Cycling in Samui and the soi dogs

[gearbox]

Hi,

 

First post after lurking for nearly 8 years.

 

I'm moving to Samui around the end of the year and want to cycle regularly there. I had a look at the second hand push bikes and bahtsold.com,  and someone was selling a bike because of soi dogs were frequently chasing him.  Is there really a problem with the dogs when cycling,  are there areas which are safe/not safe etc?

 

[khunPer]

Some soi dogs are chasing bikes, including motorbikes, and some soi dogs are even chasing cars; seem to be special brands or types, probably the kind that once had hit the dog...

 

However, it's something one notice when living long time at Samui, but not really a problem – however, if the're a particular place you always pass, and a dog, or dogs, there that don't like you or your bike, you may have a problem. You could always try to bring some goodies (food) to the dogs, they might begin to love you, instead of chasing you...

 

I'm driving bike on the small sois, but I don't like the main roads – especially the Ring Road – can think of many more dangerous and scaring situations when riding a bike, including motorbikes, than a few soi dogs; I've by the way never been chased by any.

 

If you're not into something particular special bike, it might be better to take a look in BigC and Tesco-Lotus, they have numerous bikesfor sale, and often at (very) attractive prices – found similar to the bargain from the WebShop that my lovely GF bought, sent down from Bangkok, and needed to be assembled by herself (i.e. me) – having exactly the same, but fully assembled, tested, and with local warranty, from BigC would have been half price only...

 

There are also an improving number of specialist bicycle shops around the island, if your into more advanced gear.

 

For my limited use I found a great pushbike in BigC two years ago for 1,490 baht, including free delivery...

[gearbox]

Thanks a lot,  very useful info. I'm not after a high end bike,  but needs to be good enough to ride for example from Soi 1 Mae Nam to Lamai via the mountain.  What is the "WebShop"  - is that part of BigC or Tesco? 

[huberthammer]

3 hours ago, gearbox said:

Thanks a lot,  very useful info. I'm not after a high end bike,  but needs to be good enough to ride for example from Soi 1 Mae Nam to Lamai via the mountain.  What is the "WebShop"  - is that part of BigC or Tesco? 

my worry would be the dogs lingering/sleeping in the road while going downhill (either side of the hill) of soi 1. other than that the reckless trucks and  safari/quadbike jeeps are probably a much bigger risk on that road.

good luck

 

[ianf]

5 hours ago, gearbox said:

Thanks a lot,  very useful info. I'm not after a high end bike,  but needs to be good enough to ride for example from Soi 1 Mae Nam to Lamai via the mountain.  What is the "WebShop"  - is that part of BigC or Tesco? 

Only crap bikes at Tesco and BigC. Wouldn't touch 'em with a barge pole.

[SpokaneAl]

1 hour ago, ianf said:

Only crap bikes at Tesco and BigC. Wouldn't touch 'em with a barge pole.

I agree. While cheap bikes may sound good - you get what you pay for. Cheap bikes mean crappy, cheap components. 

[Samui Bodoh]

Hi Gearbox

 

I also was a lurker for a few years before my first post, so I thought I would try to help. 

 

First, your specific question about soi dogs. I cycle all the time and quickly get to know where/which dogs are a problem. Most of the time you can just speed up a bit, or give them a kick as you go by (gently, of course!) or just swerve and ignore them. If there are persistent dogs, try to find another route if the above doesn't work.

 

However, I tend to avoid cycling in the soi (too narrow, often a bad road, speed bumps, people, cars, etc.). I cycle daily along the ring road for about 20 KM per day, 10 KM out then turn around. That said, I go between 5:00 AM and 6:30 AM when there is little or no traffic (there are about 15 regulars that I see most days). If you are a morning person or willing to become one, I highly recommend this option; It is a truly wonderful way to start the day.

 

I see people cycling all day, often on the ring road, but it doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Leaving aside the fumes and the sun/heat, Thai drivers suck and I would hate to be in a mash up of a car and a bicycle.

