Cycling in Thailand, Yay or nay?

[Albert Shagnastier]

cycling in los and se asia in general can be an exhilarating experience. just use your noodle, and have eyes in the back of your head! i cycled from bkk through central thailand and then oop north to chiang mai, and managed to get in the mae hon song loop as well. from there it was Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. after the initial 2 week breaking in period i was averaging about 100km's a day, which isn't as hard as it sounds...i will try and find my blog which will give you some idea's of routes and accommodation etc,but i still haven't finished it, it's around the 8,000 km mark.

here you go http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/adrian

"from the south wales valleys to the mountain's of asia

8,491 km (5,276 miles) so far after 1316 days from October 31, 2010 to ???"

Quality.

[somtamslap]

What sort of speeds were you averaging in your tour de Thailand, Barry?

Regardless, enjoying the blog immensely.

[Chittychangchang]

Keen cyclist myself, shall give the blog a read.

[barrylad66]

What sort of speeds were you averaging in your tour de Thailand, Barry?

Regardless, enjoying the blog immensely.

thanks slap. as you might have noticed i'm no wordsmith, but i tried to write about daily happenings. i will be pooping back to u.k for a while soon and i will, try to dig out my journal and try to complete it. i will also try to find the rest of my pics which are on disc and upload them in the near future. as for average speed it was around 21-24kmh on the flat according to conditions such as weather, wind direction and fuel taken on board. a lot slower in north thailand and north laos though

[beerlaodrinker]

I admire your spirit Breny get yourself a good treadly preferrably one with a comfy seat. Seen plenty of folk (Falang) on bikes in issan and Laos, must be hard work until you get into tour stride. Post up some pics mate when you're done

[barrylad66]

^ Cheers Barry. repect dude. Im going to be the sweaty red faced farang who is chased by shitflys and unhappy fathers ( i hope ).
Many thanks for that.

if you venture down prachin way, give us a shout and you will have somewhere to stay, and a few cold ones in the fridge.

[terry57]

Not cycled it, but the Mae Hong Son loop is absolutely top notch for motorcycles.

I done the Mae Hong son loop back in 88 on a 250 Honda.

Have driven it a few times since then last time last year, I must agree its a stunning part of Thailand up there from Nov To Feb.

But to actually ride it on a push bike is reserved solely for the certifiable amongst us.

All the twists and turns coupled with very steep hills.

Must be friggin hard core to cycle those EH.

[Jofrey]

Bangkrachao is great for cyclists. Just get a 20baht boat ride over from Klong Toei.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/tr...lung.html?_r=0

[thailazer]

Up here in Mae Taeng there are endless tracks in the forest to ride on. Have come to hate the drivers and exhaust fumes on the roads so try to spend as much time up in the mountain single tracks on the mountain bike. Love the quiet too.

[Drainpipe]

Im going to be on a mountain bike carrying all of my gear so i guess i shall be doing significantly less miles that he. The heat/humidity is a rather daunting aspect for me but hey ho, If i dont give it a go i will never know.

I would think at this time of year starting out at first light and stopping around 12/1pm

well, that's what I would do; I have passed bicyclists puffing away in the afternoon but they looked very hot and uncomfortable. So a nice 5/6 hour bike ride, then a decent rest in the afternoon just looking around the area

[Albert Shagnastier]

I done the Mae Hong son loop back in 88 on a 250 Honda. Have driven it a few times since then last time last year, I must agree its a stunning part of Thailand up there from Nov To Feb.

88? - Respect

But to actually ride it on a push bike is reserved solely for the certifiable amongst us

No one left out then

All the twists and turns coupled with very steep hills. Must be friggin hard core to cycle those EH.

Plenty of time and plenty of weed - I don't see a problem - only quality times

[Albert Shagnastier]

Bangkrachao is great for cyclists. Just get a 20baht boat ride over from Klong Toei.

NYtimes might like it - but I reckon it's a bit rubbish

Sure - if you're stuck in the concrete BKK jungle it's a bit of natural light relief - but nothing on MHS.

[Albert Shagnastier]

Mae Taeng

Is that at the crossroads when you're coming from Pai back to CM?

Lovely 5*Chicken place you have if it's the one I'm thinking about. Great chicken, good people and cold beers ?

[PAG]

Over the last six month or so, I've taken up cycling on a fairly serious basis. Although I've had a mountain bike for a couple of years (converted into a pseudo hybrid through tyre changes), it was used for occasional runs to my gym or something more strenuous at weekends.

