Bicycle and Car: In Love with Life surrounded by Vehicles – Part 2

We love cars and bicycles.

We like cars. We like bicycles. Stomping on the gas pedal, turning the crank. The feeling and the exhilaration of moving forward is the same, even though the nature is different. It gives us freedom to do as much as we want on the road. And it enriches our lifestyle.
In this issue, we introduce eight of our community members’ favorite cars. Let’s enjoy car x bicycle with reference to their respective styles.

*See Part1

Bicycle and Car: In Love with Life surrounded by Vehicles - Part 1

Edit & Photo / Tats（@tats_lovecyclist）

TOYOTA RAV4 Adventure “OFFROAD package Il”

She had always liked the look and ride of SUVs and dreamed of buying one someday.
She likes the look of the classic old Land Cruiser Prado, and although she was torn between touring and test driving until the last minute, she decided to go for a new car considering the maintenance cost of an old car. She especially likes the RAV4’s face the best among the SUVs she usually sees around town, and decided to buy a RAV4 for its looks plus the spaciousness of the rear seats.
Anyway, it looks so cool and raunchy! It’s an off-road package, so it’s the coolest of all the RAV4 models! She feels that it is. The tires are burly and big, and she loves the paint and interior to give it an off-road feel in some places.

She loves to drive, and when she goes out with her friends or on an expedition with her bicycles loaded in the back, the cargo capacity is very important to her. This was the happiest point for her when she switched from a mini-car to a RAV4. When the rear seats are folded down, there is plenty of room for three people, three bicycles, and luggage for an excursion.

The navigation system is the latest version, large and easy to read when connected to Apple Car Play, and a strong ally for expeditions with a bicycle. Maps and music are easy to operate. She gave up her old car and bought a new one, which incorporates the latest technology (mainly automatic driving and brake hold function), which is comfortable and irresistible for her, who usually lives in a car.

With her good friend Yukari

A car allows you to travel comfortably in a private space while listening to music, so it is non-stressful.
“cycling x driving”, “mountain climbing x driving”, “visiting cafes x driving” – having a car allows her to enjoy her hobbies to the fullest and makes for a great holiday. She can also work hard to maintain the car, so it motivates her to work hard, and thanks to her current RAV4, she is happy and enjoy every day…! She wants to cherish it forever.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLFⅡ CLI ’88

After using his parents’ cars, Subaru Forester → Hiace → Volkswagen Polo, Hiroki welcomed the Golf 2 as his first personal car.
When he was looking for a cool car that was nimble and could carry luggage, he saw Tommy from Blue Lug driving a cool Golf Mk2, and he was fascinated. I went to visit a Golf Mk2 specialty store near my parents’ house, which lowered my hurdle for old cars, and when I found the “slightly racy” Golf Mk2 I was looking for at a reasonable price, I immediately decided to buy it.

A fire extinguisher is placed in the car (->)

The previous owner was a mechanic at a specialty store, and the list of points that he was particular about is too long to mention, but after Hiroki became the owner, he was even more particular: 1) he reduced the number of digital devices as much as possible, 2) he deadened the car (sound deadening and vibration damping), and 3) he buffed and polished the body by himself.

The carriers (→) are “THULE square Bar (base carrier)” and “THULE ProRide 591 (bike carrier)” to carry two vehicles.

He also races with this car and it includes stiffening parts, high cam and muffler. It is a fun car to race with because of the extra step and increased power.

Always with his wife Mei.

He has had it for over 3 years and is considering another car, but it is so nice that he can’t find an alternative. It is durable, rarely breaks down, and has a lot of cargo capacity for an old car. He may cry when he has to let it go because he has traveled with this car to Awaji Island, Noto, and Fukushima and has grown attached to it..!

F55 Mini Cooper SD

After driving a HONDA ODYSSEY, then a SUBARU LEVORG, and then his parents’ car, the car was an indispensable part of his cycling experience, as he took many trips to races and other events.
Miharu, who started working last spring, had decided since he was a student that this was the only car he would buy for his first purchase because of the MINI’s unique presence that catches the eye even in the city. He had a good chance to find a car with the specifications and color he was looking for, and he decided almost immediately.

The combination of the S “sport grade” and the D “diesel engine” makes it possible to achieve both aggressive driving and good fuel economy. It also offers a more exhilarating ride than its pretty looks.

Two roof carriers are loaded using “INNO INA389”. Three people and four cars can be used together in the car.

With the introduction of the bike carrier, it is now possible to load more bicycles while carrying more cargo. Since the MINI has its roots in the U.K., He would like to eventually have a matching bicycle with a U.K. brand.

PEUGEOT 2008 GT BlueHDi

Tats was probably the least interested in cars among the members introduced here. The need for a private car surfaced when his twins were over 3 years old, and a year ago he suddenly got into the mode of wanting a car.
However, the garage at home is quite small, and the choices were quite limited when it came to a car that would fit a family of four in a garage space that was just barely big enough, so we decided that a B-segment SUV would be the best choice.
The Peugeot emblem and face left a particularly strong impression on him when he saw it around town, and when he decided to test drive a 2008 at the dealership, he immediately signed the contract because it was so much fun to drive.

<-Panoramic sunroof is included, so you can load up to 2 people and 2 bicycles inside the car without a roof carrier.
The small diameter steering wheel and the cockpit that wraps around you give the car a sporty and enjoyable feel.->

Love at first sight with its rugged face. His children call it “Mr. Lion’s car”.

He has used car sharing in the past, but could never have imagined that a private car would be so convenient. Unlike car sharing, it is completely private, so he can relax throughout the entire trip. He has developed a tolerance for long-distance driving by riding from Tokyo to the Osaka ride event and back, and the trip to his parents’ house in Gifu with his family was stress-free (in total, the trip was faster and more reasonable than the Shinkansen).
) The bike ride also expanded my destinations, and having a car made me like biking even more. Driving + riding is just too much fun…!

Take your weekend ride to the next stage.

We often hear that “cyclists love cars.” Both have a sense of speed and a sense that they are moving of their own volition. They are different vehicles, but when they go out together, they create a synergistic effect.
And there is also the pleasure of tinkering with the vehicle. Cyclists who are particular about their bicycles are also particular about their cars, and it is fun to see how each one of them puts his or her heart into it.
It is fun to see how each individual has his or her own passion. All of these things add up to an unprecedented weekend riding experience. Let’s go out with our cars and bicycles to see more scenery in the future.

See Part1

Edit & Photo / Tats（@tats_lovecyclist）