Ep 1. Because I Can Go to Akiba for Free

Onoda Sakamichi is an otaku who loves anime and manga, and commutes to school on a "mommy bike," a bike lent to him by his mother. He often rides 90 km to visit Akihabara to shop for anime merchandise. Although he is a high school student, he has no friends or social life. His only companions are his mother and his anime and manga, which he loves more than anything else in the world.

On one of his rides to Akiba, he encounters Imaizumi and Naruko, two classmates determined to join their high school's bicycle racing club. Imaizumi is arrogant and dismissive of Onoda because of his "mommy bike," but Naruko sees potential in him and challenges him to a race. After winning the race, Onoda is invited to join the bicycle club, but he declines, saying that he is not interested in racing. The president of the club, Kinjou, sees something in Onoda's cycling abilities and tries to convince him to join.

Onoda's love for cycling is rooted in his desire to ride with others, as he used to ride with his childhood friend until he moved away. With the encouragement of Naruko, he joins the club, but he quickly learns that he is not as skilled as his new teammates. In a race with other high schools, Onoda discovers that he has a unique "cadence" that speeds him up on hills, which impresses his new teammates.

Despite the initial animosity, Onoda and Imaizumi start to bond over their shared love of cycling and anime. Onoda even introduces Imaizumi to his favorite anime. Seeing that Onoda has potential for racing, Imaizumi trains him to make him a better cyclist.

The episode ends with the club preparing for an upcoming race, with Onoda's new teammates encouraging him to give it his all and promising to support him along the way.

Overall, "Because I Can Go to Akiba for Free" sets the stage for Yowamushi Pedal, introducing the main character and his love of cycling and anime, as well as the other members of his high school's bicycle racing club. The episode is filled with humor and heart, highlighting the underdog story of a boy finding a place to belong and a passion to pursue.