Fastest ever 100k ride. Averaged 32km/h. By a strange coincidence the ferry we were on from Kyushu island to Shikoku island was exactly the same. If only I had ridden my bike whist on the ferry I could have beaten it.
Our introduction on Shikoku took us via a lovely coastal road (constant but fairly quiet main road) and then into Matsuyama. Which was then a bit of a shock coming into a 500000 person city with busy traffic. We’ll explore here tomorrow.
It may well be things will quieten down. This island, compared to Kyushu, is smaller – famous for the sacred 88 temple Buddhist pilgrimage, deep mountain valleys and more rural.
One thing the islands have in common in numerous graveyards. Large and small in abundance. By the roadside, up hillsides, in middle of villages. This is partially due to a cultural tradition of individual family plots being passed down through generations. Geography also plays a roll as cities and towns are concentrated on the coastal and flat areas.
The conundrum of today is why did the slow worm cross the road?
Travelling reflections 