Keirin and Karting: Welcome to Rustout
Doing fixed criterium races on a go-kart track isn't anything new. Rad Race, Mission Crit, and others have done it, with usually great success, since it's probably one of the most exciting things to see when it comes to track bike racing. Rad people, rad bikes, and an intensity that is hard to find anywhere else. So when Europe and America respectively had their own event, Japan couldn't pass on the occasion to make their own race. And it's after a year of planning and organizing that I can welcome you to the very first edition of RustOut.
The Show
Before the race, the entire track was cleared out for the second edition of the Fumikiri bike show (which I previously wrote about in another write-up.). And this time as well, there was honestly some of the finest selection of track bikes I’ve ever seen. From NJS builds to foreign aluminum handcrafted frames, there was truly enough material for anyone to get some good eye-candy. Having the bike show right before the main event might have also been a bit of a stroke of genius. Not only did it offer fans a good opportunity to see what was going to be on the track later, but it also served as the perfect prelude to the racing action. The show really got everyone pumped and eager to start doing some laps.
I cannot say how much the fixed gear scene in Japan is truly something of its own. Between the traditional NJS way of doing things and the near-worship of certain foreign makers, finding intriguing builds proved to be just… effortless! Beautiful bikes left and right, I spent hours wandering around, getting some good shots. RustOut was probably also the day I saw the highest concentration of LOW frames I’ve ever witnessed, with six different LOW pursuit on sight… Not something you see every day.
The Race
The race was nothing less than a total win for everyone. Despite the floor making the race very technical, (slick and truly unforgiving) it was about finding the very thin line between speed and grip. People were coming in with new techniques at almost every lap, pushing each time what we thought were the limit. I think I saw every style, from maximum attack with an almost suicidal skid towards then end, to a more conservative and technical approach. But regardless of style or technique, the race was quite the display of grit and determination.
Over the past few months, I've been witnessing an increasing number of people dedicate their time, resources, and energy to creating stunning cycling-related projects. Art, parts, frame, to events and other initiatives, the passion and commitment being put is truly inspiring.
Since I’m just a pair of eyes reporting what I see, I can only applaud and stay in awe And with every new project that comes to light, I find myself thinking, “Wow, they've really given 200% to make this experience exceptional for everyone.”.
To that: Well done, keep pushing.
See you next year?
🎞: Kodak Color Plus 200 / Fuji Superia 200 / Cinestill 800T
📷: Leica M6
📍: Saitama
