By 
The Perth Adventure Riders seem to have more fun than any group has a right to. In 2017 they headed to Asia and continued the tradition. Colin Bayman was there and has a story or two.
Vietnam was the chosen destination for the Perth Adventure Riders overseas getaway in 2017.
With an abundance of tours on offer, and a huge selection of different styles of bikes, it was really necessary to do the home-work to make sure we got the experience we were after. A dozen riders came along, and it was honestly a great group size for this type of tour.
Ready and waiting
Active Travel Asia was the chosen tour company after offering a well-priced tour, a range of Japanese dirt bikes and a great combination of road and dirt with a nice balance of sightseeing opportunities. We provided a list of requirements and they came up with the goods. Singapore Airlines delivered everyone safely into Hanoi after a short stopover in Changi, and our transport was waiting patiently at the airport holding up our ‘Perth Adventure Riders’ sign when we arrived.
A dozen riders made a good-sized group.
Spreading wings
After a couple of days exploring Hanoi we were picked up from the Essence Hotel and trucked 20km out of the city to kick off the ride. Our tour leader, Jackie, said a large group like ours would simply not be able to stay together in the hectic city traffic. I reckon he was right, and easing us into the confusion of vehicles, animals and riding on the right-hand-side of the road needed a number of behavioural changes.With boots on and bikes fuelled we were off for the ride of our lives.
We used our own cornerman system with the tour leader up front, their mechanic riding sweep and a truck carrying a spare bike and a minivan following in case anyone needed a break. The tour leader said he hadn’t used this system before and would now make it standard on all his rides.
We also introduced the Fairy Wings award, where anyone who did anything precious enough had the pleasure of displaying the wings for all to see. They were shared around over the course of the tour with nearly everyone having the privilege at some time.
Ah, the tranquillity!
Making friends
It really didn’t take long to settle into Vietnam’s traffic. It’s definitely not aggressive, and is probably best described as ‘organised chaos’.
We were soon on the gas, traversing country roads, and learning how to pass both sides of slower vehicles while dodging cows, dogs, water buffalo, chooks, ducks and eight-year-olds on the family step-throughs. After a few close encounters and heart-stopping moments we realised that no matter how carefully we rode, something was going to try and take us out.
Fortunately we all survived, with the exception of a couple of silly, low-speed step offs and only one minor injury for a social worker who apparently was heard saying it wasn’t his fault. The lawyer was constantly asking dumb questions, the truck driver rode into a paddy field, the sparky rode like a mad man and the banker took control of the group’s fuel money. Everyone got to be known for something, and after 10 days together a lot of new friendships were formed and memories made.
The XRs did a mighty job, but the boys on the DRZs had the upper hand.
Not dreamin’
In no time we started gaining altitude, heading north into the mountains with winding roads that went forever and offered views of valleys, mountain peaks and rock formations only seen in this part of the world. Around each corner was a new obstacle, a different road surface and another 300m drop to possible death. It was hard to keep your eyes on the road with so many surprises and so much to see.
With a number of well-planned photo opportunities, an awesome lunch at a local restaurant and 180km on the clock we arrived at our quaint homestay.
The place was completely made of wood, and with a mattress on the floor, clean bedding, pedestal fan and mosquito net we quickly got out of our riding gear and settled in for a number of cold Hanoi beers.
Drinks and dinner were served on an open verandah overlooking lush jungle and dwarfed by surrounding hills.
Ah, the tranquillity!
A few close encounters and heart-stopping moments.
No training
Each day provided a new surprise, with roads changing from good to something I’m sure resembled The Road Of Bones. Choosing trail bikes certainly seemed a good decision as the week went on. The XRs did a mighty job, but the boys on the DRZs certainly had the upper hand, launching front wheels in the air and riding over the rough bits like desert racers.
A quick stop at a local post office.
The scenery changed constantly, as did the roads. Over six days we made our way across the northern part of Vietnam, often close to the Chinese border, ending up in Sa Pa.
The trip back to Hanoi was supposed to be an overnight train ride, but a typhoon causing landslides closed the rail line and killed great number of people. The tour company organised a private bus, and that gave us an extra day in Sa Pa and the opportunity to ascend to 3400m in a fantastic cable car.
A typhoon caused landslides.
Cost-effective
For less than $1000 in Vietnam you can have six days on the bikes, accommodation, most meals, tour leader, sweep and support vehicle carrying your gear and spare bike.
You do have to pay for your fuel, which worked out to be about $10 a day, and your beer at $1.50 a go. They even throw in the return train ride – providing a landslide hasn’t taken out the tracks.
No matter how carefully we rode, something was going to try and take us out.
On a tour like this one you’ll meet some beautiful people, see some amazing sites and possibly have the best week you’ve ever had on two wheels. There’s an issue with licenses, though. You’ll need to look into it and decide if riding without one is a risk you’re willing to take. Insurance could also prove to be a problem if involved in an accident which results in a medical emergency. Don’t dismiss this and think a few dollars in an Asian country will fix anything.
Do your homework and consider the worse-case scenarios.
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