Shogun Day 11: Imabari to Osaka

Watch the Relive video here:https://www.relive.com/view/vRO7ZJRPMKv

On the Road – Distance 92km / 57 mi | Elevation 1098 m / 3602ft

Note 7 climbs below…the last 6 indicate the climbs up to the bridges.

The day started by cruising out of Imabari after our last night in prefecture Shikoku and onto the immense bike path along Japan’s second biggest suspension bridge(6km long!). But before that we climbed 7 km @ 9-11% grade up to Kirosan Observatory to a lookout point giving us a panoramic view of several islands. Even with overcast skies all day, the views were still spectacular.

Today we rode Japan’s premiere cycle route – The Shimanami Kaido!, probably the best bike trail system anywhere in the world. The route is well marked by a blue line on the road and the route links up to 6 long bridges.

As you approach each bridge the trail takes you off the paved road onto a dedicated and free paved bike paths (motor bikes pay toll) that winds up to each suspension bridge and back down on the other side.

The ramp ups are approximately 2 km of winding path at 3% grade. The first bridge we crossed was more than 6 km long, the other 5 were at least 2.5 km long. Each bridge had dedicated and separate cycling and walking lanes.

The above photos shows the bike path as it winds under the bridge and up and around to meet up with it.

The last bridge (below) we rode below the road surface, all others were at vehicle level.

The riding was soothingly comfortable and thoroughly enjoyable as we wound our way across the islands with great views, and fantastic cycling infrastructure.
The Shimanami ends at a small port on Mukaishima Island., where we ended our ride, took a short ferry to the mainland. There we had a great lunch and a beer, beside a Giant/Liv bike shop, our clothes and headed to the train station