Thread: Cycling - in Thailand

Not quite the search for the source of the Nile

Following the 'flood alleviation' canal to where it meets the Chanthaburi river east of the city


This project was under construction when we moved here 2011. We were at a street fair on an evening when the river overflowed its banks and street rapidly .5 - 1m deep; hasn't happened since the canals opened, diverts to an estuary and out to sea




Paved pathways each side makes for peaceful cycling


This one not my pic, aerial view gives an idea of the scope of the project

Google Maps: “Unknown Road”

Unknown Road: “don’t panic, 2km to a 7-11 store”

2 August 2023

There must be a lesson there somewhere about phones and being out and about on your own but for the life of me I cannot fathom it

For me,……I don’t ride with one because of the sudden storms, I’m never that far from home and just in case of an emergency, whatshername placed a contact number (in plain view) on the bike that is attached with a waterproof tape.

Almost . . . aimed to reach 5000km by end September since late April but 10 days in Bangkok as my excuse, 4877.
And first expenses on this bike at 4200km - Vittoria Revolution Tech tyres, had these on my NZ Trek and waited till I'd worn out the factory Maxxis offroad ones.
New chain, went for a 6-tooth larger front chainring; replaced the two smallest rear sprockets - too worn for the new chain.
And a full service from Zienbike - including a clean better than I'd manage, like new.
Tyres 1900b incl fitting; chainring 1200b; sprockets 350b ea, service 600b.
All set for the next 4-5000km.

Had to cut this ride short last week, intended to continue on to Prasae in Rayong, pics here are at Paknam Phang Rat the river border of Chanthaburi and Rayong provinces, when I got a call from the local tessaban bringing forward my appointment for my yellow book and ID card (should have done both years ago) so a hasty return.



Red shows the coast highway (Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road) - has cycle lines both sides from the border with Trat through Chanthaburi and on to Rayong province.

Mr DIY, Chao Lao beach
Start your bodgy DIY projects here

Now have three Mr DIY shops in Chanthaburi city but this one is closest to us.
A site was cleared in our town last month and I had my hopes up, but turns out it's our 4th 7-11 store. There was just one when we moved here.

6 October 2023
Six cyclists from the Nang Rong Bicycle Club (Buriram) were involved in a hit and run incident this morning, two died at the scene (aged 64 and 68), the remaining four suffered minor injuries.
The driver of an Isuzu pickup truck fled the scene.

Daily News

Sad news!

Cycling on Thailands roads, no thanks.

Originally Posted by prawnograph

Six cyclists from the Nang Rong Bicycle Club (Buriram) were involved in a hit and run incident this morning

awful!

Bangkok Post has an article also. It’s still dark at 5:30 am

Pickup rams into cyclists, 2 killed, 4 injured

The accident occurred at about 5.30am on Highway 24 (Chok Chai - Det Udom).

Police said the hit-and-run driver had surrendered at Chalerm Phra Kiat police station. He was a warrant officer 1st class, identified only as Chat, attached to an army camp in Buri Ram province.

Originally Posted by Joe 90

Sad news!

Cycling on Thailands roads, no thanks.

While I average 800-1000km a month, I don't ride early mornings - definitely not in darkness, usually wait till after 9 when worker/school traffic over, similarly not after 4pm. Have friends who do group rides in the evenings, well-lit but still not enough to encourage me to go with them. They've never had an accident that I'm aware of but I much prefer daytime.

Plan my routes, stay off the roads to the beach/coast on weekends; fortunate to have good options on quiet roads - and I mean quiet, can hear approaching vehicles (reminder, need to fit the new bar mirror that's still in its wrapping)

A 'You shall not pass!" moment, east of the city, guy with the scooter suggested I try to see just how deep it was.

Originally Posted by prawnograph

I don't ride early mornings - definitely not in darkness, usually wait till after 9 when worker/school traffic over, similarly not after 4pm.

Common sense really, isn't it.

