Trying to bike-pack across Japan… and I still can’t carry my camera bag. I wake up in Tokyo knowing it’s my last day at A16 Hostel Tokyo — and I’m not ready. My backpack’s overstuffed. My Camera Bag is too big for my Bike Tray. If I’m going to ride the Tokaido Road, I need to fix that now. I head to Kiddy Land to hunt for a new bag — and leave with a charm for the ride, and a moment with a stranger that caught us both off guard. With the new pack in hand, I unload and repack everything… and then the real stress begins. I start visiting bike shops across the city, asking if anyone can help me rig a way to carry my heavy camera bag. Most just say no. One even laughs. As the day ends, I run out of time. I have to leave the hostel. Just when I think I’ve hit a wall, I find one of the only bike shops still open — J.D. Cycle Tech, run by a custom frame builder named James. James pulls a wood panel off the side of his shop — same exact width as my camera bag. He starts crafting the rig on the spot. We walk to Daiso for zip ties and rain covers. We talk about life, craft, and the value of taking a leap of faith. The journey to bike-pack the Tokaido Road begins here. — 🎥 Subscribe for the full doc-series: https://www.youtube.com/@HCP_PDX 📸 Follow the journey in real-time: Instagram – @HCP_PDX ☕ Support the ride: https://coff.ee/HCPdocproject Your support helps with food, hostels, and repairs.