The Inland Sea between Shikoku and Honshu, which are two of the four main islands of Japan, is called Setonaikai Inland Sea, and you can cross the sea over three routes. "Shimanami" which appears in this entry's title is one of those three routes. Several bridges connect several islands and its scenery is beyond description. Every bridge has cyclists' paths and lots of cycle-lovers ride this route.
"Shimanami International Cycling" is the biggest cycling event held on this route every two years. All the traffic except bicycles are banned on this day, and the highway is open to cyclists only. However, you aren't always allowed to join the event, as there are so many applicants for the cycling. I drew the good luck this year.
By the way, there was a brutal incident which deprived me of strength, though it was my fault. I had to remove the front wheel from my bicycle for packing it into the transportation box. When I attached the wheel to my bicycle before the start, my work wasn't perfect and the rim of the wheel was rubbing all the way against the brake rubber until the first mechanic's aid. I wasn't able to ride at the usual speed and my position went back, but I was able to get nice pictures without other participants as you see in the 7th picture.
(Vocabulary)
brutal チョー最悪(スラング)
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