Cycling UK to Australia

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ilikebike

New Member
Location
Dover
Hi,

Im new to cycle chat and its so amazing to know there are so many other like minded people out there :smile:

I am currently planning a big cycling trip to oz and was seeing if anyone has any experiences or recommendations for any part of the trip. my route is on my webpage (which is only part done) below, please tell me what you think and whether i am missing out on any great places to cycle.

Anyone who fancies cycling for any part then please get in contact

thanks

luke

www.yellowvelo.webs.com
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
Welcome Luke.

I was on a CC forum ride last year talking to Fiona N and she casually mentioned that she'd been in Australia for a while but it was time to come back to the UK - "So I bought myself a mountain bike and ..."

I mean, you're not gonna bother flying back when you can spend a 'few days' cycling it, are you? ;)

I'm sure she'd have some suggestions for you.
 
Having looked at you map route through Malaysia, I would suggest that you would find the East coast nicer to ride that the West Coast.
The west coast carries most of the North south traffic, and whilst there some nice back roads, they tend to meander somewhat.
The east coast has a north south Main route 3 which is busy, but not as much as the west coast, also there coastal kampoon roads which run along the coast. also the home stays(BB) are cheaper and plenty of them along the east coast.

The beaches on the East coast are great, long sweeping and sandy. also it is easy to enter Thailand there, and less chance of being robbed by the Bandits, which no one will tell you about that hang out on the west coast route in Southern Thailand:-)
Here is a route through Malaysia which I posted for another couple a few weeks ago.


If you fly to Singapore, leave Singapore via the Causeway into Johor Bahru, nothing worth looking at there, cycle East to Kota Tinggi, stay there or cycle inland up into the hills to the Waterfalls at Lombang hotel is expensive or spend 2 nights at Kota Tinggi and have a day ride out to there. Leave Kota Tinggi cycle up the East coast of Malaysia, when you get to Mersing, take a few days out on Pulau Tioman, great Diving place, and you can arrange a package in Mersing then travel out either on the ferry or speed boat.

From Mersing, carry on along the coastal road, to Pekan, Not much to see there, but a few hotels which are cheap, but act as brothels at night so can be a little noisy from the sound of magical movements. Then to Kuantan here you could leave your bikes and catch the express bus to Kuala Lumpur for a few days.

Back on the road leave Kuantan, and head for Kuala Terengganu, here you can arrange diving packages for there for Pulau Redang you are really into Home stay accommodation now though the small towns have small hotels, most act a brothels in the evenings, but don’t let that put you off.

Leave Kuala Terengganu , once over the bridge there is a coastal Kampong road, take this and follow to Kota Bharu.

Kota Bharu is the border town with Thailand, not much there to excite.

Leave there and head for Sungai Golok, Cross over into Thailand, then head for Narathiwat there are Coastal roads to use, but some have a habit of curling back on themselves , thus you end up doing more miles that you want in the heat of the day.
 
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ilikebike

New Member
Location
Dover
Thanks for the advice and info guys.

I hope that i dont have to fly back Colin and that i can continue to cycle on in S america but at the moment i have no idea.

Thanks again
 

buggi

Bird Saviour
Location
Solihull
PLEASE CAN I COME?????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow ... what an adventure!!!! how long is it going to take you?
 

Brandane

Legendary Member
Good luck with the trip Luke. I have just today finished reading Mark Beaumonts book "The Man Who Cycled The World", which has led me to be envious of you on certain legs of the journey, and not so envious on others! Then again you are a lot younger than me and probably not so reliant on home comforts :biggrin:. And presumably you will not be racing, which makes it an entirely different proposition to MBs trip.

I would second the Penang recommendation if you can fit it in. I was there during my Merchant Navy days in the late 70s and it is a gem of a place.

Wish I had done something like this when I was your age :thumbsup:.
 
Good luck with the trip Luke. I have just today finished reading Mark Beaumonts book "The Man Who Cycled The World", which has led me to be envious of you on certain legs of the journey, and not so envious on others! Then again you are a lot younger than me and probably not so reliant on home comforts :biggrin:. And presumably you will not be racing, which makes it an entirely different proposition to MBs trip.

I would second the Penang recommendation if you can fit it in. I was there during my Merchant Navy days in the late 70s and it is a gem of a place.

Wish I had done something like this when I was your age :thumbsup:.

I am afraid Penang, is not the gem it was, when you where there in the 1970. Many of the beach side Kampongs, have become endless strips of modern Hotels. However some parts of old George town still mantain there colonial atmosphere.
 
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ilikebike

New Member
Location
Dover
I also read MB's book and followed his world record attempt and the other attempts that followed and was completely amazed by the idea of cycling around the world. although not racing i am still keen to push myself hard but at the same time allow myself the chance to take in the countries i am passing through.

Should hopefully be in australia early 2012. once i get a chance i will start my blog with everything i have done so far and then keep it updated with my progress once on the road. if i do end up going through Penang i will let you know what I though of it.

Thanks
 
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