Shimanami Kaido: Japan Cycling Adventures

After three weeks without internet (I forgot to pay my internet bill-- whoops), I'm finally back with updates about life in Japan! I've now almost finished my tenth month here, and honestly, time has gone so fast. It sometimes feels like I'm still a new ALT in Miyazaki-ken, but in a few months, the new JETs will start arriving here. Then I'm sure I'll feel like a veteran ex-pat. 

As for now though, I'm just sort of still trying to get used to living in Japan. Some days I feel like a English teacher champion. Some days I just feel like throwing up my hands and screaming, "why bother?! I don't know anything and I never will! GAHHH!" There are a lot of high highs and low lows. And sometimes, when things get overwhelming, you just have to go do something crazy. 

Like ride a bike 80km (50 miles) across six bridges and seven islands from one prefecture to another!

That's right! I did that!

I rode across the Shimanami Kaido cycling road from Hiroshima prefecture to Ehime for charity at the end of April! Hiroshima prefecture takes about 7 hours to reach by train, and though it was a lot of travel time for one weekend (I was ABSOLUTELY exhausted at work on Monday), it was probably one of the most fun adventures of my life.

I met a ton of JETs from Okayama, Shimane, and Hiroshima prefectures and we all completed the trip together, which was a great motivator for when my legs began to stop working. 

We all rented bicycles in Onomichi and boarded a ferry to begin our long bicycling journey.

My new friend, Dana, who I met on the train to Onomichi the night before. Dana and I completed the whole road together, cracking jokes the whole time! Nothing like harrowing physical exercise to make new friends!

This was the first of our six bridges, and riding across it felt like flying through the sky. The view was amazing. Islands, oceans, boats and cyclers as far as the eye could see.

 On the second island, we reached this happy fellow. I tried to climb up his tail but I didn't get very far.

 I also tried a strawberry daifuku, a mochi treat said to bring good luck! I'm not sure if that's true, but the strawberry, mochi and azuki combination did not disappoint.


Me and the gals, still going strong after only a few kilometers(Photo credit goes to Dana-- thanks!)!

Another grand bridge taunting us from the distance...

 ...as we take a quick break for water and snacks at the convenience store.

 Flowers and Dana looking fabulous as we begin to ride up to another bridge. The bridges were the worst! There were six of them, and before each one there was a giant hill just to get up to the same level as the bridge so you could cross it! My legs were on fire every time!

Dana and I stopped to take some really good jumping photos by this neat cloud house. There was a reason it took us 10 hours to finish...

At this point, my legs were about to fall off and my crotch felt like... well, I don't even know if I'm comfortable describing my crotch sensation on this blog. I feel like my grandparents might read this. So instead, I'll say, "hi grandparents! I love you! Cycling is tough on the old lady business."

Our "We finally finished this crazy journey and this bridge was insane and I'm so tired I'm going to die but I'm going to try not to look tired" face selfie! We finished!

I tried to take a ton of pictures documenting the whole experience from start to finish, but at some point I realized this was one of those "you had to be there" type experiences.

I don't know how I can begin to describe how incredible it felt to cross each of those bridges, or to eat tiny mikan oranges an old man gave us when we were very tired, or how much pain my legs and crotch were in. Seriously. So much pain.

But the endorphins made up for it, I suppose. I had never ridden a road bike before, and it was a thrilling experience. I'd love to do more events like this in the future.

As for now, I'll just try to get through another week of school. I caught a cold this weekend and it's keeping me from being a productive human. Ugh.

Until next time!