Cycle trip - SEA Thailand to Myanmar

Hi,

I wonder why don't you just search this forum typing Myanmar, as the topic has just been talked over a few times recently.
In short - Myanmar is unique in terms of people (the most wonderful I've ever met) but expecially in terms of rules. You cannot camp at all, that's first, you are obliged to use accomodation for foreigners only, more expensive. You cannot stay in people's hoses - they cannot put you up, they have to report to the police.
Said that does not mean you cannot try. I did manage to camp 3 times. I was many times followed by police and security so that made my free camp even more difficult and after some time was not funny at all. Be prepared for that. Once I cycled 125 km, it got dark already and the nearest guesthouse was 50 km away, the police did not let me sleep at nice gas station. Since I was unable to go further they took a car, put me and my bike inside and drove to the guesthouse - you can see photos here http://www.ewcyna.com/wyludniona-stolica-naypyidaw/. Really annoying sometimes. Bring a bunch of copies of your passport and visa - they are always happy to receive it.

As for crossing borders - crossing in Mae Sai means you cannot cycle to Mandalay, the road is closed. The only functional board crossing is Mae Sot, but expect a tough day crossing the mountain range on the first day.

Good luck. That's an amazing country.

I agree, do a search. I was doing this (for you) when the above posted.
Chose advanced search and enter Burma or Myanmar and specify on your bike branch. I only looked at recent stuff because things are changing but you may want to look at all of it.

I was searching because I remebered a recent post with info, here it is. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/on-your-bike/topics/myanmar-accommodation

On a different point, I have heard rumours of being able to cycle to India from Burma. Also someone said that there is now a bus from Bangkok to India via Burma.

Anyone know anything about by this?

cycle to India from Burma

That would be awesome! I'd love to hear about that.

Thanks a lot guys, I hadn't realized the topic has been repeated over and over, I dont use this forum very often. But you've been a help!

On a different point, I have heard rumours of being able to cycle to India from Burma.

The road from Mandalay to Assam is called the Ledo Road. It was built in the war, but became overgrown in Burma's closed period. By 2005 it was reported as passable in a 4wd. In 2012 the Indians announced that they were expanding their side of the road to 4 lanes in 2012, and at the same time noted that the route was already passable as a through route for trade. Chinese contractors have apparently been improving it since 2007. Nevertheless the road passes through dangerous insurgent territory and may thus be rather dangerous to travel independently even if you are allowed to. I think it must be compared to the Mandalay-Lashio-Ruili road from Burma to China, which has been occasionally open for bus traffic (southbound only for tourists) during the last 20 years or so, but is still closed to independent travel despite the openings-up elsewhere, because it still passes through insurgent territory.

You may find these trip notes from a recent bike trip we took to Myanmar helpful.
http://www.mattkadey.com/myanmar-trip-notes.html