Tailwinds Blog Logo
Uncategorized / January 1, 1970

Tips for Cycling in Asia

Lindsay is BTD’s Asia Tour Specialist. E-mail her at lindsay@biketoursdirect.com.  If you ask me, Asia is the new it destination for cyclists around the world. Beautiful cultures, bucket list destinations, spicy food, ancient histories and friendly people are some of the many reasons cyclists are looking farther East for their next tour destination. Fall, winter, and spring in North America and Europe also provides the perfect time to explore many parts of Asia with its warmer temperatures and summer-like atmospheres. Asia inquiries and bookings are up to an all-time high at BikeToursDirect, which makes it the perfect time to learn more about traveling East and what to expect on an Asian bike tour. Here are a few tips to get you started in planning, packing, or cycling through Asia.
    • Consider your group. There are tours available for single travelers who want to join a larger group, as well as tours available for couples and small groups who want their own private departures. Most tours in Asia are guided (for ease of travel in a very foreign country), and it's good to know what you prefer -- large group or private departures. Some operators even offer both options.
 
    • Go guided. As I mentioned above, it's important to have a guide in Asia. I just returned from two weeks of cycling and traveling around India. It was my second time to the subcontinent. The first time I had no guide or help. I'm still shaking my head at what I missed out on during my first trip there. Guides will help you navigate back roads, point out interesting cultural points, talk with locals, read signs, and help you figure out how to hold chopsticks (if you're in the far far East).
 
    • Talk with the Asia specialist. That's me! I live in Asia (working out of BTD's satellite office in South Korea) and have traveled extensively across Asia. I can help point out destinations you shouldn't miss, and give you ideas on where to start your planning. Want somewhere beachy? I can recommend Thailand and the Philippines. Looking for remote? That'd be Mongolia. Want somewhere colorful and spicy? India! E-mail or call me any time. (lindsay@biketoursdirect.com/423-402-9532). The only thing I like better than traveling in Asia is helping someone else travel in Asia.
 
    • Pack conservatively. I mean this in two ways. Of course you shouldn't pack your whole kitchen with you when you travel in Asia, but I also mean pack conservative clothing. Many countries in Asia are more conservative when it comes to clothing. Shorts aren't that common and shoulders should be covered, especially if you're planning on going to a temple. This is mostly for women. Women, bring scarves! You can easily wrap these around you if you're going into a site where you need to be covered. Bike shorts are fine no matter where you are. But you might feel more comfortable if you bring long pants or a skirt to cover up with when you're not on your bicycle.
 
    • Learn a few words. As one of my favorite Korean teachers says, "A little goes a long way!" Learning just "hello," "please," and "thank you" in the local language goes such a long way in Asia. The local people will be truly touched (especially the more rural you get) if you can say hello to someone in their own language.
 
    • Bring anti-diarrhea medicine. It's smart to avoid any tap water and unwashed fruits, as well as street food in many Asia locations. But, sometimes we just make mistakes (or are more adventurous than our stomachs can handle) so be prepared. I especially recommend this for Southeast Asia and India.
 
    • Pack wet-wipes and antibacterial hand sanitizer. Asia can sometimes be a bit grimy. And bathrooms don't always involve a toilet.
 
    • Be open-minded. Asia is pretty much the opposite of North American in just about every way. (I use Korea's emergency phone number as an example. You can't call 9-1-1 here. You call 1-1-9. I'm not kidding.) From religion to politics to dress to demeanor, people are different all over the world. Respect them, and they'll respect you.
 
    • Be flexible. This is good for any travel situation--but especially in Asia. Sometimes roads are closed or washed out and not repaired yet. Sometimes your vehicle breaks down. But it'll all work out. It always does.
 
  • Take lots of photos. This is because you'll love looking at them for years and years to come. And, we want you to share them with your friends to inspire them to explore the wonders of the East, too! Share the love of cycling, Asia, and a life of adventure. 
There is no better time than now to book your first (or next) tour in Asia!
  Search 75+ bike tours in Asia >
Or, to get you started, here are a few suggestions for you.
 
For the most adventurous: Land of the Maharajas (India)
For the mountain bike enthusiast: Nepal Mountain Biking 
For the family with children: Family Cycling: Cambodia
For the mountains lover: Ladakh: The Little Tibet
For the solo traveler wanting to join a group: Thailand Heritage by Bicycle
For the leisure cyclist: Mekong Delta (Vietnam)
For the off-the-beaten-path cyclist: Heart of Korea: Seoul to Andong
 
If you have any questions about Asia or any of these tours, e-mail lindsay@biketoursdirect.com.
And what about you? Have you traveled or cycled in Asia before? Any tips and pointers to share with your fellow blog readers? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Leave a Comment