Last autumn, a group of Australian cyclists arrived in Ehime Prefecture—globally renowned as a cycling mecca. The participants, active in their respective fields as media professionals, travel industry staff, and influencers, all share a deep love of cycling and the outdoors in their daily lives. Throughout the journey, they repeatedly exclaimed “Amazing!” at Ehime’s cycling environment.Here is the second installment of this six-night, seven-day monitor tour, brought to you in an accompanying report by photographer—and fellow cyclist—Eigo Shimojo.Having ridden Tour de France routes and the mountainous terrain of Italy, what unique appeal did they discover in this region? Text & Photos by […]
On a crisp autumn day, a group of foreign cyclists arrived at Matsuyama Airport, each carrying a bike bag over their shoulder. They had come from Australia’s major cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane—representing a diverse mix of media professionals, travel agency staff, and influencers. All had been invited to take part in Ehime’s now-annual press tour circling the prefecture. A glance at the itinerary revealed just how ambitious this year’s program would be. Alongside classics such as the Shimanami Kaido and the legendary UFO Line, the route included a major climb through the dramatic landscapes of the Shikoku Karst, a coastal ride along the rias shoreline of Nanyo, a tour of Cape Sada, and […]
The other day, I attended the Hokkaido Tourism Information Exchange Meeting held in Hamamatsucho, Tokyo. The theme was recommended highlights for spring to early summer and the night-time economy—how to enjoy the evening hours. This destination is currently bustling with snow sports visitors, but once the snow melts, it also offers many excellent locations for cycling. That said, it’s surprisingly hard to find detailed cycling information for such a vast region as Hokkaido. This time, we’re featuring a cycling report from Hokokara, an experienced rider who has completed a bicycle trip around Japan and climbed many of the country’s notable peaks. The report covers a ride around Lake Toya in H […]
We present the second half of the fifth and final installment in our series, “Trip Notes from Five Riding Duos.”What kind of event is the Honolulu Century Ride? This 160 km ride diary that unpacks the experience comes from photographer and cyclist Eigo Shimojo. Enjoy it together with a rich collection of locally flavored, atmosphere-filled photos. 4 Nights, 6 Days / Kamehameha Road on the Southern Isles — the Classic Route Was Even More Classic Than ImaginedNote by_Eigo Shimojo DAY_4／September 28 (Sun) At 5:00 a.m., riders begin gathering at Kapiʻolani Park under a pre-dawn sky shaded deep purple. At last, it’s HCR day. Even though it’s a fun ride event, the tension before the start fills th […]
This series brings you trip notes from riders taking part in the Honolulu Century Ride 2025.In this final fifth installment, we present a photo report by Eigo Shimojo, whose work—including The Japanese Odyssey and his Rhône River ride journals—has long connected him with cyclists and cycling routes around the world. The collection is filled with quintessential “Hawaii” and “America” ride photos. We’d love to share even more, but page space is limited… or is it? That will have to wait for another occasion. This is a true gem of a photo report—perfect for fueling your daydreams of the 2026 Honolulu Century Ride. Note by Eigo Shimojo One sweltering midsummer day in 2025, a request arrived from […]
As the new year began, Global Ride’s Instagram was filled with New Year ride videos—not only from Japan, but also from riders living in Australia, the United States, Taiwan, Singapore, and beyond. Seeing those fresh first rides of the year from all over the world really reminded us that the riding season has kicked off globally. Speaking of the world—true to its name, Global Ride will be sharing even more fun ride experiences from around the globe starting this year. Our first news of the year introduces a selection of fun ride events that the Global Ride editorial team is keeping a close eye on and will be covering on location.If any of them catch your interest, feel free to get in touch wi […]
On the morning of September 27—the day before the 2025 Honolulu Century Ride—Ala Moana Park lay beneath a beautifully clear blue sky and gentle sunlight. But instead of cyclists astride their bikes, it was dignified figures mounted on splendid horses who waited on the park’s lawn. The horses, like the people gathered around them, were adorned with flowers in a riot of colors. At 9:00 a.m., the perfectly synchronized drums of a marching band echoed through the air, drawing cheers from the assembled crowd. This was the Floral Parade, an event that began in 1946 and marked its 77th edition in 2025. Celebrating Hawaiian culture, fostering its transmission to younger generations, and sharing its […]
This series presents Honolulu ride trip notes from riders participating in the Honolulu Century Ride 2025.In this fourth installment, we feature Daisaku Kawase, Communication Director of Global Ride and a television producer, who is taking part in the Honolulu Century Ride (HCR) for the third time. With extensive experience in ride events across Japan, Kawase prefers to travel with his own bike whenever possible, relishing the freedom of exploring destinations by pedaling through them. He delights in local cuisine just as much as riding, seeking out great neighborhood spots along the way. On race day, his approach to HCR feels less like a competition and more like an extension of a cycling j […]
As 2025 is gradually drawing to a close, what kind of year has it been for you?When it comes to riding, although temperatures heading into winter dropped more gently than usual, the summer was relentlessly hot, and many of you may have found fewer opportunities to ride. To get through Japan’s hot and humid summers, early-morning rides may be the key. The vibrant early-morning community rides I encountered in Australia felt like exactly the kind of cycling culture that could truly take root in Japan. Now, to round out the year once again, we are pleased to present a photo album highlighting fan ride events from overseas. From the United States, we feature the HONOLULU CENTURY RIDE in Honolulu […]
This ongoing column, Music Cycles Around The World, is themed around “cities and music”, inviting readers to imagine travelling the world by bicycle through sound. This time, inspired by Ehime Prefecture’s recent efforts to promote international cycle tourism—having just hosted a cycling familiarisation tour for Australian cyclists—and by the fact that the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest and toughest MTB race, the Whaka 100, has just taken place in New Zealand, I would like to introduce a work by Lance Ferguson. Born in New Zealand and now based in Melbourne, he is a distinguished producer and widely known as the leader of the acclaimed Aussie funk band The Bamboos. Coincidentally, Tru Thought […]
