With cycling stories aplenty in this week’s Road & Rail Wrap, staff at Travel Weekly are whipping out cans of Selley’s RP-7 and WD-40 in the hope of saving our old, rusted bikes.

World Expeditions cuts prices on Asia cycle adventures

“Rice Paddy Cycle” by Amanda Fletcher/World Expeditions

Those who book a cycling holiday in Asia with World Expeditions before Friday 29 November can take 10 per cent off their trip price.

Agents can take advantage of savings on tours like the 14-day ‘Vietnam by Bike’ journey.

For $3,141, – reduced from $3,490, (a saving of $349) –  travellers will cycle the quiet country lanes in Pu Luong Nature Reserve, along the Red River Delta’s Ninh Binh, and explore highlights of Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue and Hoi an in the north and Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi tunnels in the south on this fully-supported trip.

Price includes nine-nights of comfortable hotel and boat accommodation (twin share basis), all internal transport, including flights, train, boat and private vehicles and services of a professional, English speaking guide.  The 14-day Vietnam by Bike departs Hanoi year-round.

With e-bikes available on many Asian trips, travellers do not have to be a dedicated cyclist to enjoy a cycling trip in Asia.

Walk Japan unveils Spring and Summer 2020 walking tours

Hikers on the Kumano Kodo trail.

Small-group, guided and self-guided walking tour specialist Walk Japan has released its catalogue of Spring and Summer walking tours for the 2020 season.

Here are four tours that Walk Japan says venture through lesser-known areas of the country and celebrate the culture, history and gastronomy of Japan:

Spring tours

Self-guided Kumano Wayfarer (seven days, six nights)

• Multiple tours available in March, April and May 2020
• Tour level: four

This is an unescorted walking tour following the Kumano Kodo, an ancient route travelled on foot by emperors, pilgrims and ascetic monks for over a thousand years, where guests will stay in hot spring hotels and inns, with plentiful local cuisine.

Onsen Gastronomy: Gifu (five days, four nights)

• 6 April to 10 April 2020
• Tour level: two

An easy walking tour in rural Gifu Prefecture with strong emphases on onsen hot springs and Japanese gastronomy. On an Onsen Gastronomy tour, in the company of an expert Walk Japan tour leader, guests can become immersed in the Japanese way of bathing; stay each evening in delightful Japanese inns almost always with their own onsen; and enjoy sumptuous meals that satisfy both the eye and the stomach.

Summer tours

Yaeyama: Okinawa Voyage (speciality tour – seven days, six nights)

• 26 June to 7 July 2020
• Tour level: three

A land and waterborne summer adventure to Japan’s most southerly reaches, Walk Japan’s ‘Yaeyama: Okinawa Voyage’ takes travellers to Yaeyama, a group of islands at the further, southern reaches of both the Okinawa chain of islands and Japan itself. Accommodation is offered in a luxury hotel and a delightful family-run guest house.

Summer Nakasendo Way (eight days, seven nights)

• Multiple tours available in June, July and August 2020
• Tour level: four

The Summer Nakasendo Way tour is a fully-guided tour suitable for anyone who can walk for more than three to four hours in comfort. Walk Japan’s Summer Nakasendo Way tour takes guests to areas at higher altitudes and is designed to provide a comfortable walking experience in summer.

Explore unveils new Walking & Cycling brochure

Explore has launched its new Walking & Cycling brochure for 2020, with this year’s collection featuring 11 exciting new small group and self-guided adventures to some of the most fascinating corners of the world.

From walking the World Heritage landscapes of the Tuscan Riviera, discovering Roman ruins in Lebanon or travelling lesser known routes along Poland’s Baltic coast, there is a trip to suit all abilities and interests.

Jayride raises $3.5m

Jayride Group Limited, the global online travel marketplace for airport transfers, has announced the completion of a placement of more than 10.6 million fully paid ordinary shares at $0.30 per share to sophisticated investors. This raised $3.2 million in placement, plus $0.3 million in commitments from board and senior managers to the share purchase plan (SPP).

Shareholders are offered the opportunity to participate in the SPP to raise an additional estimated $1.5 million.

Jayride is undertaking a placement and SPP to raise an estimated $5 million, with the placement supported by high-quality institutional investors, including Thorney Investment Group, which will hold more than five per cent of Jayride.