Valentino—“Tino” to us—is preparing for his first international race. Our destination is Okinawa, Japan. We have submitted his entry for Runbike International Race 2026 this December, and he is preparing to race on Saturday, December 5.
Getting the bike ready, practising and finding our way around a new race venue: there will be plenty of firsts for both Tino and his parents. We want to record this journey, one step at a time, on the VRT Korea blog.
Why try an international race?
Above all, we want Tino to experience something new. We hope to give him the chance to line up alongside children from other places and ride the bike he loves in an unfamiliar setting.
We would be delighted with a good result, but we are also looking forward to the confidence he builds along the way and the stories we will share afterwards. We want to be there to see his expression at the start and discover which moments stay with him.
This journal will include days when practice goes well and days when we take a break. Preparing at Tino’s own pace will be a valuable experience for our family in itself.
What we’ll prepare, step by step
For a first overseas race, bike practice and travel planning go hand in hand. Over the coming weeks, we plan to document:
- Preparing the rider: starts, corners, a comfortable riding position and rest that suits his energy levels.
- Preparing the bike: setting up Tino’s Rockfish carbon balance bike and carrying out basic checks.
- Preparing for travel: packing the bike safely and organising what we need to bring.
- Preparing as a family: allowing time for Tino to settle into a new environment.
We have also ordered a new team jersey for the international race. As preparations progress, we’ll share what we have checked and how things work in practice.
The race we’re preparing for
Runbike International Race 2026
- Dates
- December 5–6, 2026
- Venue
- JUNGLIA OKINAWA · Okinawa, Japan
- Tino’s entry
- Planning to race on Saturday, December 5
Information recorded on October 1, 2026. Check the organiser’s latest announcements for the detailed schedule and entry information.
The event poster and Tino’s registration
Tino’s registration is complete. Below is his JAPAN STYLE entry confirmation, with Valentino Lee Jaramillo as the participant and South Korea as his country of residence. Now we’re preparing, step by step, for the start line in Okinawa.
To the people supporting this journey
Thank you to Rockfish and FlowVision for supporting Tino’s riding and new challenges. As we prepare, we’ll introduce the products accompanying us and share our experience of using them.
We also want to share this record with the families who cheer for Tino and join us at practices and races. For parents considering an overseas race, we hope it offers a useful starting point for thinking about their own preparations.
Opening the first page
We’ll write about practice, bike preparation, the race weekend and our reflections when we return. After the event, we’ll share the results, what we prepared well and what we would change next time.
Follow along as two small wheels carry Tino toward his first international race.