EXPO 2005 RIDE and JCN

This is an official event of EXPO 2005 AICHI authorized by the Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition with support from the Australian Embassy in Japan. 25 Australian cyclists and 20 Japanese cyclists, with the average age of 63, will ride 800km under the themes of "Challenge of the Ageing Society" and "Nature's Wisdom". See the news release for details.

Japan Cycling Navigator supports this event and involved in several ways. Outcome of the collaboration is described below. We would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for every and all collaborators.

EXPO 2005 RIDE GUIDE

We made a series of leaflets for the participants which describe the traffic rules for a safe ride in Japan, the ride route maps and partnering bike shops. Also we got involved in planning parts of the route. They are available for your downloading from the link below.

Expo 2005 Ride Guide

Partnering Bike Shops

We have often felt that we should make a list of bike shops available for cyclists who do not speak Japanese language. We identified shops along the EXPO 2005 RIDE route, and checked each shop to see if they are willing to accommodate such customers. The name "Partnering Bicycle Shop" is given to those that expressed positive acknowledgment. So they are not only aware and supportive of EXPO 2005 RIDE but also welcome non-Japanese speaking cyclists. They are introduced in the Route Map leaflets of the EXPO 2005 RIDE GUIDE and available on the JCN web site. Hideo Tomita, one of our staffs, listed these shops and their informations such as address, phone, positioning data and so on.

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Home Stay and Guide

One of JCN staffs Koji Kubo offered to put the party up for two nights in Osaka. Needles to say that homestay is the best way of international exchange. Plus, Kubo's house is a traditional Japanese farmer's house. This must be very a valuable experience for foreign participants.

Kisen Katsukawa, who is a good friend of Shigehiro Koizumi, a JCN staff, is due to give them a tour in Asuka village. Asuka is known to be the place where there was the oldest unified dynasty of Japan, which of course precedes the old dynasties in Nara and Kyoto. It is a shame to see that few tourists visit Asuka compared to Nara and Kyoto, because trip to rural Asuka must be impressive.

Anrakugoe (安楽越) and Tokaido (東海道)

The party planned to visit sister cities, which have relationship with that in Australia, and decided the route. There is once exception; Kameyama city, Mie prefecture, does not have such relationship, but that city was chosen because of the pass Anrakugoe (安楽越) which will provide a worthwhile experience.

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GIANT

The Japan office of Giant Co. Ltd., a Taiwan-based world leading manufacturer of bicycles, kindly donated a couple of touring bikes as backup bikes. In case someone need to replace their bike, they can use these bikes.

News Release - "Another JCN"

The Japan Corporate News Network (JCN) K.K., "another JCN," kindly covered our press release and circulated it through their global news network. One of "our JCN" staffs, Eiichi Watanabe, coordinated with both Giant and "another JCN."

JCN News Release

Thank you all for your kindness and collaboration!