Being able to cycle can be highly rewarding. Not only might it allow
you to enjoy an affordable commute, stay fit and healthy, and get out into
nature whenever you like, but it might also provide a basis for a long-term
adventure in an exotic, faraway part of the world.
If you’d like to enjoy a tour of Asia, then the right cycling route
might provide a basis for it. But getting this right requires a little bit of
planning, and among the most important considerations is where you’ll actually
be going.
If
you’re looking for the ultimate challenge, then the most obvious place to start
is the Himalayas. These mountains provide some serious verticality, and will
test even the most experienced riders to their physical and mental limits.
Most
adventurers, it’s fair to say, will prefer something a little less extreme.
Fortunately, Asia is replete with amazing routes that combine inspiring
landscapes with unique cultural treasures.
In
Japan, you might tour the Fujigoko – the area of five lakes around the foot of
Mount Fuji. In Taiwan, there’s ‘Cycling Route 1’, which stretches an amazing
960 kilometers around the entire island. Vietnam offers an amazing countryside
route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, and from there you might cycle another 500
kilometres to Siem Reap, in neighboring Cambodia.
Vietnam
and Cambodia in general might appeal, thanks to the sheer variety of cycling
routes and natural vistas available. On a bicycle, you’ll be able to avoid the
often touristy sections of the major cities, and interact with obscure rural
communities. Thus, it’s a route to a more authentic experience. One day you
might be touring the more scenic coastal regions, like the Mekong Delta; the
next, you might be chatting with villagers around the inland rice paddies.
Vietnam
biking tours can be amazing experiences,
especially if you have the right guide. If this is your first time cycling on
the continent, a little bit of guidance might help to make your experience go
that little bit smoother.
Getting
the most from your cycling adventure often means booking your trip at the right
time of year. Make
sure that you avoid monsoon season,
which in many regions lies between May and October, and that you are wary of
the extreme heat you might encounter in summer. On the other hand, if you want
to enjoy
the cherry blossoms in Japan,
getting there during Spring might be a necessity.
If
you’re doing a long-distance tour, then you might feel compelled to bring your
own bike. This way, you’ll feel more comfortable, and effective in the saddle.
The downside is that airlines will charge you extra, and you might run into
trouble accessing spare parts, especially in remote areas.
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