Aaron Chase/Cannondale Press Tour

Day #3 11/7/03

Don
Well day three was the best so far. We took a short drive to a skatepark for Aaron to do a small demo for some more Japanese press and some Cannondale VIPs. Before, during and after the demo, Aaron and I were interviewed by various magazines, web sites and TV programs. During the demo, AC killed the park. Big flips, 360s and a bunch of tech lines that AC has dialed. The local riders were also representing with some impressive lines. Remember the dude who was on the brakeless, rigid bike I mentioned on day two’s update? Well he blew out his freewheel so he then went chainless and still threw down some difficult lines. AC being the showman that he is, saved his biggest and nastiest line for the end. Picture a small spine with a gap up and onto a flat roof just outside of the park and then a long gap back into a wedge ramp. We got the permission from the park owners and after one test run up, Aaron nailed it first try and then did it again so I could get a second video angle. Believe me it was “super nasty”. The place was going nuts. The locals were shaking their heads in disbelief. I think first of all because he came up with a new line in an older park and then had the balls to pull it off first try. I wish I had a still photo for you to check out, but the video angles look killer.

In the evening Cannondale hosted a small reception for employees, press and clients. As usual everyone had cameras aimed at us. The rockstar treatment was in full effect. People in Japan just look at pro bikers and people such as myself in a different way. They honestly have a lot of respect for the riding skills and also how the skills are presented to them via DVDs and magazines. I normally don’t receive that much attention, but in Japan everybody has a digital camera and they are stoked to meet professional video producers. It’s normal for Aaron to sign autographs and I usually just chill and get a few shots of him. But I had trouble shooting because I was asked to sign a bunch of DVDs, posters and t-shirts. I never did that before and it was kind of strange, but cool at the same time. Aside from the autographs, there were more press interviews for Aaron and myself.

Cannondale threw a fun party with an awesome Japanese buffet, but neither Aaron or I had time to eat a thing. So after the party, the Cannondale crew took us out for some killer sushi. I’m starting to like this raw fresh fish stuff! It’s not something you find being from the Amish farmlands of central Pennsylvania.

Aaron
Okay, Hampton pretty much summed it all up. Yes it was havoc and mayhem and all that, but it was also such an eye opener to me. Realizing that all of these people know who I am and are into what Don, myself and the whole crews of dudes that I ride with on a daily basis are doing is humbling in itself. Everyone out here that I have met is some of the nicest people around. There were people at the party giving me presents that they had gift wrapped, it was very nice. Just a very fun time.

Here are just some of the things that are different in Tokyo than in the states: Cold noodle soup, Holes drilled into most of the coin money, TV shows, everyone has some kind of digital camera, no one crosses the road until the flashing light says that you can, all cats have half of a tail, crazy food, no tipping, and lots of plaid skirts.