CyclingShimanami

"Cycling Shimanami" is an international cycling event held on the Setouchi Shimanami Kaidō, bringing together cyclists from around the world. It's a special occasion held once every two years, where participants ride along expressway main lanes normally closed to cyclists, experiencing breathtaking scenery and an exhilarating sense of freedom found nowhere else. Crossing the beautiful islands dotting the Seto Inland Sea, riders can also enjoy local hospitality and culture — making this event truly a "journey on wheels." Eight courses are available, ranging from 30 km to 140 km, catering to a variety of fitness levels and goals.

Course

A major highlight of "Cycling Shimanami 2026" is its diverse range of courses, each offering spectacular views and natural beauty along the Setouchi Shimanami Kaidō, located nearly at the heart of SetSetonaikai National Park. The event features eight courses tailored to different skill levels and preferences: a long course traversing the full length of the Shimanami Kaidō and back, a middle course sweeping through between Imabari and Onomichi, a course combining cycling with a ferry crossing over the sea, and enjoy courses suitable for beginners and families, among others.

Distance
34km-160.9km / 21.1mi-100mi
Elevation Gain
481m-2,312m / 1,579ft-7,586ft
Temperature
14°C-23°C / 57.2°F-73.4°F
Highlight
You can ride along the expressway main lanes.
Difficulty
Destination
Onomichi / Imabari

View the course on Ride with GPS

*Many other courses available

Cycling Shimanami

Entry

Enter the event