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New School Park, Street & Dirt / Re: Skate Park Newbie
« Last post by hotdog on June 04, 2026, 05:08 PM »
I'll google that now and check out the park
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I'll google that now and check out the park2
New School Park, Street & Dirt / Re: Skate Park Newbie
« Last post by Mikku on June 04, 2026, 06:47 AM »On Monday I rode to Shiohamadai 2 Skate Park in Chiba Prefecture. According to Google Maps, this was an 18km (11 mile), 69-minute bike ride away, mostly along the Edogawa river which runs from Tokyo to Chiba. However, I chose an unseasonably hot day to go, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, so with frequent stops for water and map-checking, it took me nearly 2 hours to get there! A few BMXers and skaters were there when I arrived, so I introduced myself, padded up and checked out the park. A mixture of concrete and pre-fab, Shiohama has various features including ramps, hips, table tops, quarter-pipes, a half-pipe and a few boxes, ledges and rails. I’d never ridden pre-fab features before, so had fun trying those out though scared myself on the half-pipe, not being used to the slippier surface. Whilst perhaps not the gnarliest of parks, there was plenty to keep this beginner happy and most other beginners and intermediate level riders too, I reckon. The locals were also very friendly, which helps. 
Overall, a good albeit exhausting day. I wanted to stay and ride there longer but needed to save time and energy for the ride home. I will therefore definitely go back to Shiohama but preferably by car or train, as riding that far on top of a park session was not so easy, especially in that heat. My knees would definitely agree with that too!
Weather (and knees) permitting, I'm planning to hit up another couple of parks withing the next fortnight. Watch this space!!
Overall, a good albeit exhausting day. I wanted to stay and ride there longer but needed to save time and energy for the ride home. I will therefore definitely go back to Shiohama but preferably by car or train, as riding that far on top of a park session was not so easy, especially in that heat. My knees would definitely agree with that too!
Weather (and knees) permitting, I'm planning to hit up another couple of parks withing the next fortnight. Watch this space!!
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New School Racing / Re: 2026 Race Blog – Year 10 – Here We Go Again!
« Last post by Mikku on June 03, 2026, 11:08 PM »There are definitely more options being based here, that’s for sure. For example, three decent race tracks within a 90-minute drive. Plus a Velosolutions pump track and various skate parks. Shame I haven’t got a car now but where there’s a will, there’s a way!
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New School Racing / Re: 2026 Race Blog – Year 10 – Here We Go Again!
« Last post by hotdog on June 03, 2026, 05:14 PM »Looking forward to more regular race 'n park reports now you're based in Tokyo.
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New School Racing / Re: 2026 Race Blog – Year 10 – Here We Go Again!
« Last post by Mikku on June 03, 2026, 06:47 AM »So I’m now officially a Tokyoite, and although I’ve been exploring my local area on my Sunday park/street bike, I’m itching to get back on a race bike. The Hitachinaka BMX track in Ibaraki Prefecture has been on my radar for a number of years, either to just check out another track or to enter one of their "Seaside Cup" races. Conveniently for me, there just so happens to be a race there on Sunday, 14th June. I will need to hire or borrow a car to drive the 70 miles there, having sold mine as part of the move to Tokyo, plus the Japanese rainy season is about to start, so that may also throw a spanner in the works, but the current goal is to enter that race. If I can get my act together, I may even go there before the 14th for a bit of a recce. In either case, I need to dust down and prep the Redline for some race action. Likewise, I need to start getting some sprint training in, as I’ve not done anything race-wise since the Joetsu race 4 weeks ago.
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BMX Chat / Re: Today I bought, or it got delivered, or I fitted...
« Last post by Mikku on June 02, 2026, 04:04 AM »So that must feel like a “free” holiday then. You taking a bike?
In any case, I hope you have a great week!!
In any case, I hope you have a great week!!
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BMX Chat / Re: Today I bought, or it got delivered, or I fitted...
« Last post by Midschoolfool on May 30, 2026, 03:50 PM »That frame… I have some info on that.
It’s made by Tange. They sold them as kits you welded together and added your own gusset and stickers to.
There are loads like it. There’s a Scorpion with the exact same dropouts and dimensions.
Years ago someone posted Tange’s bike show display and it was basically one of those frames in all of its bits. Literally like a plumbers kit.
My bike is now done. Decided to get away for a week so I head out Monday. Booked a Premier Inn in Highcliffe and will be spending time with my mates. I need it bad tbh.
God bless the local council who were taking taxes from me they had no right to for 7 years and then had to pay it all back.
It’s made by Tange. They sold them as kits you welded together and added your own gusset and stickers to.
There are loads like it. There’s a Scorpion with the exact same dropouts and dimensions.
Years ago someone posted Tange’s bike show display and it was basically one of those frames in all of its bits. Literally like a plumbers kit.
My bike is now done. Decided to get away for a week so I head out Monday. Booked a Premier Inn in Highcliffe and will be spending time with my mates. I need it bad tbh.
God bless the local council who were taking taxes from me they had no right to for 7 years and then had to pay it all back.
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New School Park, Street & Dirt / Re: Skate Park Newbie
« Last post by Mikku on May 30, 2026, 05:37 AM »So I gave into temptation and bought a larger, 2.35” Rant tyre for the front wheel, moving the 2.2” Rant from there to the rear. Both tyres fit okay, with no clearance issues, so that was a relief. The Sunday also looks much beefier with the fatter tyres. That said, when I took it to the skate park for a test session, my first impressions were not so positive. I could definitely notice the increased rubber when riding, for example, pivoting out of fakies and generally hooning around the place but the bike felt less agile and more sluggish than before. The PSI rating of these tyres is 35-60 and I had put in 45 PSI to begin with, so I increased that to 55 PSI. That seemed to improve things and the bike felt more fun to ride which makes sense, so from now on I will keep an eye on tyre pressure and make sure that it stays around the 55-60 PSI mark.
Having recently moved to Tokyo, I’m now planning to check out my nearest skate parks. That’s easier said than done because as part of the move, I sold my car. That means I have to get to places under my own steam or take a train! I think the nearest skate park is about an hour’s bike ride away, so that’s the first one on the hit-list. Report to follow!!
Having recently moved to Tokyo, I’m now planning to check out my nearest skate parks. That’s easier said than done because as part of the move, I sold my car. That means I have to get to places under my own steam or take a train! I think the nearest skate park is about an hour’s bike ride away, so that’s the first one on the hit-list. Report to follow!!
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BMX Chat / Re: Today I bought, or it got delivered, or I fitted...
« Last post by Mikku on May 24, 2026, 10:16 PM »Ah, sorry to disappoint but not to tease! I don’t have anything Motobecane anymore (after selling my MX400 a few years ago) but do have a complete set of red and white checked California Lite pads lying around… 
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BMX Chat / Re: Today I bought, or it got delivered, or I fitted...
« Last post by Chilli Rinse on May 24, 2026, 10:23 AM »I still like it!!
I don't suppose you're looking for a genuine old school padset with matching colourway and patina??
Yes, the only pad I really need is the one pictured. It’s more of a plastic material rather than vinyl. Don’t tease me man
