Visitng Melaka/Ipoh/KL and the Cameron Highlands may be more difficult b/c of my planned route through Malaysia. I could cross west earlier than intended maybe but I haven't seen any travel logs with possible routes. I'm not opposed to bussing it between however... this may be my only chance to do some touring without having to train/race for pro triathlons... so I want to get as much in as I can!
Anyone know routes cutting across Malaysia more south than the one from Kota Bharu along the Thai border? I am an experienced cyclist (but not on this bike). I don't want to camp though.
I was also wondering.. do touring cyclists usually bring their laptop computers? Right now my ditigal camera card doesn't hold many pictures so I'd have to buy a new one if I dont bring my laptop to upload. I would like to compose a really good travel log plus update my website when I can (which is available on my laptop). But I don't wnat to risk it if it's too wet out or not secure enough.
People take laptops touring, but in my opinion they're far too heavy, bulky and delicate to take on the road with you. Travelling light is important on a bike, and where you're going you need very little. Either get another card for your camera, or take it to an internet cafe and burn your pics onto a CD.
I have no recent experience of Thailand, but it's generally the case that the crime rate in countries like that is far lower than the US and in addition foreigners tend not to be targetted. The US foreign office is incredibly conservative with their advice. If they applied their own standards to the US, they'd advise people not to go there.
It's only natural for your family to worry about you - mine worry about me. I show them the research I've done to convince them I'm not doing anything too daft. I've been on a lot of bike trips now and they now know I don't take silly risks.
Good luck with it.
I wholeheartedly agree that I feel a lot safer anywhere in Asia then in the US. It's the only place I've had bottles tossed at me and I've been actually shot at(yahoos in a pick up truck thought it was funny to discharge a gun to scare me). I wouldn't take a laptop touring unless it was very small and I didn't mind having it damaged. The humidity and the rattling are not very good for computers and there are plenty of internet cafes along the way. In Thailand, it's usally 1 Baht/min so 2 hours would cost less than 3USD. I would invest in a bigger card for your camera, you may bust/lose your laptop and that will be more expensive than a memory card and less junk to carry. You can get a 1GB card in SG for less than 50USD.
There is a nice road that goes from Kota Bahru down back towards KL and there's another one that crosses from Kuantan towards KL but honestly I would take the other one. It's very nice and much more convenient. I did it with a girlfriend a few years back and we didn't have tents and didn't have any accommodation problems. I don't remember the exact distances but there's no way she would have done more than 130kms...Mind you I was carrying both our gear. In any case, you can always get in a vehicle, the share cabs are pretty good in Malaysia and not expensive at all.
Hi,
More information get in touch www.downtheroad.org They were cycling in west side of malaysia, useing the costal roads with less trafic. Thanks
Thank you all for helping me out! I've spent heaps of time reading through travel logs, looking at photos, maps and my lonely planet guidebook. I also talked to my brother who has done several trips to SE Asia including a bike trip along a river in Laos.
For me, this trip may be my last chance to visit SE Asia (at least without a racing bicycle and the burden of having to train for professional triathlon). That said, I want to be able to experience as much as I can - which isn't as easy if I'm traveling up the "sleepier" east coast of Malaysia. Also, the monsoon season complicates things with the possibility of leftover flooding and clean-up, plus the forecast of more rains to come along the east coast. A couple places in Malaysia that my brother told me not to miss are one of the huge cities that are "typical Asian loud, crowded, crazy cities that you probably won't like but you should go experience" ... meaning Kuala Lumpur. He also said Melaka is a neat city. And he said if I don't see anything else in Malaysia I should at least get to the Cameron Highlands (since I like mountains and natural beauty so much).
So based on these factors (with the additional factor of avoiding the troubled areas of SE Thailand), I am thinking of a bit of a different route. I will spend a few days getting organized in Singapore then I will take a bus to Melaka and KL. My brother said I probably won't like riding into/out of these cities (but since I am a cyclist I may have a different opinion of this...) He said since I've never been to Asia it would be easier to get used to the culture/people/food/etc. if I'm not on a bicycle when I first start out.
From there, I would probably catch a bus to Cameron Highlands then deciding on the safety of the descent out of the mountains I'd start riding from CH down to Ipoh then Penang then into Thailand along the west coast to Satun and visit the island Ko Lipe. After that I'd ride to Trang/Krabi - spend a day rock climbing, visit the island Ko Lanta and the pretty city Phang-Nga. I'd go do the boat/snorkeling trip from Hat Kao Lak. Then I'd get back on my bike and ride from Takua Pa east to Surat Thani and pick up the route back up along the east coast to Bangkok (taking a train if I get tired/whatever).
Then I will spend a day or 2 in Bangkok but after that train it to Ayuthaya where he said I should spend a couple days. Then I'd ride my bike to Lopburi, Chainat, Sukhothai (excellent town). Then since I would start running into some major mountains I'd hop on a train to Chiang Mai and sell my bike there. Then depending on how much time I have left (and money!) I'd consider buying a plane ticket to Vientiane or Luang Prabang in Laos. From Vientiane I'd cross the border into Nong Khai then I'd take a different train route back to Bangkok where I'd conclude my trip.
I may still consider riding up the east coast of Malaysia instead of bussing to Melaka/KL if I find someone to ride with and the flooding damage isn't too serious.