 

In terms of a bike to get, I would recommend looking through the thread I added below; it is from last fall, but I think still very relevant. In the end, I decided to simply replace a few minor parts (new tires, a wire or two, etc.) and look next year for a new bike. The one very important thing is your height; if you are above 6'0/180cm, then you might need a foreign bicycle as the Thai ones tend to be for slightly shorter people. I say that in relation not to the measurement for which size, but rather for leg extensions; even with the seat at the highest possible level, Thai bikes were a tad too short for me (I'm 6'1'').

 

Sooo, after reading through the link below (and the attendant web links provided) I would ask myself if I needed a Thai bike or a foreign bike. Further, I'd look and see if it was cheaper to buy one in Oz rather than here; I know you can ship them quite easily when you fly.

 

Finally, you didn't mention if you prefer pavement or mountain biking; I think you'll get some good advice on both here.

 

Can I suggest that you read though everything below then come back with questions? As you'll see from the thread below, there are some very knowledgeable people that share their thoughts.

 

Good luck!

 

[huberthammer]

6 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Further, I'd look and see if it was cheaper to buy one in Oz rather than here; I know you can ship them quite easily when you fly.

 

have to be careful as bikes fall under some special import tax. A Thai friend who relocated back after 10 years and had a big shipment back had only issues with the 3 year old bicycle which they wanted to tax at a ridiculous rate. I have no idea if Samui airport customs would stop you or not if you had a bike with you.

[britpop]

Cheap bikes are just lumps of iron, group sets are the basics of basics, more dangerous on open roads then safe, ive got a bianchi, GT, & specialised, all bought secondhand, all just needed 15 maintenence check over, on average i do about 200-300km per week, i get the odd dog, but i just shout ba, ba & they literally back off, remember better to buy quality secondhand, then poor new, only thing i find, the humidity pits the chrome on the front dampers, but to save 30,000B per bike, its nothing, pay for a quality proper fitting helmet & a decent 2 pair of cycling shorts, wear wash, wash wear, stay safe whilst cycling, drink fluids, stop if tired, constantly check around you as a sixth sense, smile & enjoy

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[VocalNeal]

The dogs will not be chasing you they will be reacting to the bicycle and probably because locals on scooter have been aiming at them etc. If you cycle the same route routinely then dismount and walk by the first few times so the dogs get used to you your bike and your smell.  Eventually you will be able to cycle by with no problem. 

Saw a dog the other day who wanted to go down a side street but turned and walked away when a scooter came down the street, waited ntil the scooter had left and then went to look again. Obviously that dog, as a puppy, had a bad experience with a local on a scooter.

[norrska]

If you wear this shirt, it let's the dogs know that you are not interested in being bitten

[Brickbat]

Get RE bikes, look for a good secondhand Trek. I find this brand to have quality components and almost like a Honda brand, meaning, parts readily available. A new one starts around 10 grand ( baht)

 

re  DOGS! The dreadful alpha male. One bite and you are up for 5 injections . I carry a torch light that has a zapper. Emits blue light electric current and makes that zapping noise. Harmless as the sparks emit to about an inch. And the dogs run away. Costs 300 baht

[Nice Boyd]

GEt a stun gun , just the noise of it terrified them

[Blackheart1916]

I usually get inside the ring road or right to the south (some dogs) on a mountain bike, no great dramas with the dogs then. I usually hire a good mountain bike, as I am never there for more than a month these days, so I can't help you with where to purchase. It will be well worth the expense to find a good bike, maybe BKK?

[ronaldo0]

Look in racing world in bophut opposite samui town centre.

The dogs are the least of your worries !!

You should be more worried about the state of the roads , people driving the wrong way towards you , people passing in vehicles within an inch of you and general insane driving that goes on here !!

As suggested best cycle first thing in morning for safety reasons or get a mountain bike and avoid the roads.

[Seducedbytheseas]

I think the caution should be focused on the reckless van drivers and delivery vehicles, not to mention the foreign tourists with little experience driving on the opposite sides.

