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Newcomer in Tokyo

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epehj

Warming-Up
Nov 1, 2023
5
6
Hi everybody,

I'm a new rider in Tokyo, I used to live in France and I moved here almost a year ago.
Wasn't able to take my bikes with me, but I recently got a specialized diverge to commute and bikepacking as I used to do back in France.

I'll be commuting everyday from Takashimadaira to Futako tamagawa, if any of you have good tips on which roads ro take to not lose to much time, I'll take them!

Glad to be part of the riding community here.

See you!
 
Welcome!

Sorry, but I can't give you any 1st hand tips about a good route. If I have the right Takashimadaira, looks like you'll have to cross most of Tokyo to get to Futako Tamagawa. May be difficult to find a route that avoids traffic. That will be quite a commute.
 
Yep, it's between 50 and 60kms a day 😅
I used to be a bike messenger, but I'll have to slowly dive into the cycling world again, as I'm not used to it anymore..!
Maybe I'll review my plans haha
 
Earlier this morning I noted (from jorudan.co.jp) that a train leaving Takashima-daira at 06:13 would reach Ō-okayama at 07:10 and that a train leaving the other side of the same platform just a minute later would reach Futako-Tamagawa at 07:24; thus a travel time of just 71 minutes (plus of course the time needed to go from your place to the station, and from the station to your office). I'd make a wild guess that this would save you an hour each way over riding your bike. The cycle route/ride would be pretty dreary, and taking the train would allow you to read a book (or, far more popular among Tokyo commuters, to use your phone to fantasize about killing lots of baddies intent on killing you). But if the train saved you just ten hours a week, you could use those ten hours for bike rides that are actually enjoyable.
 
Microcord, thanks for your suggestion.
Actually it's already been two months that I'm using the train, and it's getting me crazy tbh haha.
I work as an IT engineer in a big company located in futako tamagawa, and I spend all day sitted on my butt, not moving, with co-workers not speaking or anything, and with window curtains closed. I don't even know when the sunset is 😂
I might not be bike commuting everyday, but I definitely need to get some air and move my body a bit
 
I often rode to Futako Tamagawa from Itabashi, and it usually took about 70 minutes. 1 of my cycling friends would ride from Futako Tamagawa to Takashimadaira so we could ride on Arakawa river, and I will post the route he always took. You would take 68 to 443, then it changes to 311, but it is relatively a straight shot. When you get close to Futako Tamagawa you will make a right on 246. He said the roads are relatively new so at least it is smooth. I don't know about the traffic though, it depends on the time of your trip.
 

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I used to have a long commute in Saitama and would take the train on Mondays to deliver fresh ironed clothes to my locker. the other 4 days I'd bike it. Maybe that would work for you. And finding a place with a shower near work in summer helps. stay accident free.
 
epehj said:
Microcord, thanks for your suggestion.
Actually it's already been two months that I'm using the train, and it's getting me crazy tbh haha.
I work as an IT engineer in a big company located in futako tamagawa, and I spend all day sitted on my butt, not moving, with co-workers not speaking or anything, and with window curtains closed. I don't even know when the sunset is 😂
I might not be bike commuting everyday, but I definitely need to get some air and move my body a bit
Click to expand...
If it is that big IT company located in Futako Tamagawa, I believe it has its own cycling club, so you may want to ask around at work, too.
 
casualguy939, thank you so much for that path! I'll try it combined with komoot, let's see if some magic can happen here! Still have to get familiar with all those roads tho.

kiwisimon, I was thinking of doing the same. I also have jiu jitsu lesson in the evening, so I have to carry fresh clothes and gi, it's getting heavy 😂 I'll ask for a locker, hoping that I can get one.
How do you usually find places with shower that you can use except hotel? Did I miss a'suoer useful trick? 😲

Kangaeroo, it's the starting with a big red R.. I'm new there, so I'm not really aware of what they have, but I shall investigate! Thanks for pointing it out!
 
hat and beard said:
Sounds like it's time to find a new apartment!
Somewhere up the Tamagawa like Komae might be nice 😊
Click to expand...
Nah nah nah. Stay on Arakawa :warau:

Epehj, You'll get used to them. With a phone/gps on your bars you'll be fine. Just make sure your battery is charged, unlike me who had to wing it when I first got here.
 
epehj said:
kiwisimon, I was thinking of doing the same. I also have jiu jitsu lesson in the evening, so I have to carry fresh clothes and gi, it's getting heavy
Click to expand...
Using a gi, isn't that cheating?
As far as showers go. Joyfitness or Anytime fitness club near you for a few thousand yen a month and you just drop in, shower change into shorts and tee shirt until you get to your locker to change proper. Also it's an option when the weather is crap and you want to get in some exercise.
 
hat and beard said:
Sounds like it's time to find a new apartment!
Somewhere up the Tamagawa like Komae might be nice 😊
Click to expand...
Mouhaha, it's going to sound weird because i live in Japan now, but I would never make my work influencing my life with that kind of decision, especially when my contract is renewed every 3 months 🤣 so much money invested to be in my actual place!
kiwisimon said:
Using a gi, isn't that cheating?
As far as showers go. Joyfitness or Anytime fitness club near you for a few thousand yen a month and you just drop in, shower change into shorts and tee shirt until you get to your locker to change proper. Also it's an option when the weather is crap and you want to get in some exercise.
Click to expand...
Oh I see! I'll try find that that, good idea!
 
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