Embarking on a bicycle tour has become a beloved exploration and experience for many people recently. With this activity, travelers can improve their health and venture to wherever they desire.
Reasons to Try Bicycle Travel Once
If you're tired of typical resort vacations, spending the whole day lounging in hotels, then you might want to try bicycle travel. Cycling around will help you appreciate the surrounding natural landscapes to the fullest.
If your health isn't up for long programs, you can opt for short biking adventures to experience steep hills, scorching sun, and passing rain showers in the jungle. Naturally, the cost of this form of travel isn't as high as motorcycles or cars, allowing us to save a significant amount of money. Some advantages of cycling trips are detailed below:
1. Beneficial for Health
Cycling is an effective form of exercise that helps us lose weight, stabilize blood pressure, improve blood circulation, enhance physical appearance... For destinations that are not too vast, we can choose cycling to explore.
2. Independence and Flexibility
Traveling by bike also allows us to move independently and flexibly. You can depart to any place you want and stop wherever feels suitable to admire the scenery.
3. Explore More Places
Thanks to cycling trips, we can easily explore various stopping points from mountains to villages, rivers, lakes, and ponds... Enjoying the scenery on both sides of the road and immersing ourselves in the simple life of the countryside is an experience no one wants to miss.
4. Can Camp Wherever You Like
With a bikepacking journey, you can camp more comfortably. This allows us to freely explore nearby destinations and learn about the lives of the people around us.
5. Connect with Locals
Thanks to cycling trips, you're more likely to receive friendly greetings from local residents. We can engage in activities like asking for directions, enjoying street food, or shopping to learn more about the local culture.
Some Suitable Destinations to Explore by Bike
1. Vũng Tàu
Vũng Tàu is a vibrant coastal city with a plethora of stunning seaside routes for us to explore while enjoying the sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun, and the rotating windmills. You can ride along the bike saddle to discover the beaches, Bao Dai Mansion, the Statue of Jesus, or indulge in delicious dishes at various eateries. For couples, it's ideal to rent tandem bikes to leisurely roam around beaches like Front Beach, Back Beach, or Dinh Beach...
2. Hue
Hue is an ancient imperial city where narrow intersections and crossroads are adorned with moss. If you rely solely on taxis, cars, or multi-seater vehicles, it's difficult to fully appreciate the poetic beauty of this city. Although not as bustling as other tourist cities, Hue exudes a gentle, distinct charm that is perfect for a cycling tour.
A favorite route among readers for exploration in Hue is the street alongside the Quoc Hoc School, Con Hen, and Thuận An Beach. Don't forget to explore the small alleys to savor Hue's delicious specialties or the famous alleyway desserts often mentioned by tourists. You'll surely remember the taste forever.
3. Da Nang
Known as the “most livable city in Vietnam,” Da Nang boasts long coastal roads and zigzag streets, offering a refreshing and pleasant atmosphere. This is a significant advantage that makes Da Nang a top destination for cycling tours.
You can cycle along the route from the Han River to My Khe Beach, from the market to Non Nuoc Beach, exploring many interesting things along the windy streets by the river. Hop on a bike and explore this youthful, friendly city as you ride along the long coastal road through the streets.
4. Hoi An
Hoi An encompasses all the perfect elements for an exploration of the ancient town. You can wander through the narrow streets, admire the ancient houses, follow the road along the Thu Bon River to Cua Dai Beach, or explore the expansive fields. This journey will enchant us with its stunning architecture and exquisite cuisine.
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5. Hanoi
The capital Hanoi boasts tree-lined streets, melancholic corners, bustling night markets, and romantic lakeside roads... You can pedal through the streets of Hanoi and stop by roadside eateries to savor the delicacies of this culinary paradise.
6. Pu Luong
Pu Luong is an emerging tourist destination with pristine natural landscapes and terraced rice fields that captivate the eye. Here, you can immerse yourself in nature, stay at homestays in the village, or cycle to explore the surrounding scenery. A favorite cycling spot in Pu Luong is Ban Lan village, where you can discover the local craft of brocade weaving or, if you're lucky enough to visit during the rice harvest, experience the fragrance of the surrounding vegetation.
Some principles to keep in mind when cycling
1. Plan and Study the Map
Before embarking on a cycling trip, it's essential to plan your itinerary, mark the places you want to visit, and visualize the route you'll be cycling through. Additionally, another crucial factor in bike touring is balancing how much time to allocate for the trip and how long to stay in each place.
2. Learn Basic Bike Repair Skills
During long cycling journeys, you may not always find a bike repair shop, so it's important to learn some basic bike repair skills to ensure your trip goes smoothly. Common issues you may encounter include flat tires, broken brake cables, or chain malfunctions. By having essential items like a puncture repair kit, a mini pump, or a versatile bike repair tool kit prepared in advance, you can handle situations quickly and save a lot of time compared to waiting for assistance from others.
3. Ensure Excellent Health
Cycling trips differ from leisure vacations as they require high levels of physical activity and energy expenditure, making cyclists more prone to fatigue and sunstroke. Therefore, to ensure a smooth journey, it's crucial to maintain excellent health, primarily by listening to your body's signals and adjusting rest periods accordingly.
4. Start Early
The first rule of bike touring is to start early. You and your group can set off around 4 - 5 a.m. to arrive at your destination just as the sun begins to rise.
5. Pack Essential Gear Adequately
When embarking on a bike trip, there's no need to carry excessive luggage that might weigh you down. Just pack a few snacks to replenish energy and drink water every 15 - 20 minutes. Dehydration thickens the blood, increases heart rate, and leads to fatigue and exhaustion.
Additionally, bring along necessary identification documents to prepare for emergencies. Opt for moisture-wicking clothing suitable for cycling, and if riding at night, wear reflective gear. Other essential items to pack include medication, a blanket, flashlight, sleeping bag, sunglasses, and more.
6. Choose the Right Type of Bike
Depending on the route of your adventure, you can choose different types of bicycles such as mountain bikes, city bikes, or racing bikes... With this mode of transportation, travelers can explore alluring destinations, untouched landscapes awaiting with friendly smiles and warm hospitality of the locals.
Give bike touring a try to challenge yourself and gain new experiences in life. If you're still unsure about which budget-friendly tour offers cycling exploration, contact Mytour at Mytour for detailed advice.