Asia cycling tours

There aren’t many places we haven’t been, so if you’ve got a destination in mind for a trip that isn’t on our list, our Tailor-Made team is here to help.

We'll use our 30 years of experience and match you with one of our specialist consultants to help you create your perfect adventure.

Asking the best time to cycle in Asia is a little like the old 'How long is a piece of string' conundrum: it really depends on where you want to go. For Vietnam or Thailand, you really want to get in before the monsoon hits, but also after the summer tourist swarms have departed – April and May are a good bet, the weather and the riding should both be quite pleasant.

If you're cycling in Japan, the winter months (December to February) are usually out, but springtime cherry blossoms in April or May will make a stunning backdrop.

The southern coast of Sri Lanka can be quite pleasant in December and January, but March is a lovely shoulder month if you'd like to dodge the summer crowds.

All our trips have a cycling leader, a mechanic and a support vehicle. The support vehicle is there in case anyone gets injured or needs a rest, or road or weather conditions become unsafe.

We run risk assessments on all cycling trips to ensure they’re up to scratch – including road conditions, traffic and any potential blindspots. Our leaders have also ridden every inch of the itinerary in advance and are trained in cycling health and safety and basic first aid. 

Generally, your leader will ride at the front of the group, guiding the way and controlling the pace. In some destinations, our support vehicle acts as the back marker, ensuring constant support and making sure no one gets left behind. On some trips, a separate rider will also be at the back. 

Most of our trips depart during the milder months when the weather isn’t too hot or cold, so the ride should be as pleasant (and safe) as possible.

Anyone with a reasonable fitness level will have no trouble. Most of our trips also have the option to hire an e-bike for an additional cost (it won’t do all the work for you, but it’ll help!) and a support vehicle that follows the group in case you feel like a break.

While there are occasionally longer days, most days you'll ride between 19 and 37 miles at a leisurely pace. When possible, our leaders often let the faster riders set their own pace, but generally, the group rides together. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery or have a snack break.

Check the physical rating in the Essential Trip Information to ensure the trip suits your fitness level.

Don’t worry. Our cycling trips are designed to cater to cyclists of all skill levels – and sometimes non-cyclists, too! Our rides are broken up into manageable sections with plenty of rest and photo stops, and we avoid big climbs where possible. A support vehicle also follows the group for the whole trip in case you feel like taking a short (or long) break.

Many of our cycling trips also include the option to hire an e-bike for an extra fee. E-bikes have an electric motor that makes cycling up hills and along flats a lot easier.

Helmets are compulsory on our cycling tours. We don’t provide or hire helmets directly, so we recommend bringing your own. Your leader may be able to suggest a local bike store when you arrive, but again, this isn’t always possible so it’s best to bring an approved and well-fitting helmet from home.

Our seats are unisex, but we know that saddle styles and types are personal preferences, so you’re welcome to bring your own. Some people also like to bring a gel seat cover to make the ride more comfortable.

Our bikes have flat pedals, so if you’re used to clip-in pedals, bring them along. But please ensure you bring ‘mountain bike’ rather than ‘road bike’ style shoes as we often do a fair bit of walking, especially in towns and cities.

If you bring your own saddle or pedals, our cycling leaders or mechanics will be more than happy to fit them on your bikes.

Check your Essential Trip Information for more packing information.

Bike hire is included in the trip price. The bikes we use are from trusted brands, very well maintained and chosen specifically for the terrain you'll be covering. They come in a full range of sizes from extra small to extra large and usually have front suspension, flat bars and 27 gears.

Please advise us of your height when booking so we can assign you a bike accordingly.

For added comfort, you could bring a saddle (seat) or gel overcover. If you want to use cleats, bring your pedals and shoes too.

If you're bringing your own bike, let us know when booking so we can ensure it's appropriate for the trip.