This year saw the change, and I bought myself my first 'real' road bike in February (a birthday present for myself). Since then, I've gradually improved and now know some excellent routes in the Phuket/Phang Nga area. As well as that, I joined a local cycling group who meet regularly, and met/meet some really good people, virtually all local Thais, though I usually ride solo as I'm retired and can ride any day.

Not sure if you've heard of it/aware, but a good source of information is 'Strava'. A computer tool to measure and record your rides (via a smart phone with the app, or something like a Garmin), and a great way of measuring your improvement/goal achievments. You can look for clubs/groups in the area that you are (or use Google/Facebook).

A friend of mine, UK Yorkshire cyclist, is here at the moment, and has brought his bike with him. He's a member of a couple of clubs in the UK, riding the dales regularly (where the Tour de France is going to start from this year). His observation is that he feels much safer riding here in Phuket/Thailand than he does in the UK. I put this down to the numbers of 2 wheel vehicles here, which far outweigh cars, and the acknowledgement that 2 wheelers are likely to be anywhere/everywhere, and sometimes erratic, plus most roads have specific lanes for motorcycles (or cycles). Drivers are just that much more aware of any kind of bike on the road here in Thailand than most places in the world (doesn't mean that shit doesn' happen of course).

Heat is obviously a major factor here, so being loaded with liquids is mandatory (albeit you're never far from a 7/11, Family Mart, or a Mom and Pop to top up.

Currently I average between 400 to 500km a week, with a mixture of urban, dual carriageway, rolling countryside rides (with a mix of gradual and sharp elevation gains).

Great way to get about, and you meet some really genuine people here. Enjoy.

[thailazer]

Mae Taeng

Is that at the crossroads when you're coming from Pai back to CM?

Lovely 5*Chicken place you have if it's the one I'm thinking about. Great chicken, good people and cold beers ?

That is indeed the cross roads where HWY-1095 to Pai hits HWY-107 back to CM. Lots of single track on both sides of -1095 all the way to Pai and to the Mae Taeng River.

By the way, where is the chicken place you are referring to? Not sure I know of a good one in the hood here . . .

[Albert Shagnastier]

That is indeed the cross roads where HWY-1095 to Pai hits HWY-107 back to CM. Lots of single track on both sides of -1095 all the way to Pai and to the Mae Taeng River.

Good info - cheers.

By the way, where is the chicken place you are referring to? Not sure I know of a good one in the hood here . . .

Coming from Pai, turn left onto 107 coming off 1095. Can't be more than 5 minutes ride on the left (just as you're exiting the (strip) of shops etc.) Nothing fancy mate - just one of those"Gai Yang Ha Dow" (Stall with red logo with 5 gold stars and a chicken) but a well done one - if you know what I mean


If somebody could take that franchise back to the UK and a lot of other countries they'd do very well.

[Loy Toy]

As AO advised SEA Traveler is an avid cyclist riding almost everyday with a number of teams here on the eastern seaboard.

He has posted a thread about his experiences and puts his bum on a bike seat instead of a seat in front of a computer these days.

Lost a lot of weight, looks 10 years younger and really loves the sport. I wish I had time to join him.

[barrylad66]

Over the last six month or so, I've taken up cycling on a fairly serious basis. Although I've had a mountain bike for a couple of years (converted into a pseudo hybrid through tyre changes), it was used for occasional runs to my gym or something more strenuous at weekends.

This year saw the change, and I bought myself my first 'real' road bike in February (a birthday present for myself). Since then, I've gradually improved and now know some excellent routes in the Phuket/Phang Nga area. As well as that, I joined a local cycling group who meet regularly, and met/meet some really good people, virtually all local Thais, though I usually ride solo as I'm retired and can ride any day.

Not sure if you've heard of it/aware, but a good source of information is 'Strava'. A computer tool to measure and record your rides (via a smart phone with the app, or something like a Garmin), and a great way of measuring your improvement/goal achievments. You can look for clubs/groups in the area that you are (or use Google/Facebook).

A friend of mine, UK Yorkshire cyclist, is here at the moment, and has brought his bike with him. He's a member of a couple of clubs in the UK, riding the dales regularly (where the Tour de France is going to start from this year). His observation is that he feels much safer riding here in Phuket/Thailand than he does in the UK. I put this down to the numbers of 2 wheel vehicles here, which far outweigh cars, and the acknowledgement that 2 wheelers are likely to be anywhere/everywhere, and sometimes erratic, plus most roads have specific lanes for motorcycles (or cycles). Drivers are just that much more aware of any kind of bike on the road here in Thailand than most places in the world (doesn't mean that shit doesn' happen of course).

