Koshi

Amagasaki-city, Hyogo, Japan

Name: Masahiro Koshiyama (a.k.a. Koshi)

Pronouns: He/Him

Location: Amagasaki-city, Hyogo, Japan

What Koshi Rides: Nature Cross Single Speed and Zig Zag Ultegra

Instagram Handle: @vhlg

Meet Koshi:

I was born in 1986 to my parents who were motorcycle racers in Japan. I would go play everywhere on my kid's bike and became interested in competing on bicycles outside in nature. When I was an elementary school student, I started XC MTB, but I fell deeply into BMX and punk rock after meeting a guitarist who worked for a bicycle shop. I since have been living around BMX culture for more than 10 years. After organizing some BMX contests for a while, I started cyclocross with my dirt jump friends.

I chose singlespeed cyclocross because I was used to riding bikes without gears, and in one year I was promoted to the top category in Japan, becoming the first athlete in Japan to participate in the National Championship with SSCX.

I have a passion for speed and style!

What’s the cycling achievement you’re most proud of, to date?

For me, my achievements in racing and working on bicycles are essential. I can’t believe all the events that I get to participate in! I am so proud of the people I’ve met through riding bicycles.
 

What are your plans/hopes/dreams for 2021?

There were quite a few people who told me that they were influenced by my style, which makes me very happy every time. I want to carry this personality to 2021 and share good vibes with new people I am yet to meet.

What are some of your favorite off-the-bike activities?

Coffee, beer and photography. Also traveling with my wife.

For 2021, All-City Sponsored Riders chose an organization to receive a $1,000 donation, made by All-City - what organization did you choose, and why?

I would like the donation to go to my local cyclocross event organization: Kansai cyclocross. This event is the race that inspired me to play an active part in Japan’s cyclocross landscape and that has produced a lot of top athletes. They generate a lot of ideas to promote cyclocross to younger kids, making it easy for them to participate. Many of these kids who participated have grown up and are active to a national scale now. I would like to support events where future riders can easily participate and get to know cycling/cyclocross.

Photo credit: Kei Tsuji @keitsuji