We are tempted by a three week tour in Vietnam or Laos. Interested to hear any experiences of the two countries. We will have to go in late July/August. Any thoughts on weather, spots to see, transporting bikes in trains, getting there, weather, accommodation etc.?
Grateful in advance
Search found 599 matches
- 12 Mar 2023, 1:23pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Vietnam and Laos
- Replies: 4
- Views: 442
- 1 Mar 2023, 7:57pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Yelverton - rides, cafes, recommendations
- Replies: 6
- Views: 396
Re: Yelverton - rides, cafes, recommendations
Sooo many choices! I’d make my way in NCN 27 north to Tavistock then carry on to Lydford. Despite Lydford farm shop being on the main A386, it’s worth a stop for the bread pudding! I happily ride the A386, though others will say different I’m sure so would use this route to get to Lydford. Then back on 27 to Sourton (bike shop and cafe) then turn south again on the 27 before going through Lydford village (pub) and then head south past Lydford national Trust spot (cafe) and back through Tavy again. Take a back route through Whitchurch and Horrabridge if you don’t want to retrace on NCN 27.
Have a picture!
Have a picture!
- 4 Feb 2023, 1:31am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Bike friendly hotel in Rotterdam.
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1290
Re: Bike friendly hotel in Rotterdam.
Not had problems with Airbnb there myself…
- 1 Feb 2023, 6:00pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Bike friendly hotel in Rotterdam.
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1290
Re: Bike friendly hotel in Rotterdam.
Why not use air bnb? Many houses flats etc have somewhere for your bike and can be cheaper.
- 30 Jan 2023, 8:12pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Cycling in Guangxi province China
- Replies: 2
- Views: 385
Cycling in Guangxi province China
So we have mad idea to explore a little further (i.e. other side of world) and China popped up. Anyone had any experience? I’m picturing massive amounts of paperwork on top of he expense/hassle of getting there. Am I wrong?
- 1 Jan 2023, 6:31pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Toddler-friendly one week cycle route in June (France/Germany)
- Replies: 7
- Views: 422
Re: Toddler-friendly one week cycle route in June (France/Germany)
Mosel/Moselle is lovely. Mini Rhine valley with very pretty villages and lots to see. Could fly to Luxembourg, then train to your preferred starting point.
- 17 Dec 2022, 5:26pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Looking for Advice: First Camping Tour
- Replies: 56
- Views: 4048
Re: Looking for Advice: First Camping Tour
I don’t like my name being alongside that ‘Yawn’ comment as it wasn’t me!MrsHJ wrote: ↑25 Oct 2022, 7:24pmI’m not sure of the context I said this in but I speak French (not excellent but good enough for most day to day stuff and slowly picking through newspaper articles etc) and like being spoken to in French so I was probably just giving a heads up as it’s a very different experience to the Netherlands where people tend to speak better English than me. Some people prefer places where English is spoken especially for a first trip. I don’t mind using English but it’s not my preference. I also speak some Italian so pretty happy to go to Italy too and if I go somewhere where I don’t speak the language I try to do a language course before travelling. I’ve been fascinated by the change in France over recent years where French is now automatically used with visitors rather than switching to English - fine by me.
- 17 Dec 2022, 5:21pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Getting kids and bikes to Europe
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1575
Re: Getting kids and bikes to Europe
We have left our car a couple of times when abroad. Find a nice looking residential are and park it so it doesn’t obstruct. Or ask a local. Airport parking is also very useful and tends to be secure.
- 7 Nov 2022, 8:27pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Plans for 2023?
- Replies: 49
- Views: 5879
Re: Plans for 2023?
Did this last year. Drove from Devon to Folkestone. Tunnel to Calais then drove to Luxembourg where we left car at airport parking. Caught a train to Strasbourg, cycled down the Rhine to Koblenz then back up the Moselle to Luxembourg.
Loved it.
- 6 Nov 2022, 7:16am
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: WATCH BBC 1 tonight @8pm panorama
- Replies: 48
- Views: 4212
Re: WATCH BBC 1 tonight @8pm panorama
I also like that quote from CUK. We have to stop this stereotyping of drivers and cyclists on both sides. The use of language is really interesting and indicative of our feelings. “Cyclists run red lights” actually means I see a number of cyclists do this and it annoys me. “Drivers pass too close” - some cars pass me too close. Yet, too many people get pulled along the track of tarring everyone with the same brush.
Also, I am fed up with the bikes do little harm when they hit someone/something argument. Turn this around. Do we want a car driver to get away with passing within an inch of us because he didn’t actually hit us? The amount of harm done should not be the deciding factor in how serious a crime is. The lack of care and consideration or even the willingness to cause potential harm to others should. In actual fact this is what happens in H&S legislation. E.g. you cannot have a guillotine without a guard to stop someone chopping their hands off. They don’t wait until it happens and then decide whether or not the company should have installed safety measures. Yet this is what happens on the road etc. Cyclist goes through red light - “Well I didn’t hit anyone -no harm”. Motorist drives too close - “I didn’t hit you - no harm”.
Countries that have good cycling infrastructure have achieved this through a change in attitude as much as a change in funding and policy.
Also, I am fed up with the bikes do little harm when they hit someone/something argument. Turn this around. Do we want a car driver to get away with passing within an inch of us because he didn’t actually hit us? The amount of harm done should not be the deciding factor in how serious a crime is. The lack of care and consideration or even the willingness to cause potential harm to others should. In actual fact this is what happens in H&S legislation. E.g. you cannot have a guillotine without a guard to stop someone chopping their hands off. They don’t wait until it happens and then decide whether or not the company should have installed safety measures. Yet this is what happens on the road etc. Cyclist goes through red light - “Well I didn’t hit anyone -no harm”. Motorist drives too close - “I didn’t hit you - no harm”.
Countries that have good cycling infrastructure have achieved this through a change in attitude as much as a change in funding and policy.
- 29 Oct 2022, 7:37pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Devon C2C
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2254
Re: Devon C2C
Horrabridge is literally my backyard. The section from Tavistock is mostly compacted gravel except the road sections at Tavistock, the concrete through the Grenofen tunnel and the boarded section Tavistock-side of Gem Bridge. The section from Horrabridge to Yelverton includes a steep uphill. Up is a good but doable workout; down can be a little sketchy in the wet, especially in autumn but easily done.
Unlike MickF, I would NOT do the roads unless you are pushed for time. The no traffic routes are lovely - I think Mick’s familiarity has bred a bit of contempt (no offence Mick). It’s easy to become disillusioned or bored with what you do a lot.
- 29 Oct 2022, 3:39pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Devon C2C
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2254
Re: Devon C2C
Very much agree about the Peter Tavy section. Go round. Even the main road is ok.
- 23 Oct 2022, 11:48am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Devon C2C Path - Which way?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1321
Re: Best long distance route south of London?
I’d second Devon C2C. It does have some road sections but these are quiet. If you end up doing Dartmoor, these roads are narrow but busier. And it’s more weather affected and has a large number of slopes!
- 23 Oct 2022, 7:18am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Devon C2C Path - Which way?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1321
Re: Best long distance route south of London?
Why not look at cycle.travel? It has a lot of routes on there. When you say not on roads, do you mean cycleways or off road?
- 9 Oct 2022, 7:33am
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Rural road safety research
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1429
Re: Rural road safety research
They get ignored because they are so rarely correct. As said above, they often relate to incidents long gone. Hence, drivers don’t believe them. It’s human nature.