Hi.
I'm new to this forum and am looking for advice about long distance cycling.
My partner and I are planning a bike trip through Vietnam, probably over December 2010 - January 2011. We're hoping to travel from Hanoi to Hue or Da Nang, and based on our current level of fitness (which we're hoping to significantly improve) it would take us 2-3 weeks.
I was wondering if anyone has had experience cycling in this part of the world, as there are a few things I need to take into consideration.
1. How to I get there? - Originally we were looking at National Highway 1, but I hear mixed things about it. Very mixed. Some sources say that cycling down NH 1 is suicide, because of the traffic, pollution, etc. Others say that it is perfectly safe.
2. Gear - What are some of the vital things I would need, bike-wise. We're planning to get some good quality panniers; I've been looking at Vaude's bags, they're pricey but look big enough. With front and back panniers we'd have around 80-85L of storage space, which seems like more than enough for clothes, camping equipment, food, etc
3. Theft - I wouldn't leave my bike laden with luggage around on the streets where I live (Brisbane, Australia), out of fear of things being stolen. I've heard stories about theft in Vietnam, and from what I've heard it's a major problem, just as bad, if not worse, than Australia. I would be planning to spend some time off the bikes, looking around and stuff. How would I go about keeping my bike luggage from being stolen?
4 - Any other things about cycling in Vietnam/South East Asia. Is there anything specific about this part of the world that I would need to take into account?
I'm new to this forum and am looking for advice about long distance cycling.
My partner and I are planning a bike trip through Vietnam, probably over December 2010 - January 2011. We're hoping to travel from Hanoi to Hue or Da Nang, and based on our current level of fitness (which we're hoping to significantly improve) it would take us 2-3 weeks.
I was wondering if anyone has had experience cycling in this part of the world, as there are a few things I need to take into consideration.
1. How to I get there? - Originally we were looking at National Highway 1, but I hear mixed things about it. Very mixed. Some sources say that cycling down NH 1 is suicide, because of the traffic, pollution, etc. Others say that it is perfectly safe.
2. Gear - What are some of the vital things I would need, bike-wise. We're planning to get some good quality panniers; I've been looking at Vaude's bags, they're pricey but look big enough. With front and back panniers we'd have around 80-85L of storage space, which seems like more than enough for clothes, camping equipment, food, etc
3. Theft - I wouldn't leave my bike laden with luggage around on the streets where I live (Brisbane, Australia), out of fear of things being stolen. I've heard stories about theft in Vietnam, and from what I've heard it's a major problem, just as bad, if not worse, than Australia. I would be planning to spend some time off the bikes, looking around and stuff. How would I go about keeping my bike luggage from being stolen?
4 - Any other things about cycling in Vietnam/South East Asia. Is there anything specific about this part of the world that I would need to take into account?
