GS ASTUTO ride support team
Adventure is great. And nothing beats riding roads unknown solo. But sometimes it's also great to have someone to share the experience and help out with new routes, local knowledge and even lingo. Our unique approach provides riders or groups access to highly skilled, local riders and even seasoned pros to open up new territory in your ride. Whether it's discovering the hidden loops, getting paced by a Pro or assistance in mechanicals, our dedicated will be right next to you to help!
Emma Pooley PRO / VIP Emma is an English sportswoman and presenter on the Global Cycling Network. A former professional cyclist who specialised in time trials and hilly races, she later transferred to endurance running, duathlon and triathlon, and is currently a professional triathlete and duathlete, and the reigning quadruple world champion in long distance duathlon. She won an Olympic silver medal in the time trial in 2008 and was world time trial champion in 2010. She has won six UCI Women's Road World Cup one-day races, as well as several stage races including the ten-day Tour de l'Aude. She is three-times a British time trial champion and in 2010 also won the British road race championships. Emma will be available by special appointment only for selected seminars and rides in Japan. |
Lee Rodgers Pro / Coach Single Day, Multi-day, Seminar, Coaching, Pro culture. Lee Rodgers is a former professional cyclist turned journalist and cycling coach, and is the founder of CrankPunk.com. Lee raced on the UCI Asia Tour for several years, as well as extensively in Europe and at the 2012 tours of Oman and Qatar. He is also the Communications Director of the Taiwan KOM Challenge and the Mongolia Bike Challenge, and official coach for Everesting. Lee lived in Japan for ten years, his Japanese language, culture and cycling experience make him an ideal tour guide for your trip! |
Tuomas Koskinen Domestique Single day, training loops, multi-day OK. English / Japanese bilingual. Tuomas Koskinen, a 32-year-old Finn living and working in Japan. He has lived in Asia for almost a decade, of which more than seven in Japan. His spark for cycling was lit during a road-trip in Korea, riding from Seoul to Busan in 2011. Fast Forward to 2014, he purchased his first proper road and was hooked instantly. Since 2014, Tuomas has ridden more than 42,000km, which includes a handful of races, many long rides various cycling adventures. The longest riding adventure was to cover 2,300 km in approximately three weeks, exploring the Southern half of Japan. |
Yutaka Super domestique A native of Tokyo, Yutaka discovered his talent and love of cycling at young age, an avid racer he dedicated most of his time to training to be at the top of his game. He spent a number of years in Okinawa as the Okinawan member of the 2015 and 2016 Tour of Okinawa. He placed first in both 2014 and 2015 Tour of Miyakojima. In addition, Yutaka was a member of the All cycling Champion under 23 class. Besides cycling and guiding local and out of town groups, Yutaka also enjoys his other hobbies, photography and cooking. I am sure you will get a chance to see Yutaka’s photo mastery at work, something he enjoys doing while riding. |
Tim Founder Resident of Japan more than 10yrs. Previous incarnations as IT geek, mechanic and all around rabble rouser. Founded GS Astuto to pursue the cycling racing dream in the 80's. Competed and toured globally from the early days to the now days with more than 35yrs experience in pretty much all facets of cycle related activities. Favorite ride now is fixed gear touring around the rindos of Japan and footpaths of UK. |
Big Al super domestique Allen has been living in Tokyo for more than 12 years and working at his current day job as a university teacher along with guiding both local and out of town groups. Prior to moving to Japan, he was a film, television and stage actor in both Minneapolis, Minnesota, his hometown and New York City, and then decided to move behind the camera working advertising for a number of years. Cycling and fitness has always been a part of his life, having been a member of the US Ski team and Olympic tryout member, cycling was cross training in the off-season. After hanging up the skis, Allen decided to give cycling a go and became semi-pro for a number of years. When not in the saddle, Allen enjoys hanging out with his son, running, skiing and writing. |
'HALF FAST' Mike
Lanterne Rouge
Single- or multi-day adventures. English & Japanese.
Mike’s 50, British, and is often found scrambling uphill when the road promised by Google Maps turns out to be a cliff.
His personal passion these days lies in exploring new routes and surviving to tell the tale, rather than being faster than everyone else on two wheels. He helps to (dis)organize a casual weekend cycling club in Tokyo, loves beer, obsesses over maps and route planning, and will probably keep you chuckling even when the quads are on fire. Plan the ride and ride the plan; preferably keeping the rubber side down.
Mike’s 50, British, and is often found scrambling uphill when the road promised by Google Maps turns out to be a cliff.
His personal passion these days lies in exploring new routes and surviving to tell the tale, rather than being faster than everyone else on two wheels. He helps to (dis)organize a casual weekend cycling club in Tokyo, loves beer, obsesses over maps and route planning, and will probably keep you chuckling even when the quads are on fire. Plan the ride and ride the plan; preferably keeping the rubber side down.