Your bike seems to be okay.
Let's start together.
She's right.
Fuyune-chan?
Do you think we're that heartless?
Is everyone ready?
Yeah.
Yes.
I'm ready any time.
Here we go.
#7 What Can I Do?
The Minami Kamakura Night Criterium has finally started.
Currently, a fierce race between the beginners is taking place on the track.
Leading the race is the first-year pack headed by the cosplay club's Mr. Bear.
Following behind them is the second-year pack.
Behind them are the third-years and the bicycle club.
Will they be able to catch up?
You can do it, bicycle club!
Go!
We can't see them anymore.
They are riding road racers.
It can't be helped. We can't chase them around the whole time.
Leave that to me.
Sabaya-san?
This criterium is being broadcast by Ototo Electronics.
Electronics
And this is the secret weapon of the day...
A quadcopter designed for aerial photography!
Not bad, Sabaya-san.
This is nothing.
Quit bragging and show us the bicycle club already!
R-Roger that!
Stare...
So much pressure...
Hurry up. Have you found them yet?
I found them!
They're here.
Where are the people riding in front of us?
We haven't seen anyone for a while.
They're probably on the opposite side of the martial arts gym.
If we don't catch them soon, the race will be over.
But if we ride as hard as we can now, we won't make it until the end.
We'll never catch up with that attitude.
What? What are we supposed to do, then?
Fuyune-san's right. We have to attack.
I'll ride in front. Follow me.
What?
Start by getting used to the pace and track.
I'll lead the group until then.
You're right. That could work.
We're counting on you, Natsumi.
Thanks.
Here we go.
What is that?
There's trouble on the track.
A group of second-years have gotten tangled and are stopped on the course.
It seems they collided when they entered a corner without making way for each other.
What are they, idiots?
The next group of riders are coming!
Clear the track!
They're quicker than I expected.
Hiroko, we should hurry.
Hold on.
Coming through!
Azuma-senpai...
You can do it.
Why did you let them pass us?
Isn't it obvious?
It's more fun to pass people from behind.
Why did I feel a sudden chill?
Guys.
We're in the straight before the finish line.
While the second-years were experience difficulties,
the bicycle club, which had a slow start, became the second group to enter the straight
before the finish line after the first-year pack.
Go, Sis!
Do you girls know what you're doing?
How you handle this long straight will be an important part of the race.
Guys, do you remember Shiki-sensei's advice?
Uh, what did she say?
It was that.
The one where we ride in single file.
Oh, right.
Wind resistance?
That's right.
Doesn't the wind sometimes feel like a wall when you're riding your bike?
You're right.
The faster you try to ride, the more it feels like you're riding underwater.
That's wind resistance.
It's a cyclist's greatest enemy.
When you ride alone, you bear the brunt of its effects.
But it's a different story if you're riding in a group.
Since the leader pushes the wall of air aside,
the members riding behind them have an easier time.
You can beat the wind by riding as a group in what's known as...
...a train!
Ride in single file...
I'm going to crash.
Maiharu-san...
You don't need to force yourself to stay that close.
Since it's our first train, let's leave some space between us.
It should still be effective.
O-Okay!
This is amazing. I can't believe the wind resistance disappeared.
This is a train.
I don't really understand it, but it seems to be working.
What's going on? They're so fast.
Are their bikes that much better than ours?
Mikako, let's raise our speed.
You were right, Hiroko.
Catching up and passing someone does make the race more interesting.
Let's go, Mikako!
Sure thing!
Let's win this race!
The race is entering its third lap.
Lap 3/8 Laps Remain
1. #108/Bear/Cosplay Club 2. #111/Arakura Arisa/Basketball Team 3. #115/Inoue Eri/Track Team
Leading the race is the first-year pack.
The bicycle club is catching up to them by riding close together.
The second-years following them have become completely scattered.
There are eight laps remaining.
What kind of developments await us?
Keep it up, everyone.
Think of Shiki-sensei's other piece of advice.
Her other piece of advice? I think it was...
Turn your pedals instead of stepping on them.
Turn them?
Isn't it obvious?
Are you sure? What do you do when you try to ride quickly or climb hills?
I step on them as hard as I can.
Stand and pedal?
Those do work for immediately increasing your speed,
but ultimately you'll be able to keep up your strength for longer
by imaging yourself rotating your pedals.
Turn instead of stepping...
Their pedaling is passable. It's pretty good since they just started training.
They're not bad for a group of beginners.
It's because they're beginners.
What?
No one's good at anything right when they start.
But because they're not good, they want to get better.
I'm sure they'll make a lot of mistakes, but by going all out to face a challenge,
they'll learn their limits and expand their skills little by little.
And that's tons of fun.
You're right.
They're creating a pleasant breeze.
Maybe so, but...
