mr_hippo

I can't remember the last time I saw a farang.

Did you see the asterisk above the second 'x'? What do you think it was there for? What does 'Start from 2xx baht/day' means? So it turns out to be 299 Baht/day for 30 day rental + VAT and insurance - where is the rip-off?

I have not worked in the UAE but have worked in Saudi and Oman so the rules may be similar. Unless the law on cohabiting has been changed dramatically in the last three years then it cannot be done. People have tried to get around the law by employing their girlfriend as a maid but they cannot live in the same house alone.

Hi,

How much for Strida folding bike with big wheels ? And do you know anywhere in central BKK to buy bike a folding bike as this one or any other brand? (any idea about prices?)

Thanks.

Siam Strada website Sorry but can't help you with prices.

ProBike sell Dahons - 11500Baht to 23500Baht. ProBike website

Cav did well yesterday but I feel he needs more experience - he could do well in the 2010 Tour; let him use this and the next as learning curves. Valverde is under orders today to take things easy and recover but will he take it too easy? Millar lost a lot of racing due to a doping suspension - has his time gone?

Will Wim Van Sevenant make Tour history this year and become the first man to win the Lanterne Rouge three times?

Blackface has been a tradition in the theatre for many years, so was boys playing girls parts - so what? OP, you say it is racist but did you complain about the film 'White Chicks'? Two black guys dressed up as white women. I see you are not complaining about Warner Oland, Sidney Toler, Roland Winters and J Carroll Naish playing Charlie Chan. Are not the MOBO Awards and Miss Black America racist?

All TVs have a special feature, it's called an on-off switch for the programmes that you do not like.

It's on True Sport 2. Website only has schedule until 10th -Tour de France

Go to BIG C and you will be able to get yourself a bike for less than a 1000 baht.

wrong! so many people told me this and i went to look- not a single bike for sale for 1000b. The aveage price was 2500b, and the one i wanted was 2800b. Same with Tesco Lotus.

You sound disappointed that the one you wanted was 2800Baht - US$84/£42. Just double that price and see if what you can get one from WallyWorld or Halfrauds. Your original post starts with "Does anyone know where I can buy a decent push bike?" I am not a big fan of supermarkets for bikes but if you just want it for I km or less from your apartment to the skytrain, if you are light enough and small enough then go for a single speed roadster - forget full suspension, gears and all that.

Someone mentioned folders - more expensive than normal bikes, more maintenance and some are swines to fold and are heavy. ProBike sell Dahons - 11500Baht to 23500Baht. I can't comment on the second hand market for them.

Well, in Thailand bicycles full stop are seriously uncool. You should see the Thais laughing at me on mine, with all my protective gear on, especially the motorbike taxi drivers.

Laughing at you or smiling at you? I normally do about 40/60 kms a day - more at the weekends and holidays and I've never been laughed at. I usually stop at motor cycle taxi stands for a rest and am always welcomed - if I have been on that circuit for a few days or just cycle past, they will normally ask why I am ignoring them!

You should start a blog Mr Hippo.

There is a blog section on this site and Blogger is also good.

I second that

I have just started a blog - http://velothai.blogspot.com/ Your comments would be appreciated

Mind telling me you age, gender & occupation?

Age? Old enough to post on forums - are you?

Sex? Doesn't my nickname give you a clue?

Occupation? Immaterial

Sorry, born-again atheist. Boy, I bet people huddle around you at a party.

I am not a born again anything but that is the most appropriate quote for you and others who are children in adult's bodies. Please grow up and join civilisation - there's no membership fee.

1 Corinthians 13:11 (International Standard Version (©2008))

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up my childish ways.

I take it that all posters here are over the age of 13 - physically if not mentally.

Please read the verse at the top of this post and learn something from it! You, by now, should have grown out of 'My daddy's bigger than your daddy.', 'My car's better than your car.' or have you? From a lot of the postings on this thread, it appears not!

If someone annoys you by tooting the horn or similar - just ignore it or is that too much for your macho image? Life is too short for these petty annoyances. I've read on this thread about carrying a gun, screwdriver or baseball bat; what are you trying to do? What are you trying to prove?

A lot safer than a bicycle.

I think Mr.Hippo must own shares in a cycle shop in Bangkok.