I ride a fatbike 20k almost every day off the ring road. I like it since I am able to also ride on the beach. If you want to take a look at a decent bike that won't break your wallet, look at Fat Bike Samui on Facebook.

 

Ride safe!

[nickmondo]

I sold both my bikes due to being chased on numerous occasions.

Most times they just chase and make a noise, and if you wave your pump at them and shout, they normally back off.

However, one little shit ran into my front wheel when i was going 50kph, so over the handlebars i went.  not nice.

its just not worth it.

if you cycle in a large group, not a problem, but i would never cycle alone here again.

[Keesters]

Soi dogs are are big problem Not only in chasing you and perhaps even biting you but they hamper the development of the country. I have heard of only one person who has a service dog here. He is blind, Thai, and a professor in a university in Bangkok.He obtained his service dog while overseas.

 

Britain on the other hand has around 7,000 service dogs.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jul/17/hounds-of-love-support-dogs-diabetes-autism

 

Until Thailand solves its stray dog problem it will be very difficult for any handicapped person to have a service dog except at home. Imagine being blind and going for a walk with your service dog. As a sighted person I know how often me and my dog are attacked. It would be impossible for a blind or otherwise handicapped person to handle.

 

Do not feed stray dogs. You are making the situation worse. Every time you feed a stray you enable it to live and and take away any chance for a handicapped person to have a service dog.

 

 

[evadgib]

As a former cyclist on the same roads and times during the school run these days I'm surprised at the increasing number of riders wearing black, with no high viz strips and/or no lights, expecting road users to still be able to see them(!)

I enjoyed the cycling emencely when we did it ?

 

[Keesters]

1 minute ago, evadgib said:

As a former cyclist on the same roads and times during the school run these days I'm surprised at the increasing number of riders wearing black, with no high viz strips and/or no lights, expecting road users to still be able to see them(!)

I enjoyed the cycling emencely when we did it ?

 

I have also noted that and how many of them ignore the road rules often cycling through red lights. I was taught to dismount and walk my bike through a red light just as if I was a pedestrian.

[NoshowJones]

2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Hi Gearbox

 

I also was a lurker for a few years before my first post, so I thought I would try to help. 

 

First, your specific question about soi dogs. I cycle all the time and quickly get to know where/which dogs are a problem. Most of the time you can just speed up a bit, or give them a kick as you go by (gently, of course!) or just swerve and ignore them. If there are persistent dogs, try to find another route if the above doesn't work.

 

However, I tend to avoid cycling in the soi (too narrow, often a bad road, speed bumps, people, cars, etc.). I cycle daily along the ring road for about 20 KM per day, 10 KM out then turn around. That said, I go between 5:00 AM and 6:30 AM when there is little or no traffic (there are about 15 regulars that I see most days). If you are a morning person or willing to become one, I highly recommend this option; It is a truly wonderful way to start the day.

 

I see people cycling all day, often on the ring road, but it doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Leaving aside the fumes and the sun/heat, Thai drivers suck and I would hate to be in a mash up of a car and a bicycle.

 

In terms of a bike to get, I would recommend looking through the thread I added below; it is from last fall, but I think still very relevant. In the end, I decided to simply replace a few minor parts (new tires, a wire or two, etc.) and look next year for a new bike. The one very important thing is your height; if you are above 6'0/180cm, then you might need a foreign bicycle as the Thai ones tend to be for slightly shorter people. I say that in relation not to the measurement for which size, but rather for leg extensions; even with the seat at the highest possible level, Thai bikes were a tad too short for me (I'm 6'1'').

 

Sooo, after reading through the link below (and the attendant web links provided) I would ask myself if I needed a Thai bike or a foreign bike. Further, I'd look and see if it was cheaper to buy one in Oz rather than here; I know you can ship them quite easily when you fly.

 

Finally, you didn't mention if you prefer pavement or mountain biking; I think you'll get some good advice on both here.