Lap 3/8 Laps Remain
1. #108/Bear/Cosplay Club 2. #115/Inoue Eri/Track Team 3. #111/Arakura Arisa/Basketball Team
I'm curious about the pack maintaining its distance in front of the cycling club.
The third-years, huh?
They're kind of creepy, aren't they?
The three girls in front are creating a wall
to reduce the burden on the girls behind them.
But I didn't realize our school had
Lap 3/8 Laps Remain
1. #108/Bear/Cosplay Club 2. #115/Inoue Eri/Track Team 3. #111/Arakura Arisa/Basketball Team
any students who knew enough about bicycles to do that.
Maybe someone taught them.
That was me.
What?
M-Manager?
They were generous enough to buy yakisoba and omelets from me,
so I thanked them by telling them.
You shouldn't be teaching the enemy anything that would give them an advantage.
Don't worry.
The third-years aren't the only ones who generously bought my products.
It's so good!
It's generously topped with fresh locally-produced whitebait and
overflowing with beef tendon mixed with rich egg.
This whitebait and tendon omelet is something to be feared.
Maiharu-chan really seemed to be enjoying her food,
so I taught her something special.
Something special?
That's right. The long straights on today's course stand out,
but there are actually a lot of turns.
How you handle these turns is another major part of this race.
Reduce your speed before entering a turn.
Start on the outside and ride toward the inside of the turn,
then towards the outside again.
As you exit the turn, accelerate.
Those are the slow in, fast out and out-in-out techniques.
They're fundamental techniques for rounding corners.
I see. I did think their cornering was surprisingly clean for their first race.
It's because of your hint.
What do you mean by hint? It was a pertinent piece of advice!
Lap six. The race is already halfway over.
We can't make Natsumi pull us the whole way.
You're right. We should repay her for what she did for us.
Akizuki-san, in front of you!
What?
Oh, no!
W-We made it...
That was close. We almost charged into the cushions.
Sorry, guys. Should I go slower?
We're fine. I think I'm starting to understand what the manager was talking about.
I'll do better next time.
Besides, I don't think we can afford to go slower.
Azuma-senpai!
While the bicycle club was slowed down by the corner,
the leading second-years closed the gap.
Higa-san, you don't need to go any slower.
Instead, follow the path you think is best.
We'll trace along your path.
O-Okay.
And Fuyune-san, I could use your help.
What? Who, me?
Yeah. You said you were confident in your memory, right?
We're entering the middle of the race.
The first-years are still in the lead.
Behind them are the bicycle club, riding single file.
They're quickly catching up.
Will they be able to catch up to the lead pack?
The bicycle club really is fast.
At this rate, they'll catch up to us.
Bear....
Bear!
Mr. Bear!
Bear, bear, bear, bear, bear, bear!
Bear!
The cosplay club's Mr. Bear is bursting ahead.
Go!
Is he trying to stay ahead of them for the remaining four laps?
Cosplay Club
Do whatever it takes to reopen the club!
Who are they? They seem awfully excited.
That's the cosplay club.
They're supposed to be forbidden from participating in outside events.
Is it okay for them to be participating in this race?
Well, since the event's taking place on school grounds, I guess it's okay.
What's this? The third-years are making their move, too.
A group of third-years who have been conserving their strength until now
have charged ahead and are using the fallen second-years to
block the wind as they continue to move up.
It's like they're switching trains one after another.
If they keep up this pace, they'll catch up to the lead pack before the finish line.
Things are starting to get interesting.
The next turn is the third.
Brake at the first cone on the right.
Start turning in the middle of the second.
Accelerate after passing the light on the left.
Well, Fuyune-san?
Think you can remember Natsumi-san's path?
This is easy.
Bear, bear, bear, bear, bear!
Mr. Bear keeps getting smaller.
We can't catch up to him now.
You can do it, first-years!
It's the bicycle club.
Looks like the first-years have met up with each other.
Looks like it.
What should we do? Speed up and catch up to them?
We still have three more laps.
Instead of pushing ourselves, we should close the gap a little at a time.
We caught up to the second-year leaders.
The third-years?
When did they get here?
You're our next stop.
Lap 7/4 Laps Remain
1. #108/Bear/Cosplay Club 2. #105/Higa Natsumi/Bicycle Club 3. #102/Maiharu Hiromi/Bicycle Club
Lap 7/4 Laps Remain
1. #108/Bear/Cosplay Club 2. #105/Higa Natsumi/Bicycle Club 3. #102/Maiharu Hiromi/Bicycle Club
The following pack is moving better than I expected.
I hope their legs last for three more laps.
They've come this far. We just have to trust in their teamwork now.
Azuma-senpai and the third-years are catching up.
At this rate, we won't be able to stay ahead of them until the finish line.
Girls, do you still have some strength left?
Yeah.
A little.
Then stick close behind us. Fuyune-san, tell them what to do.
Leave it to me.
Brake now!
Match the person in front of you and lean your bike!
