yotspeed

Looking likely Boater, here we go again! Pretty heavy rain here at Donsak over last week, no floods yet but a lot of heavy pooling

I would not mind finding a Hobbie dealer, and find a Kayak with foot peddles... I've seen a couple around, Koa Toa, so they must be available somewhere... any one know...? perhaps I should google that!

Hey Jimmy

Hobie importers are Blue Wave Watersports, they do deliver to Samui and KPG as they have supplied to several watersports operators and resorts. Details on the paddle kayaks on the Hobie web site. You could even add a sail and outriggers to make it a real all rounder. Not cheap but rotomolded PE virtually indestructible.

Cheers - Peter

Here's another one; Bike Magazine - Reviews and Tests

You can subscribe for nine digital issues at $9.00 per year - which is pretty dam_n cheap. Or, as I found out, you can click on the back issues and read them on line for free. If you click on a back issue the cover shows to the LHS with an "Inside" button shown. Click on the "Inside" button and a the mag opens in a separate window. Pages turn by clicking on right hand border. To enlarge the page to view text more clearly click on the opened mag and it will increase the size to make font readable. Lots of Ads but also plenty of good articles and pics. The Jan 11 issue is the 'Bike Bible' and reviews the best bikes and gear for the year.

Enjoy!

Some very sad news being reported in various media places today and over on the Thailand News forum on Thai Visa.

French MTB rider was drowned after being swept away when crossing a ford on the popular Khao Ito MTB trail. Flood water increased dramatically after the recent heavy rains and when trying to cross a ford Remi was swept away and over a waterfall. Accident happened on Saturday and his body was recovered by army personnel on Sunday.

RIP Remi and condolences to his family and friends. Very sad!

Thai Visa News thread

Thai Rath report

Thai MTB Forum thread

If you use Google Chrome browser it will (very) loosely translate Thai to English. Some graphic photos in this last report which I don't think are really necessary.

Reading on a bit further and looking at the map of the course seems it is confined to the hard top only - but you have to use an MTB with (min)26" wheel x 1.9" tyre ??? !!! Anyhow - hope the link to the events page works as a search start point.

Cheers - P.

The best site I have found for news on events across Thailand is the Thai MTB web site. It is a Thai web site but if you use Google Chrome browser it will offer to translate from Thai - English. Some of the translations are pretty whacky but you can get the more important details like; date, location, groups, type and length of course, prize money, etc. The web page with the events can be found here; Promote the bicycle race

Seems there is an event at A. Hang Dong CM on 9th October. Below is the Google Translation from the Event Page.

Happy hunting and good luck with the 'understanding'.... ;-)

Cycling for Health Security Fund, together with Nong Nong Kwai Kwai Administration (the year of college.) Invites you to compete at cycling Bike. ************. *** "I bundle Mountain No. 1st. "(flat) on Sunday, 09 ตุลาคม ********* in 2554.

