Hiroshima

Surrounded by water and a paucity of mountains, you wouldn’t necessarily pick Hiroshima for a world-class cycling destination. However, bicycle enthusiasts worldwide come to the area to enjoy the many fantastic cycling routes. Yes, you may not be hitting the climbs of the Alps, they may not have the twists and turns of the Pyrenees, and there may not be the bone-shuddering cobbles of Flanders, but what these routes do have is a spectacular beauty, amazing seafood, and for the most part the safety afforded by designated bicycle lanes. Whether you like pottering about on your mamachari, want to challenge yourself to get well into double figures, or are an experienced Gran Fondo rider, there is something for everyone in the rides around Hiroshima. So what are you waiting for? Pop on some comfortable clothes/cycling shorts/skinsuit and get on your bike! Shimanami Kaido The Shimanami Kaido trail is the best known of Hiroshima’s cycling routes, with good reason. It consists of the world’s second-longest chain of suspension bridges spanning the Seto Inland Sea, connecting six islands between Imabari in Shikoku and Onomichi in Hiroshima prefecture. The islands along the 70 km trail are beautiful, and intermediate cyclists can cover the…