Thread: Thai Bicycling Trips

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

keep up the good riding buspilot. once you have some distance in, the rides become more challenging. It is also a lot more fun to ride in a group... consider that.

Thanks. Riding alone is the biggest challenge to motivation. Sukhothai has an active contingent, but I haven't been able to connect. In the beginning they were too fast for me to catch, but once I caught up with them and rode about 20 km with them. I tried to ask them about riding regularly and a meeting point, but I guess they didn't understand what I was trying to ask them. This is very unusual because every club I have ever ridden with back home went out of their way to make sure new riders were welcomed and invited to meetings and rides. Once I get my speed and distance up, I will try going to some events in the Bicycle Thailand newsletter. I wanted to try the Trek Pro Tour too, but I hadn't put in enough miles before this last one came up.

What a brilliant sociable way to pass some time and stay active.

Fantastic, I'm going to get into it.

Originally Posted by terry57

What a brilliant sociable way to pass some time and stay active.

Fantastic, I'm going to get into it.

Good on you Terry57. U R correct in the it is a great way to pass the time while exercising and staying in shape or in my case, getting into shape. :-)

Originally Posted by buspilot

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

keep up the good riding buspilot. once you have some distance in, the rides become more challenging. It is also a lot more fun to ride in a group... consider that.

Thanks. Riding alone is the biggest challenge to motivation. Sukhothai has an active contingent, but I haven't been able to connect. In the beginning they were too fast for me to catch, but once I caught up with them and rode about 20 km with them. I tried to ask them about riding regularly and a meeting point, but I guess they didn't understand what I was trying to ask them. This is very unusual because every club I have ever ridden with back home went out of their way to make sure new riders were welcomed and invited to meetings and rides. Once I get my speed and distance up, I will try going to some events in the Bicycle Thailand newsletter. I wanted to try the Trek Pro Tour too, but I hadn't put in enough miles before this last one came up.

So busp, your resident up in Sukhothai? your correct in that it seems peculiar that the riders seemed not to extend a welcome to join them in future rides.

Just the opposite here. The groups I have run across have attempted to make me feel welcome and extended invites to join them in future rides. Could it be that they might have thought that you were visiting rather than resident or some other odd reason?

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

So busp, your resident up in Sukhothai?

Yes

Could it be that they might have thought that you were visiting rather than resident or some other odd reason?

Possibly. I'm a pretty regular fixture on the conventional route, but I've noticed the big group doesn't often use that route anymore.

bid your time buspilot, you'll find your riding group.

BTW, friend of mine was just up to Sukhothai about 1 month ago with his non-Thai spouse for some sight seeing and riding. He would have been a good guy to ride with for a day. He/they enjoyed the area.

Yes, that would have been fun

4 May 2013: Today’s bicycle ride was a planned 80 kilo ride from Ban Chang out to country roads North and East of Rt36 and the Rayong area and return to Ban Chang. For me, because of riding to the starting point and returning to residence, I ended up with 94.5 kilo.



First photo shot here is at the top of “Oh My God” (OMG) hill just North East of Ban Chang on the back roads toward St. Andrews Golf Course and School. One of our group of 4 had a rear derailleur adjustment that needed to be made and we all took advantage to catch our breath.









Just a little further along we passed a stream with a temple in the back up the hill.








And on the other side of that same bridge looking the opposite direction from the previous photo we have the group photo.









The hard riding up the hills has it’s rewards. Here we are looking down into the valley and beyond.











And a solo shot at the same location.









Moving along down the road, we begin to near to near the breakfast rest stop.

4 May 2013: (Continued)

There was a little off road riding with some down hills that made for a nice change of pace in the riding terrain.







Some more nice scenery.







riding East towards the rubber tree groves.







rest stop in the rubber tree groves before making the climb to the temple.







rest stop at the top of the climb to the temple.







at the temple.








Discussing the strategy for the rest of the days ride.





Contemplating todays ride at the end.







The end of the days ride.

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

The end of the days ride.

I was expecting to see a bottle of San Miguel mate.

Nice report.

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

Here are some of the other roads traveled in and around the Khao Kheow Zoo area as well as some of the beautiful mountain scenery.




























All in all it was a fun and very exercising day. Looking forward to more such rides.

This is one of my favourite training runs, I ride through the KK Zoo two or three times a week. Its a Gem hidden in plane sight.

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

I ended up with 94.5 kilo.

Looks like you have lost some weight mate.

Those are my kinds of roads, scenery and hill climbs!

I rode through the KKZ yesterday morning, solo ride because the club I ride with were riding an event around Lamchabang Port (Not my idea of an enjoyable place to ride a bike), so I headed for the hills.

https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com...Y3JzpinM.email

Originally Posted by terry57

What a brilliant sociable way to pass some time and stay active.

