sense to me at all. But then, the way human beings generally think has never made much sense to me so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by this.
As a cyclist it's actually very safe, especially as you are allowed to ride on the pavement if you want to. Some people may think that's hazardous, but it very much depends on the mentality of the people involved.
In general, the people in Japan are very calm and respectful. So people are not racing along the paths thoughtlessly, they generally show a lot of respect to each other and so it doesn't cause any problems. Although as a pedestrian it can be a bit startling when a cyclist quietly sneeks up behind you and rings their bell. Personally I find bells very annoying anyway, maybe they're necessary in a serious situation, but when used as a sort of announcement that everyone should make way for you, it's irritating and a bit rude in my opinion.
When I'm riding on the path, which is actually quite fun, I will slow right down and calmly go past people, it just takes one sudden step in any direction and an accident could easily happen, and if it did I would consider it to be my fault as I would have been going too fast on a pavement which is actually mostly for people to walk on.
On the roads it's also very safe to ride, cars will show respect and don't tend to drive too fast. Of course there are always one or two drivers that don't pay enough attention sometimes, so you still have to be careful.

As I said, there is a very different mentality in Japan. Most people are not angry, looking to shout at someone or get into an argument over nothing, cars will very rarely use their horns, and you don't get the sort of militant, obnoxious drivers and cyclists that you have in other parts of the world, especially as there are in England.
The sort of car driver that gets angry at anything in their way, or the cyclists that will pull immediately in front of cars at traffic lights and act as if they are themselves are driving a car, when they could easily just stay at the side of the road and not prevent the traffic from moving forward when the lights change.

Most people in Japan just seems to know what to do, and how to behave so as to prevent needless confrontation.

There are lots of more rough tracks over and around the various mountains in Kyoto if you want that sort of thing. Generally the roads are very flat and well maintained. Something I've noticed that's great is that for cyclists using the paths, there are lowered, smooth bits at the edge of the pavement so you can cross a small road and get back on the path without a big bump on your wheel.

Cyclaholic

Welcome to Bikefurums, Alsan.

Alsan

Thanks. Nice to be here.

bike_forever

Hello! from Ohio

Alsan

Hello Ohio.