Thanks for your interest and all your help! I'm super excited. I will be in-and-out on the internet for the next 2 weeks because I am doing some traveling around New Zealand but I will have my computer and get online when I can.
I think you might be making a few mistakes here.
First of all, locals tend to be much easier to deal with when they aren't used to seeing tourists - and travelling by bike means that those are exactly the kind of people that you meet. They are far less likely to see you as a walking cash machine than people in touristy areas. So starting off by bus probably won't give you the gentle intro your brother thinks it will. That's a mistake non cyclists often make. And anyway, SE Asia is so easy to deal with there's no need for a gentle intro.
Second, don't be scared of the hills. Riding on the flat can get very dull and if you're a triathlete you'll be plenty fit enough to ride in the hills. In fact if you're going to take buses/trains for part of your journey, I'd advise you to do that on the flat bits! Hills bring cool air, stunning scenery, less traffic and more variety which are nectar for the cyclist. Again, non cyclists usually get this wrong.
But the main things is you'll be doing your trip and you'll have a great time whatever.
I agree with pq, it's not bad riding out of Singapore and there's lovely scenery through palm tree plantations on some of the back roads to/from Melaka. While it may be quicker on the bus/train, you're just as likely to have hassles as you would on a bike because shady characters are more likely to hang around those areas then in the middle of nowhere. People in Malaysia and Singapore are fairly reserved compared to Indonesia for example so you won't get people running at you for all kinds of reasons.
If you are thinking of becoming a professional triathlete then I would assume that you are fitter then 95% of the people that tour on a bike so hills should not be a worry at all. There are no real mountains in Thailand either, it's a little bit hilly in the North but really nothing to be concerned about... Cycling to Luang Prabang is also a very pleasant trip, the road is quite good and the people are fabulous. Don't worry too much, go with it and you'll be fine. The hardest part will be the first week maybe when you get used to the heat and humidity. Try to ride your bike earlier in the day and for shorter periods. Of course drink lots of water...
Don't worry to much about making firm plans, you'll see how it goes and how you feel. My first trip around Malaysia, I had planned to ride the west and then down the east and I was told that the rains might start, even though I had already started, I just changed course and went to the East Coast first. Worked out perfectly...
What is a good estimate for budgeting the day-to-day bus fares, accommodation, eating, train fares for between Singapore and Northern Thailand for 6 weeks?
I am freaking out about the money right now.... wasn't able to change a plane ticket so I had to buy a new one for $900. My parents just want me to come home :(
You should be able to get decent accommodation in Thailand for 10US/day or less, that will usually get you a private room with bathroom and fan. Food for about 5-10USD. A good plate of fried rice is usually less than 1USD. Litre of water about 35cents. Bus ride shouldn't be more than 5US at a time depending on where you are going. I think that with 25USD/day, you will be very comfortable... I did it on about 15/day without buses but I like to eat a lot and I don't drink alcohol.
Singapore is significantly more expensive especially for decent accommodation but there are still cheapie crash pads. Malaysia is also a bit more expensive than Thailand but far less than Singapore.
People who know Malaysia better than I have covered it. Don't know about the floods. The weather recently has gone crazy unpredictable. But usually on the peninsular, when the weather is bad one side, the other is good. Mb play it by ear. Floods come and go, usually quickly.
The west route Phuket to Chumphon is a good easy ride touching national park. From there up the coast, the main road much like main roads, expected traffic, not greatly interesting. From Chumphon most way north can go the coast road, parallel HW., good fast road, interesting, nice beaches and cheap accom. Not in LP but you'll find them easy enough. From Prachuap you'll be back on the main road but it's not threatening, easy fast ride.]
BKK is not the terrifying it's made out to be, and from the south is an easier way to enter. If you worry, bus is best bet. Unless you want to do BKK, skirt it to west is a great ride, Ratburi, Kanburi direction. Can cut back to HW 1 easy from there.
As above, there are no mountains in Thailand, tho some serious hills in the north west corner. All good fast roads with good cycle lanes.
Sukhothai to ChM. Major mountains !!. Someones been pulling you tit. Hardly rates flat rolling. Like one fair hill 24k out of ChM. And I'm no super athlete and I cruise over it without building a sweat, on a full loaded tour bike.
The Loas bit. Your choice. I'd spend the time instead doing north Thai.
The north bit. One time met a Thai girl training cycling for tri. just out of ChM. Her regular training was ChM to ChR, overnight and return. Takes me two on a straight run on loaded tour bike. Mb work on that.
Won't suggest where you should go. Your brother knows you better than I do, and obviously thinks differently. Like Ayuthaya is good, 1 day plenty,, ride there, easy. Sukhothai good, I'd down grade it from excellent. 'pretty' city Phang-Nga, he must have seen what I didn't see. Get my point?
Budget. I work on US$30 a day, and seldom spend 20. For me thats comfortable, not pushing for basic. That basic, no transport, trips, alcohol.
$10 give you good accom, usually cost me 5 to 8. In the markets can eat well for a $1. In restaurants can pay as much as you want, believe me want can go hi.
Safety. I wouldn't place too much on it. Obviously you keeps eyes open, and don't go to places areas that look suspect. My understanding is the entire area is not total war zone. More a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The odds would be highly in your favor. My experience is that if you enter a danger zone, you will be warned or stopped. Something about killed tourists are bad country image.
Know a German guy just cycled through a supposed hi danger area there, and saw nothing of it.
Your choice.
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