Day 13: Kyoto to Shikoku Island

The eight remaining stage 1 riders took a four hour bus ride from Kyoto to Shikoku Island.  At the halfway point in Kobe, we met the five new riders that will be joining us for stage 2 followed by lunch together on Shikoku Island.

7 women & 6 men from Australia, United States & Europe are embarking on the second stage of the Samurai Epic.   We ended the day with a short warmup ride along the lya gorge  followed by a group dinner.  

Welcome to Shikoku Island.  Our cycling destination for the next week.

First bus stop - short video of a 6 kilometer bridge with Kobe in the background.  

For stage two we will be cycling Shikoku Island across from Honsho or the mainland.  I loaded the GPS files on my Wahoo Element Bolt and my first impression was....gulp....4,000 to 6,000 feet of climbing most days.  

River on Shikoku Island.

 View from our hotel on Shikoku Island.

Now some photos from our warm up ride this afternoon.  Stunning lya gorge and mountains.

Meg to the right and Dylan are the owners of Ride & Seek.  It's her first time to Japan and she is riding with the group this week.

Short video overlooking the lya gorge.  Breathtaking scenery.

I guess this is what boys do in this part of Japan.  It's a long way down!!

Can't wait to cycle and tackle these mountains 👍😁  18 mile climb and 5,600 feet.  Super excited about the climbs & views.