Thread: Cycling - in Thailand

Originally Posted by S Landreth

I do try to avoid a routine. You might want to consider it. I have at least 10 different routes I take.

I have around 15 base routes 30-60km all of which can vary, overlap or merge with others, yesterday's 55km became 67 when i decided to add a 6+6km pedal along each side of a canal. I'd aimed for 1000km this month and reached that yesterday (and I had six days off). Biked in to the city this morning for first/free service at ZienBike - owner was surprised at how much I've covered since buying at Songkran, cheeky - even asked 'have you got a job?'

For several years I rode with two cycling groups here, both connected to cycle shops but that stopped with Covid and I haven't gone back, they were Wednesday/Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings none of which really suit me now but still stay in touch with a few of them.

Chalerm Burapha Chonlathit Coast Highway - with cycle lanes each side for almost 100km - but not all as well kept as in the second pic

While I've had several dogs bark at me and try to chase me, most are too slow and even I can out pedal them. But there have been 2 times when the mongrels got a bit too close, once was when I got stuck behind a slow pickup and the dog came out of the gate snarling along side me..I got off the other side then gave it a taste of my shoe when it came around to my side. The owner was standing there at the gate watching so gave her a mouthful too...she probably didn't understand the English but the body language was universal. The other time was a dog that always used to chase me but it always started from the front porch so I had about a 40m head start, no way was it going to catch me but it never learnt. One time it was at the front gate so I did have to pedal a bit harder that time, the last time (literally) it was looking down the road and saw me coming...it didn't see the car that was coming up behind it though ! SPLAT... poor dog....NOT !

Great thread and pics Prawnograph!

Look forward to more of your cycling road trips.

Originally Posted by helge

We had a Rural Surin here

Top poster


(oddly enough from same the city as BTosser)

He now posts on AseanNow.

Originally Posted by Stretchy

He now posts on AseanNow.

OK
Say hello to him


Anyone done Koh Chang on a bicycle ?

Originally Posted by prawnograph

Chalerm Burapha Chonlathit Coast Highway - with cycle lanes each side for almost 100km

Don’t I wish. That does look so nice AND safe. For me it just lots of bushes, rice fields and the occasional pretty Isan.

Originally Posted by prawnograph

I have around 15 base routes 30-60km all of which can vary, overlap or merge with others,...

Good to hear and hope others that bike ride understand a variety is a good idea.

Great thread. I enjoy getting out on the old treadly.

Originally Posted by S Landreth

Good to hear and hope others that bike ride understand a variety is a good idea.

I concur.

Rolling through a hill tribe village high up in the mountains. No electricity in these parts.

^ thats awesome lazer, which area where you in? Ive been up to the hill tribes in the Tak area to do a few surveys. Epic people, their moonshine is hideously strong.

^^^^^ yea I would have thought cycling in Koh Chang to be quite the challene, I suppose you have a couple of stretches on both sides of the island. Ive always loved the quiet side, best hike and best waterfall

Originally Posted by Bonecollector

^ thats awesome lazer, which area where you in? Ive been up to the hill tribes in the Tak area to do a few surveys. Epic people, their moonshine is hideously strong.

A ways up HWY 1095 going to Pai. Some of that corn whiskey is quite good, but it does indeed pack a punch which made for some looser downhills. Always served in a cut-up plastic water bottle shot glass!

A new route, Saturday's pedal included about 8km on Sukhumvit #3 towards Rayong province, not my favourite but a 2.5-3m cycle/motorbike lane made it bearable then back on minor roads westwards as in pic, and in wandering no-plans mood, eventually back home, minimal traffic and midday heat, dogs not bothering to give chase, just a bark at most.



Often my last stop on any coastal rides before home, the rest area at Paknam Khaem Nu, three options from here 12-18km

My jumping off point from the Samoeng Road. From here, it was south through a Hmong and a Karen village in the mountains to Opkhan National Park, and a different track back to Chiang Mai.

^ & ^^

some wonderful pictures.

I don't see any mountains on any of my rides

^ and no mountains near me, would need to head north-east towards Soi Dao to get real hills.
This morning 56km, some new territory for me plus combining parts of three regular routes, start just below the 3152 on map, briefly on Sukhumvit Rd and the 7-11 stop.
The section on 4036 follows the water, fish farms and a few houses, minimal traffic



a new area to me - sent this pic to Ms P and response 'be careful for elephants'


follow the water


Further inland I am wary in the rubber plantations with their elephant warning signs but not on our side of Sukhumvit, this is a few km from home on 6002, usually avoid due to dogs but went through today ok they must have had the day off.

Daughter refuses to ride through this area, road passes through a large Chinese graveyard (ghosts, even in daytime) and the 'crocodile lake' which in reality probably does not have crocodiles it's an old quarry, but was scene of a murder/suicide in 2021 (more ghosts)

Cool Prawnograph!!
Keep some energy in reserve for emergencies and that quick burst of endorphins to get out of trouble.

I would feel safer if they had proper shoulders. I have seen some of these guys rip down the road like no one is on it.

Start my morning (routine) bike rides in Thailand again next week.

Although, my routes are not nearly as interesting as prawnograph’s and thailazer’s, it’ll be nice to get back again.

Originally Posted by S Landreth

Start my morning (routine) bike rides in Thailand again next week.

Although, my routes are not nearly as interesting as prawnograph’s and thailazer’s, it’ll be nice to get back again.

Any time on a bike is good time! It wasn't always great however during the burning season in Northern Thailand as it felt like biking through a war zone.

Attachment 103843

Originally Posted by TTraveler

I would feel safer if they had proper shoulders. I have seen some of these guys rip down the road like no one is on it.

Earlier this afternoon


When there's a shoulder it's due to that road's traffic volumes (highway #5029 conveniently deserted though when i took this pic); this is a nightmare/racetrack on weekends and I won't go near it, preferring the smaller rural routes where traffic is slower and I'm aware of any approaching vehicles see/hear

'Somewhere' between Song Pee Nong and Khamong - trust in Google maps

^ Have seen Thai's passing on the hard shoulder numerous times during peak holiday periods up in the North. Pretty scary when you are on a bike. Always tried to avoid the peak traffic holidays but it could happen anytime.

Lovely.


I make sure to have a little flashing red LED on the saddle stem and little flashing white LED on the handlebars, just in case it makes that one idiot aware of my existence.