On this morning's ride, I saw three motorcycle accidents but no bicycle accidents. What does this prove? Nothing!

No, I do not own shares in a bike shop anywhere!

Why are you still equating stress with danger? Two separate things. It is you that is saying that it is more dangerous - not I. How is your reading comprehension? What do you think I am saying "If you cycle at a gentle 10-12 kph, you will only be using the same if not less energy than walking so no need for a mask." So when you are walking in Bangkok, do you wear a mask?

Now, excuse me but I'm about to have my breakfast and go for a nice, stress-free 40km ride.

dude, seriously, your arguments are beyond absurd! YOU are the one who said riding a bicycle is less stressful...how in gods name is it LESS stressful if its more dangerous? youve backhandedly acknowledged that its more dangerous already. regardless, if you dont think its more dangerous then youre a lost cause.

be sure to pray and visit the temple before you embark on your 40km sukhumvit journey

First of all, I understand that English is probably not your native tongue. Show me my post where I have "backhandedly acknowledged that its more dangerous already."? I think I know where your thinking comes from! It is from my original post where I am dispelling certain 'myths' about cycling in Bangkok. I forgot to put the first myth in quotes so here it is now "Bangkok roads are too dangerous", they are not my words but what other people have said. Bangkok roads are no more dangerous than other capital cities as long as you understand certain local conditions.

How do you turn my 'nice, stress-free 40km ride' into 'your 40km sukhumvit journey'? Yes, I did enjoy my morning ride - 44.83kms from Lat Phrao to Wang Hin, then along Lat Plakhao to Kasert-Nawamin. At the end of Kasert-Nawamin I turned right onto Nawamin Road heading towards BangKapi. Turning off before BangKapi, I went along Sriburapha Road to Seri Thai and then to Suan Siam. I returned via Ram Intra, Nawamin and Kasert-Nawamin.

think about changing your horsepower for pedal power occasionally?

Bicycle in Bangkok

Does anyone remember photographer, Paul Rament who lost his leg while riding his bicycle in Bangkok ?

That was fiction - a novel Slow Man by JM Coetzee and the accident happened in Adelaide! Are you sure that you have the name right?

Why are you still equating stress with danger? Two separate things. It is you that is saying that it is more dangerous - not I. How is your reading comprehension? What do you think I am saying "If you cycle at a gentle 10-12 kph, you will only be using the same if not less energy than walking so no need for a mask." So when you are walking in Bangkok, do you wear a mask?

Now, excuse me but I'm about to have my breakfast and go for a nice, stress-free 40km ride.

OP said it was less stressful. that infers that its safer if you ask me. more dangerous but its less stressful??? umm, no lol.

those ARE your options, indeed, but then youre actually LOSING time and perhaps LOSING money as well as you bide your time until the rain subsides.

outside of bangkok, bikes are great. in bkk, probably your worst option out there. hitch-hiking would be worse, i guess.

Less stressful does not imply less danger. If you have a stressful job, does that mean it is a dangerous one? You also say that it rains nearly every day during the afternoon rush hour, now where are most people going then? Home! All traffic is delayed during rain showers or haven't you noticed?

I'm sure taking deep breaths of the downtown bangkok traffic air does wonders for the lining of your lungs too. But then again i bet wearing a little cloth mask would take care of that...right...

Do you wear a mask when walking? If you cycle at a gentle 10-12 kph, you will only be using the same if not less energy than walking so no need for a mask.

using a bicycle costs less. i wont argue this. but who on earth honestly believes that riding a bicycle is safer than driving a car? youre completely powerless when riding a bike. dunno about you, but i tend to prefer to at least have SOME power over my fate in heavy traffic. its not worth the minimal monetary gain. what if it rains, my man? carry an umbrella? lol during the rainy season, it rains almost daily during late-afternoon rush hour...have fun on your bike.

Now, where did I or anyone else say that it is safer than driving a car? Nowhere! How am I completely powerless? I am in complete control. What happens when it rains? I have two options - get wet or shelter! I prefer to shelter.

^ Yes, I have driven cars and motorbikes in Bangkok. Have you ever cycled in a large city?

"... whereas you have to overtake cyclists as soon as you start moving." Who says that you have to? You are not compelled to, are you? I admit that certain roads in Bangkok are restricted at times but how fast is the traffic going? If there is very little room to overtake then don't!

