Thread: touring asia
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Old 05-10-06, 10:36 AM
  #16  
meteparozzi
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Bikes: Custom True North

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As someone currently living in Taiwan (close enough ... right?) and biking around everyday, I can say that mental preparedness is one thing, but experience is a much better teacher. Buy a book on touring, hang out at your LBS and learn to take apart a bike and put it back together. As far as Chinese goes, it will get you part of the way, but because its tonal, you would benefit greatly from finding a Mandarin teacher in your area. Without correct tonal pronunciation (there are 5 tones) you won't be intelligible in the least to the average Joe.

Definitely go on as many tours as you can while still at home, and get as much gear as you will need there. Roads and cities in Asia are made for bicycles, as they are the primary means of transportation for almost all of the populace. While most are motor-driven now, its still two-wheeled.

Between countries, your costs are going to run primarily on Visa's. Get everything arranged there FAR in advance. You don't want to be sitting at a border paying out the nose, or, worse yet, being rejected.

Safety isn't an issue. Do you plan on going fully self-supported (camping?) or jumping from one hostel / hotel to the next? Watch out for people trying to give you stuff, or messing with your bags. More than one foreigner has gotten into trouble for drugs planted on their person (though this usually only happens in airports).

At the end of the day, a cheerful attitude, a big dumb grin and some sign language will get you further than you would imagine.

Best of luck.
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