Bicycling Tips - Vietnam and Cambodia

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Increasing in popularity, cycling through out South East China is simply the best way to take in the landscape, meet the locals and discover the beauty of the region. If your keen on hitting the road independently, here are a few tips that will help you along the way

Travel Light

Goes without saying really when you have to pedal your gear around with you! But when you pack, remember that basic stuff like clothing is really cheap through out Vietnam and Cambodia. Often it can be cheaper to buy new, rather than have your gear washed! Pack the essentials and go for it.

Repairs

Every few k's there will be someone that can help you out in regards to repairs. Whether it's a flat tire or something breaks, expect a local near by will offer to help. That said, repairs jobs can be some what below the standards of what we know. If you have a bike with all the bells and whistles worth thousands of dollars, it's a good idea to carry a few spares and basic tools and carry out the work yourself. But for a quick fix, a local repairman will do the job for without
question!

Think Right

In Vietnam, people drive on the right. Avoid any drama's and always think right, especially when on the highways!

Stop and Chat

People through Vietnam and Cambodia will be amazed when they see you traveling by bicycle! While English is limited in much of the rural areas, it's always great fun to stop and have a chat with the locals. Expect to be invited in to houses, offered food and drink and laughed at!! I have actually been invited to a wedding mid way through a ride, hot and sweaty I declined the kind offer, but it goes to show just how friendly people are!

Drinks/Foods

Like the repair shops, cafes and restaurants line the roads almost everywhere making it easy to grab a drink and a feed whilst on the road. Cambodia can be a little harder in this respect, but you should be able to get something. In towns there are always plenty of local places that will wow the taste buds and ridiculously low prices! If you're into energy drinks and protein bars etc, bring them from home. You will not find them in either country!

Bring a Bike

Buying a quality bike to ride through either country can be hard work, expensive and possibly impossible! So bring your own. Most locals ride single gear, locally made bikes. The mountain bikes on offer in the shops around HCMC/Hanoi are generally not of a great standard or very expensive! If you are doing a tour, most companies will provide a worthy bike for you to travel on.

Accommodation

Just about every town big and small will have a hotel or guest house. Most are really cheap and you can just rock up with out an advanced booking. Quality varies greatly but you'll at least have a bed to sleep on. In the smaller towns, especially through out Cambodia, many guest houses are very basic with just a bed and cold showers, but they are cheap! For up to date information check out travel forums online (like Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree), chat with other travelers or ask locally.

Love to cycle? Then check out these funky cycling tours in Vietnam and Cambodia

• Cycle Angkor - Cambodia - 4 Days
• Hanoi to Saigon Bike Tour - Vietnam - 13 Days

Resources:

• For hotels through Vietnam and Cambodia, visit Hotelscombined.com
• Cheap Travel Insurance - World Nomads
• Stock Photography - Make money at Dreamstime.com
• Get all your travel gear online at Go Go Gear!
  

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