In mid-November, a group of international cyclists arrived at Matsuyama Airport, each carrying a bike travel bag. Invited by Ehime Prefecture to participate in a week-long cycling monitor tour aimed at promoting international cycle tourism, the group consisted of professional-level cyclists, including representatives from bicycle-focused travel agencies and media from North America and Australia.Over the course of seven days, we rode together around Ehime, documenting the experience in detail. This three-part series will provide a comprehensive account of the action-packed journey. What exactly does an international cycling monitor tour, a rarity in Japan, entail? Stay tuned to find out! Tex […]

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 […]

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 […]

What’s the farthest you’ve traveled by bike so far? Maybe it was the coffee shop two stations away, the office an hour away by train, or perhaps just across the prefectural border. Likely, readers of this article are thinking, “No way, that’s way too close. I can ride much farther than that!” When you get a road bike or any kind of sport bike, there’s this urge to go farther and farther. Before you know it, you’ve broken through the 50km, 100km, and even 200km barriers, and you find yourself thrilled as your world expands with each new distance. So, how about 1000 kilometers? Does that sound like an impossible distance? With 1000 kilometers, you coul […]

“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 […]

Hello, this is Ontama Negitoro. I’m here to share the second half of our ride through the Kumano Kodo and the Kii Peninsula. We had planned a two-night, three-day ride trip, and we were able to end the first day while gazing at the mountains that felt almost divine. On the second day, we are finally heading to Kumano Hongu Taisha. The excitement is building as we approach the Kumano Sanzan pilgrimage! Table of Contents 3. Following the Mountain Paths 4. Red Torii Gates and Lean Tuna 3. Following the Mountain Paths  On the first day, we planned to stay at a free campsite, and on the second day, we aimed to reach Kumano Hongu Taisha by evening, traveling along the forestry road […]

Hello, this is Ontama Negitoro. I was reminded of a conversation I had with a Spanish hiker when I cycled the Camino de Santiago in Spain before the pandemic. He asked me, ‘Have you been to the Kumano Kodo? You really should go!’ The ‘Camino de Santiago’ in Spain, the ‘Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage,’ and the ‘Kumano Kodo’ are all incredibly popular among hikers from abroad. While I had cycled the first two, I had never ridden through the Kumano Kodo or the Kii Peninsula. Despite its proximity to my hometown of Osaka, the rugged nature of the Kii Mountain Range has always made it feel far away. This time, I rode a route following the ancient pilg […]

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 […]