**************** (BAN. Phon MOUNTAIN BIKE # 1st in the 2,011th OCTOBER 09th).

to celebrate 97 years of age were something fortunate for us in a bundle at Wat Ban Nong Kwai, Hang Dong district, Chiang Ching *** trophy shaped like something I was good. Comments in the customs compassionate chanted by the Makati City ***. something fortunate. Entry Fee $ 100 Plus dollars to get ceramics. Shaped like a Pair of Basketball fortunate. Everyone. Periodicals competing versions of A Man, B Men, B Women need a Mountain Bike with wheels over twenty-sixth inches and. the tires of at least 1.9. inches, regardless of forks or chopsticks. the competition are as follows. to this. one. Mountain Bike Race Series A (Male) Trophy shaped like something I better of us in at 1-5 for the fifth generations. A1 Old male models under eighteen years. A2 models (Open) Men. A3 Age from 30 to 39 years, male. A4 Age 40-49 years, male. A5 Age 50th to male models. the 2nd. Mountain Bike Race Series B (Male) Trophy shaped like something I better of us in Position. 1 - 5 of 11th versions. B1 Age not over. 15th years Old male. B2 Old male models under 18th years. B3 models (Open) Men. B4 Age 30-34 years, male. B5 Age 35-39 years, male. Age forty to forty-four B6 years, male. B7 Age 45-49 years, male. B8 Age fifty to fifty-four years, male. B9 Age fifty-five to fifty-nine years, male. B10 and Men Age sixty years. B11 85th weight kg to male. three. Mountain Bike Race Series B (female) Trophy shaped like something I. Well, with us in at third with from 1 to 5 generations. B12 models aged over the eighteenth years, female. B13 Model female. B14 Age 35th years up. regulatory competition, the Blend. for Men - Women, the Bike Spun anything with the Force of their own. time. four. The kind of spin to the Local (male) Trophy shaped like something I better of us in at 1 to 5 for four generations. (Union of. the right only to see it Hangdong only). C1 Old male models under the twenty fifth years. C2 Model. Age 26 - 35 years Old male. C3 Age 36 to 50 years, male. C4 Old Age the fifty-first years male. . five New to the spin. Local kind of (female) Trophy shaped like something I better of us in at 1 to 5 and the fourth. Model. (Union of the right to specific Riders. District of New York City only). C5 Old female models under the twenty-fifth years. C6. Age 26-35 years, female. C7 Age 36-50 years, female. C8 Old Age the fifty first years female. scheduled to compete. Sunday on October the ninth, 2554. 06.00 - 07.30 million.. - opened up the competition. All types of Mountain. Area at the front of the temple Houses a multi-purpose bundle. (News Saturday, 8th Oct. 2,554th at one p.m. AM - 17:00 AM at the temples House a bundle, especially for the spin to be Applied in today). 7:00 a.m. The athlete was released. . Bike to Class, Local versions of C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8. 8.30 PM - Open Mountain Bike competitive released Version A - B, Each separated by three minutes. half past ten AM - Gather results. . 11:00 AM - all the Trophy ceremony. Note. Schedule subject to change by the appropriate. rules of Evidence and the Application. 1. Fill out the Form to Match the Reality in all respects. 2nd. Calculation of Age Shall be Competent to be a. minus. . the 3rd for the Safety of the athletes Must wear helmets at all times the Impact. the fourth. The Committee's decision is Final. the 5th. Protests Must be Submitted in writing to the Board within 15th minutes after the Announcement of the competition. Venues for the. Games. . 6. Athletes under the fifteenth years Must have their parents. This allowed for a Match. - The starting Point A - B was released from the temple Houses a bundle. Along the paved Road to the District Agriculture and Natural beautiful. End of the competition. . On top of Mountain. before it curves to Seven-fold Model A and Model B a total Distance of 20 miles in both Uphill and downhill Vice versa. - Beginning C Series starts to float at 7:00 PM, the temple Houses a bundle. Along. the Red Light Intersection, turn left at the Guelph. -. through the Roundabout, Chang Horticultural World - turn right at the Entrance to Wat Doi Kham - Love on the left to Mae hia in. -. the Mountain and came down - on the Love. left - the End of the temple Houses a bundle Distance of ten kilometer. of Service. - Breakfast and snacks and Free drinks! - a Water Sports Two Point. Distance. For athletes who want to stay Rural. - You can stay Inside the Tent House Pavilion,. Measuring around a bundle, or you want to have to many Nature Resort-based. such. Chiang Mai Night Safari. Nestling in the Natural sounds of Wildlife you can truly call 053-999088-89. , attractions and Restaurants with evening and Saturday. near the. Point of competition is just one of Chiang Mai Night Safari. Flora and Wat Doi Kham. You can see a beautiful Garden in a random Post. for a Cup of the VIP. (VIP), you Must register with payment before September an, two thousand five hundred fifty-four. (because the Cup Product on time. .). Contact Feature, 089 to 8,537,877, 083-2,081,667. that the slopes in any Way we have respectfully taken by this. Thanks MTB region. and the EIA E resilience ga area that time.

I'd 8-2 be an Arsenal supporter round about now......

Last time Arsenal conceded 8 goals was back in 1896...... just sayin

I'm thinking of going for the Marin Palisades Trail, has anybody got any views on the bike? Or the B31,000 price tag?

