1

dude, you gotta provide some more info if you want a response.

how much time ya got?
what kind of bike ya riding?
how far can you ride in a day?
what are you interested in seeing?
direct route or long detours?

why not do some reading here first:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/search/?main_type=all&docs=all&query=vientianne+&sort=&pics=&pic_type=&caption=&filename=&title=&content=&author=&username=&ratings=&categories=&features=&locales=&url=&contact=&handle=&keywords=&years=&when=&completed=&featured=&duration=&total_distance=&page_distance=&distance_units=miles&start_date=&end_date=&hitcount=&date=&review_rating=&avg_rating=&avg_n_reviews=&direct_replies=&thread_replies=

2

Fair comment,
I can ride 80-100 km in mountains,150+ km on the flat.
Time I have lots been on the road for 18 months.
I ride a mountain bike.
I like nature and getting off the beaten track,camping.
I am going to Vientiane to get new China visa so I need 2
routes so I Don't go back up the same road.
I Don't take many days off.
Hope this better info.

Edited by: Cyclewallah

Edited by: Cyclewallah

3

well, in that case....highway to luang namtha, then head north thru national
forest to muang sing. from there, dirt road to xieng kok on the mekong.
you might catch a speedboat, or just do the 20km or so on the jungle
trail beside the river to xieng dao. then it's a very rough, steep in places
ride south to join highway 3 to huay xai.
.
rest a couple days, then head south and east on dirt roads to pak beng.
cross on the ferry, then get some more dirt roads (and some new
pavement) to xayaboury.
.
at that point you can head south which will eventually get you to vientienne
but on a very rough road/trail. or you could head northeast to luang
prabang, then take the highway south to vientienne.
.
your route back could be either thru pak beng or luang prabang without
having to take the same road twice.

4

Cheers dude,
Just what I need after these good roads in China.
Thanks.

5

Here is something I wrote for another post, some of it may be useful:

From China you will enter at Boten. A short detour to Luang Nam Tha and Muang Sing is worth it, if you think youu will have time. Otherwise I imagine you will head for UdomXai. From there you have a few choices - if you want to go to Luang Prabang there is the standard H13, but I reckon ,most of that road is pretty tedious. An interesting and rarely used route is cycling to Pakbeng on the Mekong and then getting a tourist boat to LP.

A different experience is to cycle on the beautiful little road from UdomXai to Muang Khua on the Nam Ou river, then boat to Nong Khiaw. This trip isn't that cheap as it is mainly a tourist run nowadays, but great scenery. Just riding to Muang Khua with an overnight (leave most stuff in UdomXai) is worth a go. Alternatively you can cycle to Nong Khiaw from UdomXai. From Nong Khiaw tourist boat or cycle to LP or the start of route below.

For me the best route in the area is to get to Nong Khiaw by whatever means and then there is an excellent route along H1 via Vieng Kham and Vieng Thong. It is fairly tough and very remote, but all paved and well worth the effort. When you reackh H 6 you can go to Sam Neaua for the caves at Vieng Xai (Pathet Lao HQ in American War, well worth a visit). Might be best to bus back if you don't want to repeat ride. Then along H 6 to Phonsavan (Plain of Jars and more UXO than you want to see in a lifetime).

From Phonsovan, carry on the wonderful H6 to H13 and on to Vang Vien and Vientianne. Alternatively try the more recently opened road to Paksong. Not ridden that one yet, but someone here did recently. Try seraching for his post.

If you find your visas are running out when you get near Vientianne, you can extend, but I reckon it is better to go to Thailand, then cycle that side of the Mekong. More to see, better towns, better food, etc. You can cross back into Lao at Mukdahan/Savanakhet Bridge (must take a bus!) or carry on to land crossing near Pakse. If you go the Thai way you miss the Khong Lor cave, but that is about all. You get 15 days free entry into Thailand if you have no visa.

In Southern Lao, don't miss the Bolaven Plateau, go all the way out to Attapeu (can bus back if you don't want to repeat, then loop back via Tad Lo for some very refreshing waterfalls and cheap riverside bungalows.

Hope this helps, sorry about the previous time wasting. There may be a few minor errors as I am doing it from memory, but with a map you should be able to work it out. The GT Riders map is best, not easy to get it in Lao, Luang Nam Tha is probably your best bet.