Cycling on the Shimanami Kaido （しまなみ海道）| Part 2

/ Gear
I was doing a 2 day bicycle ride from Imabari, with the intention of an overnight stay on one of the islands, and then back to Imabari. My gear included:

// helmet (free rental from Sunrise Itoyama)
// 2 x coupon book for bicycle Bridge Tolls. Each coupon book costs 250 Yen (50% savings as the coupon is worth 500 Yen), and is enough for your toll crossings one way from Imabari to Onomichi.
// bicycle lights
// rain poncho
// change of clothing
// emergency food
// water
// powerbank to give juice to the phone


There's a free Bike Touring Guide Map with some information about Shimanami Kaido which you can pick up at the rent-a-cycle terminals. This is very useful and I would sincerely recommend taking a copy before you start your journey. To help folks out, here's a scan of one side.

Cycling Map of Shimanami Kaido

/ Food and Drink
Food and drink are easily available from the combi stores and rest stops which are scattered along the ride, so I packed light in this regard. This will also keep your options open, like being able to lug mikans purchased from a farmer selling bags of them along the roadside in Ikuchijima.

While not necessarily the cheapest of options, you can easily stop at drink vending machines to buy that much needed Pocari Sweat. But hey, it's convenient.


/ Follow the Blue Painted Line

I love the way it's so easy to know where you're going - just follow the painted blue line along the road. It will lead you somewhere. The recommended route connecting Imabari to Onomichi is marked with a painted direction sign on the ground with the final destination city. Anything off-trail is labelled "Island explorer". In addition to all of this, there are maps and signages at major intersections, so you can always see where you are in the Shimanami Kaido.

The recommended route is doable with some effort and the right gears. Besides the ascend up to the bridges, there's a section which is a 90m-ish climb located in Ohshima Island.

Cycling on the Shimanami Kaido　（しまなみ海道）| Part 1| Part 2 | Part 3 |