Travel across Laos on a bike!! anyone???

sally_who · May 2, 2010

Hi all..!!

im looking into travelling across laos on a dirt bike! im not planning to join any tours whatsoever.. just rent a bike + trusty maps + GPS + some guts...

i wish to cover at least from vientiane to luang prabang if not more. detours are always welcome.the plan is theres not gonna be a plan. i think its highly possible to reach the other side of the country and back in a week.. (lets not get too ambitious here- im no expert)

*NOTE: this is NOT suppose to be an intensive off-road high-adrenalin extreme-biking. this is suppose to be leisure ride to explore the country on a bike..and a bit more..

so anyways, im looking for like minded people who may be interested.. probably gonna happen towards the end of the year? (have to start collecting $$ first) of course this is gonna be a shoe-string-budget trip.. for a week or 2 weeks..? (or until $$ runs out ) .. suggestions that may come in handy are welcome too

~wee~~

so exciting!!

xoxo

*and of course it'll be extra cool if u people KNOW how to change a flat tire or at least have a sense of direction. because i don't.

FB666Y · May 7, 2010

Lots of info here:

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128405

and especially here:

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128405

Get a guide book like Lonely Planet or Rough Guide so you can start budgeting.

zyrofillica · May 7, 2010

lonely girl jioing guys to go on a ride. i wonder how come more pple dun volunteer

NinjaLite · May 8, 2010

sounds interesting...

so d plan is fly ther and rent ? or can ride ther den ride local dirt bike..

1 week shd b okie for mi in Dec period.... sense of direction is ok... jus dun ask mi hands on... any problems wif d bike, dump it ther n fly back

jeremy_kokwk · May 14, 2010

i think lots of guys pm her already hahahha ..... go go go!

G450X · May 14, 2010

I think 1 week is not enuf even if you fly there...vientiane u need 2 days, luang prabang 2days....to get to prabang from vientiane i day ride thru' the mountains...very nice views and cool up in the mountains. i day back and then fly home...that's all u have

Laung Prabang have this:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg177/Blackstx/Cambodia%20Laos/Day%2010/DSC01391.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg177/Blackstx/Cambodia%20Laos/Day%2010/DSC01399.jpg

In vientiane have this:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg177/Blackstx/Cambodia%20Laos/Day%207%20and%208/DSC01110.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg177/Blackstx/Cambodia%20Laos/Day%207%20and%208/DSC01123.jpg

Rent the bikes from them

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg177/Blackstx/Cambodia%20Laos/Day%207%20and%208/DSC01138.jpg

In laos alone I spent 7 days and yet cannot visit all the places, i missed the plain of Jars, the waterfall at pakse and many other...going there by bike will take you three days to reach vientiane spent 8 days around and three days back will be 14 days just nice...

Good luck

glzco · June 1, 2010

wow.. damn cool.. i'm lookin for a plan lidat also.. any go aheads wif the plan? lookin at dec too..

lwfc · June 2, 2010

sounds interesting. whats the estimated cost involved?

kmax · June 2, 2010

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6239908&postcount=11223

Let me narrate this story..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9749.jpg
Ansley stuck in the mud.. There's a cliff behind the bike!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9750.jpg
The sh!t mud we went thru.. Can you imagine a large lorry going thru this? It did!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9757.jpg
The start of the little mud on Ansley's bike..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9756.jpg
Terrence's really clean bike..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9796.jpg
After alot of dusty trail but minimal mud.. This was taken before the first pic in this post..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9795.jpg
Same as above..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9804.jpg
Bridge crossing.. The bridge was made of rattan weaving.. We were really worried that it would give..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9803.jpg
Terrence's turn on the bridge

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9761.jpg
One of the few rivers we crossed..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9771.jpg
These were our bikes in the morning.. We had to camp along the road overnight as our "shorter route" was short but tough and rough.. Note to self: State highway in Laos = off road + river crossings..

kmax · June 2, 2010

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6239908&postcount=11223

Let me narrate this story..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9749.jpg
Ansley stuck in the mud.. There's a cliff behind the bike!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9750.jpg
The sh!t mud we went thru.. Can you imagine a large lorry going thru this? It did!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9757.jpg
The start of the little mud on Ansley's bike..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9756.jpg
Terrence's really clean bike..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9796.jpg
After alot of dusty trail but minimal mud.. This was taken before the first pic in this post..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9795.jpg
Same as above..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9804.jpg
Bridge crossing.. The bridge was made of rattan weaving.. We were really worried that it would give..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9803.jpg
Terrence's turn on the bridge

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9761.jpg
One of the few rivers we crossed..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/limpflink/TDM900/IMG_9771.jpg
These were our bikes in the morning.. We had to camp along the road overnight as our "shorter route" was short but tough and rough.. Note to self: State highway in Laos = off road + river crossings..

khaitronic · June 2, 2010

WOW...can share the est $$ need for this kind of trip...Good way to spend the holidays!

glzco · June 2, 2010

so anyone ups to plan for such a trip in dec? does the monsoon affects laos cambodia thailand alot?

sally_who · July 10, 2010

oh wow.

