Cycling Tour Information

The Asia Adventures Way

All Asia Adventures tours are designed to provide personal interaction between visitors and local people, and unique sightseeing experiences rarely offered on standard tours. More than any other kind of program, cycling tours are the ideal way to do this.

Biking is the best way to see Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos in a leisurely, personal way, while also being able to cover a reasonable distance. Set your own pace; stop for a photo with a local farmer, a chat over lunch with a Buddhist monk or a refreshing swim with the villagers in a cool stream. 

On your cycling tour, you will explore the most famous and important sites, but the most memorable experiences will be the out-of-the-way places that few tourists go: a tiny village market, a local wedding, a guest house in a place you won’t see on any map. You will ride the latest model high-quality bikes and your professional cycling guide will open doors for you to the captivating Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos countryside.

Cycling Routes

The bike route you will take was carefully researched and planned by our product development team and our senior cycling guides, weaving together enjoyable cycle routes with fascinating destinations.  Great care is taken to find the most interesting, comfortable routes that will take you off the heavily trafficked thoroughfares and on to the back roads with little traffic, taking you through rice fields and villages where you will enjoy interacting with the most friendly people in the world.

Support and Logistics

Enjoy all the adventure of a cycling tour without any of the hassles. Your cycling tour is fully supported by Asia Adventures’ team of professional guides, mechanics, and support vehicle drivers. Your bags are carried in our support vehicles and your bikes will be cleaned, repaired, and maintained by our mechanics or guides.

Need a break from biking for a while? Just jump in the van or bus and relax!

It’s important to stay hydrated and nourished while biking, so you will always have water, drinks, fruits, and snacks available in our support vehicles.

Bike Rental Information

To go along with the most interesting routes and the most professional cycling guides, you can also enjoy riding on the latest model, top quality bikes. Your ride will cover a wide variety of terrain from smooth pavement to rough dirt roads, in both flat and mountainous areas. For versatility, durability, and rideability, the best brands of mountain bikes are available for you to rent: Cannondale.

Each bike is equipped with a single water bottle cage, however, you are welcome to add your own. Gel seat coverslips and women-specific seats are generally available, or if you prefer to use your own saddle, bring it along and it will be installed for you. The rental bikes have flat pedals, however, if you prefer to bring your own clipless, toe-clip or other specialized pedals, they can be installed for you.

For Your Health and Safety

Cycling helmets must be worn on all rides. Helmets meeting U.S. CPSC bicycle safety helmet standards will be provided, however as an item of personal safety and comfort, you are certainly welcome to bring your own.

Ride at your own pace. Don’t feel pressured to ride at speeds or distances beyond your comfort zone. If you’re feeling uncomfortable or just tired of riding, you are welcome to ride in the support vehicle. Ride with at least one other person in case of difficulty or emergency. Allow plenty of space between cyclists to avoid accidents should someone stop or swerve suddenly. Use caution overtaking other riders and inform them on which side you will pass, as they may not be aware you are passing them. Stop at all junctions and intersections unless instructed otherwise by the guide.

It’s very important to drink plenty of water and eat enough food to maintain energy levels, especially during hot days. There is 1 water bottle cage on the rental bikes, but it’s a good idea to have a small backpack to carry additional water, fruit, snacks or energy bars. The guides will generally stop every 15 to 20km for riders to take a break and get more food or drinks from the support vehicles.

Stick with the group as much as possible and be prepared in case you get separated. Generally, the guide will ride at or near the back of the group, and the support vehicles always follow the group unless road conditions don’t permit. For larger groups with 2 guides, 1 will ride in front and the other in the back. In the event you get separated from the group or otherwise lose your way, return to the last place you were sure you saw other group members and wait; your guide or support vehicle driver will find you. If you are ahead of the group and in doubt of the route, stop and wait for the rest of the group or cycling guide. Always know the final destination for the day’s ride and carry some pocket money and the mobile phone numbers of the cycling guides.

Among other farm animals, you will probably pass lots of dogs while you are out on your ride, however, they are not likely to be aggressive. It’s more probable they will be afraid of you and run away, rather than chase you. In the unlikely event one does chase you, do not try to race off but stop and get off your bike, putting it between you and the dog.

Asia Adventures requires all participants on cycling or trekking tours to have comprehensive travel insurance for the entire duration of the tour. Policies must include comprehensive medical coverage as well as emergency evacuation. Proof of insurance must be provided to us prior to participation on the tour, either by fax, e-mail or presenting documentation upon arrival.

Tipping

Tipping good service providers is common in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. Bring plenty of small notes for hotel staff, restaurant servers, taxi drivers and any other service provider. 

Your cycling guide, mechanic, support vehicle driver take great pride in the service they provide. If they have met or exceeded your expectations and you would like to show your appreciation with a tip, suggested amounts are from US$1 – US$3 per person/per day for the cycling guide, and half that for each other support staff. It’s most polite to give the tip in an envelope at the end of the tour.