Scoobysnack27
New Member
So here we are!
My partner and I, along with two close friends (Jill & Sharon) have decided to go to SE Asia (Thailand/Laos/Cambodia etc) for a cycle touring holiday next year. We are looking at a three week trip and, although we have looked at organised tours, have (for now) plumped for independent travel.
The sketchy plan is that we will travel relatively light (not always easy with Jill's love of gadgets and luxury), will stay in guest-houses/hotels rather than camp and are wide open to route suggestions and possible itineraries.
We are not planning to go until November 2012 (we're all Public Sector so it pays to plan well ahead!), and our normal method is to spend many nights, over dinner and far too much wine, planning and pawing over maps, arguing about minute details and sometimes throwing tantrums! Believe me, we enjoy this!
So, knowing that there are lots of people out there who have done magnificent things on two wheels in this part of the world who (we hope) wouldn't mind letting us learn from their experiences and mistakes, please share what you can. We are after;
- Country recommendations and comparisons
- Visa info (before you travel or while you are there?)
- Medical prep? - Inoculations, illness etc.
- Route suggestions and itineraries - tell us about the terrain!
- Any unexpected pains or pleasures? - ie. hitching in the States a few years ago, I had an unplanned, "over-night," in an isolated rest area in the Pennsylvania mountains(Pain), but at 6am the next morning, walking out to watch the first rays of cool sunlight catch the fall trees and the perfect silence - bliss! If something touched your soul on your SE Asia trip, please tell us.
- Transport info (both getting there/away & "in country" info - best ways to transport bikes on buses/trains, routes to avoid etc.)
- Gear and gadget must haves (I know this is very personal but also entertaining - ie. I always carry a wine-glass!?)
- Bike info - What did you use? Did it work? When it didn't, where did you get it fixed? Best bike repair/equipment stores?
- Accomodation recommendations - If you stayed somewhere fantastic, please let us know.
- Tales of training for your trip - getting bike-fit etc.
As you can see we are like sponges! No piece of information will be wasted.
I look forward to hearing from you.
My partner and I, along with two close friends (Jill & Sharon) have decided to go to SE Asia (Thailand/Laos/Cambodia etc) for a cycle touring holiday next year. We are looking at a three week trip and, although we have looked at organised tours, have (for now) plumped for independent travel.
The sketchy plan is that we will travel relatively light (not always easy with Jill's love of gadgets and luxury), will stay in guest-houses/hotels rather than camp and are wide open to route suggestions and possible itineraries.
We are not planning to go until November 2012 (we're all Public Sector so it pays to plan well ahead!), and our normal method is to spend many nights, over dinner and far too much wine, planning and pawing over maps, arguing about minute details and sometimes throwing tantrums! Believe me, we enjoy this!
So, knowing that there are lots of people out there who have done magnificent things on two wheels in this part of the world who (we hope) wouldn't mind letting us learn from their experiences and mistakes, please share what you can. We are after;
- Country recommendations and comparisons
- Visa info (before you travel or while you are there?)
- Medical prep? - Inoculations, illness etc.
- Route suggestions and itineraries - tell us about the terrain!
- Any unexpected pains or pleasures? - ie. hitching in the States a few years ago, I had an unplanned, "over-night," in an isolated rest area in the Pennsylvania mountains(Pain), but at 6am the next morning, walking out to watch the first rays of cool sunlight catch the fall trees and the perfect silence - bliss! If something touched your soul on your SE Asia trip, please tell us.
- Transport info (both getting there/away & "in country" info - best ways to transport bikes on buses/trains, routes to avoid etc.)
- Gear and gadget must haves (I know this is very personal but also entertaining - ie. I always carry a wine-glass!?)
- Bike info - What did you use? Did it work? When it didn't, where did you get it fixed? Best bike repair/equipment stores?
- Accomodation recommendations - If you stayed somewhere fantastic, please let us know.
- Tales of training for your trip - getting bike-fit etc.
As you can see we are like sponges! No piece of information will be wasted.
I look forward to hearing from you.