Today was a total success! I spent the morning bouncing around mechanic shops in Old Hanoi, which in itself is a pretty good time, talking to the locals about our plans and looking at bikes. Eventually I found Mr Cuong at a small shop on the edge of town. He remembered Tim ("Crazy Tim. Very crazy!") and brought me inside for a crash course in bike touring and the Russian Minsk. This guy knows everything and I've since found out that he is quite famous in certain biking circles. He and two other guys rode a few of these from Hanoi to Paris a few years back..
After some negotiations and test drives we settled on a dark blue Minsk and named it Vladamir Scoot-in. We've had him outfitted with some racks to tie our gear to, a full tool kit, spare parts and he rides great for a Russian!
In two days we are beginning a northern loop along the Vietnamese and Chinese border. For anybody interested or who knows the area, we will be hitting up Lang Son, Cao Bang and Bao Lac before heading up to the disputed Dong Van region to interact with some local tribes in the weekend markets. Hopefully we can secure a night or two in a village through any friends we make there. After that we are going to cut down to Ba Be national forest and then push on to Ha Giang and Bac Ha to see more Montagnard tribes. Finally, we will end in Lao Cai and board a train with our bike back to Hanoi. Cuong wants to give the bike another once over before we ride it to the Na Meo/ Laos border crossing.
----------------------------------------------------
After some negotiations and test drives we settled on a dark blue Minsk and named it Vladamir Scoot-in. We've had him outfitted with some racks to tie our gear to, a full tool kit, spare parts and he rides great for a Russian!
In two days we are beginning a northern loop along the Vietnamese and Chinese border. For anybody interested or who knows the area, we will be hitting up Lang Son, Cao Bang and Bao Lac before heading up to the disputed Dong Van region to interact with some local tribes in the weekend markets. Hopefully we can secure a night or two in a village through any friends we make there. After that we are going to cut down to Ba Be national forest and then push on to Ha Giang and Bac Ha to see more Montagnard tribes. Finally, we will end in Lao Cai and board a train with our bike back to Hanoi. Cuong wants to give the bike another once over before we ride it to the Na Meo/ Laos border crossing.
----------------------------------------------------
So 2 more days preparing in Hanoi and off we go! Wish us luck (we may need it!) on our next adventure... CHris says he knows what he is doing so we are going to be ok! :) This is our new baby... Scoot-in!
Wow!! So amazing! I have to tell you both to be careful on that bike, only cuz I love ya.
ReplyDeleteHey you two adventurers, you're going to make me a little crazy with worry, but it sounds like you're have an amazing time and I can hardly wait to check my computer each day for updates. Love you both lots. Erin
ReplyDelete