Bicycle riding required?
Jun 28th, 2015, 02:21 PM
#1
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Bicycle riding required?
Just starting research for first trip to VN. Much seems to involve bicycles--riding them from hotel to nearby village or town, etc.
Problem is, i have a huge fear of riding, after a bad accident. I've no problem being on a motorcycle, as long as I'm not driving--but pedaling myself on a bicycle is a different story.
Feedback, please! And forewarned is forearmed: this is one of many queries coming at you all re Vietnam. NO replies yet to my question about Ha giant--perhaps I'll have better luck with this
Thanks in advance.
Problem is, i have a huge fear of riding, after a bad accident. I've no problem being on a motorcycle, as long as I'm not driving--but pedaling myself on a bicycle is a different story.
Feedback, please! And forewarned is forearmed: this is one of many queries coming at you all re Vietnam. NO replies yet to my question about Ha giant--perhaps I'll have better luck with this
Thanks in advance.
Jun 28th, 2015, 02:53 PM
#2
Are you asking whether it's required to ride a bicycle to go on tours or otherwise see the countryside in Vietnam? No, certainly not. Most small tours or group transportation, in my experience, is by van.
Jun 28th, 2015, 03:26 PM
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I would then forget any tour with bicycle involvement. imo, it's no place to be riding a bike if you are not experienced.
seems like you could take a taxi or pedi-cab while others go on a bike..
I assume this is some sort of an organized tour.
VN is very easy to do on your own, btw.
seems like you could take a taxi or pedi-cab while others go on a bike..
I assume this is some sort of an organized tour.
VN is very easy to do on your own, btw.
Jun 28th, 2015, 03:52 PM
#4
When planning our trip to VN bicycle riding was often mentioned in many of the villages. I never did it. I agree with rhkkmk in that riding in the cities would be insane if you are not used to it. Motor scooters rule in VN. We did a great tour on scooters in Hue. We were passengers. It was informative and entertaining.
Jun 28th, 2015, 04:03 PM
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Avoid motorcycles in the cities either as passenger or a rider. We saw three accidents in our first day in Hanoi. I have ridden motorcycles for years but would still avoid them in Vietnam.
In the countryside, it may be the only way to get to some places that are more remote but it really isn't a necessity.
I love bicycles as a means of getting around and used them a lot in Vietnam. However, in the Mekong delta we went on a bike ride form our homestay along the canals. On the return trip my handlebars came loose and ended up swerving off the path, into a ditch, over the handlebars and through a cactus hedge! - check your bike VERY carefully!
In Hue, I got knocked off my bike by a bus. By this time I was beginning to take it personally...
In the countryside, it may be the only way to get to some places that are more remote but it really isn't a necessity.
I love bicycles as a means of getting around and used them a lot in Vietnam. However, in the Mekong delta we went on a bike ride form our homestay along the canals. On the return trip my handlebars came loose and ended up swerving off the path, into a ditch, over the handlebars and through a cactus hedge! - check your bike VERY carefully!
In Hue, I got knocked off my bike by a bus. By this time I was beginning to take it personally...
Jun 28th, 2015, 04:22 PM
#6
I have never ridden a bicycle in Vietnam, and I have visited three times. If you are looking at a tour (never taken one of those in Vietnam either) and it mentions bicycles, pick another. I did ride pillion on a motorcycle a few times in Vietnam, but not on my most recent trip.
Jun 28th, 2015, 11:16 PM
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Thanks all!! I am re-assured!!! Yes, i was starting to worry that I'd be the odd-one-out among VN tourists, let alone locals, if i chose to walk, or take a car, rather than bicycle.
Crellston--ouch!! I admit to laughing out loud at your "beginning to take it personally"!! Thank God you were ok!
(Some disclosure which might explain my bicycle nervousness: Not only have I had a nasty accident while riding a bike, but also have witnessed a terrible jeep accident of fellow tourists in Central Africa yrs ago, when I had to assist in the jungle town's "O.R" (ha!) to translate from French into English while the poor kids' legs were sewn up without anesthetic. So yeah... I worry!)
Rhkkmk, it's not an organized tour---just me with a "sort-of" still-taking-shape, itinerary, and a lady from a VN agency giving very unpressured feedback, and offers for assistance with hotel bookings later, based on what I want. See how well-trained I am by my fellow Fodorites about not needing to do an organized group tour??!! (That said, the first estimate I got from a HCMC travel agent was way higher than the identical itin on Smarttours!!--a learning experience on what the US tourist market will bear!?)
The bicycles question arose because many of the small hotels and homestays that interest me make a point of saying you can borrow one of their bikes to ride into town, In those cases, I'm sticking with the accommodations where the WALK into town is 15 minutes or less!! (For example, in Hoi An??) Also, some of the routes in more distant areas seem (maybe not) to require use of bicycles or motorcycles. As Yestravel says, bicycle use is mentioned almost as a fait accompli in visiting villages. So it's a huge relief to know you others did your trips without this mode of transport, and happily survived to tell the tale!!!
Crellston--ouch!! I admit to laughing out loud at your "beginning to take it personally"!! Thank God you were ok!
(Some disclosure which might explain my bicycle nervousness: Not only have I had a nasty accident while riding a bike, but also have witnessed a terrible jeep accident of fellow tourists in Central Africa yrs ago, when I had to assist in the jungle town's "O.R" (ha!) to translate from French into English while the poor kids' legs were sewn up without anesthetic. So yeah... I worry!)
Rhkkmk, it's not an organized tour---just me with a "sort-of" still-taking-shape, itinerary, and a lady from a VN agency giving very unpressured feedback, and offers for assistance with hotel bookings later, based on what I want. See how well-trained I am by my fellow Fodorites about not needing to do an organized group tour??!!
(That said, the first estimate I got from a HCMC travel agent was way higher than the identical itin on Smarttours!!--a learning experience on what the US tourist market will bear!?) The bicycles question arose because many of the small hotels and homestays that interest me make a point of saying you can borrow one of their bikes to ride into town, In those cases, I'm sticking with the accommodations where the WALK into town is 15 minutes or less!! (For example, in Hoi An??) Also, some of the routes in more distant areas seem (maybe not) to require use of bicycles or motorcycles. As Yestravel says, bicycle use is mentioned almost as a fait accompli in visiting villages. So it's a huge relief to know you others did your trips without this mode of transport, and happily survived to tell the tale!!!
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