A big thanks to our friends at Tourism Thailand UK who recently featured our Historic Ayutthaya Bicycle Tour on their new Thailand Reunited YouTube Channel
Check out the video below:
The following video by them also provides a great introduction to Thailand
We hope this makes you want to come to Thailand and for even more inspiration check out our bicycle tours in Thailand
Udomsak Phruttisunakorn (Natt) has been a guide with SpiceRoads for the last 5 years so we figured he would have some useful tips about bike tours and Thailand. We caught up with him to get his thoughts.
How long have you been a cycle guide and what made you decide to be one?
I have been a cycle guide for 5 years now. When I was at university I took up cycling and was cycling everyday. A friend of mine was a guide with SpiceRoads and suggested it may be something I would be interested in. I did not even know such options existed but soon discovered it is a great was to combine my love of cycling with my desire to practice my English.
Where are you from and tell us a little bit about that area?
I am from Chumphon originally. Yes I am a beach boy! Well I grew up 4 km from the beach. The province of Chumphon has about 100km of beach. It also has a lot of fruit farms and coffee and rubber plantations. It is great for cycling through as you can very between beach roads, mountains and plantations. You can cycle through Chumphon if you go on our Bangkok to Phuket road bike tour or our new Cycling Coastal Thailand bike tour.
What do you like most about your job?
No tour is the same. Even if you do the same route, the group, the weather, the unexpected are all different. I really enjoy problem solving and dealing with clients, all of whom have different needs.
What is your favourite short tour in Thailand and why?
My favourite is the Floating Markets bike tour. Despite being a day trip from Bangkok it feels like you are in nature. You get to ride through green countryside and speak to farmers, but also includes the culture and the story of the floating markets.
What is your favourite long tour in Thailand and why?
Northern Thailand by Bike. Cycling in the north can be much tougher. However, you get to experience great cultures and different ethnic groups. There are so many stories to tell!
What is your favourite Thai food?
My favorite dish is of course one from my home Town and is the Yellow Curry Soup (Kaeng Som)! It is made with yellow curry, tamarind, any meat and vegetables. Like most Thai dishes I know what it is made from and love to eat it, but unfortunately can not cook it myself!
If there is one place in Thailand that you recommend people visit where would it be?
Koh Yao Noi. I really like the people there and they are so friendly. It is quiet and peaceful and unlike a lot of places in the region it is less touristy so has a lot of Thai culture.
What is the strangest thing you have ever happened on a tour?
On one tour we were talking about GPS’s and one of the clients jokingly said he would give me one. Well I thought he was joking but a few weeks later one arrived for me from the US. This was strange as completely unexpected and amazing generosity.
If you could do a cycling tour in any other country in the world what would it be?
I would love to go cycling in Japan. I hear it is a beautiful and fascinating country. My family have been and highly recommended it.
Any tips for someone coming on their first cycle tour in Thailand?
Open you mind and bring your smile. A smile is the ticket to Thailand!
Finally, if you could have any bicycle what would it be?
I would love a Seven Cycles mountain bike. Exactly model to be confirmed but it does need to be red!
Last October 10 riders from the Royal British Legion (RBL) in Bangkok cycled from Bangkok to Phuket for charity in the SpiceRoads sponsored RBL Big Push. Now they are planning to do their next Charity Challenge in April. We caught up with some of the team in their local pub to find out their motivations and their thoughts on Thailand as a charity challenge destination.
How did the ride from Bangkok to Phuket come about? http://www.spiceroads-rbl-bigpush.com
The group first started talking about it in January 2011, at which point most of the riders (except for Tony) had hardly ever ridden a bike for a notable distance, let alone 100km per day. Normally in the UK the Royal British Legion organise a ride from London to Paris, so the Bangkok group decided to organise their own version – and a slightly longer one at that.
For most of the team this was the first such event so it certainly was a challenge. With about 9 months to prepare, the group undertook a rigorous training programme with gym sessions during the week and monthly rides of 70-80km, which soon turned into weekly rides. They soon discovered during their training rides that they got to see places they had never seen before (even after years of living in Thailand).
During this time they were also busy with the logistics and raising Sponsorship. We are pleased to say the SpiceRoads sponsored them by providing bikes throughout their training and the ride itself.
The team make it to Phuket
How did the actual ride go?
