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Mountainbiking through Ha Giang provence

Replies: 6 - Last Post: Dec 6, 2009 6:31 PM Last Post By: teonancatl

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teonancatl

teonancatl avatar

Dec 6, 2009 5:40 AM
Posts:  11

Mountainbiking through Ha Giang provence

Hello to anybody who took the time to read this...

I'm planning to travel from Ha Giang city along the Quan Ba pass and beyond, doing the northern loop to Bao Lac then back to Ha Giang via the south circuit
(so clockwise from Ha Giang to Bao Lac then back)

Is this possible to do with a mountainbike?
Can I hire one in Ha Giang city?
Will I need a tent or will I be able to find accommodation along the way?
How long would this take?
Would the weather be dangerous in January?

I don't have much money so I was hoping to do this without a guide, can anyone advise me?

Thanks for reading :)

Edited by: teonancatl

SoloHobo

SoloHobo avatar

Dec 6, 2009 7:46 AM
Posts:  22,355

1

Its fairly dangerous on a motorbike, as the combo of cargo trucks speeding and passing, dangerous turns and steep grades, and poor weather, all add up to a frightening time on main roads in VN. On a Bicycle, not sure the risk is worth it.

And it will be COLD.

Get a Guidebook & Get Lost. Adventure travel to Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Morocco, Monaco, France, Italy, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Hawaii and USA National Parks.

teonancatl

teonancatl avatar

Dec 6, 2009 7:58 AM
Posts:  11

2

Thanks for responding Hobo!

I'm expecting 0 degrees celcius, that about right?
When you say mountainbiking will be risky, do you mean not reaching the next village in time and getting stuck outside at night? Or the quality of the bikes available for hire?
Would it be more prudent to hire a Xe Om driver for the couple of days?

SoloHobo

SoloHobo avatar

Dec 6, 2009 8:45 AM
Posts:  22,355

3

I am talking about getting run over, killed. if you have not been to or seen the way the roads and drivers operate in VN, you will be astonished to learn that basically, its everyman for himself, and the bigger the vehicle has the right of way, so a guy on a bicycle is purely a object in the way.

Get a Guidebook & Get Lost. Adventure travel to Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Morocco, Monaco, France, Italy, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Hawaii and USA National Parks.

teonancatl

teonancatl avatar

Dec 6, 2009 8:58 AM
Posts:  11

4

I see.... so no honking etiquette up there? Is the traffic situation much worse than India?

Junglebeach

Junglebeach avatar

Dec 6, 2009 11:07 AM
Posts:  2,399

5

there are millions of folks on bicycle all over this country, no worries other than fumes, crazy drivers, water buffalos, goats, cows, ducks... and mos of them make it home at night

won't get to camp much, better prepare to make it to the next place,
january is past rain season down there, not too cold,
it never gets to 0 degree in the south , we'd all die

you don't need a guide, just get on and pedal to your heart's content

i never been to india, but i am sure it is way worse than vn

Syl and the gang @Jungle Beach
Junglebeachvietnam@gmail.com
http://www.junglebeachvietnam.com
tel: 091-3429144
in VietNam since 1994

teonancatl

teonancatl avatar

Dec 6, 2009 6:31 PM
Posts:  11

6

Awesome, thank you JB! You've made me really excited again!
And than you Hobo, for sobering me up to what I can expect :)

I really appreciate you both responding, it's made a big difference for my trip plans.
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