Thread: Chiang Mai Mountain Biking - Free volunteer led bicycle tours around Chiang Mai

^^ Great fun, billy. this was description of the event: "Time to get back on the bike in Chiang Mai. We are starting with another Doi Pui ride that has both XC and downhill components in it, this time on the south side of the mountain. We meet at 8:00 AM at the parking lot at the Huay Kaeow arboretum (18.810537, 98.949085). We will arrange transport by Songthaeow to the the road fork near Ban Hmong Doi Pui (same place like last time). After crossing through the hilltribe village, we continue to the Buddha footprint viewpoint (250m climb, great views). We will then turn south and begin a long downhill ride towards Rd. 1269. We exit the national park half way between Ban Dong and Ban Pong Nuea. If the group is not too exhausted, we continue to ride around the hills southwest of Rd. 1269 to get to Ban Pong; otherwise we just take the Rd. 1269 back to Chiang Mai. Estimated time: 1 hour for getting up + 4 hours riding time + 1.5 hours optional extension = 5++ hours. A mountain bike is required; the trails are partly rutted and stony."
It took 7 hours to ride over 40k XC. The overtime was due to me solely: it was absolutely my first MTB. But I came out it alright, and looking forward to the next one (which I absolutely hope will be easier than Doi Pui To Ban Pong)

Gerbil, it was not all downhill. I'll admit the majority was (but the downhill bits, varied from absolute steep and scary to not-so-steep but rutted singletrack thru fairly flat short stretches of double track used by the local farmers.The minority (the uphill sections varied in steepness and there were patches where we were forced to get off the bike and walk to the summit or next flat area. And lest I forget to mention the numerous branches and bamboo poles strewn across the trail at handle bar length (not to sound paranoid or anything the seemed to be one obstacle at a time, Could have done some serious damage whipping into somebody's face. BTW, this is strictly my opinion an we riders had no opportunity to discus it.