THAILAND BIKE RIDE November 2011

THAILAND BIKE RIDENovember 2011

John de Pury

WHERE?WHAT?HOW?WHY?

DESTINATION

CLIMATETropical winterThe North

MONEYThai Baht GB£1:45TBTATMs/CCs

LANGUAGEThai: Northern dialectEnglish

COMMUNICATIONSTelephones: 90% coverage international roamingLocal phones/Internet/Post

FOODSophisticated cuisineVegetarian options

HEALTHGeneral: Hygiene/MalariaBiking: Hydration/Fitness

WHERE?WHAT?HOW?WHY?

ITINERARY

DAY 1 SATURDAYLondon to Bangkok Evening flight London to Bangkok

THAI AIRWAYSTG917 29 OCT LHR BKK 21.30 15.05 (next day)TG116 30 OCT BKK CNX 17.20 18.30

DAY 2 SUNDAYBangkok to ChiangMai Afternoon arrival and transit to ChiangMai Dinner and briefing. Overnight at the Amari Rincome.

DAY 3 MONDAY 33kmLamphun to ChiangMai Bike fitting. Transfer [1hr] to Lamphun. Lunch in Wat Haripunchai. Bike the old Royal Road to ChiangMai. Dinner at the Riverside. Visit the Night Bazar.

DAY 4 TUESDAY 89 kmChiang Mai to Rim Doi North along the MaePing valley Lunch at the RimPing Resort. Limestone hills. ChiangDao Caves Dinner and overnight at the RimDoi Resort

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY79km

Rim Doi to Fang Continuing north into rolling hills 8km Gold Buddha climb Close to the Thai-Burmese border Poppy cultivation replaced by fruit plantations. Dinner and overnight in Tangerine Ville Hotel in

Fang

DAY 6 THURSDAY42km

Fang to ChiangRai Morning cycling. Longtail pirogues down the MaeKok. Elephant village: optional jungle ride. Arrive ChiangRai hotel by boat. Dinner and overnight at RimKok Resort.

DAY 7 FRIDAY75km

ChiangRai to the Golden Triangle Early morning start to final day of cycling. Rice paddy, rubber plantations and rolling hills Lunch by the MaeKhong in ChiangSaen Regroup at Golden Triangle to finish at hotel. Celebratory meal in the hotel. Overnight at the Imperial Golden Triangle

DAY 8 SATURDAYGolden Triangle Free day. Optional trip to Burma. Party to celebrate the week

Kantok Sala of the hotel.

DAY 9 SUNDAYGolden Triangle to ChiangRai to Bangkok Free day. Optional trip to Laos. Transfer to ChiangRai for evening flight to Bangkok.

THAI AIRWAYSTG141 06 NOV CEI BKK 20.25 21.45TG910 07 NOV BKK LHR 01.10 07.15 (next day)

DAY 10 MONDAYBangkok to London Late night flight. Early morning arrival in London.

WHERE?WHAT?HOW?WHY?

LOGISTICS

TYPICAL DAY• Breakfast at 6.30• Bags for transfer• Depart at 7.30.

• Stop every 15-20km• Lunch break 1-1½hrs• Evening briefing for next day

Sunrise 06.24 Sunset 18.28

SUPPORT

Representative[s]Tandem teams

Tour manager[s]Trip doctor

Guides/Bike guidesMechanicsDrivers

FOOD Varied vegetarian diet. Breakfast: cereal, bread, egg, fruit & local dishes. Lunch: vegetarian rice/noodles or ‘packed lunch’ Dinner: buffet vegetarian with European options

when available.

WATER Do not drink tap water. Drinking water supplied on ride Rehydration sachets

BIKES Trek 24 speed MTBs Front suspension Hybrid tyres Appropriate size bike Saddle and/or gel cover. 1 water bottle holder: BYOB preferably with

covered mouthpiece. Toe clips and/or bar ends to hire at 100bt each.

TERRAIN On road Surface Traffic Varied terrain

Flood plainsHills

.

TRAINING Fitness: any aerobic exercise such as running,

rowing, spinning, swimming, cycling Stamina and balance: cycle regularly and on

consecutive days The Norwood Cycle Club

Monthly ride open to all.Weekly ride open to NCC members

Weekly spinning class at The Village health & fitness Elstree: open to participants in 2011 international rides.

WHERE?WHAT?HOW?WHY?