@Stephen ********

This is so wonderful to hear, and coming from a fellow cyclist as well, same situation too.

Thank you for your time and story, Stephen! I’m glad you had amazing adventures cycling, and I’m glad the immigration officers were very helpful. ☺️

Safe journeys! 🌼

@Kieran ******

Hi, Kieran! Thank you for the response. I really value it because it’s coming from a fellow cyclist and from someone who ACTUALLY crossed the same border. 🙏🏽 I’m truly grateful. ☺️

I’m not confident about leaving the bike, so I’m taking it for sure, even if it means packing her up in a train till we reach Vientiane. (It’s a first for us!)

Yes, I’m planning to spend a few nights in Laos before crossing back to Thailand. It’s either going to be a few down time days in Vientiane or renting a motorbike to do the Thakek Loop. (or maybe cycling it all the way, we never know how my mind will go and how the wind will blow 😅)

My only issue about the second one is making it in time for a meditation retreat I’d like to attend. It’s only once a month, and I’m set to end or pause the cycling trip by the end of September to visit my boyfriend. ☺️

Again, thank you so much for the advice, and I hope you have safe journeys ahead! 🚲

@Natalya ******

I got a helmet though, thank you for the concern! I even had it customized. 😅🐱🧋 She doubled as my helmet during some motorbike loops with my boyfriend when he came to visit. ❤️ As for warm clothes, I have them but not a lot. Just a good rain jacket, warm leggings, and an ultralight fleece. It’s mostly hot these days despite the rain. 🥵 and our route’s not through the high altitude due to the type of bike for this trip. ☺️

@Jay ***********

That’s lovely to hear! ☺️ I hope you will enjoy living in the Philippines, and I’m happy to hear your wife loves it here in Thailand. Honestly, I can’t blame both of you… I’m also such a huge tropical fruit addict 😅 I usually have rambutans, longans, mangosteens, salaks at the back of the bike… mangoes and bananas as well! 🍌🥭🥥🍍

Enjoy Leyte! It’s one of the few places in the Philippines where you can ethically swim with whale sharks, so definitely look up that opportunity once you both move there. I’ve done my first swim with whale sharks there and second in Koh Tao, Thailand. Such beautiful, majestic creatures. They’re my favorite. 🐋🦈

His comment doesn’t really affect me, but I find it hilarious that people think this story is fake, so I’ve attached some photos 😂

Thank you for having my back and standing up for me though, truly appreciate it! 🌻

@Natalya ******

And that’s the best part of her! 😉 Everyone who looks at us assumes we can’t do long-distance trips. I’ve been told so many times in my life that I can’t do things because of my gender, my race, my passport, but each time, I prove people wrong and take up space. ❤️

Choosing her and cycling with her is a reflection of all these years I’ve lived an adventurous, amazing life. I’m happy and grateful for this choice. 🚲

Best part is, we can actually carry small donations at the back when she isn’t full… like food for the temples, dog shelters, and notebooks for schools… so we’re out here spreading kindness on the road to the same community and country that have shown us kindness. ❤️

@Jay ***********

Next thing I know someone’s gonna tell me I’m AI 🤣

@Alan ********

She’s not the easiest bike to travel with, but it’s been such an experience doing this trip with her ❤️ and getting to help other people too (I carry small donations at the back when she isn’t full!) while cycling! 🚲

I just bought another can of WD-40 from Mr DIY yesterday 🤣 and she’s due for some huge maintenance in the next few days. Her wheels aren’t the best, I always have to fix and replace her punctured inner tubes, but it’s all good! ☺️

Thank you for the vote of confidence with the border run! ❤️

I think if what you’re truly doing is genuine and honest, and if you’re not abusing the system or using it for personal gain, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Thank you for the well wishes, and yes, let’s hope the incoming storm won’t be too much on the bike! ⛈️ Stay safe as well! ❤️

@Hum ****

Planning to get out a day before my visa expires, just looking for options to get back in and finish the loop. I’m not opposed to staying in Laos for a while before coming back. ☺️ Plans change, I flow along. 😌

@Graham *****

Oh, I see! So it’s not something just for “dodgers” as a commenter said… it provides safe reentry. Thank you so much for clarifying that! ☺️

@Frank ********

Nope, not planning to cross into Cambodia (all land border crossings are shut), and I would like to start cycling the South of Laos after this, since I’ve already done the north… no plans to head into Cambodia for now, focusing on the crossing to Laos. 🇱🇦