Should I take a partner?

SHORT ANSWER: Many people plan tours in groups, in pairs and solo. Cycle touring in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia or Malaysia is easy, enjoy it as you want, if you feel better in a group, you will have an equally good time as solo. The choice is yours.

LONG ANSWER: I have toured with a partner and, mostly, without. I prefer to cycle by myself. I can choose where I go, I can change direction on a whim and I can stop wherever I want and for however long I desire. These are the best parts of cycling solo, it is about choice.

There are downsides to solo touring, primarily it can be a bit lonely. There is no-one to share the awesome experience with, there is no-one to watch the sunsets or sunrises and safety can be a concern, especially for female cyclists. I have personally never been in a situation where I feel threatened, either physically or psychological, South East Asian countries don't really have that random abuse mentality.

Riding with a partner is good, I cycled around Cambodia with my girlfriend, we did all the usual things I would do on a tour, we had fun and we would do it again, however there was something restrictive about it. This was probably due to my many years of touring solo.

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