I think you are more likely to get killed on a bicycle, it would be very easy to get clipped by one of the dozens of vehicles that will have to overtake you. At least on a motorbike you can ride at the same speed as the traffic around you. When I am in the car, bicycles always present a challenge to safely overtake, motorbikes on the other hand don't cause many problems unless they are riding at bicycle speeds.

Weren't you ever taught how to overtake when you had driving lessons? Don't motorbikes or others cars ever get 'clipped'? Why do 'bicycles always present a challenge to safely overtake'? Give the cyclist more room when overtaking. When I go out, I am often faster on average than the motorist

would you REALLY save:

time? maybe, but it depends. ill give it to you, though. you can save time.

money? obviously, yes, but not much.

stress? you gotta be joking! if there were places to ride, perhaps, but bkk doesnt have them. one false move and youve got broken legs/arms and so much for that saved time/money lol

take the bts, a taxi (gonna be on the road anyway), or a bus. hel_l, ride a motorcycle (almost as dangerous as a bike). but dont ride a bicycle in the heart of bkk if you care about your health. if you do, dont wear white shirts cause theyll be brown by the time you reach your destination. as will your lungs!

How much is the cheapest new car? About 600,000 Baht. A decent hardtail or hybrid - about 8,000 to 20,000 then add on a few thousand for lights, spare tubes, tyre levers, pump. gloves and helmet so we are talking of a max of 25,000. Annual running cost for a bicycle - possibly less than 2,000. What's the annual running cost for a car or motorbike, including fuel?

You mention BTS and MRT but what if you don't live or work near them? I live in Lat Phrao and used to work in Lam Lukka - how would you suggest that I get there? No BTS or MRT, taxi - about 250Baht each way, bus - how many and how long would it take?

You say "Don't ride a bicycle in the heart of Bangkok if you care about your health. if you do, don't wear white shirts cause they'll be brown by the time you reach your destination. as will your lungs!" At the speed that I have suggested, you are not breathing deeply enough for it to affect your lungs. White shirts turning brown? One of my cycling jerseys is white and has not turned brown yet!

There are no places to ride in Bangkok? Yes, there are and they are called roads! You say that you ride a motorbike, I'll take it that you ride faster than I cycle (at times!), you have more chance of serious injury than I do.

insane! in the country, riding a bicycle has its advantages but, dear god, in bkk? cant name a solitary real advantage. all the ones the OP lists are either poorly reasoned or not really advantages. using public trans is the environmental friendly solution in bkk, not riding a bike lol

I agree; saving time, money and stress are not advantages, are they? Sitting in a traffic jam, burning fuel and adding to pollution, now they are the real advantages aren't they?

Jack Daniels is a bourbon whiskey which differs from scotch whiskey. Being a yank, I miss JD. I know it is sold in the mall close to my home for around 950 baht per bottle. Hmm, maybe I will pick up a bottle after work.

There is no such thing as Scotch Whiskey - it's Scotch Whisky!

The OP can't be serious

And why not?

Have you never heard of the BTS or motorcyle taxis?

Do you have a death wish?

Do I have a death wish? No, do you?

Have I heard of BTS or motor cycle taxis? Did you read my post? I mentioned 'Park and Ride' facilities, now where do you think they are? If people parked their cars at them to go down to Silom/Sukhumvit, how much time would they gain? As for the motorcycle taxis, some people don't use them for a variety of reasons; I would not because I am not comfortable riding pillion with anyone. Motorcycles use petrol as well. Those motorcycles that you see with gas cylinders on the back are delivering them to businesses and not powered by them!

The OP can't be serious

And why not?

PhilHarries

Generals have to pick their battles to win the war, I tend to pick routes where there is less traffic. Another problem that people have is that they hug the gutter making them difficlt to see. As with any city, you have to ride with confidence.

As for secure parking, I have been fortunate in that respect - everywhere that I have worked I have either had secure parking or have been able to park inside.

I put people who ride a bicycle in Bangkok in the same class as those who ride motorcycles. The have a death wish, OR, they are still young and consider themselves bulletproof.

I am neither young nor do I consider myself bullet proof and my name is not Charles Bronson! Why do you think that way?