ー What was behind the launch of the official “PAPERSKY Cycling Club?”
PAPERSKY has always had a passion for bicycles, we run a lot of content about cycling as well as have been organizing the “Papersky Tour de Nippon” cycling tour project since 2011 to rediscover the charms of regions throughout Japan. One interesting club activity is our presence on the route apply for cyclists called STRAVA.
The idea arose when the STRAVA team saw an article on the TOKYO TREE TREK ( TTT ) – a tour of Tokyo’s trees featured in the 62nd issue of PAPERSKY magazine) and asked us share our route map of the course.
ー What is PAPERSKY’s approach to STRAVA?
Born in California, STRAVA is an activity management app that publishes routes in various regions for cyclists and runners. Anyone can view it for free if they register, and it’s available in English, so it’s a perfect way for people from overseas to easily access riding in Japan.
Cycling communities around the world are registered with STRAVA, and the PAPERSKY Cycling Club has published cycle routes for its “Bike Packing Weekend” series on bicycle travel, in addition to the “TTT” and the “Tour de Nippon” rides as well. One can search for clubs on Strava and find the Papersky Club quite easily. We encourage anyone who is interested in travel and cycling to join the Papersky Club within the STRAVA App.
ー The club icon is eye-catching. What did you focus on in the design?
The iconic profile figure wearing a cycling cap was designed by Noriyuki Sato, who also designs visuals for “Papersky’s Tour de Nippon” and Papersky’s original Japanese location based tenugui hand towels. We used the initials “PSCC” for “PAPERSKY Cycling Club,” and tweaked it several times to make it look like a face. Most cycling club jerseys are sporty, but I really like our logo because it’s creative, casual and cute while still being cool.
ー You have also brought out stickers and t-shirts as official merchandise. How are the stickers used?
The tinted yellow and blue stickers are waterproof and sunlight-resistant, so I use them on bike frames and bottles. I recommend putting them up somewhere visible to show that you are a member of the club, as it is a good way to strike up a conversation with folk you meet along the way.
ー Your T-shirt is a collaboration with cycling wear brand Rapha. Anything you’d like to highlight?
Well-loved by pro cyclists, Rapha is a brand that PAPERSKY has long collaborated with, having created cycling routes with them in the past. This T-shirt offers excellent breathability and sweat absorbency, and is light and comfortable to the touch, so I can always ride in total comfort. The official logo is printed on the back and when everyone rides together wearing it, we look more like a team! And when we are worn out, we can look at the back of the person in front of us for a bit of a mental boost.
ー Finally, what does “PAPERSKY Cycling Club” have planned for the future?
It seems that in Japan, although hiking routes are often posted on the Internet or available at local information centers, there are still very few places that publish bicycle route maps.
Even if you want to ride a bicycle in an area you don’t know, you give up because you don’t know the way. Or, even if you do get on the road, you feel perturbed by the heavy traffic. We want to go on devising routes that offer interesting roads and great scenery that can be enjoyed only with a bicycle, and we would like to convey the appeal of travel on two wheels to more people. More cyclists can help revitalize local communities, and so we hope to create such a virtuous cycle through the “PAPERSKY Cycling Club.”