 

Can I suggest that you read though everything below then come back with questions? As you'll see from the thread below, there are some very knowledgeable people that share their thoughts.

 

Good luck!

 

No 1, Get a mountain bike they are much stronger, I have found this out through experience.

No 2, Kick a dog chasing you gently?????? These dogs are trying to assault you, and you should treat them  the same way as you would treat humans who try to assault you, and that means you hit back as hard as you can even if it means killing them, as long as you have not done anything to provoke them.

[Pdavies99]

My experience of big C and Tesco bikes are that are very poor quality if used a lot! Pedals snap off, wheel bearings collapse on a regular basis etc poor gear selection, brakes pack up and they are very old style built! 

 

Do yourself a favour and get a starting price Trek bike or similar, you won't regret it!

 

As to Soi dogs, I get very little issues, but some dog biscuits help a lot.

 

Finally as to prices, they are less than half the price of overseas in general

Edited February 7, 2018 by Pdavies99

[evadgib]

1 hour ago, evadgib said:

emencely

I'm serially dyslexic but that's my biggest howler for a while & I'm too late to correct it this time 

[Can samui]

I'm serially dyslexic but that's my biggest howler for a while & I'm too late to correct it this time 

Thats KO...... dont woory abuot it,


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[norrska]

6 hours ago, Brickbat said:

Get RE bikes, look for a good secondhand Trek. I find this brand to have quality components and almost like a Honda brand, meaning, parts readily available. A new one starts around 10 grand ( baht)

 

re  DOGS! The dreadful alpha male. One bite and you are up for 5 injections . I carry a torch light that has a zapper. Emits blue light electric current and makes that zapping noise. Harmless as the sparks emit to about an inch. And the dogs run away. Costs 300 baht

Honda....izzat with or without the Takata airbags?????

Edited February 7, 2018 by norrska

[norrska]

17 hours ago, evadgib said:

I'm serially dyslexic but that's my biggest howler for a while & I'm too late to correct it this time 

I looked at your username in the mirror and it spells bigdave...........epically dyslexic bro!

Edited February 7, 2018 by norrska

[gearbox]

A lot of useful feedback, thanks everyone! I might get a cheap tesco/BigC bike, and if cycling is OK then get a Trek bike. 

 

In regards to dogs I'll do a bit more research, looks like something like this may help:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Halt-Dog-Repellent-1-5-118464/dp/B000E4Q7BS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

[RickG16]

Anyone have any more info on the Mae Nam - Lamai ride over the mountain? Sounds good, would be tempted to rent a bike and do this.................

 

Is it just the road which is 'Short Cut to Lamai?' 

 

Koh Phangan here, so excuse the ignorance. 

Edited February 10, 2018 by RickG16

[PoorSucker]

47 minutes ago, RickG16 said:

Anyone have any more info on the Mae Nam - Lamai ride over the mountain? Sounds good, would be tempted to rent a bike and do this.................

 

Is it just the road which is 'Short Cut to Lamai?' 

 

Koh Phangan here, so excuse the ignorance. 

Correct, Maenam soi 1.

Where immigration is located. 

[thaibeachlovers]

There are no "safe spaces" where soi dogs will not try to bite you. However, they are easily dissuaded from trying by carrying a length of that blue plastic water pipe, at least a meter long, and when one tries it on wave it at them and they will run away. I made a holster for mine from a wider piece of water pipe and wired it to my front forks.

I had a lot of dogs try it on when I made my daily ride, so when one tried it on, I chased it back to it's lair, and it usually never tried it on with me again. I was never able to get close enough to actually hit one, but across the nose would be the best place, to disable it.

I also carried some good sized rocks or bits of concrete in a basket on the front of the bike. Just threatening them with that works too. I never actually threw one in case it hit a kid or something like that.

It's amazing how many of those aggressive dogs are actually owned though. I sometimes pursued a dog right back to where it hid behind it's owner. They just laughed though, because they don't care if their mutt bites other people.