The spec. on the Palisades trail looks good for the price and leaning towards higher end parts which should last a good length of time if maintained / looked after. The components are a good mix of well known, trusted brands so should not need any upgrading any time soon. The frame is 'hydro-formed' AL which is generally lighter and stiffer. The retail price in the US is $999 which compares to the Baht price at BZ. Imagine you should be able to get around 10% off the price stated as it's a 2011 model and 2012's will start shipping soon. The main thing is to test-ride. You will get a good back up and warranty from the guys at BZ and they offer service back up as well. The equivalent Trek bike does not have a hydroformed frame and a much cheaper front fork. At the end of the day it's your call but I would say looks to be reasonably valued, especially if you can get a price reduction and a few goodies thrown in.

Oh, and did I mention to test ride the bike....... and the guys at BZ are experienced in setting up the bike to make sure it's the right fit.

Hi Mai Dong

Seems you got just the reaction I expected with the guys at Bike Zone - like I said, all my dealings with them have been very good.

Have not been to Bike Station but the recommendation came from the write up on Bicycle Thailand as mentioned they also carry Merida which have a good reputation and seem to have better components at the lower price end.

Let us know how you get on.

I used to have a couple of Marins back in the UK and they were the best bikes I ever owned, but I've read recently that the paint is badly done, and comes off quickly, any experiences of this? Marin would be my first choice but if I can find a Rockhopper I'll take it, as long as it's not stupidly expensive.

I'm not so sure the Spec. are as good as they used to be and general feedback from the MTBR Forum / review would tend to back this up. My mate who bought the Hardrock this year had his BB go within a couple of months from buying new. Apart from a few off road rides with me his regular routine was to and from the gymn most days on quiet back roads. The local shop where he bought it gave him the run around and told him only the frame was covered under warranty - <deleted>!! I told him to contact Sports Cycle direct and see what their take was - they came good and agreed to get the LBS to cover a new BB.

It seems most of the lower end (price) models have decidedly low grade components and IMHO I think it's worth paying a bit extra upfront to get decent components rather than upgrading as stuff wears out or breaks. But of course it's also down to the type of riding, how much TLC you give the bike and how you abuse it Not heard/read anything about the paint job on the Marin but Mountain Bike Review is a good place to get a lot of feedback, also Bike Radar. Ask the guys at Bike Zone (Marin) about this issue, they have been very good in the dealings I have had with them.

Again, just my 2 satang worth

The Specialized importer in Thailand is Sports Bicycle, tel. 02-6375487, located at 1st Floor, U Chu Liang Building, Rama 4. They have a Web Site but it is currently under re-construction. Seems most of the importers are in process of announcing / rolling out the new models for 2012. So might be a good time to get a deal on a 2011 bike in the next few months as new stock starts to arrive. My friend down here recently bought a Hard Rock disc for 14k. Cannot remember whether they had the Rockhopper in stock last time I visited their web site. Also have a distributor Bike Station which carries Merida in stock as well. So good for a comparison. The Merida bikes have a good reputation and well priced.

Another company to check out is Bike Zone who are the agents for Marin Bikes. Located in the Amarin Plaza (Chidlom BTS). The prices on the Marin bikes are very competitive and the store is managed by Fausto (from Italy) who is a keen rider. Service back up is supposed to be very good.

Hope this helps.

Yotspeed... I like the blog. Best part are the trail photos, but there aren't enough of them! If you get up North sometime, send me a PM and I'll show you some good rides right out of the city.

Will do T_Dog !! Might be a few of us planning a roadie in November and CM looking like the probable destination. How's the weather at that time of the year?? Start of our NE Monsoon and can be pretty wet with flash floods, so South is out of the picture. Bit of a drive for me but others from BKK.

Got myself a new phone with GPS tracking and a decent camera so should be starting to get some more trail pics taken and posted. Should also see the start of some wider range exploring in search of Single Track - just hope the battery lasts long enough to find my way back Just testing it on local X-C trails at present.

Here's a pic taken last Saturday, after I remembered, about 1/3rd into the trail to tell the Fone to 'start' recording

Here's another web site to check out for some MTB trails Single Track Thailand

Have fun out there.......

