Cycling burma/myanmar

Hi Craig
This is a great country to cycle.. I was there 2 years ago and got a 2 week visa extention in Yangon giving me 6 weeks, do this after you arrive in Yangon it takes a couple of days and will cost 35USD, it gives you more time and the pressure will be less to rush around in the short time available.

Some of the days will be long as major towns are often the only places to find hotels for tourists, you may get offers to stay with the locals but this may cause problems for you but more importantly them, the police will be harder on them. Budist temples should be OK as the religion carries a lot of weight in Myanmar. Plan you destination (Its all Miles in Myanmar) the roadside Info is sparse few signposts and less distances, locals often have no idea either, this is one of the ways the non elected government maintain control. I used aNELLE road map. Telephoneing is very expensive and E mailing imposible outside Yangon and Mandalay.

The Traffic is minamal and most road users are considerate by asian standards, I liked using the smaller roads they can be shady and quiet but the compramise is the road suface, it can be ruf, but any quality bike shiuld handle it, I use an old steel framed MTB. The main road from Yangon to Mandalay resembles an airport runway treeless and open with not much traffic- I found i boring.

I left Yangon for the west to Pantain a great city the 3rd largest with a good riverside market and umbrella factories, then crossed the new bridge over the river to the west coast to Chang Tha and the beach. Then headed up the west bank of the Arawaddy river towards Pai and onward to Bagan. Bagan to Mandalay is a hot and dry 200mile strech I did it in 2 days but you could take longer.. Mandalay i found not to be as nice as I hoped but loads to do in the area..

The people are fantastic smile once and you get ten in returne, I love to go back some day but in doing Sri lanka in Feb and march this year. Get back to me if you need any more specific Info.
you should definetly go
Steve

Thank you Steve pretty hard to get any info on this place..

I have done a month cycling in Sri Lanka so if you need any info mate I will gladly give you what I know!!

Regards Craig..

Myanmar is actually a very easy country to cycle in. A rough idea where you want to go, a basic map (not many roads and a basic map is all you'll get), and cycle meter all you need.
Between licensed accom can give you long days. Will need to be able to do 100k plus days at times, but many around 80k. If going to get caught out on the road, bus's and pick ups pass you pretty regular, can wave one down. Very cheap. They will know the next licensed accom.

Bus, accom places know the accom situation, as usually often do the locals as you get near a town. As anywhere, in that part of the world, you would check with your current accom of the next one. They will now the next few within cycle distance. Probably not so much a control thing that the the locals are not often up on accom for you. More they don't travel a lot, and when they do they stay with family rather than hotel. And would have no reason to know whether places have foreign license, out of their area. This is the main, if not only problem there. But is not as bad as some reports. There is enough for a cyclist, just takes a little savvy.

There is little chance of staying with locals, and should not expect it. The police are severe on any who would give you.
The monks could take you in a night, but don't count on it. While they generally get respect, they have uncertainty whether they are distant from the law, so probably also not give accom. You respectfully would not put them in a potential situation.
The police and military are friendly and helpful if approached appropriately. As anywhere.
This situation is annoying, but no more than that. There will be enough licensed for a cyclist, and very cheap. Just takes a little savvy and friendly to find it. Perhaps is why some find accom, and some can't.

The roads really are not so bad, not as some have you believe. Sort of what you are used too thing. Very similar to off HW's in Oz. Traffic outside of the two cities is near nil, and even in those are not a worry.
The road direct from Yangon to Mandalay is not great excitement, but I thought enjoy. Guess is what you make of it. The towns make it good. Like anywhere, just roads are just roads. Is easy fast ride.

Perhaps Mandalay is an individual thing. I went there with not knowing enough to have expectations and enjoyed, plenty to do.

Not the easiest country to get info on, for whatever reason. The official tourist bureau web site is pretty, and also pretty useless. But is very easy to play it by ear. The only decent reference material you will get or really need is visa entry stuff.

Is a great country for the culture, and especially the people.
Been there a couple of times, if anything specific you want, send PM, may be able to help.