Heat is obviously a major factor here, so being loaded with liquids is mandatory (albeit you're never far from a 7/11, Family Mart, or a Mom and Pop to top up.

Currently I average between 400 to 500km a week, with a mixture of urban, dual carriageway, rolling countryside rides (with a mix of gradual and sharp elevation gains).

Great way to get about, and you meet some really genuine people here. Enjoy.

have to agree about getting involved with a local club. some great people, and you get to see places that you wouldn't otherwise know about. i used to go out on the Sunday club run in chiang mai when i was living there. a good mix of riders, and you could roll out with a group which was in your ability. the ride up to samoang was a fantastic ride, but could be brutal depending on which way you you tackled it.

[bobforest]

In response to Breny's original question, it seems that there are a number of keen cyclists among the TD mob.

I came across a Royal Project Cycleway (not sure if that's the official title but it's something like that) when I was exploring in Prachuap earlier this year. I was on a driving and beach holiday so I didn't have my bike with me but I'll try to get down there some other time on 2 wheels.

The cycleway ran from near Ban Berd in Prachuap south into Chumphon. It was an impressive-looking bike track but I don't know how far it went.

Maybe someone else has more details about it.

[Phuketrichard]

my views;
i spent 18 months ( 1982-83) cycling all over SE Asia ( India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand , Malaysia, Sing, Indonesia ( java, bali) down to Australia.
Now my cycling is confined to the west coast of Phuket

Northern Thailand would be great but u better be dam fit, the hills will kill you. An alternative is laos, same mtn/scenery as northern Thailand but much less traffic. I have been up there 3 times the past 4 years an often see cyclists on the roads.

IN Thailand no need to carry camping gear, spares etc as there are places to stay everywhere an bicycle shops everywhere as well.

Go for it!!!

[thailazer]

That is indeed the cross roads where HWY-1095 to Pai hits HWY-107 back to CM. Lots of single track on both sides of -1095 all the way to Pai and to the Mae Taeng River.

Good info - cheers.

By the way, where is the chicken place you are referring to? Not sure I know of a good one in the hood here . . .

Coming from Pai, turn left onto 107 coming off 1095. Can't be more than 5 minutes ride on the left (just as you're exiting the (strip) of shops etc.) Nothing fancy mate - just one of those"Gai Yang Ha Dow" (Stall with red logo with 5 gold stars and a chicken) but a well done one - if you know what I mean


If somebody could take that franchise back to the UK and a lot of other countries they'd do very well.

I know that place, right next to the Lotus Express and the incredible Thursday fresh market. By the way, there is a new place in town called the Spaggetti Works that has probably the best pizza in Thailand. Food there rocks, as do the mixed drinks. Bartender and owners worked a lot of years in Las Vegas so they know what they are doing.

[barrylad66]

my views;
i spent 18 months ( 1982-83) cycling all over SE Asia ( India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand , Malaysia, Sing, Indonesia ( java, bali) down to Australia.
Now my cycling is confined to the west coast of Phuket

Northern Thailand would be great but u better be dam fit, the hills will kill you. An alternative is laos, same mtn/scenery as northern Thailand but much less traffic. I have been up there 3 times the past 4 years an often see cyclists on the roads.

IN Thailand no need to carry camping gear, spares etc as there are places to stay everywhere an bicycle shops everywhere as well.

Go for it!!!

good on yer, sounds like it was a great trip. think i maybe planning another trip after my visit back to the u.k. this thread has perked my interest again.
brenny, i'll keep my eyes peeled for you.

[Drainpipe]

His observation is that he feels much safer riding here in Phuket/Thailand than he does in the UK.

I don't know if that has any basis!

A friend of mine, UK Yorkshire cyclist, is here at the moment, and has brought his bike with him

Did he have to take it apart and pack it all up? and was it counted as part of his luggage?

I have a nice Trek 4500 I want to bring over and wondered the best way

[thailazer]

Most airlines will let you take a bike as one of your two allowed international bags as long as it is less than 50 pounds. My box is always a bit past the dimension limits but they never have said anything. Go over the weight though and they will charge you.

[Drainpipe]

As long as it is dismantled and boxed, no problem

I suppose the box dimensions depend on the airlines