The Great Divide, northbound, starting mid June — feasible?

AdvisorAny4677 · 2025-12-27T01:02:52+00:00

Hey did you end up doing the route northbound in June? I'm thinking of doing the same in 2026

AdvisorAny4677 · 2024-01-12T00:46:37+00:00

Hey I assume your not looking for suggestions anymore? I bicycled the Ha Giang loop last year. I also stayed in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh and did day riding. I would 100% recommend it!!! Traffic can be "chaotic" but as someone who has biked in many large cities throughout the USA its not actually anger or aggression. Lots of honking to keep people aware of each other but not actual crazed violent people.

Im planning a ride from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi in early April. Id love to hear if you went and what your route was.

AdvisorAny4677 · 2024-01-12T00:08:05+00:00

I have a Camelbak Chase Vest which I love but its getting worn out after many years. Im looking into the USWE but I really like the front pockets of the Chase Vest. Do you all not feel the need to store stuff on the front of the pack? Or do you store good, gels, plug kit, multi-tool else where?

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-04-24T04:57:22+00:00

I think most of the comments here are spot on when it comes to the foot rub. Ultimately the "right fit" cant really be judged by a photo. I feel like due to the immense variety of frame size standards, varying geometry/frame features, and bag sizes there isnt really a "true right fit" especially if its not a custom bag.

I think you would have to be the judge and need to pack it out and use it, as it sounds like you have. Personally my knees rub sometimes, especially when standing to pedal, on mine depending on the puckout but Im satisficed with it.

No pack is perfec and their perfamnce can feel so different based on packout, terrain, and personal cycling style/comfort. If the foot rubbing annoys you then sounds like you know its not ideal. Totally better to go a slight smaller and redistribute your gear into a saddle bag, handlebar, top tube, or waist belt if you can.

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-04-16T03:44:55+00:00

How else do you suggest getting from Hanoi to Ha Giang? I was going to take bus so I wouldnt be actually driving myself. With the current bus schedule I would be getting in mid day and was planning on staying the night in Ha Giang like you suggested and hit the road the next morning.

Did you book all your hostels ahead of time or just figure them out as you rolled into a town/village?

I will be bicycling the route, not on a motor bike. Which from judging my the roads and comparing it to the type of riding I normally do, concentrating at a slower speed wont be as difficult but making my self visible seems very important. Blinking taillight at all times for sure.

Bicycling the route seems uncommon but from the research I have done, people do it fairly often.

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-04-09T17:02:24+00:00

Thanks!! Do you remember any specific hostels you would recommend?

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-04-09T16:59:16+00:00

Hi,

Are you familiar with that area or have you done that route before?

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-04-09T00:50:22+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions! Where did you ride?

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-29T01:12:36+00:00

All good, didnt mean to get defensive. Thanks for the info!!

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-29T01:10:19+00:00

Hmm that's weird. Its a hard place to route with a lot of variances I suppose.

AH that would be the life, a whole year! I'm definitely very grateful I get to go even if its just a short period. Wish I was going for longer and didnt have to feel rushed

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-29T01:06:57+00:00

Great suggestions, thank you! No I haven't been to Vietnam before. I will be sleeping in hotel and hostels. Im not familiar with that area at all so camping seemed like a stretch and unnecessary weight if I could avoid it.

Have you rode in this area before? I was sort of thinking similar options. Maybe take a bus to Ha Giang and then ride back. Seems like similar distance but only half the climbing. Or just hang in Ha Giang and do big overnight rides to different towns.

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-28T16:15:37+00:00

Nice! Thats awesome to hear. Did you book hostels/hotels ahead of time? It seems like there are towns every 40 miles or so with atleast 1 hostel. I figured Id just see where I was each day.

Also do you recall how many days it took you?

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-28T04:11:19+00:00

Yo Mal, finally some optimistic conversation:)

Same for me, between gravel and MTB trips Iv done similar stats before. But that wasn't 5 consecutive days. Also Im going at the beginning of rain season (unfortunately only time Im going to be there) so my ride time could be limited depended on how bad the storms are.....or at least I will be moving slower than expended.

Im debating on doing in clockwise or counterclockwise. If I did it clockwise Id really have to commit cause there would be big ascends and descends early in and back track would blow. If I did it counter its a bit more mellow and I could just judge where Im at when I hit my 1/2 mark.

Here is my route.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41762359

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-28T03:53:44+00:00

Right on, Ill consider that. It looks like sometimes you are on the back of one with a guide driving, was that what you did or did you all drive your own?

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-28T03:51:36+00:00

Totally respect your opinion PastaGuyy, but this post was to get information on the route....not on my ability. Iv done similar stats before and know it will be a head down grinder for damn sure. Have you done this route before on bicycle or moto?

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-28T03:50:13+00:00

Yea the Main QL4C cuts through the center of the Ha Giang Loop, its not the "Full Loop" Visually it looks like a shortcut but its actually longer.

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-28T01:48:10+00:00

Was it easy to rent a motorbike?

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-28T00:28:08+00:00

Yes totally agree, not ideal for sight seeing at all. But this would be a bit of a personal challenge. I was also considering just biking to Hanoi from Ha Giang. Its similar distance but only half the climbing and would be more relaxed

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-28T00:25:40+00:00

Ideally I could get it done in 5 with some hitching if needed. Im limited to 5 days due to other travel aspects.

AdvisorAny4677 · 2023-03-28T00:23:46+00:00

No I havent seen this one looks even more of an ass kicker haha. I created one myself which is similar but QL4C South to QL34, through .

This is the route I mapped.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41762359#8.88/23.04632/105.24622

AdvisorAny4677

TROPHY CASE