|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The main thing to remember about bikebags is that you don't have to use them as a carrying case for the bicycle. If you're tall, chances are your bicycle frame is too large for the biggest bag anyway (as mine is). Let me repeat that: the bike does NOT have to fit all the way inside the bag. The only real purpose of the bag is to make the bike look like a package so you can get it past the ticket-taker at the train station.
Since the bikebag is only for appearances, it follows that you can extend its life by not using it to bear the full weight of the bike. Tie a strap around the frame and carry the bike by that strap; your bag will last much longer. Another way to extend its life is to avoid using laundry detergent or other abrasive soaps when you wash the bag; it's the only thing that seems to seriously damage them. Use a mild soap of some kind. And, getting back to the guy with the clothespins, you could save a bit of money by using a similar workaround instead of buying a real bikebag... but it seems hardly worth the effort. The bikebags available here are relatively inexpensive, tough as iron and will last for years with proper care (as long as you keep them away from that laundry detergent...). Officially you are required to buy a "mimawarihin-kippu" (a ticket for large packages) if you have a bagged bike. This is inexpensive (currently 270 yen) and seems to be good for the entire day; an express train conductor once told me it was only good for a single train, but he was the only one. These days, most of the time the station personnel don't even ask to see the bikebag ticket when you enter and exit the wickets at the station, so most of the time you can get away without buying one (automated wickets may help here; generally you're through them so fast they don't bother to stop you). Sometimes they do ask, though, and it seems that a lot of cyclists get angry when someone asks them to buy a ticket for the bikebag. When you think about it, 270 yen to take your bike anywhere in Japan is not a bad price at all - and this system is what makes it possible for you to see far-off places by bicycle. So if someone asks you to buy a ticket for your bike, I'd recommend that you smile and do so willingly. On most trains, there is enough space just inside the doors to place the bag without inconveniencing other passengers. I recommend that you use the carry strap to tie it to the handrail to prevent it from falling over; just be sure to give yourself enough time to get it loose before you arrive at your destination. To avoid derailleur damage, be careful when you set the bag down. And try to avoid rush-hour trains; those news reports you've seen about people being crammed into trains are all too true. | ||
A bikebag ("rinko-bukuro" in
Japanese) can be purchased at any bicycle shop. I used to like a brand called
Ostrich made by Azuma Sangyo; the most inexpensive one ("Emu")
goes for about 5,700 yen; a "road" version costs 6,700 yen and
has pockets for the wheels. There are also "deluxe" models, usually
larger sized, with prices to match. Recently, cheaper brands have come out;
the Tioga brand sells for around 4,000 yen or less. This bag seems to be
a tiny bit smaller than the others, but it shouldn't really matter.
Using a bikebag couldn't be simpler. Just remove
the wheels from the bicycle, stick it in the bag and zip it up. The bag
comes with a bracket to hold your derailleur in place (to protect it from
damage) and instructions that tell you to remove the seat, pedals and, in
some cases, the handlebars. But remember, we're not following the rule that
says the bike has to fit entirely inside the bag. Therefore in most cases
you won't have to remove anything except the wheels. I've never had ANY
station personnel complain about the fact that, say, the handlebars are
sticking out of the bag. I've also never used the bracket - and never suffered
any derailleur damage. Eliminating the need to remove anything but the wheels,
and the need to attach the derailleur bracket, reduces bagging time dramatically;
I've clocked myself at 3 minutes from the time I wheeled up to the station
until the time I was actually walking through the wickets with the bike
bag slung over my shoulder. That's including the time it takes to
don gloves for the messy bagging procedure.
Planning Routes