SGTBILL
The Big Red One
Last month my wife and I joined some friends for a motorcycle trip around Northern Vietnam. Our friends have done trips in Vietnam a few times before and invited us to join them this year. We didn't have enough lead time to get all the inoculations suggested by the State Department but decided to risk Japanese Encephalitis since it was considered low risk during the cool months. I plan to write a trip report but thought I'd post a few photos since my writing takes longer than it should.
We picked up our bikes (Honda XR 150s) at the GoBambooTrek shop in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The bikes proved reliable and resilient. No flat tires or mechanical problems at all in 10 days and 1000 miles of riding.
GoBambooTrek by billrussell868, on Flickr
Our first day of riding we passed a Vietnamese army unit marching along the highway. My wife's bike had a full-size Vietnamese flag on a bamboo pole to assist in marking the end of our group while in traffic in the towns. At the end of the trip our guide presented the flag to Karla as a souvenir
Road March by billrussell868, on Flickr
In Vietnam you share the road with old trucks.
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
New trucks
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
Animals, large
Musk Ox by billrussell868, on Flickr
and small. Predicting where pigs will run is not easy...
Pigs on a Wing by billrussell868, on Flickr
and local authorities
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
Some roads were nicely maintained,
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
Some were being maintained while we rode on them.
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
Others were not as well maintained. Yes, it is a long way down the hill and there isn't a guardrail...
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
Still others seemed to be goat trails.
Goats Head Soup tonight! by billrussell868, on Flickr
Scenery was spectacular
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
BeBa Homestay 01 by billrussell868, on Flickr
The people colorful and friendly.
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
And finally, bike shops were plentiful if you ever needed something repaired.
Untitled by billrussell868, on Flickr
What more could you ask for.
We picked up our bikes (Honda XR 150s) at the GoBambooTrek shop in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The bikes proved reliable and resilient. No flat tires or mechanical problems at all in 10 days and 1000 miles of riding.
GoBambooTrek by billrussell868, on FlickrOur first day of riding we passed a Vietnamese army unit marching along the highway. My wife's bike had a full-size Vietnamese flag on a bamboo pole to assist in marking the end of our group while in traffic in the towns. At the end of the trip our guide presented the flag to Karla as a souvenir
Road March by billrussell868, on FlickrIn Vietnam you share the road with old trucks.
Untitled by billrussell868, on FlickrNew trucks
Untitled by billrussell868, on FlickrAnimals, large
Musk Ox by billrussell868, on Flickrand small. Predicting where pigs will run is not easy...
Pigs on a Wing by billrussell868, on Flickrand local authorities
Untitled by billrussell868, on FlickrSome roads were nicely maintained,
Untitled by billrussell868, on FlickrSome were being maintained while we rode on them.
Untitled by billrussell868, on FlickrOthers were not as well maintained. Yes, it is a long way down the hill and there isn't a guardrail...
Untitled by billrussell868, on FlickrStill others seemed to be goat trails.
Goats Head Soup tonight! by billrussell868, on FlickrScenery was spectacular
Untitled by billrussell868, on FlickrUntitled by billrussell868, on FlickrUntitled by billrussell868, on FlickrBeBa Homestay 01 by billrussell868, on FlickrThe people colorful and friendly.
Untitled by billrussell868, on FlickrUntitled by billrussell868, on FlickrAnd finally, bike shops were plentiful if you ever needed something repaired.
Untitled by billrussell868, on FlickrWhat more could you ask for.
