Thread: Thai Bicycling Trips

That reads all wrong, what I was trying to say is I could run or bike it if I had the bug like you seem to have ST

They have all clean up challenges as well which Thailand needs i think

Anyway, great thread, you're lookin good Steven, I need to find that motivation soon, I will show you my bike tomorrow, has room for 3

Originally Posted by Kwang

That reads all wrong, what I was trying to say is I could run or bike it if I had the bug like you seem to have ST

They have all clean up challenges as well which Thailand needs i think

Anyway, great thread, you're lookin good Steven, I need to find that motivation soon, I will show you my bike tomorrow, has room for 3

ok, looking forward to seeing your bike for 3......

4 June 2012: After last weekends excruciating and very humbling off road bicycling rally sponsored by the BHHB (Bangkok Hash House Bikers) about an hour away in hills of Khao Kheow, where by the way I lost the sole of my bike riding shoes and one of my cleats, I went out this past week and purchased a new pair of bicycling riding shoes, a new pair of gloves, and a bike computer. Now if this couldn’t make me bide faster and longer then I’m not sure what would unless of course if I lost a few more kilo but then that would mean no more after ride beers.

Anyway, today is some sort of Buddhist holiday, it might even be Buddha’s birthday, I’m not sure, and a portion of our Saturday bicycling group went out for a ride. There were 4 of us and we decided to go off road a little. My new little trusty bicycle computer told me that we rode a distance of 35 kilo, about 1/2 of that was off road.

Here are a few photos of both the on and off road.


On the way to the cycling ride meeting place, I was cruising along fairly well but not fast enough to not see this snake in the road. I turned around and stopped to get this photo but did not get close enough to get the license number or see if it needed any assistance in getting back on the move.






Here I am at the cycling meeting place after just riding 6 kilo to get there all refreshed and ready to go. I haven’t broken down yet and gotten a pair of off road MTB bicycling shorts to make me less embarrassing (so someone has posted) yet. I’m figuring I’m just not that vain or otherwise just don’t give a hoot. Either way, I’m still riding.







Some of the off road riding we did today took us through some rubber plantations, coconut plantations pineapple groves and past some nice natural lakes.


















Skies were blue and great scenery on this ride. Back on the hard surface and heading back toward home, we still had one climb to make but then a huge downhill where my trusty cycle computer calculated my speed at 59.1 kilo per hour.











Back home in 2 hours and 15 min. Still have a whole day ahead to do things with the family. Until next time... Ciao!

Looks like a ton of fun for everyone! Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by buspilot

Looks like a ton of fun for everyone! Thanks for sharing!

right , especially for the youngest in the group who thrives on technical single track downhills. Being of age and a lot more conservative, I took the rough part of the ride at a manageable pace thanks you very much. But yes, we all enjoyed ourselves on this ride today.

Yes, the descents are definitely for the young! In high school I took my first distance sport ride (not off-road), The Enduro, 150 miles through the foothills of California. It included a steep descent at Marshall's Grade (of gold discovery fame). A truck passed us and said we were doing 80 mph! The only trick was slowing down for the hairpin turn at the bottom of the grade.

I enjoyed sport riding, and even spent a year with a race team, but I took a slide at the end of one mountain descent. The road took a gentle curve as it approached the bridge over the river at the bottom of the canyon. I hit some sand that had washed up from the river and slid on it. Luckily the sand also saved me with a gentle sliding fall with no injuries. But ever since then I haven't been as aggressive on my cornering and downhill speeds!

strawberry rash on the hips and thighs. ouch.

wow, in high school and your racing 150 miles. impressive. and an 80 mph downhill? too rich for my blood, even 40 years ago.

I too in a previous life had a USCF license and raced for a team on the East coast. Cat 4. I road raced for 2 years or so but never did very well. Call me a domestique, but I had fun. I continued to train for a while with the team after the 2 years of racing but gave that up once getting reassigned overseas again. I still get the rush when I'm riding in the car and a peloton of riders is noted.

Is that the same as Suphan Buri? My rides are running between 20 to 40 km depending on how I feel. I tried to push past 40 the other day, but it seems to be a glass wall. I'm trying to balance between recovery time and frequent training to try to increase my endurance, but it's not working so far. Pushing myself results in extreme fatigue that takes a week or two to recover from, and resting doesn't make me stronger.

I love the California coast. We did a tour of the north coast of 360 miles in a week with the Sacramento Bike Hikers. I like Southern California too, but I've only done that part of the the coast highway on a VW tour. I love hill climbs. Sukhothai is flat and getting boring!

Originally Posted by buspilot

Is that the same as Suphan Buri? My rides are running between 20 to 40 km depending on how I feel. I tried to push past 40 the other day, but it seems to be a glass wall. I'm trying to balance between recovery time and frequent training to try to increase my endurance, but it's not working so far. Pushing myself results in extreme fatigue that takes a week or two to recover from, and resting doesn't make me stronger.

I love the California coast. We did a tour of the north coast of 360 miles in a week with the Sacramento Bike Hikers. I like Southern California too, but I've only done that part of the the coast highway on a VW tour. I love hill climbs. Sukhothai is flat and getting boring!

