adventures-in-bikepacking

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Hanoi to Sa Pa

Wednesday 10th - Thursday 11th October. Part train, part cycle.

35km, 1500m ascent

We had to change our plans as we found out the trains only take bikes in a cargo carriage certain days of the week. We got a sleeper carriage in the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, but certainly didn’t get much sleep! The train leaves Hanoi via a tiny street and runs so close to the houses you can see what people are eating. Train arrived at 5:30am for an early morning start in Lao Cai, taking the long mountain road to Sa Pa to the disbelief of the locals who tried to offer us taxi rides instead. A relentless climb in the intermittent rain (with limited views through the clouds) was made more interesting by encounters with Water Buffalo and some local ladies from the Red Hmong tribe.

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Tuesday 9th October Motorbike street food tour around the chaotic streets of Hanoi before embarking on our overnight train to the first cycling destination. Started with Pho Rolls, egg and coriander spring rolls made with pho pancake - delicious, and ended on Egg Coffee, tastier then it sounds! Great way to start the trip and get over the jet lag.

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Sunday 7th - Monday 8th October. And we’re off.... On an exciting adventure to Vietnam. Taking our bikes over in Bonza bike boxes, which are great once you work out how to pack a mountain bike in them. They survived the two flights fairly unscathed with just a few scuffs. We met friends in Doha and all arrived safely in Hanoi! Starting the ride from Lao Cai through Sa Pa area mountains and down through Son La to Nimh Binh. But first some sleep and a look around Hanoi to get over the jet lag.

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Final day. Roadtrip to the bizarre inland village of Mamoiada for a mask. We missed the festival by one day!

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Day 8 - Around the Alghero coastline to a National Park with some dark secrets

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Day 7 - From boat to ferry. Goodbye Corsica, hello Sardinia.

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Day 6  - Roadtrip to Ajaccio along stunning coastline. Dinner with friends.

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Day 5 - Rugged coastline of Calvi

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Day 4, Calvi loop. 22 km 450 ascent. Gravel and sand tracks, rocky single track , snakes and prickly bushes off-road around the beautiful Calvi coast in Corsica

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Day 3. Short ride around the lake near Monte Cinto before heading off to Calvi. Looks like the locals have been using the road signs for target practice! We are followed by a strange man in a red van.

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Day 2. Lozzi to base of Monte Cinto. Bandits at the top, beers at the bottom

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Day 1, Bonifacio loop on the southern tip of Corsica. 27km ride with 300m ascent. Stunning coastal scenery and a well deserved beer at the citadel on the edge of the cliff. With a precarious cycle back down the steps after!

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Day Nine. Zaga and over the Italian border to Cividale Del Fruili. Amazing switchback gravel descent! 350 ascent and 25 miles.

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Day 8 Trenta Valley to Zaga. 24 miles, 300 metres elevation gain. No bears!

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Day seven: rest day at The beautiful Kekec Homestead in Trenta Valley. Relaxing, eating, drinking, sketching and watching some local ladies make idrija dumplings.

[adventures-in-bikepacking]

Part two: Kransjka Gora to Trenta.