| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 102km + train |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Rolling with some longer hills |
| Cost | Ð28,000 per person, Ð12,000 per bike |
| Blog | 8th Feb - Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon |
| Gallery | Hoi An to Nha Trang |
The journey
There's a small ascent out of Quy Nhon on the new road then the road descends and continues to hug the coast past several resorts and cafés. Soon after the junction with SH1 there's a particularly plush motel/restaurant called Bai Tien. The road is rolling all day with some longer hills but there's nothing too taxing. There's a bike repairer on the north side of Song Cau but the mechanic did not know how to remove the rear gear cassette (Mat broke another spoke next to the one that broke yesterday). There are a couple of short, steep hills outside Song Cau which are thick with lorries. The station at Chi Thanh is apparently not a stop for passenger trains. There's a very long, empty straight road into Tuy Hoa waiting for buildings to be developed. There were several guesthouses and hotels but we did not stay to explore because of Mat's broken spoke. We caught the TN3 to Nha Trang which departed 6.40pm and arrived 9.13pm, costing Ð28,000 per person and Ð12,000 per bike plus Ð6000 storage. A porter demanded Ð10,000 for unloading the bikes but we refused and walked off.We took bikes to a repair shop recommended by Phong Lan hotel. They replaced the spoke with our spare and trued the wheel for Ð50,000 in about an hour; they also changed two sets of brake pads on the spot for Ð60,000 (plus a Ð10,000 "souvenir" for the mechanic). The shop is near the Maximark roundabout.
Shop Xe Ðap Chung 1: 23 Thãng Nhõt, Nha Trang
Shop Xe Ðap Chung 2: 59 Thãng Nhõt, Nha Trang
Tel: 0905.025549 / 058.826188
We cycled to the Po Nagar Cham towers and Thap Ba hot springs, which is an easy short ride. Head north out of town on Quang Trung then go over two bridges. The Cham towers are visible from the road. Bike parking is beyond the ticket booth; the attendant tried to charge us Ð2000 per bike but was holding the ticket book which had Ð1000 printed on.
Thap Ba hot springs are signed left soon after the second bridge but it's easy to miss the turning. The hot springs are at the end of a 2.5km sealed but very dusty, gritty and pot-holed road. It cost Ð500 per bike to park at the springs and Ð300,000 for a private two person mud bath, mineral soak and use of the pool. It's Ð60,000 per person for shared pools. There's a cheap restaurant on site.
The room
Phong Lan (Orchid) hotel$9 for a double room with air-con, bathroom with hot water, TV with movies. balcony.
Very clean. Down a quiet alleyway and run by a very friendly old couple who fuss over their guests. $1 breakfast of tea, fruit salad and pancake or baguette and eggs. Book ahead.