****. cant believe i've missed out soo much discussion here.. im overwhlemed by the response.

firstly, jeremy, no guys pm me. since there was absolutely NO response in the beginning, i stopped checking. i moved on to other forums hehee..

and G450x u drive me craaazy with those pictures!! and id love to get stuck too kmax

lets see, the readily available tours are so crazy expensive! like at least 1800USD for 10days (altho everything inclusive).. yeah of course its "safer" in a way u dun have to worry too much about where to stay or what happens when ur vehicle breaksdown and u have a guide etc etc. however i have read about people who have done it themselves. i read a blog about this guy who even went on his own for a whole 20 days even without knowing how to ride a bike in the first place! so i know its do-able to DIY this whole trip.

and i found this website http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/laos-f49.html which is sooo very helpful that can help in planning the trip right down to the weather, where to eat or stay, or the highway road to take or even the small off roads in travelling around laos. and the bike rental (for Honda XR250) is approximately 15-20 USD a day. rooms and food are as cheap (if not cheaper) than the ones in thailand/cambodia/vietnam. i haven't gotten down to calculate the gritty detials as to how much it would have cost but im pretty darn sure its a mere fraction of the crazy-expensive-blood-sucking guided tours.

i have set my mind on going already (regardless if i find kaki to go with or not). at the moment im looking into november. 5th nov is deepavali hol and 17th nov is hari raya haji holiday. so if u take leave for 9 days between these 2 weeks, u get a total of 17 days leaaave!! =D

sally_who · July 10, 2010

but my dates are flexible, i havent really finalised on anything yet. im planning to go via KL on AirAsia (since its cheaper of course). at the moment, theres a finnish guy i met in vietnam who loved the idea and would like to join. but nothing is confirmed.

and nov/ dec is the dry cool season, so its perfect! i reckon u guys read the entries of those who been on this trip on the above link and it'll convince you that it'll be an epic trip that needs to be experienced.

thanks for the tips and link everyone! let me know what u guys think!

glzco · July 12, 2010

cool stuff.. november i'll be unable to make it.. december is a sure go if its planned for then.. hope you get somemore response!

G450X · July 13, 2010

Planning in Dec 3rd to 19th.....However I will be riding up with my XR250 as I can control my timing and change whenever I want.....

3rd - Hatyai 4th - Hua Hin 5th - Chiang Mai 6th - Huayxai/Luang Namtha 8th - Luang Prabang 10th - Vientiane 11th - Pakse 13th - Bangkok 15th - Chumpon 17th - Hatyai 18/19th - Xingapor

Interested please PM to discuss.

sally_who · July 14, 2010

cool stuff.. november i'll be unable to make it.. december is a sure go if its planned for then.. hope you get somemore response!

looks like G450X plan and timing suits u!

Planning in Dec 3rd to 19th.....However I will be riding up with my XR250 as I can control my timing and change whenever I want.....

3rd - Hatyai 4th - Hua Hin 5th - Chiang Mai 6th - Huayxai/Luang Namtha 8th - Luang Prabang 10th - Vientiane 11th - Pakse 13th - Bangkok 15th - Chumpon 17th - Hatyai 18/19th - Xingapor

Interested please PM to discuss.

im not particularly interested in riding up. (lazy la) i actually just want to experience laos in a more intimate way by crossing paths with the locals, and getting deep into the village and getting involved in a less touristic way etc.

i have also in fact never ride up anywhere beyond jb so i may just be slowing u down. and i just own a rusty (yet trusty) rxz but i do have some experience riding off road on xr250 in cambodia. that was soooo much fun (thats why i decide to embark on this trip)

lets just see how things work out as nothing is planned out proper for me yet. i may wanna travel (not on bike) across thailand to myanmar. (17days may just be too short) but, at the moment i dunno whats what. i will let u know should i want to just meet up with u in laos and ride around.

do keep me updated on ur travel plans okay! thanks!

glzco · July 14, 2010

no doubt his timing suits me but my bike aint built for speed but more for endurance.. bajaj pulsar.. indian bike.. heh.. i rarely go beyond 90.. and i believe riding the xr250 might just go way beyond that.. but we'll see how~~~

we at the bajaj thread will be planning a malacca trip in the near future.. our plans to slowly go further and further with our bikes..

sally_who · August 4, 2010

still dunno what's what.

but i already bought a one-way tix to bkk on 7th nov (on promotion $4.50 + tax). i think it makes more economical sense to take an overnight train to laos (at $USD26) as compared to take flight from here (USD$350)

then no plan.. yet.

glzco · August 4, 2010

good luck on ur trip~~~ i'm sure you'll meet many other similar tourers ard..

glzco · January 12, 2011

Hope ur plan to ride across was successful! Do update us with pics and all..

sally_who · January 13, 2011

I guess a report is in order. Been meaning to write one, but, I'm the master at the art of procrastination

In writing this, I will try as much to omit the finer details, such as my thoughts and emotions. Otherwise this report will end up a thesis. Mere observations and riding experiences only! In short, this trip, was a disastrous one for me. All that could go wrong, well, went wrong delayed flight (4 days mind you!) NO DIRT BIKE. Broken iPod. Broken heart. Bad company. I shall not go on. I call it a series of unfortunate events. Fortunately the ride was awesome.