After 8 days of cycling (slightly shorter than the normal SpiceRoads Bangkok to Phuket bike tour) they all completed the ride and their first challenge. For some it had proved a real challenge but as Tony pointed out it was working as a team and keeping each other going which was important and proved a key to success.
We were pleased to hear that they also found a love for cycling. While most of the group were not cyclists beforehand they have all become keener since the ride and now will often go out for rides.
The ride was a great success and not only did they challenge themselves, they raised about 500,000 THB (17,000USD).
The organisers also learned that organising such a challenge for the first time is not an easy task. The challenges of setting up the ride and the logistical issues proved a great learning experience, as did the fund-raising side itself. As Peter noted, “It’s all about publicity” and the team certainly did a good job to get the event out there.
However, the experience prepared them well for their next challenge. With an understanding of what sort of support you can ask people for, and the creditability of having organised a trip before, they set about planning for “The Long March”.
The Next Challenge – The Long March (April 18-25, 2012) http://the-long-march.com
Not soon after they completed the Bangkok to Phuket ride they started thinking about the next challenge and the idea of “The Long March” came about. For almost as long as he has been living in Thailand (14 years), Duncan, an ex Grenadier Guards whose Great Uncle was a POW on the Death Railway, had wanted to travel the length of the “Death Railway”. So the next challenge was an easy decision and Duncan jumped at the chance to organise it.
On the April 18 a six man team of mainly ex servicemen, will embark on a charity bike, canoe and walk from Three Pagoda Pass and over seven and a half days travel the 300km to arrive at Kanachanaburi War Cemetery for the ANZAC day services on the morning of the April 25l.
In November the group formed a new association called EVA (Expat Veterans Association) of Thailand, and this time they are doing this challenge for three great charities: Royal British Legion, The Returned Services League, and the Thai Veterans Hospital. However, more importantly, the trip will remember the men of all nationalities who worked on the Thailand – Burma railway and to commemorate the 70th Anniversary because their strength and courage should never be forgotten.
This is one challenge that they are really looking forward to and the multiple disciplines adds to the the adventure. Day 1 is all cycling, Day 2 is half canoeing and half cycling, and days 3-7 are hiking approximately 35km per day. They are finding the logistics for this trip equally as challenging with trying to plot the closest route to the railway and also getting permissions to camp in the same places that were used as actual camp sites during the Death Railway construction. It really will be a historic journey
What’s after “The Long March”?
The group have already expressed an interest to do another bike ride at the end of the year, but with so many adventure options in Thailand it was interesting to know what other ideas they may come up with.
Thailand as a Charity Challenge destination.
Speaking to the team, there are certainly lots of options for charity challenges. As Peter pointed out, “Getting out there is the only real way to see Thailand. You can come on holiday and sit on a beach or you can get out and see the country”
So hopefully the RBL members have inspired you. Firstly, that Thailand provides so much opportunity for adventure. Secondly, if you want to challenge yourself, why not consider doing it for a good cause!
For more information on doing a charity bike ride in Thailand visit out website
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The Royal British Legion
The RBL provides welfare to the whole Armed Forces family; those serving, ex-Service personnel and dependants of both groups. We also campaign on a range of issues affecting Service people, we are the Custodian of Remembrance, we organise the annual Poppy Appeal and are one of the UK’s largest Membership organisations. In Thailand specifically we help those in need, those in distress and even in hospitalisation and repatriation to the UK.
EVA (Expat Veterans Association) of Thailand
We are a new group that has been formed from other veteran organisations in Bangkok in 2011. Our role is to run fund raising events for charity through out the year and this new group means we can select the most deserving cause for each event, without being tied to one specific Charity. Most of the members are ex forces and unlike a lot of organisations we accept members from all nationalities, who are of course willing to put in some of their time to organise, run and and take part in these events.
Our five Heritage bicycle tours highlight the best scenery, historic sites, art and culture that distinguish Burma, Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. By bicycling short distances at a relaxed pace over seven days there is time to leisurely take in UNESCO World Heritage sites, meet the locals, enjoy excellent food (another heritage!) and soak up the atmosphere.
