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2010-07-23 14:45:47
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A female riders’ meeting was held at Kota circuit in Okazaki city on 19th July. Ms. Magali Langlois, a female racer who is going to ride at Suzuka 8 hours this weekend, was with us. WIMA Japan set up a booth and released the brand-new DVD of Japan rally.
Participants enjoyed circuit touring and a talk show by Magali was followed. She kindly answered to various questions including training methods, diet, and her daily life. To our surprise, she started racing when she was 28 year-old and she said it’s not too late in France. Here we found another difference in motorcycle cultures between Europe and Japan.
Some member of WIMA Japan is going to Suzuka 8 hours to see her ride this weekend. We are looking forward to see her elegant and tough ride. Check “MOTO-JOURNAL & UEMATSU 903”!
I hope I can meet her again at a European Rally of WIMA someday.
Magali’s Blog (in French)
http://3aracingteam.over-blog.com/
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2010-05-14 00:41:11
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Day 1: April 27
It was quite a sight that about 100 motorcycles are waiting to leave in lines! Our rally started in rain unfortunately and members arrived at Fujisanroku Yamano-Mura, or WIMA village, shivering with cold. Need a fireplace!
Day 2: April 28
Still raining but we had group touring to Izu, Odawar-jyo castle, Iyashino-sato, Motorcycle gear shopping or Geisha show in Atami. Some had a rest at WIMA village hoping for clear sky. It was our only hope as well! We had a welcome party at night. Following to welcome addresses by Mayer of Fujinomiya city Mr. Komuro, Congresswoman Ms. Hayakawa, and President of Kizuki (rental bike dealer) Mr. Matsuzaki, exciting Wadaiko (Japanese drum) and Koto (Japanese harp) were performed. Their stages were so impressive and many members tried Wadaiko on the stage later. We also had Ms. Reiko Yamamura as a special guest and her talk pumped up enthusiasm of members and she was greeted by a long standing ovation! After all, motorcycle and smile are common language of WIMA!
Day 3: April 29
It was the day of Yabusame ritual. However we decided to cancel guided tour due to heavy rain in the morning. But still about 30 people rode to the site on their own because they have full of curiosity and spirit of never give up. Then they got reward! The sun started shining and Mt. Fuji showed her beautiful face in the afternoon! Konnichiwa! It was the first meeting with Fuji-san for many members. Yabusame was enjoyed by some members and we are sorry for not able to guide all of you to the site… Sumimasen.
Day 4: April 30
We enjoyed quiz orienteering whole the day. Members rode freely with a map on their tank. Places to visit were some tourist spots and Reiko-san’s café Fairy Tale. It was great to ride in the beautiful weather and Fuji-san was always watching over us! Geisha Night was held at night and each division showed their unique performances on the stage. Then we move on the Bon dance outside! Everyone followed the teacher “Right! Left! Open! Up! Cho-chon-ga-chon!” and absorbedly kept dancing around a campfire.
Day 5: May 1
Parade!! Perfect weather again! Thank Kamisama! First we did “Love the Earth” cleaning campaign at Mizugazuka parking and paraded to Camp Takigahara of Japan Self Defense Force headed by Woman Police motorcycles “Fuji Wing”. At the camp, we are welcomed by the performances of Drum team of Camp Takigahara and Shizuoka Prefectural Police Music and Flag team. The flag girls are very popular among foreign members and we danced together! Next, there was a pray for traffic safety and success of the rally by the Fujisan-Hongu-Sengen Shrine. Each of us seriously prayed for it. Then we had exciting events! One was trial demo by Kenichi Kuroyama, an international Super-A class trial professional rider, from Team Kuroyama Racing YAMAHA and the other was gymkhana demo by JAGE. We also had demo of airbag jackets. Members were surprised by such a lot of wonderful events and asking us “What are you hiding next?!” and we all had a great day as a rider!
Day 6: May 2
Some went out for touring and the others stayed in WIMA village and had a relaxed day today. In the village people enjoyed various games joined by local children. Yakisoba noodle ranch was prepared by the Fujinomiya Yakisoba Society. Many members experienced Japanese culture through outdoor green tea ceremony, cloisonné work, kimono, kanji, furoshiki, souvenir craft and Ninjya. Time does fly fast! Farewell party was held at night. All participants received hand-made gifts by WIMA Japan member or fancy prizes from sponsors. Each of them will be a commemorative gift for us to remember the Japan rally.
Day 7: May 3
Most of foreign members had short trip to rental dealer in Yokohama in a group. In total, we had 258 participants and were able to close the rally without major accident. This is maybe thanks to the pray at the Camp Takigahara on May 1st. Fuji-san, Arigato. “I fell in love with Japan.” “I will come back again.” “I want to say more than thank you.” “This is the best WIMA rally ever.” Those are messages given to WIMA Japan from foreign members. We are extremely happy that our effort has been rewarded. We, organizing team sincerely thank Ms. Sakamoto, Director of Yamano-mura for her generous support, our cook for their delicious dishes, sponsors and individuals who have been supporting us, foreign members of WIMA and WIMA Japan. Arigato-gozaimashita!
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2010-05-12 15:34:00
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Pre-rally bus tour: Day 5
Final day of the bus tour. Everyone got onto the bus in riding suits. Headed to Yokohama Yamashita park and China town then got to the rental motorcycle dealer! It’s the very start of WIMA 2010 Japan Rally!!
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2010-05-12 15:30:55
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We visited Kotokuin Temple, where the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is located. People were overwhelmed by the massive Buddha. We then went to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine. A great ginkgo tree that stood for 1,000 years at the shrine fell down due to a storm in March and now on the process of revitalization. There were many new buds sprouted from the roots that survived. What a tenacious vitality! Members went out into Komachi shopping street after visiting the shrine and I came along with a person who was looking for Yukata. She found nice one for her father, one for her son, and one for herself. I hope she reminds this trip every time she slips into the Yukata.
Kco
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2010-05-12 15:23:49
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We had a bit more laid-back schedule than yesterday, and visited Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Waterfall, and Sake brewery.
It was perfect weather! On the bus on Metropolitan Expressway (or Shutoko) one member said “Oh, Fuji-san” and we looked out of window and there we saw Mt. Fuji in the hazy distance. It is rare that we can see Fuji from Shutoko. They are so fortunate ladies! In addition to this, cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Nikko thanks to cold weather of past few weeks. On I-Ro-Ha-zaka (ABC slope?) people are excited at each 48 corners as rock walls closing up just in front of their eyes; very different experience from riding motorcycles. After drove through the corners, there was an applause, “Thanks, good driver!” Sake brewery was another highlight of today’s tour. We tasted various sake and did shopping. Unfiltered sake (Nigori-zake) was popular among members.
Kco
