Tip 1, Riding Kit

It's going to be hot. Possibly very hot, and also humid. You would be extremely uncomfortable wearing full bike clothing that you'd normally wear in the UK. You must find a compromise that allows you to keep reasonably cool by letting air flow through, but on the other hand, you still need garments that can offer a reasonable amount of protection in the event of a spill. Full moto-x or Enduro apparel is all well and good if you already own this gear - but if you're a novice at trail riding I wouldn't necessarily recommend that you go out and buy it all just for this trip.  (EXCEPT - it's novices that need it most; experienced riders can do this trip and not fall off once) A downside of full competition gear, is it looks pretty silly, and can be a bit uncomfortable if you're walking round a village market or visiting a temple! As a minimum, I'd wear tough jeans and a tough shirt or jacket. You should wear elbow pads and kneepads. Instead of full moto-x boots, a sturdy pair of walking boots is pretty good, and you can wear these on the plane to cut down on luggage. For eye protection, sunglasses are OK on the road, but off-road you'll need goggles as protection against dust or stones thrown up by other riders. Don't forget gloves - thin leather Summer gloves are fine, or proper moto-x ones are better ventilated and cooler if you already have some of these. John R, pictured left is wearing typically suitable kit. Note, John likes an open face helmet - this is fine - but watch for sunburn!

Went Live : Mon 8th January 2007

Author : Bill