Now accelerate!
Fuyune-chan is amazing.
Natsumi-chan's been pulling us this whole time, too.
I need to do something, but what can I do?
What can I do right now?
The lead rider has crossed the gate and entered their ninth lap.
Only two kilometers remain until the finish line.
What have you thought of the race so far, Principal?
Let's see...
I still don't know who will win.
But no matter how it turns out,
as long as you feel you gave everything you had,
I'm sure this will be a fantastic memory.
There's only one thing I can say to them now.
"Do the very best you can." That's all.
Two more laps. I need to catch up to Mr. Bear somehow.
Natsumi-chan, is something wrong?
It's nothing.
This isn't good. It's starting to hurt.
Two more laps.
I'm okay. I can make it.
God, they're annoying.
They're using us to block the wind as they recover their strength.
What should we do, Hiroko?
If they keep following us, it'll mean trouble later.
Yeah. We need to get rid of them somewhere before we catch up to the bicycle club.
Fuyune-san, are you okay?
J-Just barely. My legs haven't cramped up yet.
Really? Then I have an idea.
Will you girls help us, too?
What?
At this rate, the people behind us will catch up, and none of us will place first.
So we should bet on a strategy that'll give at least one of us a chance at winning.
We don't want the race to end like this.
We don't know what you're planning...
But if there's anything we can do, we'll help.
Thanks.
Now!
The rocket club is on the move!
What? What are you doing?
Hiromi, Higa-san! Follow us!
From here on out, we'll pull as hard as we can.
As hard as you can?
What happens when you run out of strength?
Then we'll break away from the group.
No!
It's like a rocket. Expended boosters are discarded.
Don't worry. We'll get you two in orbit, no matter what.
What are you talking about?
Let's reach the finish line together!
Unfortunately, our legs are nearing their limit.
This is the only way the bicycle club can win.
We'll entrust all our remaining strength to you.
It's our best option right now.
Maiharu-san...
Let's do it, Maiharu-san.
Natsumi-chan...
We'll never reach the front at this rate.
Let's borrow their strength.
Okay, fine.
Please, girls!
Take us to Mr. Bear!
Bear!
Here we go, rocket club!
Yeah!
How did they go so far ahead?
The bicycle club is attacking.
Hiroko, it's now or never.
Yeah.
First rider breaking away.
The rest is up to you.
You can count on us.
Good luck, bicycle club.
Th-Thanks.
They're creating a path for us.
Tomo-chan and Fuyune-chan are doing everything they can, too.
What about me?
What can I do?
No, what do I have to do?
It's...
The appeal of road bikes on full display makes you want to start riding tomorrow.
A-O-P: The first cycling club.
Choose the frame
Choose the size
Accidents (Flats)
Accidents (Chain)
Must-have items
Useful items
Maintenance
Proper posture
In this segment, we bring you must-see information for newbies to road bikes
Fukuo Yui
Hirose Yuki
with A-O-P's Hirose Yuki...
And Fukuo Yui.
No matter how good your bike is, there are some things you can't neglect.
"Huh? There's no air!"
"Ack! My handlebars are bent!"
"What should we do?"
Riding Comfortably: Maintenance Methods
This time we'll learn
maintenance methods that should be performed before riding your bike.
What kind of maintenance do road bikes require?
There are a few things you should check before riding your bike.
Y's Road Ochanomizu Manager Yamada Yunosuke-san
Before riding your bike?
That's right. The first is checking your air pressure.
1: Check air pressure
Your tires will lose air pressure over time even if you don't ride your bike,
Always touch your tires before riding to check the air pressure
so you should touch them to check their pressure before riding your bike.
Got it.
Then there's the second point.
Check to see if your handlebars are secure.
2: Check if handlebars are secure
Secure?
That's right.
Apply force vertically and horizontally to check for bending
First, apply vertical force to the handlebars.
Next, try twisting them right and left.
If they're not securely fixed, it can lead to bending or accidents,
so it's important to check if they're secure.
Got it.
Then there's the third point.
Okay.
You'll want to check your saddle.
3: Check if saddle is secure
Okay.
Grip the saddle and apply force vertically and horizontally.
Apply force vertically and horizontally and listen for strange noises
If you hear any strange crackling noises, you'll want to check your torque.
Finally, you'll want to check the chain.
4: Check chain
The chain.
Okay.
If you don't have enough lubricating oil,
Without sufficient oil, the metal pieces will rub together and create noise
the metal pieces will rub together and create noises.
If you turn the pedals and hear a jingling noise,
If turning the pedals causes strange noises, add lubricating oil
you may not have enough oil.
That's not good?
So you'll want to add more.
If you do what you can on a regular basis, your bicycle will last longer,
Next Time "Correct Riding Posture"
Okay.
so I recommend performing maintenance regularly.
You're right. We have to take good care of them.
Yeah.
Next Time "All Together!"