Cycling Shimanami: courses and how to prepare
- Distance
- 71.7 km
- Climbing
- 594 m
- Highest point
- 75 m
- Categorised climbs
- 5 · up to 9 %
- Shape
- Point to point
Measured on the Discover route you ride free. The organiser's own figures are below.
Elevation profile
0–75 m · 5 categorised climbsCycling Shimanami opens the Nishi-Seto Expressway — the Shimanami Kaidō, the chain of bridges between Imabari, on Shikoku, and Onomichi, on Honshū — to riders for a day. There are eight courses from about 30 to 140 km, the longest the Complete Shimanami 140, from Imabari to Onomichi and back. The 2026 edition was on 25 October; the 2027 date has not been announced yet.
Cycling Shimanami at a glance
- Where
- Imabari – Onomichi, Japan
- Official website
- cycling-shimanami.jp ↗
- Next edition
- Date to be confirmed by the organiser
- Routes
- Complete Shimanami 140: 140 km · Around Omishima 100: 100 km · Imabari 70 (Onomichi → Imabari): 70 km
- Terrain
- Rolling to flat
- Facts checked
- 4 November 2026, against the sources below
Full preparation and course training require Event Coach Pro.
Free to ride. This course is one of Discover's Top 10 world rides. Ride it free
The routes
Cycling Shimanami offers 3 routes.
| Route | Distance | Climbing |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Shimanami 140 | 140 km | — |
| Around Omishima 100 | 100 km | — |
| Imabari 70 (Onomichi → Imabari) | 70 km | — |
What the course asks of you
The bridges are the climbs: each is approached by a long ramp from the island below, then the road crosses high above the Seto Inland Sea. Between them the island roads are flat or gently rolling.
A day of repeated, steady ramps and fast, flat roads. Ride the bridge approaches evenly and enjoy the view from the top.
How to prepare
The general shape of a good preparation, which Event Coach turns into a plan for your fitness, time and date:
- Train steady power: efforts of 10 to 20 minutes just below your threshold teach you the pace you can hold over the rolling roads of Cycling Shimanami.
- Build the long ride towards 140 km, at a pace you could keep all day.
- Ride part of your training in a group: on rolling roads, staying in a wheel saves more energy than any other choice.
Pacing mistakes to avoid
The mistakes that cost riders the most on a day like this:
- Pushing every rise of Cycling Shimanami: on rolling roads, keep the effort steady and let the speed vary.
- Following the fastest wheels in the first kilometres, when everything feels easy.
- Drinking only when thirsty: a long rolling day dehydrates you before you notice.
Prepare Cycling Shimanami with Cycloscape
Tell Event Coach you are doing Cycling Shimanami, your route and what you want from the day, and it builds your preparation: structured workouts held by your trainer in ERG, Race Pacing for how to spend your effort, and Performance Lab to see whether the work is landing. Full preparation and course training require Event Coach Pro.
Frequently asked
When is Cycling Shimanami?
The organiser has not announced the next edition's date yet. Event Coach lets you set your own target date until it does.
How long are the routes of Cycling Shimanami?
Complete Shimanami 140: 140 km; Around Omishima 100: 100 km; Imabari 70 (Onomichi → Imabari): 70 km. Three of the eight 2026 courses as the organiser lists them.
How many riders take part?
About 7,000 riders, according to the organiser's 2026 entry listings.
Can I ride the course of Cycling Shimanami in Cycloscape?
Yes, free: it is one of Discover's Top 10 world rides. Event Coach adds the preparation around it.