Prolific
Myanmar is one of the most devout Buddhist countries in the world.
Everywhere you look, there’s a Buddha statue to be seen.
S.E. Asia – bicycle culture
Multi-use
In South-East Asia bikes aren’t only used to get from A to B.
They appear in shop windows, parades, and are even painted on garage doors.
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Laos – temples
Ancient
Entering Luang Prabang’s historic wats gave the feeling of stepping back in time.
Or as another cyclist put it, “I’m not a temple person. But then I thought; do I want to start pedaling over the hills again or visit an ancient wat. Buddha won!”
Another Luang Prabang impression:
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China – bike tourists
Happiness
In Yangshuo, Chinese tourists rent bikes to see the sights.
Their happiness was infectious as they pedaled through the gorgeous karst scenery.
More bike culture impressions:
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China – bicycle culture
Functional
Chinese bikes are workhorses.
Their rusted steeds are used for transport and hauling goods.
Rarely did we see people just out for a ‘day ride.’
More bike culture impressions:
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China – bicycle touring
Cycling
China is what bicycle travel is all about, adventure!
Even though we couldn’t communicate, read signs or even identify what we were eating, we just jumped in.
We cycled past sidewalks filled with dancing office workers and street cleaners in high heels. Our tour also took us through some of the most gorgeous scenery in the world.
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China – Cycling
Up & down
Yunnan’s steep gorges are filled with ancient villages and terraced farmland.
We saw all of it as we pedaled up and down and up and down again over each succeeding mountain ridge.
More on tour impressions:
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China – restaurant
Surprise
What’s in the pot? Who knows?
Sometimes it was delicious. But other times, we discovered beaks and chicken claws.
There were also restaurants where the stench was so horrendous that we had to hold our hands over our mouths as we hurried by.
More on the road impressions:
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India – Chalukyan caves
Exquisite
High above the town lie the Chalukyan cave temples. They are architectural masterpieces dedicated to the Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religions.
Inside the atmosphere is peaceful, almost too quiet.
That led us to forgot about the tribe of monkeys that were waiting for us to come out…
More Badami impressions:
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Main street
Main street
The real India can be found in its villages, rich with all of their countless activities.
On Badami’s main street, preparations were beginning for the Diwali festival.
More Badami impressions:
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India – bus
Limited sight
Upon seeing the windshield covered in flowers we thought, ”public transport isn’t running during the festival.”
How wrong we were…
More Badami impressions:
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Lazy Louie’s TransAm songs
Lazy Louie
Lazy Louie was a legend on the Trans America trail that you didn’t want to miss.
In Hartville, Missouri he built the “Lazy Louie bicycle camp,” a popular rest stop for cross-country cyclists.
On his old Gibson guitar, he played his unforgettable bicycle touring songs such as Biker’s Dream and My hard bicycle seat.
Click on song titles to hear them.
More Trans Am. ’81 impressions:
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North India – bicycle culture
Versatile
In North India, bicycles are used to transport goods and people.
They even use them as market stalls which can be set up on any street corner.
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Pamirs – bicycle touring
Cycling
The highway crosses the vast Pamir plateau.
It’s an unnerving, bleak place yet full of stunning high desert landscapes.
We would love to go back and ride it again!
But then we remember the crappy food, icy wind and high altitudes…