Yes, Suphan short for Suphanburi and it's flat here too which I don't mind. Have several different routes I take where boredom doesn't set in. Most of the dog packs know me and give a wide berth. I try for 40km and my ass gets too sore to ride the next day since the current bike I'm riding is an old 10 speed with the narrow, hard seat.

Back in the day, the Brooks Professional leather saddle was considered the saddle to have (or its cheaper French counterpart, the Ideale). I had one on my PX-10 and really liked it, but after reading on cycling health, I switched to the Specialized Body Geometry, which is really worth it. I got both the touring saddle and the racing saddle. I put the racing saddle away after a couple of rides because it's too firm and makes me sore. But the other is soft and worth the extra weight.

Here's a picture of the Trek with the Specialized saddle.

I also made the concession to my reduced status by accepting the front triple chainring! In high school I was so proud of myself to make the climb up Auburn canyon to Pilot Hill in the PX-10's lowest gear, which was stiff at about 45x21 teeth. I had to do it standing up, which was a real workout. Many of the guys would just walk it because it is so steep. Although the Auburn dam project was cancelled, I'm not sure that the ride is possible anymore because of the preliminary construction done prior to the cancellation.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

My bike trips were rather tame compared to yours. Used to run down Beach Blvd. in OC to Huntington Beach and head south along PCH. I'd get as far as far as the southern end of Newport and head back before I ran out of gas. Some very steep hills on that route.

Today, here in northern Suphan, I'm doing 30km per day and that feels about right for now.

No worries Boon Mee, your not the young stud you once were. :-)

30 kilo is just fine. The important thing is your out and about getting some exercise. One needs to work up to longer and more strenuous rides. That is one reason I enjoy watching the Tour de France on TV so much,,, can live vicariously.

Originally Posted by buspilot

Back in the day, the Brooks Professional leather saddle was considered the saddle to have (or its cheaper French counterpart, the Ideale). I had one on my PX-10 and really liked it, but after reading on cycling health, I switched to the Specialized Body Geometry, which is really worth it. I got both the touring saddle and the racing saddle. I put the racing saddle away after a couple of rides because it's too firm and makes me sore. But the other is soft and worth the extra weight.

now your talking buspilot. the Brooks leather saddle that some would wet and then ride so that it would form to their rear. :-)

I had a long response prepared to send back to you as our riding statuses seemed to parallel but then the response just vanished and I was taken back to the forum home page. WTH. I redo it later if I remember.

My daughter just asked why Uncle M..........'s picture is on the internet and why he is dressed like that.

^^^^
Nice looking bike!

I might have to consider a new, more comfortable seat if I'm going to keep riding this current bike because ass-fatigue sets in before wind or leg fatigue.

On a separate note, you have to admire those riders who tackle Doi Sutep in CM. Legs of steel or what?

Originally Posted by buspilot

Here's a picture of the Trek with the Specialized saddle.

I also made the concession to my reduced status by accepting the front triple chainring! In high school I was so proud of myself to make the climb up Auburn canyon to Pilot Hill in the PX-10's lowest gear, which was stiff at about 45x21 teeth. I had to do it standing up, which was a real workout. Many of the guys would just walk it because it is so steep. Although the Auburn dam project was cancelled, I'm not sure that the ride is possible anymore because of the preliminary construction done prior to the cancellation.

Nice. Makes me want to get back out on the road.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

My daughter just asked why Uncle M..........'s picture is on the internet and why he is dressed like that.

It had to be the youngest daughter ans she is the innocent one. Tell her I was getting ready to go to a beer fest.... :-)

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

^^^^
Nice looking bike!

I might have to consider a new, more comfortable seat if I'm going to keep riding this current bike because ass-fatigue sets in before wind or leg fatigue.

On a separate note, you have to admire those riders who tackle Doi Sutep in CM. Legs of steel or what?

Boon, if that is the case, just get a new saddle and then consider purchasing a mountain bike so you can ride on road or off deepening on your circumstances and frame of mind.

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

I had a long response prepared to send back to you as our riding statuses seemed to parallel but then the response just vanished and I was taken back to the forum home page. WTH. I redo it later if I remember.

I hate to miss out. Would love to hear it if you get a minute to write again.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

^^^^
Nice looking bike!

I might have to consider a new, more comfortable seat if I'm going to keep riding this current bike because ass-fatigue sets in before wind or leg fatigue.

On a separate note, you have to admire those riders who tackle Doi Sutep in CM. Legs of steel or what?

Thanks. That's exactly right. Without a good seat, the ride gets to be no fun before the wind and leg fatigue set in. Now if they just had something about the legs

I've never seen Doi Sutep. Would be nice to see sometime.

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

Nice. Makes me want to get back out on the road.

Thanks. There's nothing like the smooth feel of precision machinery under you making high speeds and long trips possible.

I had a season where the only biking friends I had were mountain bikers. Wife of the biggest logging company in the area used to take us on the dirt logging roads in the Sierras. Couldn't be anywhere more beautiful to ride, but I just like the road experience better. Plus I'm a fuss budget about not letting the mechanicals get dirty.

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

Boon, if that is the case, just get a new saddle and then consider purchasing a mountain bike so you can ride on road or off deepening on your circumstances and frame of mind.

For sure at least get the saddle so your frame of mind is at least open to the idea that bike riding will be fun!