Sukhothai to Thung Saliam, 55 km, we met a Dutch couple, older than us (who cycle 3 months per year) going the opposite way to us, they write a lot of the routes for cyclists. So they gave us a few hotels on route and some quieter roads to Chiang Mai. Easy day riding though tired after our early morning jaunt around Old Sukhothai. We were shown some farmed rats thawing out to cook... (Photo)
Thung Saliem to Thoen, 70 km reasonably flat ride with national parks on both sides, quiet rds
Thoen to Li , 65 km beautiful ride climbing a lot of the way through bush but an ok gradient, lots of toots and thumbs up from those passing us on the hills. Dropped down into Li and found a nice place to stay, an almost new bungalow for 500 Bhat ($20 NZ ) great food just across the rd. We had a beer first and watched what others were getting then just pointed to the dishes that looked good, worked a treat!
Li to Ban Hong, 75 km, cruisy day, a little bit of rain and finally found somewhere to stay on the outskirts of town, only 350 Bhat, $14, huge comfortable room. The only place to eat nearby was a restaurant with karaoke, so that was a laugh.
Ban Hong to Lamphun, 50 km. Unseasonal rain we were told. Rained heavy all day, so quite unpleasant and cold. We had arranged to meet a couple, Robert and Kung after 4 pm, the last 15 km was on a busy highway, arrived at their place absolutely soaked and cold ready for a hot shower. They have a gorgeous place in a little village about 20 km south of Chiang Mai, a separate teak guest house for visitors which we stayed in. Absolutely perfect for a couple of rest days. Quiet day on Saturday, Sunday afternoon Kung took us for a traditional Thai massage. Nothing like I have had before... Trevor thought his masseur maybe didn't like men because she caused him so much pain! His calf muscles took a few days to come right. They commented to Kung that our leg muscles were very hard and were shocked at the tan marks on my feet made by wearing sandals everyday. Thai women cover up completely in the sun. Even going home from work, big hat, gloves, socks, long sleeves, nothing exposed to the sun. The massage took about 2 hours. Lots of force with their feet, legs and elbows.
Monday we rode 50 km around Chiang Mai with Robert. Found a bike shop that had the right brake pads for my bike. Visited a Wat that had tunnels and enjoyed a latte and homemade icecream. Robert has biked extensively around northern Thailand so helped us put together a good route to cover over the next few weeks, about 1000 km and hills everywhere.
Lamphun to John's hut - 50 km, Robert and Kung rode with us for a bit to make sure we got on the right rd, north east, 10.30 start so a bit late. Biked through an area of hot springs and caves, lots of tourist buses, then onto a no name rd with no big towns nearby and found a little guest house with a little thatched hut up in the trees complete with hammock on the deck to watch the birds coming and going. It is mid winter here. The coldest night so far, down to about 6 degrees. But great cycling weather, cool morning and night, low 30's during the day. Run by a lovely Thai lady married for many years to a UK guy who was home from his job in Vietnam. Great English breakfast of bacon, eggs, tomatoes and beans! Plus great fresh honey on toast.
John's hut to Ban Mae Khachen - 55 km. Head wind for the first time. Hilly rds, up and down. Felt like I had no fitness and was riding with two flat tires, the wind took at least 5 km an hour off, Trevor kept saying he didn't know how I could go so slow... Stopped for lunch at another hot spring place. Then had a latte at a cafe that had places to soak your feet under the tables, really hot thermal water, was fantastic. Perked up a bit after that and made it to the H2O hotel to find it fully booked. A group of Thai cyclists were there complete with 2 support vehicles. But their overflow was at the local guesthouse next door so we got a room there, $12
One of the group helped us out with dinner, breakfast, cycled with us for a bit and took lots of photos of us. A great bunch of people but we were going different ways.
Ban Mae Khachen to Phayao 65 km
Felt better today, no wind. But a huge hill to climb, wound up for about 20 km, picture taken at the top looking down to the lake at Phayao where we stayed the night.
Clocked over 4000km
Thung Saliem to Thoen, 70 km reasonably flat ride with national parks on both sides, quiet rds
Thoen to Li , 65 km beautiful ride climbing a lot of the way through bush but an ok gradient, lots of toots and thumbs up from those passing us on the hills. Dropped down into Li and found a nice place to stay, an almost new bungalow for 500 Bhat ($20 NZ ) great food just across the rd. We had a beer first and watched what others were getting then just pointed to the dishes that looked good, worked a treat!
Li to Ban Hong, 75 km, cruisy day, a little bit of rain and finally found somewhere to stay on the outskirts of town, only 350 Bhat, $14, huge comfortable room. The only place to eat nearby was a restaurant with karaoke, so that was a laugh.
Ban Hong to Lamphun, 50 km. Unseasonal rain we were told. Rained heavy all day, so quite unpleasant and cold. We had arranged to meet a couple, Robert and Kung after 4 pm, the last 15 km was on a busy highway, arrived at their place absolutely soaked and cold ready for a hot shower. They have a gorgeous place in a little village about 20 km south of Chiang Mai, a separate teak guest house for visitors which we stayed in. Absolutely perfect for a couple of rest days. Quiet day on Saturday, Sunday afternoon Kung took us for a traditional Thai massage. Nothing like I have had before... Trevor thought his masseur maybe didn't like men because she caused him so much pain! His calf muscles took a few days to come right. They commented to Kung that our leg muscles were very hard and were shocked at the tan marks on my feet made by wearing sandals everyday. Thai women cover up completely in the sun. Even going home from work, big hat, gloves, socks, long sleeves, nothing exposed to the sun. The massage took about 2 hours. Lots of force with their feet, legs and elbows.
Monday we rode 50 km around Chiang Mai with Robert. Found a bike shop that had the right brake pads for my bike. Visited a Wat that had tunnels and enjoyed a latte and homemade icecream. Robert has biked extensively around northern Thailand so helped us put together a good route to cover over the next few weeks, about 1000 km and hills everywhere.
Lamphun to John's hut - 50 km, Robert and Kung rode with us for a bit to make sure we got on the right rd, north east, 10.30 start so a bit late. Biked through an area of hot springs and caves, lots of tourist buses, then onto a no name rd with no big towns nearby and found a little guest house with a little thatched hut up in the trees complete with hammock on the deck to watch the birds coming and going. It is mid winter here. The coldest night so far, down to about 6 degrees. But great cycling weather, cool morning and night, low 30's during the day. Run by a lovely Thai lady married for many years to a UK guy who was home from his job in Vietnam. Great English breakfast of bacon, eggs, tomatoes and beans! Plus great fresh honey on toast.
John's hut to Ban Mae Khachen - 55 km. Head wind for the first time. Hilly rds, up and down. Felt like I had no fitness and was riding with two flat tires, the wind took at least 5 km an hour off, Trevor kept saying he didn't know how I could go so slow... Stopped for lunch at another hot spring place. Then had a latte at a cafe that had places to soak your feet under the tables, really hot thermal water, was fantastic. Perked up a bit after that and made it to the H2O hotel to find it fully booked. A group of Thai cyclists were there complete with 2 support vehicles. But their overflow was at the local guesthouse next door so we got a room there, $12
One of the group helped us out with dinner, breakfast, cycled with us for a bit and took lots of photos of us. A great bunch of people but we were going different ways.
Ban Mae Khachen to Phayao 65 km
Felt better today, no wind. But a huge hill to climb, wound up for about 20 km, picture taken at the top looking down to the lake at Phayao where we stayed the night.
Clocked over 4000km
Very beautiful.we are now near Nan and we go tomorow again in the mountain...we sent you the picture after.have a nice and safe trip.bye david and marie
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