Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Duke's Pass
11-15-07, 09:36 PM
Hi there.
I'm an exiled Scot living in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. New to this forum, and interested in meeting others who might be living or visiting this part of the world and want to get some riding done. I've been cycling around Chiang Mai for about 5 years, mostly road biking, but occasional off road stuff. While Chiang Mai is pretty well known for the off road riding, particularly in the forest on Doi Suthep mountain, the road riding is great too. Favorite rides include the climb of Doi Suthep, a nice ascent through forested hillsides starting at Chiang Mai zoo and turning back either at the temple (11km) or the Palace (around 15 km). The road narrows after this but continues more or less to the top of the mountain. The ride out east of the city past San Kamphang joining the Doi Saket road (an 80 km loop) is fine too, with one good climb. Another favorite is the Samoeng loop, approx. 100 km around the mountain with some tough climbing and long lonely stretches. While occasional visitors to Chiang Mai might be concerned about cycling in the traffic here, it's not so bad if you can choose your routes and times. Bigger hazards to my mind are the dogs (always) and the pollution (in the dry / hot seasons). Earlier this year wildfires and burning of garbage meant visibility was down to a few hundred metres in March. Hope next year isn't as bad. But November is the best time. And today is Friday. The weekend rides ahead. Clear skies, warm sun, clear mountains, no wind, open road...
I'm an exiled Scot living in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. New to this forum, and interested in meeting others who might be living or visiting this part of the world and want to get some riding done. I've been cycling around Chiang Mai for about 5 years, mostly road biking, but occasional off road stuff. While Chiang Mai is pretty well known for the off road riding, particularly in the forest on Doi Suthep mountain, the road riding is great too. Favorite rides include the climb of Doi Suthep, a nice ascent through forested hillsides starting at Chiang Mai zoo and turning back either at the temple (11km) or the Palace (around 15 km). The road narrows after this but continues more or less to the top of the mountain. The ride out east of the city past San Kamphang joining the Doi Saket road (an 80 km loop) is fine too, with one good climb. Another favorite is the Samoeng loop, approx. 100 km around the mountain with some tough climbing and long lonely stretches. While occasional visitors to Chiang Mai might be concerned about cycling in the traffic here, it's not so bad if you can choose your routes and times. Bigger hazards to my mind are the dogs (always) and the pollution (in the dry / hot seasons). Earlier this year wildfires and burning of garbage meant visibility was down to a few hundred metres in March. Hope next year isn't as bad. But November is the best time. And today is Friday. The weekend rides ahead. Clear skies, warm sun, clear mountains, no wind, open road...