Anywhere in the world - 9 days...
 

I'm beginning to put my mind in to gear for next year's overland adventure. With work and family commitments, I am only able to sneak off for a total of about 9 days (fly after work on the Friday, arrive home on the following Sunday) and would be wanting to get somewhere interesting to rent a bike and ride, before flying home; definitely not part of an organised tour.


Flying from London, the last trips on this basis have been to Morocco and Nepal. I am now considering where to head next. I am after great riding and epic scenery, but without breaking the bank either. I'm currently investigating Tajikistan, which I love the idea of.


Does anyone have any suggestions?


Thanks

Tajikistan would be a problem regarding visas and stuff.

Do you have a bike at home? Talk to a pan-European shipping company (I've heard good things about DSV - apparently their people are used to dealing with bikers) and have them put your bike on a truck and taken to a terminal somewhere near Oslo. Cheap flight, pick it up, nine days' riding up and down the Norwegian coast, drop off at the terminal, cheap flight home.

If it wasn't such a small timeframe, I would suggest the South Island of New Zealand. I had a lovely 8-day ride around there on a CB500X, the rental was reasonably priced even by European standards, never mind the mind-bogglingly expensive country that NZ is.

Hi Pete

Have a look at this thread on the Hubb. 2 guys from UK rent local bikes in Uganda.... 2 week trip but you could cut some of it out to suit your time available
:scooter:

https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/ts...gain-in-uganda

Tajikistan? AFAIK, no possibility to rent bikes.
I'm not sure about flights, but I suppose they are not cheap.

If you have only 9 days, I think Kyrgyzstan is better choice.
Cheap flights from europe with pegasus, and some companies rent bikes.

enjoy!

If you are prepared to travel as far as Nepal for a similar duration, how about Vietnam? It's a long flight but direct from Gatwick to Hanoi. Its equally as stunning as Nepal and cheap as long as you get off the tourist trail. Go inland for the real deal. Bike hire is very afordable I had a ybr125 for over three weeks for about 200 GBP and that was considered expensive. Food and hotels are much the same as Nepal cost wise. A few pics of my 2up trip on a ybr125
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Indonesia
 

Depending on the time of year you could look into Indonesia. I just returned from a one month trip to Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa and Flores. The dry season there starts sometime in April and goes through the summer. I was there basically the whole month of May. Flores tends to get more rain, of the torrential type, but not usually all day. It's also the more tropically lush and beautiful island of the four I visited.

Bikes are easiest to find in Bali (Denpasar, Kuta) and range from $5 - $15US /day for a 150cc scooter or actual motorcycle. I had a brand new Honda CB150R from Motor Adventure Bali in the Denpasar area. Accommodations on Bali range from $10 to $20 on Bali and the tourist areas of Lombok. About 50%-75% more on Sumbawa and Flores with an actual drop in quality as well. The people are super friendly and helpful.

Be prepared for some very intense riding on Bali and a bit more relaxed, but still more intense than in Europe or North America, outside of Bali.

Other options are Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia which enjoy a dry season corresponding more to your winter months.

...Michelle

I would definitely give a try to Namibia!! For this short period of time you have, you will most probably explore the vast majority of the second less-populated country in the world plus do some unforgettable off road and see some amazing wildlife.

Dont miss Ai-Ais hot springs ;-)

Enjoy

I just did Namibia from Cape Town ,did 4700km in 5 days of which 3900 were on dirt. That was the idea to ride hard and you can travel at 140kph on the dirt was an abslute joy. Do it.:funmeteryes:

Colombia you won't regret it