Ride Stories
Shimanami Kaido Island Adventure
Shimanami Kaido Day 1 - First half of island explorer route, Onomichi to Omishima. Less than a week after the Tokyo Marathon @visitshimanamijapan @shimanamijapan #しまなみjapan
Started night before in Kobe, before catching the Shinkansen to Fuyukama then local train on to Onomichi. Grabbed a snack at Koro bakery, then picked up my rental bike at the Giant Store to start my adventure for the next 3 days.
Ferry over to Mukaishima and I was off on my adventure. Old fashion soda @maru5_gotokosensho_official for my first stop then around the island to @ushio_chocolatl
Over the first Innoshima bridge and a stop at Hassakuya for Hassaku Daifuku a sweet lemon snack. More cycling around the outer island to see the Cherry blossoms at Funakakushi Park, though the view would have been a lot more spectacular a fortnight after.
Over the Ikuchi bridge and on to Setoda with a must stop @shimanami_dolce for awesome Lemon Gelato. Quick look at the outside of Kousanji and a Croquette, before I head off to circumnavigate Takaneshima Island.
Onwards I went through the lemon valley Terrace and onto Omishima Island. Not much left when I got to @marumado.bakery, finished off my cycle at my extremely small hotel room Co-Living Cafe Sando after a very scenic 89kms.
Late lunch of Sushi and Beer from the supermarket before I stretched my legs, seeing a spectacular sunset near Mare Grassia. A beverage at @omishimabrewery and a okonomiyaki before I retired from an eventful day.
Strava - https://www.strava.com/activities/13819744627
Shimanami Kaido Day 2 - Second half of island explorer route, Omishima to Imabari @visitshimanamijapan @shimanamijapan #しまなみjapan
Cool start to the morning, wearing 2 long sleeve jerseys to keep me warm @lecoluk @lecolcyclingclub, I explored the outer edge of Omishima island and the roller coaster roads.
Less populated area this time and I was glad for the advice to have some snacks with me, Onigiri from @akiko_lawson. Still quiet as I explored Hakata Island and onto the final island Oshima.
Great lunch at @cafe_shozan to keep me going as I made a quick stop at a very dead Yoshiumi Rose Park. Would look alot more spectacular when blooming.
Passed more shipyards and a quick stop at @paysan2006, before the main challenge of the cycle. The steep cycle up to Kirosan Observation Deck. 263m climb in just over 3km is not easy. I was wishing I had my own bike and definitely my bike shoes for the extra boost.
The view from the top made it worth all the effort, seeing the 3 Kurushima Kaikyo bridges which will take me into Imabari where I was staying for the night.
Free beer as I checked into my hotel, I explored Imabari viewing the castle, before a set dinner at Kuroshio another small restaurant for a bargain price of 700 yen.
Strava - https://www.strava.com/activities/13829346378
Shimanami Kaido Day 3 -Imabari to Onomichi. The more direct route back
Quick photo stop at Sunrise Itoyama which I forgot on the way in, then back over the 3 bridges of Kurushima Kaikyo. Then the short way through Oshima island to my second photo stop at Hakata Beach.
Selfie over the bridge as I go to Omishima Island, ride on till an early lunch break at Roadside Station Tatara Shimanami Park. Spetactular Scenery as I enjoy a Set with Sashimi and Tempura.
Unfortunately the Coffee van was closed on a monday, so I just Passed the halfway mark as I crossed the bridge to Setoda and then on to see the dinosaur at Innoshima.
Over the bridge to Mukaishima and time to start snacking. First stop @willowsnursery for Pancakes then @tsubuta_sank for Gelato. Quick detour to circumnavigate Iwashi Island and to see Iwashijima Itsukushima Shrine Torii.
Finished my cycle back to the ferry terminal where I crossed back over to Onomichi with a short cycle to explore the time before returning my bike to Giant. @giant_store_onomichi
Strava - https://www.strava.com/activities/13839830964
I had cycled 12 hours, 55 minutes over 3 awesome days. Travelling 267km with close to 3,000 m of elevation. @shimanamijapan @visitshimanamijapan #しまなみjapan