Many thanks George - you're a Star

One of the things the commentator said was that a lot of the bikes are quite expensive and I think they aren't as easy to trace as a motorcycle. I would guess that a pillion rider you could hold it while on a motorcycle as well.

He must be correct...

But, is there any market for -second hand- expensive bicycle?

Here, where I am living, I am riding a ten years old Cannondale... Times ago one of my neighbors asked me how much i paid for it...

When I told him, he laughed into tears: "so much money for a bicycle"?!?

These times, the neighbor in question, was driving a Cayenne... and nowadays a 350 CLS

Check out these two threads from the Cycling forum which spread a bit more light on the subject.

Stolen Bike

Which Bike

The latter of the two refers to a large market in Surin that supposedly is a big 'unloading' point for stolen bikes.

The prices being charged for some of the high end full. susp. and full carbon MTB's and some of the full carbon road race bikes in the 150-200k THB plus price range makes this a good business for someone who knows the value.

My tactic; ride off road and don't wash your bike - looks like a POS not worth stealing

Pretty much the same as you Tonto21. Even if the rain clouds are very visible and imminent I'll still head out. I normally ride early morning during the week and longer rides at weekend, generally late afternoon. But recently switched weekends to early morning as well since the westerly current monsoon has been bringing torrential downpours building late afternoon. Even when it does not rain it's still really muggy and the heat is oppressive. Mornings are much cooler. I've written a bit about it on my MTB Blog Hope you guys don't mind me sharing the link!

Also noticed the local Thai riders here in our area very rarely venture off road. They've got all the latest and greatest high tech MTB Bling bikes and gear, just to ride there and back on the local 4 lane highway. My mate has a theory on this; how the hell would anyone notice them and their hi-so gear if they disappeared off road into the tapper trails and dirt roads?? Of course for me, on my 7 year old Jamis HT (badly in need of an upgrade) it's the only place to be and I've got the dirt on the bike to prove it

Although I'm from the Dark Side (MTB), cycling is cycling and it was great to watch this year's TdF. The action was high octane, the scenery spectacular, the riding was awesome and the crashes....... ouch!!

Well done Cadel Evans - a worthy winner, also the Manx Missile and to everyone who took part. I do think they need to sort out better crowd control (especially on the narrow country lane and town stages) and also the support and press vehicles & motorcycles - amazing/lucky there were only a few serious injuries!!

Thanks T_Dog (OP) and all contributors for a great thread.

No thanks to True who gave us (with no access to cable) a measly 30 mins a day highlights for such a world renowned and prestigious international sporting event. I fully understand your priorities in dedicating a whole channel to Academy Fantasia in HD - NOT

We must be honest that we have no recent plan to make it work for DSTV. However, once it becomes available, we will inform you.

Thank you for your kindness and continued support.

Should read; "Thank you for taking the bait and forking out to have True HD installed on your DSTV system. Now we have your money we don't really see any reason to improve the service but will instead concentrate on areas where we can more easily maximise our profit potential in getting more mugs to sign up for the new extra HD channels through our cable system."

Time to switch to Astro.......

Are there any PVR options that can capture these HD channels?

Or, is the only reasonable PVR option geeting one from True. Reasonable meaning you could program the thing to record in advance and not worry about having the True set-top box (STB) turned to the correct channel.

I think they only over the regular SD version at this time, but I really, really want the HD shows. (Once you have had HD for an extended period, really tough to go back to SD.)

I am completely open to buying one myself, but not sure how that would work in relation to the STB. Maybe simply a problem of my own limited technical understanding.

I've noticed with the True HD set top box that if you set a 'reminder' on a future programme from the on screen programme guide that when the time of the show is reached it automatically switches to the new channel. So if you have a recorder hooked up and set to record at the time of the programme the set top box will take care of switching the channel for you. I do this in conjunction with a separate HDD recorder. The only problem is if there are two programmes you wish to record and they run at the same or an overlapping time. As far as I know the True PVR can record one channel whilst you watch another. But as far as I am aware there is no PVR option on the True HD set top box - but I stand to be corrected.

