The Japanese Odyssey (TJO) is more than just a cycling event set across the Japanese archipelago. It’s a journey—beyond a journey—a true adventure, a quest, perhaps even a form of creation. The second installment of this series begins with a reflection on the riders, along with photographer Eigo Shimojo, as they set out on their routes following the pre-ride briefing the day before. ＊You can find the previous essay here. ＃04 Moving Dots in Motion The day after the briefing, on an unspecified date in September 2016, I embarked on my first field coverage of The Japanese Odyssey. My task was to chase down nameless cyclists from all over the world, scattered like dots across Japan. There was no […]

For readers of Global Ride, The Japanese Odyssey (TJO) is already a familiar name. This independent ultra-long-distance event that spans the length of Japan is set to return in 2025 after a two-year hiatus. According to its official Instagram account, this year’s starting point will be in Hokkaido. What kind of (crazy) journey awaits this time? With the editorial team buzzing with anticipation, eager for more details, we bring you the second installment in our TJO series.In this essay, photographer Eigo Shimojo—a rider himself—delves into the moment he first encountered the essence of TJO during its second edition in 2016, offering a glimpse into the heart of this extraordinar […]

As the 2025 edition of The Japanese Odyssey (TJO) approaches, Global Ride proudly presents the second installment of a serialized essay by photographer Eigo Shimojo. This time, we step back to 2016, on the eve of the second TJO. Organized by Frenchmen Emmanuel and Guillaume—avid Japan enthusiasts who, at that point, had never set foot in the country—their dream of cycling across Japan was about to become reality. The evening’s vibes at a briefing held in Daikanyama, and the spirit of ultra-distance riding that emerged from it, set the stage for what was to come. ＊You can find the previous essay here. #02 The wave has arrived. The grueling checkpoints and the immense route of the ev […]

The Honolulu Century Ride (HCR) is Hawaii’s largest cycling event. It’s also a milestone that draws participants from various disciplines—cycling, marathons, triathlons—with its allure of being a “must-do at least once in a lifetime” experience.In the third installment of our HCR rider series, we interviewed participants who are riding in their second or subsequent HCRs. “Once isn’t enough,” “I want to share this with the people I love”… What keeps bringing them back to HCR? Why do you choose to cycle in Hawaii? Table of Contents 1. The Volunteer Staff’s Incredible Energy: Yoshi & Junko2. Riding Through Honolulu with Cycling Club Friends: Osamu Kosaka, Eriko Takas […]

The Japanese Odyssey (TJO), a little-known ultra-long-distance cycling event traversing the length of Japan, has captured the fascination of dedicated riders. The Global Ride editorial team, with great admiration, has been following this enigmatic event and recently learned that it is set to return in 2025.Checking the official website, which had been dormant for some time, we discovered a message on the homepage from the organizers announcing the event’s revival!The thought of this crazy journey* unfolding again after a two-year hiatus is enough to set our hearts racing.But wait—how does one even prepare for a grueling ride spanning thousands of kilometers, with gravel sections and a fully […]

It’s already mid-November, and we can finally feel the touch of autumn. Recently, while browsing Instagram, I came across a post saying, “It’s already been a month, but I’m still feeling the vibes of Hawaii!” I couldn’t agree more. Just looking at the photos brings back the breeze and atmosphere of Honolulu. Here’s the next installment of our interview series on the Honolulu Century Ride 2024 (HCR). Once again, following our first feature, we bring you four dynamic first-time participant groups. So, why did you choose to ride in Hawaii? Table of Contents １. Thanks for the Big Smile / Yakihata２. Celebrating the 75th Birthday / Joji and Honda３. A Parent-Child Ride to Mark the End of Coll […]

“It’s the largest event of its kind in Japan and the only one where participants ride on a highway,” announced Governor Tokihiro Nakamura of Ehime Prefecture. With his opening remarks, the starting horn sounded. Around 1,750 riders set off in waves from the Imabari Highway Interchange (Ehime Prefecture) toward Onomichi City (Hiroshima Prefecture). At the same time, an equal number of riders began their journey from the Mukai Island Interchange in Onomichi, aiming for Imabari. Sunday, October 27, 8:08 AM, under cloudy skies. This joint cycling event between the two prefectures is globally recognized as Japan’s largest cycling event, celebrated for showcasing the natural beauty, tourism resour […]

Honolulu Century Ride (HCR) is the largest cycling event in Hawaii. But don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s just for avid cyclists. It’s a special gathering place for people who, from the moment they step off the plane, feel that “Hawaii’s here! I’m back!” They come to fully experience the sea, sky, and island nature wrapped in that blissful Hawaiian breeze. However, this ride event requires participants to pedal their way across distances from 25 to 100 miles. Hawaii is already paradise, so…why go by bike? What are these riders hoping to see along the way? This series dives into the diverse appeal of Hawaii, bringing the voices of individual riders to the forefront. First up, we s […]