61km loop, home to the coast then inland to Chanthaburi city, off the main roads most of the way, can get around much of the city following the canal and minor roads


First stop at 20km, Laem Sing for a 7-11 icecream; other stop is Inspire By Princess, cafe adjacent to the prison and staffed by inmates on a pre-release program.

Saturday pedalling, went out for a coast loop of 33km, such a good day with 10km to go headed inland and extended to 55km.

Quickest road direct to the coast, 13km, a 4km section has had 1.2m added on each side in the past few weeks; would have preferred asphalt to concrete but it's made that road safer


New park being developed on hillside at south end of Chao Lao beach; improved access, we've been snorkeling off here, today several spearfishing off the reefs


This 900 million baht flyover is for vehicles heading south on Sukhumvit Rd to get to Tha Mai and onwards to the coast.
Problems with the asphalt and the alignment of the on-ramp means it has been closed again - opened early September and this is the third closure. But road cones don't stop cyclists.

^ interesting to see, cheers.

55km today - stopped here on the bridge at Paknam Khaem Nu, 15km from home and headed from sunshine - 20 min earlier a swim at Chao Lao beach - into the incoming rain.
And rain it did, I could have waited it out as it cleverly stopped within 2km of home but, it's just water.
The new widened cycle lane two posts back has in several places been built higher than the road, resulting in huge puddles to the road centreline, careful stuff obscuring any dodgy potholes.


My half-year report
Six months since I bought the bike after Songkran this year.
5409km in 136 cycling days averaging just under 40km per ride. Must try harder.
It's been a dry rain season for us, and most of the rain we have had has been either before sunrise or late afternoon, ideal for me with preferred 9 or 10am starts.

Mornings have been so nice and cool this past week, I might have to start wearing the windbreaker again.

Eager to get out cycling again.

Turning off Sukhumvit Rd near Tung Benja and heading towards the coast on a 55km loop ride

72km yesterday, north to Phluang dam; began in sunshine but overcast by the time I arrived. Thunder and lightning but I missed the rain, wet roads on the return ride.


Trail run on 26th begins here this is the annual 'Up Hill Run' event with 5,17 and 28km options in the adjacent Khao Kitchakut national park. Head for the hills.

Took some very minor roads, thanks Google maps, on the lookout for elephants through the rubber tree plantations as this is their territory and the question 'could I out-pedal one?'. As it was, just three dogs to contend with but they gave up once past their property. At the dam I had the company of a mangy one-eyed mutt, shared my cornetto and muesli bar.





Phluang is alive eight weeks of each year (next year from 10 February to 9 April 2024)- start point for pilgrims to Wat Khao Prabat (Khao Khitchakut National Park) (Chanthaburi: Wat Khao Prabat (Khao Khitchakut National Park))

A short very steep climb, returning a quick descent from the dam to the access road, and a a nice little curve just because they can. Brakes at 52kmh to get round the sharp right into Phluang

^ I love the absence of other vehicles! Bike on!

Originally Posted by prawnograph

Brakes at 52kmh to get round the sharp right into Phluang

Legend stuff prawns

I topped out a 51.5....... MPH! going downhill off Big Sur in Northern California on my way to Mexico on a fully loaded Joe Waugh road bike that I converted for touring which weighed 95lbs dry weight with luggage (not including water/food etc.) in 1993. That remains the fastest I ever went on a bike to my knowledge and it was back when helmets were still a twinkle in a legislators eye and I was running tiny little centre-pull rim brakes, as cantilevers were too expensive and exotic and v-brakes and discs were still years away!

If you want to go fast get some front and rear panniers attached and fill them with rocks at the top of that hill!

^ that 50kmh was without any pedalling, hills are a novelty along our coast and the steady climb inland was a welcome change (recently did an 86km ride with a friend without a gear change - who needs them?} there's one about 15km away I similarly coast to 50kmh in a very short distance then on the brakes for a hairpin I can't negotiate at more than 9kmh - it's been painted red as a warning but not the best traction.

mph - recorded around 80kmh downhill on a road/triathlon bike, yes that's quite fast enough.

Beware