Arakawa is flat, but the wind is not

Everyone warns beginners about hills. On the Arakawa there are none, so people assume it's easy and then get destroyed by a headwind on the way back.

Check the wind direction before you decide which way to ride first. Go out into the wind while you're fresh and let it push you home. I got this backwards in March and the last 8km took nearly an hour.

There is almost nothing to buy once you're on the riverbank. A few vending machines, no shops. Bring water before you start.

The surface is good except for one stretch north of Kasai where tree roots have pushed the asphalt up. Thin tyres will feel it.

Toilets are marked on the signboards at each rest area, and they're clean.