So as I said last time I had arrive in Hua Hin which is a resort town about 150km south of BKK. Here I have friends so was able to rest up for a few days and give the bike a clean and service.
I wish I was able to report on more beautiful country roads and deserted beaches for the last part of the trip but sadly that was not the case. From Hua Hin to BKK it very quickly turns into the giant urban sprawl you would imagine surrounds an Asian city of 20 million people. Im not going to bullshit you people - it was hell! I found myself thinking WTF am I doing. Is this even healthy - I was cycling on busy roads surrounded by traffic fumes in 32 degree heat, burning calories sure but burning my lungs at the same time. It was head down and ride like mad until the edge of BKK where the city limit of true Bangkok is marked on the map. I didn't stop for photos but here are some images of the area I rode through.
So I ended the ride at a friends place in the neighbourhood to the south of Bangkok called Samut Sakhorn. The speedometer registered 953km, and the map said I was in Bangkok - good enough for me and mission completed! Time to plan some exploring of Bangkok. First thing was to get the bike shipped home - I found a bike shop that cleaned, serviced, packed and shipped the bike all for 40$ to anywhere in Thailand
The coolest thing I did once safely settled in BKK was this amazing island oasis in the middle of the brown river that cuts Bangkok in half. And believe it or not the whole island is all about cycling - they have crappy bikes to rent when you arrive at the dock and a well-marked network of bike paths. Part of me was like hmmmm - have I not had enough of cycling?? But my friend figured that all I wanted to do was ride bicycles hahaha.
Anyway long story short, I hung out in BKK a few days and then flew back to Phuket. Reflecting on my trip I'm very glad I did it and can't help but feel a little proud of myself. I cycled just under 1000km in 11 days and got to see a whole side of Thailand in slow motion. I felt my fitness and endurance increase and I also lost 5kg. The route I took kept me well away from the busy main highways and in some ways it was a dystopian journey through the covid desolation of Thailand's little known domestic tourism destinations. I rode through rotting and dilapidated beach towns that had not seen business for two years. Many places were boarded up and derelict - their owners long abandoning them after several months of no business with no end in site - now it's at two years and although the tourism business is slowly recovering, the places that went broke and were abandoned are a long way from ever coming back to life.
The Thais I encountered on my trip were unfailingly hospitable. I was offered food and water and fruit at least once or twice a day. People were in awe of this strange journey I was taking and although most thought I was slightly mad to be cycling in the sweltering heat for hours every day, they were at the same time encouraging and kind.
To anyone reading who thinks that maybe they would like to do something like this but are concerned about fitness levels or lack of experience - take it from me, you start slow and within a few days you will find your rhythm and be surprised how quickly you find yourself able to ride 100km in an easy day. You don't need an expensive touring bike or fancy gear. Just get your old bike serviced and buy a cheap pannier set. Plan your route to allow for accommodation options and go for it.
Now I'm back home, the bike has arrived (still in the box). This afternoon I'm going to hit some of the trails around my area - photos of such below.
Im Jobiker and I rode 953km from Phuket to Bangkok. Peace!
