The Numbers Game

Travel
Compiled by Sophia Lam
sophia.lam@hkmagmedia.com
ESCAPE ROUTES
Ready, Set, Bike!
Bikes tourism is all the rage these days: It works for your bod, your wallet
and the environment, plus it promises adventure on narrow byroads that
you’d have otherwise missed—what’s not to love?
Here are the best cycling routes in Asia.
Mongolia
(210km around the Khan Khentii range)
Start your adventure in Khan Khentii National Park and make the Genghis
Khan Equestrian Statue your first stop here. Climb to the horse’s head of
this 131-ft steel sculpture for a killer view of the vast grasslands studded
with white ger tent camps. Bike along the Tuul River and you’ll come face
to face with flocks of domesticated yaks as you continue your off-road
journey to Janchivlan Hill. Feast on stone-roast lamb barbeque under the
star-dotted sky as you pitch a tent next to a nomadic family in the unspoilt
wilderness. End your trip back at Ulaanbaatar, where you’ll return to
civilization and warm water. Plan your trip between Jun-Sep for the most
moderate temperatures.
Get pedaling with... the 4-Day Mongolia Mountain Bike Odyssey
Tour ($8,148) on viator.com. Experience the above trip and more during
this 210km tour, which involves river crossings and off-road jeep tracks.
Package includes bike rentals, three-night accommodation and meals.
Cambodia
(110km through Kirirom National Park)
While many go to Cambodia solely for Angkor Wat,
you can pedal away off the beaten path in Kirirom
National Park, which is a two-hour drive from the capital
Phnom Penh. Burrow through the dense pine forest for
some #nofilterneeded shots of cascading waterfalls
and the Cardamom Mountains’ hazy outline in the
distance. For a dose of local culture, spend the night in
Chambok, a collection of farming villages on the border
of the park that support community-based ecotourism.
Electricity may be limited at the homestay, but the warmth
of the Khmer families (and their fabulous food) will light up
your night. Visit in December for cooler temps.
Get pedaling with... SpiceRoads Cycling Tours’ two-day, onenight
Kirirom Explorer tour ($1,903, spiceroads.com), which takes
you from Phnom Penh to Kirirom and back on a 110km route. The package
includes bike and helmet hire, park entrance fees, accommodation and meals.
Yeouido Island, Korea (25km)
Test out your pedals around Yeouido, the mecca for Seoul
cyclists. Start from Yeouido Hangang Park and head east along
the Han River on a three-hour route that will eventually lead you
past the popular neighborhoods of Gangnam and Amsa-dong.
Relive scenes from your favorite K-drama as you cycle along the
waterfront and cross picturesque bridges on the way, with wellpaved
courses perfect for beginner bikers. Plan your trip in mid-
April when cherry blossoms and azaleas are at full bloom during
the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival.
Get pedaling with... the bicycle rental shops at the southern
end of Wonhyodaegyo or Mapodaegyo bridges ($20 per hour
for one-person bike; $39 per hour for a tandem bike). You’re
required to leave your photo ID during the ride.
Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan (30km)
Tired of all the hustle and bustle in Taipei? Head south and get
some fresh air at Sun Moon Lake in Taichung. The entire course
around the lake takes up to four hours, but it’s a flat and smooth
ride embellished with the verdant beauty of palm trees and ferns,
and occasionally enlivened with wildlife like frogs and birds. Hop
off your bike to revel in the sunrise on Shui She Dam, or grab a
quick lunch from street vendors along the way. In November you
can catch the Taiwan Cycling Festival, which features a month of
themed bike rides including a “Come! Bikeday” leisurely tour
around Sun Moon Lake (Nov 13).
Get pedaling with... the Nantou Bus
Sun Moon Lake Bike Pass ($148,
ntbus.com.tw) which includes a
bus ticket from Taichung to Sun
Moon Lake, a boat ride around
the lake’s attractions, a roundthe-lake
bus pass and a bike
rental voucher.
Photos: Weite Wong, Allen Hsu, Mark Kao via Flickr
Biking Basics
Before you start, invest in a...
• Bicycle pannier, a backpack-sized bag that
can be attached to your bike’s rack, so your
belongings won’t weigh you down.
• Headlamp and tail light, essential amidst
unfamiliar traffic after the sun is down.
• Pair of wraparound sunglasses
with wind protection if you want
to avoid watery eyes from strong
gusts of wind.
• Selfie stick, obviously.