
Chiang Mai to Koh Samui: 6 Weeks, 2,000km
We loved our 2020 bicycle tour in Thailand so much that we did it again, this time taking along our friend Deana. We knew she was tough enough, flexible and adventurous enough to take on whatever challenges presented—long distances, hot baking sun, and the thrill of the unknown. Fully self-supported, we were three free-spirited adventurers. With fully loaded bicycles we headed out for an epic journey that took us from the northern part of Thailand all the way down through the central part, skirted Bangkok further down the coastline toward Surat Thani. After averaging approximately 80km a day by pure pedal power, our bodies were tired and we escaped to the island of Koh Samui and Khao Sok National Park which was an absolute highlight of the journey! This much we can tell you—Thailand is a fantastical, magical country.
Traffic, Dogs, and Making More Hay
Route: Bang Mun Nak to Uthai Thani Distance: 108km Daytime max temperature: Don’t know, but stinkin hot! Slow news day here on the Thailand 2023 cycle tour. So, we are going to talk Traffic and Dogs. After 631km we can now say that beyond the shadow of a doubt, the wonderful smiley people of Thailand... Continue reading→
Party at the Wat! Buat Nak—what’s that you ask?
Route: Uthai Thani to Sing Buri Distance: 100km Daytime high: 40C (maybe more!) We rode. And it was lovely. And just about the time we were wondering what the day might bring we noticed some lights & activity on the road ahead in the distance. At first we thought it was an accident of some... Continue reading→
Shopping in Sing Buri. And…Day vs Night Dogs
We shopped. And we walked. A lot—about 16km on our “day off”. Shopping is a fascinating adventure in this far away land. There’s no sales tax. So, the price you see is what you pay! Randy spent 150 bahts ($6) on a shirt, Deana splurged 100 bahts ($4) on a pair of pants, and we... Continue reading→
The Old Man on the Rickety Bike, and Riding in the Silly Heat
Route: Sing Buri to Ayutthaya Distance: 79km Total distance to date: 810 km Daytime high: 40C (again) Thai’s seem to love interacting with us odd looking foreigners. They light up when we try & speak with them, even when we just take notice & wave. They love to have their photos taken too. Today while... Continue reading→
Glittery Gold, and Making Merit with the Dogs
We had another non-restful rest day, this time in Ayutthaya where we explored the UNESCO world heritage site Ayutthaya Historical Park. Beforehand we went to the Building of Golden Treasures at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum where we saw so much glittery gold it was hard to believe it’s all very real, and very... Continue reading→
Organized Traffic Lunacy. And then there’s Slugger…
Route: Ayutthaya to Nonthaburi Distance: 95km Total distance to date: 905km Daytime high: 40C We got an early start. Alarm went off at 6:00 am then we stashed our banana muffins & other small foodables into our bags and off we went, into the busy traffic that one might expect from a busy city. It... Continue reading→