Fantastic, I'm going to get into it.

Thetyim will testify to this. Three years ago I could hardly climb a flight of stairs without having to stop to catch my breath - I bought a road bike on advice from my sister after my brother was diagnosed with diabetes, I'm now riding seriously hard routes at very respectable speeds and competing again (something I thought I would never ever do again).

OK I rode pro events when I was a youngster but it was a long hill to climb from being nearly disabled to competing in races again.

The best part is as Terry says, a brilliant sociable way to pass tome and stay (get) active.

Originally Posted by buspilot

Those are my kinds of roads, scenery and hill climbs!

The best bit about climbing hills is riding back down again.

I shot this with a Go-Pro strapped to my handlebars during a recent cycling trip up north.

The clicking noise you hear is my gear change and/or the my speed pick-up striking the wheel magnet when the front wheel distorts during hard breaking.

Top speed 103Kms/Hour.

Originally Posted by Itchy

Thetyim will testify to this. Three years ago I could hardly climb a flight of stairs without having to stop to catch my breath - I bought a road bike on advice from my sister after my brother was diagnosed with diabetes, I'm now riding seriously hard routes at very respectable speeds and competing again (something I thought I would never ever do again).

OK I rode pro events when I was a youngster but it was a long hill to climb from being nearly disabled to competing in races again.

The best part is as Terry says, a brilliant sociable way to pass tome and stay (get) active.

This has a lot in common with me too. When I was competing and doing the long rides in my youth, I felt an athletic lifestyle was key to having a good life in old age, but as I started a family, I got busy and figured there would be plenty of time later. Well, later came and went and health issues arose that were solved by getting back on the bike again. I, too, doubt I will be able to compete again (at least from the front of the pack!), but I want to take it as far as I can. I try to get at least one 40 km ride per week, but I want to get back up to being quick on Century rides again.

Great photos, I used to love cycling, out on the road by 7am back in the house by 9 and ready for a swim. This was my routine until I almost got pushed off my motorcycle into a culvert by some prick in a pick-up, I was actually rubbing against the side of his truck as he drove past. Not sure if he saw me or not, clear road and good weather.
I have since lost my confidence, not only riding my cycle but also m. cycle it seems so easy to become another statistic in Thailand. I will pump up the tires and try again when I get home.
Has anyone had similar experience. I am sure it would be safer to ride in a group.
Jumbo

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

The end of the days ride.

I was expecting to see a bottle of San Miguel mate.

Nice report.

the San Miguel was reserved for later in the evening with dinner but know for sure that some was drank or is it drunk? who cares, either way I drank some and it hit the spot.

Originally Posted by buspilot

Those are my kinds of roads, scenery and hill climbs!

are you in country and ready to ride yet pilot?

Originally Posted by Itchy

I rode through the KKZ yesterday morning, solo ride because the club I ride with were riding an event around Lamchabang Port (Not my idea of an enjoyable place to ride a bike), so I headed for the hills.

https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com...Y3JzpinM.email

I knew and was considering the Leam Chabang event but like you opted out and besides, had other plans for Sunday. The KKZ area is great riding and as you say, plenty of climbs if that is what your looking for. Did you remain on road most of the time? What were you riding? PM if you want to get out on a Sat or Sun sometime.

Originally Posted by Itchy

Originally Posted by buspilot

Those are my kinds of roads, scenery and hill climbs!

The best bit about climbing hills is riding back down again.

I shot this with a Go-Pro strapped to my handlebars during a recent cycling trip up north.

The clicking noise you hear is my gear change and/or the my speed pick-up striking the wheel magnet when the front wheel distorts during hard breaking.

Top speed 103Kms/Hour.

Thanks Itchy as the down hill clip was fantastic. What loc up north? the climb must have taken a while but worth it I'm sure.

That climb was near Phrae.

30 minutes up, 15 minutes down.

Back in the day my speciality was climbing and descending - now I'm happy to get to the top without being sick.

But, and here's a but, I recommend anyone going back to cycling to get a health check and invest in heart monitor.

I regularly ride at 120% of my maximum recommended heart rate, I would not feel safe doing that if I hadn't checked my heart out and was not monitoring my performance.

I ride mainly on road, I have a Wheeler Titanium MBK but mostly ride a Giant Aluminium road bike.

Special occasions I take out my old Raleigh 753 Team frame (made for my by Gerald O'Donavan back in my real racing days) and I've just taken delivery of Colnago C59 KOM (Campag SR) team frame.

Photos to come.

Originally Posted by Itchy;2441300
[/quote

This is one of my favourite training runs, I ride through the KK Zoo two or three times a week. Its a Gem hidden in plane sight.

your riding a road bike right? I left my Viner with Campy road bike at home in the States. Looking at the purchasing of a road bike for over here in Thai. Would enjoy riding KKZ roads again.