A massive cycling event featuring a famous expressway and spectacular islands

Q&A

【A：Entry】

How can I apply?

Applications are accepted online (application dedicated website).
For details, please refer to the Rider’s Info which will be posted in mid-April.

Is it possible to register multiple participants as a group or an organization?

Premium Entry allows a group of maximum 2 persons. General Entry allows a group of maximum 5 persons.

Is it possible to apply for multiple courses?

Duplicate applications to multiple courses by one person are not allowed.
One person or one group can only apply for one course.
After your Premium Entry application is confirmed, you cannot apply for General Entry.
When the event organizer finds a case of duplicate application, your entry becomes void and your payment will not be refunded.
(In case of group entry, all group members will be disqualified even if the duplication is partial.

What is the difference between Premium Entry and General Entry?

Premium Entry offers some perks. Premium Entry is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, while General Entry is selected by lottery. Premium Entry offers priority on riding and some gifts such as regional goodies and original cycling gear, which makes the entry fee more expensive relative to General Entry.

Are there bicycles available for rent?

Only for participants from overseas, we offer bicycles available for rent.
For participants currently living in Japan, we strongly recommend acquiring your own equipment.

How difficult is each course? Are there any points needing extra attention?

The difficulty increases in proportion to the distance. Especially in 70-kilometer Course A, participants must cycle 33 kilometers within 1 hour 45 minutes from the starting point, Mukaishima Sports Park to the highway exit, Omishima IC due to traffic control of the course. If participants cannot pass Ikuchijima Minami IC by 8:25 due to traffic conditions and the weather on the day, they will be required to exit the highway from Ikuchijima Minami IC and continue to ride on the regular road. Courses have some uphill roads. Please check the details at About the Event and Course

When can I find out the result of the lottery of General Entry?

The result of the lottery will be sent to all applicants (in case of group entry, the head of the group) via email in mid-June.

【B：Event and Bicycle Class Rules】

Is there an age restriction?

Participants of Course A-F must be in their first year of high school and 15 years of age or older while participants of Course G must be in the 4th grade of elementary school and 9 years of age or older. Children in elementary school or junior high school must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times and their submitted documents need to be signed by a parent or guardian.

What types of bicycles are allowed in the event?

Sport-type bicycles, such as road race bicycles, mountain bicycles, hybrid bicycles and small tire diameter bicycles (16-24 inches in diameter) are allowed in Course A to F.
　　　　In Course G, in addition to the sport-type bicycles, city bicycles with multiple speeds and tandem bicycles can be used.
　　　　Electric bicycles which fit into the types exemplified above are allowed. However, we will not charge your battery on the day of the event. We recommend that you apply to the appropriate course to its travel range and to bring an extra battery on the day of the event.
　　　　Certain types of bicycles have been deemed ineligible for use during the event due to safety concerns. Please consult the Bicycle Class Rules of the Event Rules for more details.

Is there any preparation in advance?

All bicycles must be equipped with a headlight, tail light or light reflectors, and a bell. Please check in advance.
You must carry your health insurance card in case of emergency.
Participants are required to handle their own mechanical troubles. Please carry the necessary tools, an air pump and a spare inner tube. We also recommend having gloves, gear appropriate for the weather like rain gear and wind breakers, portable food and drinks, money and mobile phone.

【C：Parking】

Is parking available for the reception on the day before the event?

・Reception in Imabari (Shimanami Earthland)
⇒Designated parking lots around the site will be available at no cost.

　　　
・Reception in Onomichi (Shimanami Koryu Kan, Teatro Shell-rune) and Reception in Matsuyama (prefectural office building)
⇒There are no designated parking lots. Please park at paid public parking lots around the site.

Is parking available around the starting points?

Designated parking lots will be available at no cost. If you wish to park your car, please check “Parking lot on the day of the event” on the application form.
“Parking Permit” will be sent with “Notification of the Event”. Please park your car in the parking lot written on your “Permit” on the day of the event.

・Course A【Starting Point: Mukaishima Sports Park】：Designated parking lot in Mukaishima Sports Park （11098-289 Mukaishima-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima） etc
・Course B-F【Starting Point: Imabari IC】：Designated parking lot in the first area of Imabari Shintoshi (Nigiwai Hiroba, Imabari-shi, Ehime and Takahashi Fureai no Oka) etc
・Course G【Starting Point: Kurushima Kaikyo SA】：Designated parking lot in Oshinden Park（5-111-7 Oshinden-cho, Imabari-si, Ehime）

【D：Access】

How to reach each venue?

Please refer to Access to the Venue for means of transportation.

Are shuttle buses and Cycle Train available?

◎Shuttle bus (bicycle transportation service available)
Shuttle bus will run
・from Onomichi, Imabari and their surrounding areas to each starting point
・from finishing point to Onomichi, Imabari and their surrounding area.
For details such as routes and fare, refer to Shuttle Bus of Rider’s Info

◎Cycle Train
Cycle Train will run
・to and from JR Matsuyama Station and JR Imabari Station (morning and evening)
・from JR Fukuyama Station to JR Onomichi Station (morning only)
You can board the train with your bicycle without folding it.
For details such as fare and reservation, please refer to Cycle Train of Rider’s Info.

【E：Services】

Is there a maintenance service available for bicycles?

Mechanics will be stationed at the starting point and major aid stations. However, we strongly recommend participants to perform or obtain sufficient maintenance work in advance. Costs for any materials and parts used by the mechanics are the responsibility of the participant.

Are water or lunch offered on the day of the event?

There are 10 aid stations and each station offers water and food. (Primary aid station offers only water.)
Lunch for Course B is offered at Omishima Branch; for Course C at Minato Oasis Onomichi; for Course E and F at Setoda Sunset Beach. Lunch for Course A, D and G is offered at the finishing point.

Can I have my personal belongings kept and transported?

We provide a secure service in which personal belongings will be transported from the starting points to the finishing points.
Please put your personal belongings into a dedicated bag given out at reception on the day before the event.
We cannot keep the things which do not fit in the bag, valuables, and fragile items like pottery and glass.
Participants will be required to show their event number and helmet sticker when requesting return of their personal belongings.

【F：Riding During the Event】

Are there any precautions specific to highway areas?

Highways were not originally designed for bicycle traffic. Please watch out for the road condition such as gaps and gutters. Participants should ride in the car lane between the white lines to prevent contact with walls and fall from berms.

While the highway is closed, can I ride in all lanes?

During the event, all lanes of the highway from Innoshima Kita IC to Imabari IC will be closed. However, the right car lane (kudari shasen bound for Imabari) is reserved for emergency vehicles. Participants are not allowed to enter this lane.