Hello, I’m the admin of “Minima600man.” I graduated from a regional university carrying a 6-million-yen scholarship, and after making my debut as a working adult, I ended up at a black company and am now completely burnt out. I was losing hope in a life that consisted solely of commuting between home and work—until I discovered my escape: a road bike and Starbucks.
In this article, I’ll share why I started road biking, the essential gear I rely on, and how I carve out freedom by making the most of Starbucks.
Encounter with Bridgestone “Anchor”: The First Step to Gaining Freedom
For me, who is repaying a 6-million-yen scholarship, making an expensive purchase required a great deal of courage. Honestly, I used to think that a road bike was nothing more than a luxury item. But when I realized that I couldn’t go on like this, I came across Bridgestone’s “Anchor.”
Not only does it look cool, but it’s also designed to be beginner-friendly. Moreover, it gave me the feeling that maybe I could reclaim a part of my life. Once I actually rode it, the sensation of slicing through the wind was incredible, and I felt my spirit—worn down by working at a black company—gradually lighten.
- Model Name: RL3DROP
- Color: Midnight Black
- Wheel Diameter: 700mm
- Purchase Price: ¥112,600 (tax included)
Essential Accessories for Road Biking: Enjoying Comfort Even on a Minimal Budget
Road biking isn’t just about having a bike—you need to equip yourself with a few essential accessories. However, as someone who’s busy repaying a 6-million-yen scholarship, I prioritize making choices that are strictly necessary yet without regrets. Here are the items I selected from that perspective.
Helmet
A helmet is an investment in protecting your life. I chose a lightweight model with excellent ventilation that cost around 10,000 yen. It isn’t expensive, but it gives me the confidence to ride safely.
Cycle Computer (Cycling Computer)
I purchased Brighton’s “Rider 420C” on Amazon. While it doesn’t have navigation features, it handles basic speed and distance measurements perfectly well. That said, I’m still drawn to the convenience of a cycle computer with navigation. For someone on a tight budget like me, this first model is more than sufficient; however, if you have a little extra, I highly recommend opting for a model with navigation capabilities.
Lights and Reflectors
Lights and reflectors are absolutely essential if you plan to ride at night. Initially, I thought I wouldn’t be riding after dark, but once I started riding, I found myself on dark roads more often than expected due to late returns. I attach reflectors not only to my helmet but also on my torso, arms, bike wheels, and the rear of my bike. I take safety to the extreme, but now I can finally ride with peace of mind. As for the lights, I recommend ones that deliver 300–500 lumens or more.
Creating Fun Goals with Starbucks and the “My Store Passport”
When I venture out on longer road biking trips, I look forward to using Starbucks’ “My Store Passport.” This system lets you collect stamps from different stores, and it’s really fun to watch your stamp count grow every time you visit a new location.
Moreover, by taking advantage of the “One More Coffee” discount system, you can benefit from visiting two stores in one day. For example, I can order a Café Mist for 530 yen at one store and for 240 yen at another—totaling 770 yen for stamps from both. For someone like me who’s always watching every yen, the cost performance is unbeatable.
Recently, the My Store Passport has been updated to include a program where you receive perks based on the number of stamps you collect, which has further boosted my motivation to keep stamping.
Summary: Find Your Own “Escape”
Even amidst the challenges of repaying a 6-million-yen scholarship, working at a black company, and living the life of a corporate drone, road biking and Starbucks have allowed me to experience a bit of freedom. In fact, I even began writing this article at a Starbucks I visited during one of my rides.
If you’re fed up with the monotonous routine of commuting between home and work, try taking your road bike out to explore new places. You might just reclaim a little bit of yourself.
The hashtag of the theme covered in this article
- #RoadBikeBeginner
- #BridgestoneAnchor
- #RoadBikeEssentials
- #BlackCompany
- #ScholarshipRepaymentLife
- #BudgetHobby
- #StarbucksHopping
- #MyStorePassport
- #OneMoreCoffee
- #LightsAndReflectors
- #CycleComputer
- #LongDistanceRide
- #NightRideSafety
