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Trans Asia tour (organised)

Posted: 11 Sep 2019, 6:14pm
by robing
Does anyone know of any companies that do organised/supported tours across Asia? The only one I could find was tda global cycling which does Beijing to Istanbul and only in that direction. Just wondering as tentatively planning a RTW cycle and looking for something to cover this more tricky part. I'd be happy doing the rest of it independently.

Re: Trans Asia tour (organised)

Posted: 11 Sep 2019, 10:04pm
by charliepolecat
Simple: Go to Moscow, throw stones at Lenin's Tomb, get arrested, be sent to a gulag in far east Siberia, escape, borrow a yak, get to the Bering Sea, cross when the ice is hard, and once you are in Alaska you'll be ready to ride across North America. No sweat.

Re: Trans Asia tour (organised)

Posted: 12 Sep 2019, 7:54am
by hufty
If you're going to do the rest of it independently, I would do it all independently. Once you're on the ground it won't seem that much trickier than any other bit - it's always just about cycling from where you are to where you can get to each day, not forgetting to find food and somewhere to sleep. You usually meet other cyclists along the way going in the same direction and you can often end up cycling together for a few days then parting. Then meeting up by coincidence several weeks later.

Re: Trans Asia tour (organised)

Posted: 12 Sep 2019, 8:23am
by boblo
@hufty. Cant argue with that. Very succinct.

Re: Trans Asia tour (organised)

Posted: 12 Sep 2019, 9:40am
by simonhill
I've not ridden that area as it doesn't appeal to me. Nonetheless, I have read a few blogs, and chatted to people who have ridden it, etc and from what I see/hear the basic route is a bit of a cycle tourers highway. I remember one account where there were 13 cyclists at one point.

I agree with Hufty that you will soon meet people if that is what you want. I also think that if you are of independent nature, you will quickly tire of being in an organised group for lots of reasons. Not the least if there is problem or delay, they may choose to take transport to keep to schedule.

Finally, a slight ego thing. When your organised caravan rolls into town, camp site etc, I think you will feel a bit less 'up for it' (can't think of a better way to say it) than the unsupported riders.

Re: Trans Asia tour (organised)

Posted: 12 Sep 2019, 10:16am
by Ant...
Nothing tricky about Asia once you have the visas etc, apart from languages and rubbish roads (bit like here then). Just leave Europe and keep going eastish and have fun.

Re: Trans Asia tour (organised)

Posted: 12 Sep 2019, 2:09pm
by robing
Good points. Just the vast swathes of central Asia seem a bit scary and challenging. Also the guided trip only runs Beijing to Istanbul, not the other way. And of course it is a lot of money - 20k. Plus it ends beginning of October so not the best time to cross Europe to home though I guess if you stuck south as long as possible it wouldn't be too bad.

I guess the majority of rtw cyclists head east, do many go the other way ie North America first?
What's the best time to leave the UK assuming you are heading east through Eurasia?