Interest
Yowamushi Pedal Sponsors Bicycle Racing Event
posted on by Eric Stimson
Fans of the hit bicycle racing anime Yowamushi Pedal who have been eager to actually try some competitive cycling may get their chance next month. On September 26, Good Smile Company is sponsoring a Yowamushi Pedal-themed bicycle racing event in Utsunomiya, Japan.
The Yowamushi Pedal Cycle Road Race will be divided into three main events. The team sprint (which starts at 9:50 AM) challenges teams of three to six cyclists to form a line and follow the leader as closely as possible, the trick being to pedal as fast as possible without breaking formation. The criterium follows at 11:50 AM; this is a standard bicycle race along a set track. At 1:30 PM, the event shifts gears to an endurance race, which challenges solo competitors or teams of up to six cyclists to collectively keep up a good pace over the course of three hours. These races are further divided into different categories depending on experience, gender, or bicycle (road vs. city).
The event is rounded out with a tutorial session for beginners at 8:30 AM, a commemorative photography session, an awards ceremony, and food and Yowamushi Pedal merchandise vendors. Entry fees are 1,000 yen ($8) for spectators and range from 2,000 yen ($16) for the city bicycle category of the criterium to 17,000 yen ($136) in the team endurance race. Registration begins here on August 12. The race will be held at Utsunomiya's Hero Shinoi Circuit. Cyclists are required to wear helmets and gloves and advised to wear cycling outfits — preferably Yowamushi Pedal-branded ones.
The Yowamushi Pedal movie premieres on August 28. The anime's voice actors have already competed against each other on TV.