Anyhow, the whole thing is a bit of a moot point since I am not on True Digital cable in BKK so still only get the 2 previous HD channels (Sport & HBO) - and NO, I am not including Academy Fantasia in the HD list - would rather watch the Muppet Show - far more entertaining and professional - even in LD

Basically, I would say if you fancy having a go at racing………Just do it, regardless of your finish position you'll get a big buzz from it and really look forward to the next…

+1

Hear what you're saying there Tonto21

Try the "Law of Attraction", which I believe rules the universe. If you give agro to the dogs that is exactly what you get back; try send love out and see what happens. I had a great experience a couple of weeks back- going slowly up a hill a couple of dogs zoom out from under a food vendor stand- I spoke in quiet tones telling them to be happy and they slowed right down. As I continued up the hill I heard the locals: "they didn't attack him" "no,he doesn't sound like the others" "yea, he is not noisy".

Made my day!

I have ridden 40,000+ km in LOS, before onroad now mostly off. Previously occasionally picked up sticks, stones, etc as defensive weapons, never with happy results.

By the bye, the Law of Attraction also works driving a car- amazing results, much less stress and a happier drive.

Let's make the world a better place!!

Interesting angle there Mike, worth a try I guess - nothing ventured nothing gained. Will give it a shot this afternoon on my long Saturday ride, usually one or two dogs to contend with and covering some new ground today. Let's see......

You need to hook up with the Nakon riders there's races all over the south almost one a month and plenty in Phuket. Keep an eye on the bicyclethailand.com site as I am updating riding information in Phuket but also races around the south.

Yes, I've come across their events on the ThaiMTB events page, one was not too far away at the University in Tha Sala and seems a load of the guys riding in the national park areas to the south of Krung Ching. Monthly events in Hat Yai and Songkhla as well. Have also spotted events in Surat and Lang Suan (Chumphon) so plenty to search out. There is a local team and they have asked me to join in with them, just want to get my fitness back up to a good level and would like to try and ride some of the courses just to see what I'm letting myself in for as I've never done any racing.

Also planning to head over and ride with the Phuket Bike Hash later this month and to join the Bangkok Bike Hash at their get together in Cha Am next month. Also trying to get my new (Wagon) wheels sorted.

Looks like busy times ahead

Found this web site in CM as well, looks to be a bit more hard core than your average bike tour X-Biking Chiang Mai

On one of their videos it also mentions Jacky Bike shop in CM - another possible point of contact??

Good luck and keep us posted.

There is also a daily bus that runs direct from the ferry pier at Donsak to Sungai Kolok and return (overnight). If of interest I can find times and cost.

when I would never watch because footie/sport is on. So only found out after the season finished and House was in its penultimate week.......

TIT

Perhaps you need a PVR?

Record and dump, if it is an old programme.

Does the EPG give more info on episode numbers?

I've got a Samsung DVD recorder and did tape the shows last season (Season 6). I started taping the latest series (7) but only one show a week, since this was before I found out about the multi episodes per week. They are now re-showing the latest season but my recorder has gone all temperamental by switching itself off, switching the clock off, saying there is no signal....etc. Time to take it in for repair, but out of warranty already!!

No, the on-screen programme guide does not show the episode number. Guess I will probably buy the series on DVD - that way I don't have to fast forward through hours of adverts - yawn!

Saw the banner ad rolling across my screen watching True Sports on Sunday and went wow! At last! Then noted the 'free until end(?) August' and thought yeah, price increase after that for sure. Now this 'cable only' BS!! Where the hell does the signal come from in the first place - oh yes, satellite!! Duuurgghhhh!!

It really is about time that these f@ckers had some real (or any) competition, especially for those of us in areas where we have no cable service. Do they really think that people would switch away from other cable systems that (probably) offer a better selection at a cheaper price?? One trick ponies!

Time to get Astro hooked up, I've had it with these clowns.

Oh yes, and whilst I'm ranting; one of the few shows I really like is House. But the clowns at True in their efforts to save costs no longer let you know in their magazine what the episode number is. So when the new series started last month I assumed it was the normal one episode repeated a zillion times each week. It was only through a complete accident that I found out they were showing three different episodes each week on different nights and then showing all three back to back on Saturday night - when I would never watch because footie/sport is on. So only found out after the season finished and House was in its penultimate week.......

TIT