From Tokyo

I've been in Tokyo for almost three weeks now. I bought a "mamachari"—a single-speed used for local trips to the market, the train station, etc.—last week, and I've done some riding. The bikes are fun and comfortable, but long rides will tear your knees to pieces. Knowing that, I'm going to take it easy until I can get a proper travelling bike (I should be saving for one now, but it is difficult at the moment).

I have gone on a couple of rides, though, first one along the Arakawa river and back, then to Akihabara, over to Itabashi in the northwest, and back along the Arakawa. Riding in Tokyo isn't too bad, but in the more popular areas of town—Ueno and Akihabara being examples—the sidewalks are clogged with pedestrians and the streets are full of cars, so it can be a bit daunting. It was still manageable, though I'd recommend, if possible, taking some extra time to follow (and inevitably get lost in) the smaller streets that weave and writhe around the larger streets.

My Arakawa ride followed the last part of the ride to Itabashi, so I'll just use that last one for both. The river is okay, and there are natural areas, but you'll never get away from the city's constant pressure of people and buildings, even late at night. In addition, there are long stretches of golf courses and baseball diamonds that interrupt the (naturally occuring?) stands of bamboo and reeds. More annoying from a biking standpoint are gates that keep motorcycles from entering the path—even a rider comfortable on his or her bike will very likely have to jump off the bike to navigate between the narrow metal pipes.

Finally, at this point in time, I recommend the Tokyo (south) side, as the Saitama side is under construction in many places, and often the road ends without warning.