🚴♂️ 20251011 日本單車環四國認證12日 + 島波海道 D9
[Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Music]
足摺岬 → 宇和島
📏 今日騎行：約 122 公里 ⛰️ 爬升：約 1,887 公尺
清晨，天色還未完全亮，雨絲已輕柔地淋落在路面。多數夥伴披上雨衣，踏著潮濕的道路，在微光與濕潤空氣中出發。雨中騎行更考驗專注與穩定——車聲在濕滑的隧道中回響，空氣悶濁卻格外真實。
今天的特點，是隧道之多與坡道之多：午餐前，我們穿過了十二條隧道。雖然比不上蘇花公路那樣的漫長黑暗，但隧道裡的回音與濃濃石壁感，確實讓人壓力頗高。所幸每一條都平安度過。
途經 土佐清水珊瑚發源地雕像——一尊「手持珊瑚的少女」雕像，立於倚海地帶，象徵該區珊瑚礁的起源。土佐清水一帶，是日本珊瑚礁保存較為完整的海域之一，龍串海岸即以豐富珊瑚聞名。
這一刻，雨水與海風一同為雕像抹上濕潤的色調，宛如大地與海洋共享一份敬意。
在山中，只見兩個專屬人行或自行車的隧道，我們喊著歡呼，一掃被隧道「折磨」一整天的疲憊。
傍晚，我們終於抵達 宇和島市，這座面對豐後海峽的沉降海岸城市，自 17 世紀即為 伊達家 的城下町。
宇和島城建於 1601 年，由名將 藤堂高虎 所築，後由伊達秀宗繼承。現存的天守屬日本少數僅存的幾座原建築天守之一，木造與白壁交錯，傲立在市區高丘之上。
從城上眺望，四面被山環抱、三面臨海，宛如守望者立於風中。它不僅是歷史象徵，也見證了宇和島自奉城時代至今的變遷與生生不息的城鎮活力。
在這裡，我們迎著濕潤海風，漫步城下老街與港口邊。港口中點綴著浮筏式珍珠養殖架，映照海面與船隻。宇和島亦因為珍珠養殖聞名，是日本主要的海水養殖區之一。
夜幕降臨，我們在宇和島城下小館為四位十月生日的夥伴慶生。
燈光下的蛋糕、餐桌間的笑語、窗外細雨與遠海的浪聲交錯。
在這樣一場濕潤且饒富挑戰的長日之後，這樣的時刻更顯珍貴：騎行的足跡被雨水洗淨，友情的光芒更加柔亮。
宇和島夜風輕拂，城上城下都像是默契地呼應著這場旅行的節拍。
🚴♂️ 20251011 Japan Shikoku Round-Island Cycling Certification + Shimanami Kaido D9｜Ashizuri Cape → Uwajima
📏 Distance: 122 km ⛰️ Elevation Gain: 1,887 m
At dawn, the sky was still dim when a gentle drizzle began to fall. Most of us pulled on rain jackets and rolled out into the mist, our tires gliding over the slick pavement. Riding in the rain demands focus and steadiness — the hum of wheels echoed through damp tunnels, heavy air filling every breath.
Today’s ride was defined by tunnels and climbs — twelve tunnels before lunch alone. While not as long or steep as Taiwan’s Suhua Highway tunnels, each one came with its own challenge: reverberating noise, confined space, and dim light. Yet we passed through them all safely, emerging into the soft gray light beyond each exit.
Midway along the route stood the Statue of the Coral Maiden in Tosashimizu — a girl holding coral in her hands, gazing out toward the Pacific. This sculpture symbolizes the origin of coral reefs in the area. The nearby Ryugatsuri Coast is home to one of Japan’s largest coral reef systems, where marine life thrives in vivid colors beneath the waves.
Raindrops mixed with sea spray as we paused here — the air carried both the scent of salt and reverence, as if land and ocean were sharing a moment of gratitude.
A few kilometers ahead, we encountered two rare bicycle-only tunnels, and our cheers echoed inside as laughter replaced fatigue — a brief moment of pure joy after a long, tunnel-filled morning.
By evening, we finally reached Uwajima City, facing the Bungo Channel in southwestern Ehime Prefecture. Since the 17th century, Uwajima has flourished as the castle town of the Date Clan.
Built in 1601 by Tōdō Takatora and later inherited by Date Hidemune, Uwajima Castle remains one of Japan’s few original wooden castles with its Edo-period keep still intact. Its white walls and wooden beams rise proudly from the hilltop overlooking the town.
From the castle’s vantage point, mountains encircle the land while the sea stretches endlessly ahead — a scene that feels both grand and tranquil.
Down by the port, floating pearl rafts dotted the calm waters. Uwajima is famous for its pearl cultivation, one of Japan’s key marine industries, and the reflection of boats and lights shimmered gently across the bay.
As night fell, we gathered at a small restaurant beneath Uwajima Castle to celebrate the birthdays of four teammates born in October.
The soft glow of candles, the laughter between friends, the sound of rain outside mingling with the distant tide — it was the kind of warmth that only comes after a long, demanding day.
Our legs ached, our clothes were damp, but our spirits glowed. The rain had washed away the fatigue, leaving only gratitude — for the journey, the companionship, and the shared rhythm of the ride.
Outside, the night breeze from the sea brushed past the castle walls, as if echoing the cadence of our adventure.
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