The more you ride, the more you begin to understand the culture rooted in a place and the depth of its character. That is true almost anywhere in the world. Yet somehow, Ehime Prefecture has a way of making you feel that it might be something special.Over the course of seven days, Australian cyclists repeatedly expressed their amazement at the roads that traverse every corner of the landscape—from the wave-lapped coastline to mountain ranges rising more than 1,500 meters above sea level.Here is the final installment of the Cycling Monitor Tour 2025, presented by photographer and cyclist Eigo Shimojo. Text & Photos by Eigo Shimojo You can read Article #01 and 02 here.🚴‍♂️Ehime Prefecture […]

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 […]

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 […]

While Japan has been enduring days of heat that feel hotter than midsummer, far to the west on the European continent, France too is under an intense heatwave. And just recently, the grand festival no cycling lover can ignore — the Tour de France — had been in full swing there. Watching the riders circle the country under the blazing summer sun, who wouldn’t feel the urge to ride in France themselves? However, the vast farmlands blooming with sunflowers are scorching, and the legendary Mont Ventoux is known as “The Mountain of Death.” For beginners, such rides may seem a bit too demanding. Yet, there’s no need to give up so soon — France is full of cycling routes made for leisurely rides. Am […]

With so little information available, The Japanese Odyssey (hereafter TJO) remains an ultra-distance cycling event that’s quietly—but intensely—beloved.This marks the final installment of the column series by photographer Eigo Shimojo, who set out to explore the riders who take on this mysterious event.And during the course of this series, the enigmatic TJO has unveiled details for its 2025 edition.This year’s tagline? “The Forgotten Tōge”—forgotten mountain passes!For full details, please check the official website, but here’s a quick overview for now. Schedule: October 3, 2025 (Friday) – 13 days and 12 hours (324 hours)    A pre-event is scheduled for October 2 (Thursday) in Fukuoka.Start […]

*Check out Race Report #01 & #02 here.https://globalride.jp/trip-travel/ehimemonitortour24_01_en/https://globalride.jp/trip-travel/ehimemonitortour24_02_en/ Table of Contents 　1. Touring the Fishing Villages and Capes of Southern Ehime (Uwajima City)　2. Our Everyday Lives Become Someone’s Entertainment (Uwajima City – Matsuyama City) Already, the Ehime tour has reached its fifth morning. As we enjoy a homemade Japanese breakfast at Kokuriko, the cozy rural dormitory that has hosted us for the past two days in Uchiko, our conversation with the owners, spoken in the gentle lilt of the Ehime dialect, is just beginning to reach full bloom… Yet, it’s already time to say goodbye. Parting […]