NHBOB

and yes, "i know how dangerous the roads are in Thailand!!!"

Not a cycling equipment, route or group question per se, but what are some quieter areas where one can go for a ride from their front door?  Or an area that gives easy access to more bicycle friendly routes?  Do you need to have a rack on your vehicle and drive to a good starting point?  That's pretty typical in New England for mountain biking, and on occasion even for a road ride.  I'm guessing even for some gravel routes it may involve a vehicle.

It's not a secret society, it's a society with secrets.

10 hours ago, Lacessit said:

The OP would probably be most comfortable in the Old City, a lot of accommodation and bikes there. Personally, I prefer my scooter because bicycles can't accelerate out of the way of trouble.

 

I lived in Chiang Mai for 10 years, then moved to Chiang Rai. More laid-back, accommodation is less expensive, renting or buying.

 

Chiang Mai really only has three attractions outside the city. Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, San Kamphaeng Hot Springs - that's about it. I think there's white water rafting somewhere north of Mae Rim.

 

In contrast, Chiang Rai is the jumping off point for everything in the Golden Triangle and beyond. It's also cooler than Chiang Mai, air pollution levels are the same in the burning season.

Thank you (most) everyone for the advice (on the original topic, that is).   I'm going to stay right outside Thapae gate for a week.  Maybe I'll drive, maybe I'll bike, walk, take cabs and the red trucks.  

Moderator, you could probably close this thread now.

8 hours ago, bignok said:

Yes he needs to visit 2 or 3 times and 2 weeks at a time.

 

I wouldnt bother with remote towns unless they floats his boat.

 

Do a few loops of the city. Check out malls, train station area,bus stations, restaurants,bars. Roads.

 

 

No, I don't need to visit 2 or 3 times for 2 weeks at a time.  I work for a living (at the moment, at least)

12 minutes ago, MrBrad said:

Bicycling is the best way to get around.  I use my bike far more than my motorcycle, going everywhere from Mae Tang to Lamphun, Doi Saket to Hang Dong, and all over the city.  Traveling the highways can be somewhat more dangerous, but just stay to the left and you should be OK.  That said, always expect the unexpected; this isn't Kansas. There are lots of quieter local roads if you get out of town.  In town, be alert and aware of the uneven road surfaces, especially in the old part of town with all the road construction going on.

 

This company provides bicycle tours; I don't know if they rent bikes by the day.  If not, perhaps they can suggest another shop for you. 

https://mountainbikethailand.com/

I am from the greater Boston area.  Riding with traffic is not new to me.  Although I understand it's a good idea to avoid the smaller sois because of the half-feral dogs.

Hi George, I'm your age and thinking along the same lines.  I did study martial arts for many years (20 years ago) and thinkng of dipping my toes back in the water.  As some of the other posters have said,  I would avoid BJJ/MMA at our age, it's just brutal on the joints.  I was young and fit when I trained in the 90's (before it became so douchey) and it was painful to say the least.  I'm leaning towards boxing too.  Bag work, conditioning, pad work, shadow boxing is all great exercise.  A well run martial arts school could work too.  Not everyone who walks through the door is a fit 20-something.  If on day one the training involves getting slammed to the ground or sparring for your life with some tatooed thug, find another school!  

And another thing.  My old sensei said if the school/instructors you talk to claim they have the 'best sytem/school/teachers in the world', find another place fast!  Every style/school/system/teacher has something to offer.

Hi all,

I'm planning on spending a week in Chaing Mai to get a feel for the place to see if I could retire there.  I'm looking at lodging options now, but I'm wondering if I should stay in on central hotel or move around the greater Chiang Mai area a bit and spend a day or 2 here and there?  Transportation might be an issue too, I have ZERO motorcyle experience and have no intention of learning how to drive one in Thailand.  I'm an experienced cyclist and might rent a mt. bike.  Or I'm even thinking of renting a car, I think I could handle driving on the opposite side of the road (at least outside of the city center--from Ytube videos parking looks like a pain in the a**)  

Many years ago a friend of mine sold RV's in the greater Seattle area.  He said it was very common for a retired couple to sell the house, buy a monster rv and travel the country to live their dreams!!  A year later they would pull back into the RV dealership and sell it back.  Being rootless wasn't all it was made out to be.

There is definitely a mindset in the US  to live and die within 20 miles of where you were born.  Call that good or bad, it's simply the way it is.  Those with specific job skills and education can and will move for economic reasons.  And many cannot even conceive of the concept.  This thread has predictably veered off into crazy land, but to call someone stupid for not uprooting their lives and moving to another country only invites the craziness.  Everyone is different. Some people have an entrepreneurial spirit and start their own businesses, some are happy to work 40 years in the corporate world (until you position gets eliminated, that is).  Some people rock climb, some play golf.  Does that make one group stupid?

His Kung FU is Weak!!!

oops--25K a year.  I still like the idea of 2500 a month.  It will work for me, at least.

Good video here breaking down $2500 US month budget.  Seems realistic to me

A little off topic....but how do you get food delivery if you live in a mooban?  Do you meet the driver at the main gate?

Hi all, google maps shows a couple of game shops in Chiang Mai.  Any ongoing expat Dungeon & Dragon or Warhammer campaigns?  If I do retire there, I should have PLENTY of free time for gaming. 

Not to mention most of the bicycle frames/components are made in Taiwan or China.  High end E-motors seem to be Japanese (Yamaha. Shimano) or Swiss German (Bosch another one that begins with M).  So there must be strong supply lines to Thailand.  My concern is long term ownership and the techs at the bike shops being able to work on them/obtain replacement parts.

More interested in road/gravel bikes.

Do the bike shops in Chiang Mai (or even Bangkok) sell and service the more 'high end' pedal assist road/gravel bikes?  NOT Scooters, electric motorcycles, skateboards and the other nonsensical contraptions this thread is steering towards.  I'm thinking of retiring itoChaing Mai.  That means I'm old, but I would still like to cycle to maintain some level of fitness.  And to be honest, a bit of electrical assistance would be nice!  The bikes below are at the higher end of the scale, but over the next few years we should see more and more of this technology trickle down to more affordable bikes and budgets.

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