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1. Despite some reluctance for guidebooks to be enthusiastic about
cycling in SE Asia, I had no problems here at all. The roads in the 3
countries I visited were all excellent, smooth, broad, and often with
hard shoulders for cyclists and motorbikes. The traffic can be heavy on
the major highways but is generally well-behaved and courteous to a
cyclist. 2. I would advise cyclists to buy the best maps they can,
especially in Thailand, as there are many opportunities on the peninsular to
escape from the main road onto smaller coastal roads which go through a
series of quiet and traditional villages. 3. Accommodation is plentiful
and cheap - ridiculously so in Thailand. It is easily possible to find a
room for under 8 S Dollars, and a little more will buy you a decent en suite
room in a town hotel. In Malaysia, every single tiny town and village seems
to have at least one or two hotels, often above a row of shops on the main
road. 4. If you think accommodation is cheap then eating is even more so.
I found I was spending less than 10 US Dollars for all my food, drinks,
water, snacks etc in a day. 5. I know I mention it ruefully in my diary,
but do give serious consideration to the weather, and especially the wind
direction. The North East Monsoon blows right down the peninsular to
Singapore from November to March, whilst in the summer it goes the other
way! The monsoon can bring flooding and heavy rains to the East coast of
Malaysia during the winter, so again, check this as it could stop anyone
cycling there. 6. In Singapore and Malaysia, most people will speak some
English, but in Thailand, this is definitely NOT the case. Off the beaten
track, you may also find menus in Thai only, so it is worth having a
phrasebook at least to ensure you buy the meal you want. 7. There are
excellent bicycle shops in the capitals, Singapore, K.L. and Bangkok, but in
between, only the basics (tyres and tubes) may be available from local
shops, often selling only kiddies bikes. 8. The security situation in the
deep south of Thailand, where some of the Muslim population are in dispute
with the authorities is a cause for concern. The current FCO advice is
"against all non-essential travel to these provinces." You can avoid them
easily by taking Highway 1 from Malaysia, joining Highway 4 in Thailand,
first stop at Hat Yai. 9. Finally just a word on the strength of the sun.
Even though I had built up a good base tan, I found that I burnt here very
easily, even when the sky was cloudy. High factor sun-cream is necessary. I
am sporting burnt finger joints where the protection from my cycling mitts
stops. 10. Generally, my advice would be; if you're thinking of cycling
here, do it. It's a friendly, interesting, and cheap place to visit. |
