Laos forum

Info on backroad from Mahaxai to Sepone?

clairebike

longtail driver
Posts: 5

We're currently bike touring Laos and would like to try the backroad from Mahaxai(Mahasay) to Sepone (Xepong). What are the road conditions for a bicycle? Any food or services available or homestays?
Claire
NewBohemians.net

#1 Posted: 4/11/2009 - 12:50
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3626

You should be able to go Northeast and then east until you hit Ban Sa-ang. Then there should be a road going south to Tschepone (or Xepong). This was part of the old Ho Chi Minh trail, and a friend of mine road it and said it was passable. Somsai would probably know best though. I've never personally been out there.

#2 Posted: 4/11/2009 - 18:13

------------------------------
Victory in Pattani
clairebike

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Thanks so much. Would Somsai know if the road is very rough, corrugated, deep dust or something else difficult? What is the availability of water and accommodation over two or three days? We expect the road is unpaved and that we may have to ask for a home stay somewhere.
Thanks again, we'll keep posts at our blog as to whether we make it or not. NewBohemians.net

#3 Posted: 4/11/2009 - 18:34
somsai

som tam seller
Posts: 520
Located in:

Private message

Sorry, I'm sure I've never been anywhere around there, (I'm not so great at remembering roads anyway) I'd suggest doing a thorough reading of the Lao section of the GT Rider web site, and also posting your querry on the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree.

#4 Posted: 4/11/2009 - 18:38
clairebike

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Posted from within Vietnam.

Thanks, we made it, though not the way we'd intended. We missed a turn at Naphao and ended up spending the night in Pakoay. The next day was pretty horendous with pushing the bike 25k through bogs, pastures, paddies and jungle, complete with clinging vines and clouds of mosquitoes. We thought we were lost several times and there was no one to ask the way. We were very glad to finally see a village again. Just sorry we can't tell others whether it is doable or not. Would not recommend attempting the route we did. More at NewBohemians.net.

#5 Posted: 21/11/2009 - 09:13
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3626

Glad you made it alive

#6 Posted: 21/11/2009 - 11:20

------------------------------
Victory in Pattani