by Keith Craig of http://cycling-the-world.blogspot.com

Introduction

ACTA member Keith Craig has explored South East Asia with a group he met originally through the UK Cyclists' Touring Club. Here's his account of their trip from Singapore to Hong Kong.

Singapore was the start point. Our route would take us approximately 7000 km, up the east coast of West Malaysia and peninsular Thailand to Bangkok, across Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City and then would follow the coast in Vietnam and China to Hong Kong.

Mid October was an ideal time, as we wanted to be out of Malaysia before the arrival of the monsoon. More importantly, we knew that we could get across Cambodia only during the dry season and winter is a good time for southern China. More...

Keith, Gavin, Ray, Rhona & Peter on an epic cycle tour from Singapore to Hong Kong. I joined them for the Vietnam stage, a short 2000km stage in 4 weeks. Keith published an excellent article for NZ magazine called 100 days.

The route is North along Highway 1 from Saigon to Hanoi, easy navigation and quite popular with cycle tourists. The south is enterprising, whilst the north is bureaucratic and the home of central government. Best places to stay are private family run hotels, as the government places tend to be run down, although they're an experience you shouldn't miss. More...

Made it from Saigon to Hanoi, a total of 1911km, twice as much as any previous cycle tour, got here early this afternoon, checked in and walked round the lake and city centre, the old quarter, narrow streets, shops selling 'briker-brak', mopeds dashing in every direction - tomorrow is a rest day for sight seeing, then of to Singapore next day - maybe will go any see Ho Chi Minh in the mausoleum.

No injuries, fairly busy on the roads into the city - good fun - its 5:30pm and peter and i are in the internet cafe before meeting Keith and Gavin for our evening meal

Enjoying Vietnam, friendly people, lots of road side activity

The cycle touring is enjoyable in a sadistic sort of way, cold weather - a high of 20c today - cold compared to southern Vietnam - much more tropical and hot

Today was good, 140km - small headwind, no rain, yehooooo - all the mud/rain has worn out the bike chain - so progress a little slow - 8 hours of gears going crunch/chainslip/clack/chainslip/crunch - very painful - got here & semi repaired at a local bike shop - 2 more days to Hanoi now and will get some rest for sight-seeing - Peter, Gavin & Keith are continuing the tour through china to Hong Kong - very unchartered territory and 1500km. More...

Keith, Peter, Gavin, Ray & Rhona are doing a a 6500km trip from Singapore to Hong Kong via the coast, and i join up for the Vietnam leg, from Saigon to Hanoi.

Had a 6 hour stop over in Singapore, spent the whole time with the lady from the information desk. The best transit experience, met the guys at the hotel, back again yahoooo!

Saigon, few call it Ho Chi Minh. I cannot explain just how amazing the traffic is here, vehicles crammed into every spare inch (literally) and still moving! Complete chaos with everyone just managing to miss each other, just when you see an accident about to happen, it doesn't. Trekking area is good. More...