There were many photographers among the 12 of us, and along with this being my first bicycle tour, it was also my first time doing travel photography. Here’s a list of a few of my most memorable moments: eating as many different flavored rice balls as possible, drinking kirin milk tea every day, intense karaoke sessions, being warmed by my sweat when the sky was raining down on us, having the opportunity to photograph it all, and of course, riding over 300 miles with the crew and making it to Osaka!

This is Wada – a Japanese local who rode with us during the first few days of our trip

Spoke Cards and Stickers!

Breakfast before another long day on our bikes.

Damon… and VENDING MACHINES!!

His name is Zachary Scott

Steven – YAYYY!!!

This photo is only a glimpse of his ENERGY, and the food was… AMAZING.

CJ!

Shane rollin with style

Drying our clothes that’s been drenched by sweat and rain.

Mick and his red bandana

This company invited us over for their company BBQ! And it’s also where we met…

THIS GUY! “THANK YOU!!!!!”

Nara!

John!

Local friends and bike shop owners in Osaka.

Slick taking care of business.

We began keeping a log of Marcus’s most outrageous lines – “WHERE CAN WE GET SOME BEER AROUND HERE DIIIUUUUDDE?!?”

Oh.. and this is Marcus by the way

Nic Hill!

Representing CALIFORNIA

Bathing in the river.

Smoggy Fuji

Dried fish swimming through the spokes.

Ricky

Lastly, Slick and Shane with the Frames.

Wait… a UCLA THEMED STRIP CLUB?!

Click here for MORE PHOTOS

Photos by our awesome German driver Thomas from the Overkill Blog. Thomas stuck around and continued on from Osaka, riding solo with all his gear to Kyoto. Holding it down for the T2O crew like a true soldier. More of his photos from earlier in the trip here.

Osaka Alleycat Startline Video by @teisuke

The crew hanging out before the race

Starting line

Young Z keeps it flossy

Finish Line was at the beautiful, and aptly named “River Place”

Coverage of the event on Kentaro’s Blog.

T2O crew top finishers:
CJ 5th overall (1st non-local a.k.a. 外人一番)
Nic 9th
Damon and John 14th and 15th

All images by Kentaro. Thanks to Mayz for hooking up this event and putting up with all of us, thanks to John for hooking up the after party and thanks to Andrew, John and Megumi for hooking up places to stay. We miss you Osaka.

Just got the stickers in on Friday afternoon and I went on a mission to get the spokecards printed, cut, laminated and cut again today. Everything is ready to go! Get juiced!!!

Printing at school.

This thing is my best friend.

Off to Staples to get the laminating sheets.

A little sticker bomb on the way out.

Hit up the Bikerowave in Santa Monica to use their laminater.

Nom nom nom.

Boom.

Bap.

In the bag son.

I think they turned out pretty pro…hope you guys approve! See you in Tokyo friends.