First thing first, I ended up with a moped. Yes yes a blardy cubchai. Wasted my energy lugging around a big bag with gloves and riding gear and whatever what not. So I end up leaving it all and was travelling with a small sling bag. Lasted 8 days. Vientiane to Luang Prabang was ~ 450 km away but clocked in 800 km (but whos counting). It was the dry cool season and oh super duper dusty. Jules was nice enough to plan the route (although I didn't take his bike). It's very simple and direct really. and its oh-so-nice to get lost. Half way point from Vientiane to Vang Vieng - found this place by the lake, called salapa fisherman's place. The best spot. Ended up staying there 3 nights (and fishing). Followed by Vang Vieng (crazy party tubing topless drunk ppl at 2 pm *rolls eyes* ) but found myself one cool quiet eco lodge 5 km further up north. No better way to end the day than bathing in the freezing river with the locals. Then up up up and almost slept under the stars. bla bla bla. Stayed in small dingy town. With a dingy room. Cold as hell. (hmm) Then Luang Prabang.

The roads of Laos. While their best road has a speed limit of 30km per hour, cant help thinking- wtf right? Well, you may if you'd like, try to ride as fast as u can. Note that the roads have absolutely no markings, are endless winding, plenty of blind corners - and a surprise at every corner! With the big bullies on roads, (like most Asian countries the rules of the road is simple- the big ones goes first. always.) Ever so often u have to move aside or come to a complete halt. Worst if they creep up from behind and zoom past you while you're serenely overlooking cliffs covered with a blanket of beautiful yellow flowers- contemplating the simple charming joys of being a butterfly. Or worse, catch u completely off guard barelling round a blind corner with a hand on the damn horn that startles u, snapping u back to reality.

And at some point, im sure one cant help thinking. really now, WHY did the chicken cross the road? I mean half the time, they decide to turn around at the very last second leaving u with screeches and skids. I learn, to never try to go "around them". Just let them strut across the road followed by the cute little chicks waddling their cute little bum bums (applicable to ducks too). As for every other farm animal, some can be a more courteous road user than others. Like cows and goats for instance, always give way to you. Pigs are most considerate- they always stay on the side. However, oxes are road hoggers! You can honk all u want. They simply refuse to budge. Butterflies are a whole different story.

Just the roads winding unwinding was fascinating with line ups of villages by the road side. U can always go inwards to see the villages up front. (and Laotian, I observed, are indifferent towards foreigners - even kids, they don't turn to look twice unlike most other Asian countries) anyways kids are always dashing across the road. And occasionally, u see military men with uniforms and rifles. *shrug* and abandoned huts situated strategically off cliff - that will tempt u to go "I think I need a break" although ur last break was just 20 mins ago.

Its amazing how right smack in the middle of nowhere, somewhere somehow someone will just pop up - walking at the side of the road in a desolate area - usually with a huuuuuge basket on their back, or with a strap on their forehead, or balanced on their head. sometimes no shoes. And you know the last town was miles away, I mean seriously now. then what right? So I pick them up and send them wherever their fingers point.

All in all. I was inconsistently riding fast and slow. Depending on the shaded side of the mountains and time of the day. Not wanting to sound dramatic, I was freezing half the time up in the mountains and at night. im a true blue tropical girl. My flip flops and bermudas didn't suffice. (16 - 24 Celsius). And oh, best thing about these mopeds, I manage to go off road in search of caves and temples and waterfalls. and they survive good.

Laos- I'd say, is as rustic as it can get. waking up before sun up to see the monks walk by, (no I dun take pictures of people or locals. I think its offensive), slow town, English hardly spoken. Weed is abundant. Beer is cheap. (disclaimer: not my vices) Whats not to like?

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally01.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally02.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally03.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally04.jpg

dingy town

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally05.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally06.jpg

damn road hoggers

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally07.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally08.jpg

Edited January 13, 2011 by sally_who

esperar · January 14, 2011

This looks awesome and kudos for going ahead despite the rough conditions! Great pictures and it'd be fantastic to see more.

Did you use a GPS? I was in Vietnam earlier this month doing a short (5-day), spontaneous trip northwards from HCMC on a cub as well. Found myself lost a lot because all I had was a tourist map of the country which only showed the main roads. No small roads, no small towns indicated. Like your experience, it was much fun though. I'd do it all over again.

Thanks for sharing, cheers!

sally_who · January 17, 2011

thanks for the remarks esperar! yeah love to do it all over again!

and no gps.. just a map.. not quite accurate tho, and the locals along the way cant speak english at all.. but thats the beauty aint it, getting "lost". scaring yourself silly being in a foreign land and hardly knowing where you are at any point of time- so what is "lost" right? i see it as exploration so what the hell, different route, different eta, but i got there alright

anyways i didnt take too many pictures, mostly had me in it. heh. (and ppl here dun put up pictures of themselves it seems, so i wont too) well heres a few more!

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally10.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally11.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally12.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally13.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally14.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally15.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally16.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally17.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally18.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m308/FB666Y/laosally19.jpg

sally_who · January 17, 2011