Bhutan – Paro to Punakha
The Bhutanese are proud of their heritage and work hard to maintain it and this bicycle tour introduces an isolated country where Tibetan Buddhism is integral to the culture. The stunning mountains with dense forests teeming with birds compete with the historic dzongs (fortresses), monasteries and temples and the charming locals vie for our attention on this tour. The April 22nd tour is set to go. Also scheduled are departures in June, August, September and October. Cost is US$2,100.
Burma – Mandalay to Bagan
Burma’s legacy of a proud and powerful former kingdom dates back 1,000 years and the temples that remain throughout the country are a testament to that era. From Kipling’s Mandalay we travel via the Irrawaddy River, to the temples at Bagan and end with a visit to the Shwedagon Paya in Yangon. The March 25 tour is guaranteed to depart, and scheduled tours are set for July, October and November. Tour cost is US$1,950.
Cambodia – Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Cycling is the perfect way to absorb the rich history left behind by the Khmers of Cambodia between the 9th and 14th century. From our base in the capital of Phnom Penh, a modern city that has retained its colonial charm, we visit the ancient capital of Oudong and a complex of temples that are the oldest in Cambodia. In Siem Reap we explore 500 years of history at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat while also taking the in local lifestyles. Tours depart in March, May. July, September, October, November and December. Tour cost is US$1,250.
Thailand – Bangkok to Chiang Mai
This tour takes you to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, starting at the former kingdom of Ayutthaya, once one of the wealthiest cities in the East during its heyday. Continuing riding through the rice basket of Sukhothai to the northern kingdom of Lanna with its unique style of architecture before arriving in the northern capital of Chiang Mai. The next departure is on March 19 and tours are scheduled for every month thereafter. Tour cost is US$1,250.
Vietnam – Hue to Hanoi
his heritage tour starts in Hue exploring the citadels and tombs left behind by 13 emperors who ruled for more than 100 years during the golden era of dynasties. After learning about royalty the cycling continues to a village where the the tradition of feng shui is reflected in the architecture. Riding south along the beautiful coast, the route passes numerous mausoleums, pagodas and war memorials. From the quaint town of Hoi An, once the largest harbour in Southeast Asia, the riding is out to the Hindu temples of My Son that were built during the 4th and the 14th century by the kings of Champas. This tour takes in three UNESCO World Heritage sites and is witness to traditional rural life of villagers and indulges in the delicious local specialties. The next departure is on March 25 and there are five more tours scheduled for 2012. Tour cost is US$1,100.
To introduce these tours we are offering a US$150 discount off any of the Heritage Tours that depart between now and October 1 if booked by March 15. Just enter HERITAGE to receive the discount when booking. (This cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts)
On our most recent Bangkok to Phuket tour we had two riders who were doing the ride for the second and third time. Intrigued as to what keeps drawing them back to this epic 800 km ride, the repeaters told us about their experiences.
TJ cycling Bangkok to Phuket
Tinsley Janes, or TJ, a 61-year-old cyclist from New Zealand, pointed out that “It’s probably one of the best rides in the world in terms of road surface, the coast and the accommodation.” High praise from somebody who lives in a beautiful cycling country. This is TJ’s third time riding along the coast of Thailand and he’s now planning to bring his friends and come back for his fourth time next year. He said his next challenge with SpiceRoads will be up north, “I want to do Chiang Mai to Bangkok because that is downhill the entire way with tailwind, on nice smooth roads. Also Mae Hong Son Hills because that is a different dimension in cycling with the hills.” We look forward to riding with TJ again soon!
Richard in his SpiceRoads Jersey
This is the second time Richard Jones, 70, from California has cycled from Bangkok to Phuket. He told us that he came back for the same tour he did last year because it is, “A lot of hard work, no time in the van and always good guides, good food, good hotels, and always a very nice pack. So I’ve been enjoying it this second time and I might do it again for the third time.”
Richard at the Huntsman World Senior Games
He also proudly sent us photos of receiving a trophy at the Huntsman World Senior Games while wearing his SpiceRoads jersey just a few weeks prior to his departure for the Bangkok to Phuket ride. Thissenior athletic event held annually in Utah attracts 10,000 athletes who participate in 26 different disciplines. Richard participated in 7 road and mountain biking events, placing first in 5 of them and second and third in the two others. Richard has already been on 13 SpiceRoads tours and we look forward to welcoming him back again for another!
T.T.T. Tour Operator No. 14/00433 ATTA: 02354
