Planning my first touring route in Asia...

[wix]

Hi, i am new to touring and don't even have a bike yet! i currently have a Trek road bike. I've been road biking for about 2 years and learning about bike maintenance along the way. I currently live in Chiang Mai, Thailand but i am planning on going to work in Vietnam for 6 months and so my first bike trip will be from Chiang Mai Thailand to Da Nang, Vietnam, like a practice 1 month trip for the main event... if i don't find a touring bike before i go to Vietnam i will take the Trek road bike and backpack and stay in guesthouses which will be tough but i am sure will be an eye opener too, then hopefully source a touring bike and gear in the 6 months i am in Vietnam...

My main trip is, after i complete my teaching, i want to bike for approx 6 months from North Vietnam, possibly north Laos, Yunnan territory China, if i can through Tibet, Nepal and to India... i plan to camp along the way, stay at occasional hotels, couchsurf and rely on peoples generosity as i go... i plan to take a small cooking kit with me too. I have experience camping, wild camping, lots of world travel backpacking and daily road bike trips too but touring is a new one for me and seems like a combination of all the things i love.

I have 9 months from now to learn as much and prepare as much as i can from choosing a bike, to any advice for such a route and also any links to other sites/blogs of similar journeys. I would appreciate any advice, tips or even to hear from anyone in the area too.

 

[Cycleops]

I don't know how you will get hold of a touring bike in Vietnam! See if you can get a rear rack and put the backpack on that, you will find putting it on your back very uncomfortable. I haven't cycled in those places but I have been there and you need to aware of your personal safety, particularly in India. All I can say is good luck, I am sure others on here can offer more practical advice.

 

[Ticktockmy]

I guess your shortest best route is via Vientiane in Laos then head for Hue in Vietnam before going south to Da Nang, which is a far shorter route than heading down through Cambodia and entering Vietnam from Phnom Penn. and Saigon. Last time I was in Saigon I found a professional cycle shop which seemed in the main to be a Trek Dealer and various other ones, my problem has always when I need a cycle shop I can only find the roadside repair man with his big Hammer. As you live in Thailand you will be aware that cycling in any of the countries in that area, can make a cycling exciting, if you are on the main roads. not so bad on the back roads. but for sure it a great experience

 

[Durian]

I think I've been in all the bike shops in Chiang Mai but don't remember seeing any touring bikes. Your best bet would be to ask at Jacky Bikes which, if you don't already know, is located off the Nimmanhaemin Road. Good luck with the tour, it's a fantastic part of the world.