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For several decades now (back when some of us were still filling our diapers with pudding) Surly has been sending rogue agents to Japan. We go to mingle with our excellent distribution partner, Motocross International, and some their key Japanese dealers. Basically, we’ve been the weirdos in their backyard plenty of times, so, this time we wanted to play host to our very own set of exceptional travelers. An invitation was sent. A plan was set into motion. And soon, we would all be making friends the old-fashioned way – with alcohol, bikes, and fireworks.

Being that I misplaced the keys to my short-term memory vault quite some time ago, what happened over roughly 60 hours of time in Minneapolis is a story best told by staged photographs. Sure, 60 hours seems too short a time for anyone to travel from Japan to Minneapolis and then back to Japan, but you must remember: we were introducing our visitors to the heart, soul, and bowels of Surly. How long could that possibly take?

Time to Land of Surly: -25h – Arrival: Rie Okamoto and Shuji Yamamoto from Motocross International boarded an airplane with the following Surly newcomers.

Contestant #1: Yohei Taneda from Chillnowa in Hokkaido

Contestant #2: Kazumi Tsugitani from Ichijo Ultimate Factory in Osaka

Contestant #3: Akimasa Tani from Blue Lug Kamiuma in Tokyo

Contestant #4: Yasutake Enomoto from Grumpy in Hiroshima

 

After several hours of delays and one missed connection, our guests arrived in the mystical Land of Surly. What follows is a dramatic photographic re-enactment of their time with us. Out of respect for those we lost; all names, accounts, filming locations, and the actual story have been changed. This is the fabricated tale:.

 

First, we let our guests come in thru the front door at Mom & Dad’s place.

Group of people standing in the QBP reception area

 

Then, we talked to them about important stuff. This was done for two reasons: 1. to make them feel like the hard-travelin' was worth it and, 2. to trick them into thinking we’re cool guys that have our shit together.

A person sits at a table while another points at a picture, on a table full of brochures

 

Next, we filled their tummies with pizza, a traditional Italian meat pie. Though rich in heritage and history, this dish was little known until perfected by Americans in the latter part of 2004.

Front view of a person behind a table full of boxes of pizza

 

Despite the fact that nearly 3% of all general practitioners recommend waiting 30 minutes after eating before engaging in physical activity, we threw caution and IBS to the wind. We loaded our new friends up on some new bikes and got ready to roll.

A group of cyclists standing with bikes in warehouse, with hanging bikes in the background

 

The roll commences.

A group of cyclists riding bikes on a paved parking lot

 

Fairly Old Minneapolis Proverb: Two trails diverged in a wood

Rear view of 2 cyclists riding on a narrow dirt trail on the banks of a river

Rear view of cyclists riding on a dirt trail, with a tree branch hanging over, in the woods

 

Another Photoshopped Ride Pic:

Front, left side view of a cyclist, jumping a Surly bike over a pile of logs, in the woods on a sunny day

 

Shipwrecked:

A group of cyclists with their bikes, in the middle of a river on a wood raft, pulling themselves across with a rope

 

Action Shot from an unrelated ride:

Blurry right side view of a cyclist with a backpack, riding a purple Surly bike

 

Welcome to blow-shit-up-o'clock:

A yellow bike laying on it's side with a lit flare in the back wheel, with people and trees in the background watching

 

Krampus is Spry:

Front view of a person wearing a scary mask with horns, and a fat bike, trees and people in the background

 

Post-Ride Basecamp:

A group of people gathered around a campfire next to a stream in the woods

 

Rage, rage against the dying of the light:

A group of people gathered around a campfire in the woods at night

 

Day 2 followed a similar format to that of day 1. There were some subtle differences. Let’s see if you can spot them.

 

First, our guests come in thru the front door at Mom & Dad’s place.

A group of people standing in the reception area of the QBP office

 

Then, we talked to them about important stuff. This was done for two reasons: 1. to make them feel like the hard-travelin' was worth it and, 2. to trick them into thinking we’re cool guys that have our shit together.

Front view of a TV screen mounted on the wall, showing a bike ad  

 

Next, we filled their tummies with BBQ, a traditional meat dish available nowhere else but the Midwest. Though rich in heritage and history, this dish was little known until perfected by an American named Famous Dave in the latter part of 2004.

Two hands holding a platter of food in front of 3 people sitting at a restaurant table

 

Despite the fact that nearly 3% of all general practitioners recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after eating before engaging in physical activity, we threw caution and certain IBS to the wind and loaded our new friends up on some new bikes and got ready to roll.

A group of cyclist standing with their bikes in front of an office building

 

The roll commences.

Rear view of cyclists riding down a leaf covered paved trail in the woods

 

Fairly Old Minneapolis Proverb: Four trails diverged in a wood

Front view of cyclists riding on a grassy trail in the woods

Front view of a group of cyclist riding down dirt trail on a grassy field, with trees and a lake behind them

Rear view of a group of cyclists riding under a bridge towards a city skyline in front of them

A view straight down the sidewalk of a bike bridge over a river, with a city skyline ahead

 

Another Photoshopped Ride Pic:

Silhouettes of three cyclists riding their bikes in a circle, with a lake in the background, at dusk

 

Fuckin’ Catalina Wine Mixer:

Rear view of a group of cyclists standing with their bikes on a city street corner at night

 

Action Shot from an unrelated ride:

Rear view of a couple of cyclists riding on a bike lane, on a city street between traffic, at night

 

Zeigle is Spry:

A person holding a photo collage while standing in an office doorway

 

Post-Ride Basecamp:

A downward view over a group of people in a bike shop

 

Through me you pass into the city of woe:

2 wood doors of a building with a sign reading, Cafe Closed During Remodeling, taped to one of the doors

 

So, that about does it. It’s true that you really do meet the nicest people riding a Surly. Now get out there and make friends with someone from somewhere else, or a random senior citizen.

Front view of a group of cyclists posing on a sidewalk, on a bridge, with trees and buildings in the background

 

Special Thanks: Motocross International and their dealers, 4130 Natch & FFF Productions, Zeigle Routes LLC, One on One Bicycle Studio, The Hub Bike Co-Op, Famous Dave's, Beano, Phantom Fireworks, Alcohol, Team Hard Core, and our friends at Advil