Isaan/Rural Thai Bike Adventure Ideas?

[OliverKlozerof]

I've been in Bangkok 12 years (plus 15 years coming as a tourist before), have been to many islands, down the coasts. This time out I'd like to get to know Isaan or some parts of rural Thailand better (I'm thinking north of Bangkok; not south). Had been thinking of getting on train to Korat, then bike to Khonkaen, then play it by ear. But, just watched a couple videos on those towns and think I might find them a bit boring(?).
What I think would be fun, would be to bike a leisurely 20 miles (32km), or so between towns/villages, stay for a day or two, the bike another 20–30 miles to the next place. Obviously, there would need to be at least basic lodging available along the way.
Any idea on some part of the country where this might work, and be interesting/fun? (A couple friends said biking along Mekong might work?) I know this is a tough question, but maybe some of you have experience you can share? Thx, DP

[Damrongsak]

There's a 10-day ride going on now - Isaan & the north.

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1026309047529519/

 

https://www.facebook.com/gowildgomike/

 

There's a club in Loei that rides all over quite frequently, though a lot more than 30 km/day:  https://www.facebook.com/Loei-Gentlemens-Motorcycle-Club-438022066276684/  I met the founder about 15 years ago.

 

A good point of contact:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000660175543  He owns a saloon in Loei where people meet.  https://www.facebook.com/SALOON-Loei-559285000832950/

 

They do day trips, long trips in the region, attend charity events in villages, etc.  Seem to have a lot of fun.  Sometimes they do a bit of off-road riding. 

[junglechef]

2 hours ago, Damrongsak said:

There's a 10-day ride going on now - Isaan & the north.

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1026309047529519/

 

https://www.facebook.com/gowildgomike/

 

There's a club in Loei that rides all over quite frequently, though a lot more than 30 km/day:  https://www.facebook.com/Loei-Gentlemens-Motorcycle-Club-438022066276684/  I met the founder about 15 years ago.

 

A good point of contact:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000660175543  He owns a saloon in Loei where people meet.  https://www.facebook.com/SALOON-Loei-559285000832950/

 

They do day trips, long trips in the region, attend charity events in villages, etc.  Seem to have a lot of fun.  Sometimes they do a bit of off-road riding. 

Checked out the info on the 10-day ride you linked:

 

"this a relaxed Fun ride for all not a Speed Event"

"Day 2: Loei to Nam Pat about 260K"

 

I think this is a motorcycle trip not bicycles 

[Damrongsak]

16 minutes ago, junglechef said:

...I think this is a motorcycle trip not bicycles 

OH, my bad.  I can't imagine riding some of the long, featureless roads way out in Isaan on a bicycle when loaded sugar cane trucks are zooming by.  Perhaps hop a bus with the bike and then tool about in certain small towns.  That sounds about right.  Or ride the river road along the Mekong from Chiang Khan to Nong Khai for about 175 km.   Pretty flat.

[n210mp]

27 minutes ago, Damrongsak said:

OH, my bad.  I can't imagine riding some of the long, featureless roads way out in Isaan on a bicycle when loaded sugar cane trucks are zooming by.  Perhaps hop a bus with the bike and then tool about in certain small towns.  That sounds about right.  Or ride the river road along the Mekong from Chiang Khan to Nong Khai for about 175 km.   Pretty flat.

 

I go up to our Thai relatives every six months or so from Pattaya  who live in  small town called Khaosuankwang, about 55ks  north of KhonKaen   and I always take my cycle for daily rides of 30/50 Ks .

 

There are some great  quiet and  open roads and the traffic is very very light when you get off Mittraphap road which is the main drag from Korat AKA Nakhon Ratchasima  to Nong Khai, you also do not have to use Mittaphap road as there are other more quiet roads running semi parallel to it.

 

The large trucks including the "seasonal sugar cane ones"  like many other truck, car and motorcycle drivers  in Thailand seem to give me plenty of road space and the occasions when people are knocked off their bike seem to me to be  down to just plain bad luck! ( I hope)

[OliverKlozerof]

Yes, I'm talking about bicycling, not a motorbike. The purpose of this will be simple, cheap enjoyment; to experience places unseen at a leisurely pace--not to set any speed records. 

Had a simple idea last night that I think could be fun. Take train from BKK to (perhaps) Korat. Toodle around there for as long as I like (3 days?). Hop back on train. Get off at next interesting looking stop for a few days. Repeat. Alter as needed. Here's what my basic kit looks like, from trip I did from Hua Hin to Ban Krut in January. (Decided to get a bigger front bag for my Brompton so I can lose the backpack this time.)

 

http://bangkokmac.com/HuaHinBeyond/hhb.html

 

[n210mp]

6 hours ago, OliverKlozerof said:

Yes, I'm talking about bicycling, not a motorbike. The purpose of this will be simple, cheap enjoyment; to experience places unseen at a leisurely pace--not to set any speed records. 

Had a simple idea last night that I think could be fun. Take train from BKK to (perhaps) Korat. Toodle around there for as long as I like (3 days?). Hop back on train. Get off at next interesting looking stop for a few days. Repeat. Alter as needed. Here's what my basic kit looks like, from trip I did from Hua Hin to Ban Krut in January. (Decided to get a bigger front bag for my Brompton so I can lose the backpack this time.)

 

http://bangkokmac.com/HuaHinBeyond/hhb.html

 

Yes seems a good idea with one caveat, I would actually bypass the Korat bit and get off  the train a bit further northwards. I am sure that the Train journey would be worth it in itself. For me the area around  Korat is just too busy especially the roads out and to the north, better to sat on the train for a bit I think ! 

[billmichael]

I am wanting to visit Thailand and tour the country on a motorcycle.  I have made a brief inquiry with a company who does this but the lowest price they charge starts at $7.500.00 USD for a 17 day tour.  This seems pricey to me.  Is there a tour company anyone can name that does this cheaper?

[n210mp]

Does that include flights as well?

 

I am sure there used to be a Thai based motor/cycle  and cycle  tour company  that operates out of bangkok but here are some I just googled and there was quite a few more, the Pattaya ones seem to do both ;

 

 https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/en/tours.html?country[]=Thailand&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1NzZBRCoARIsAIaMwuuuxUlZUpy-WwHJTvh0nNa2s6jkVmwEO25sM4VeIhwifylmEj--rbwaAo8REALw_wcB

 

https://artofbicycletrips.com/destinations/thailand/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1NzZBRCoARIsAIaMwuu_hOIpLSQbnl-QNqTZ_UdqYn6lpYit5X1pHWQmf4FvceIJ3P7hGk0aAoXyEALw_wcB

 

http://www.pattayabikeandboattours.com/

 

https://www.spiceroads.com/

 

http://thailandcycletours.com/home/

[bobfish]

4 hours ago, billmichael said:

I am wanting to visit Thailand and tour the country on a motorcycle.  I have made a brief inquiry with a company who does this but the lowest price they charge starts at $7.500.00 USD for a 17 day tour.  This seems pricey to me.  Is there a tour company anyone can name that does this cheaper?

Maybe try https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/

[billmichael]

Thank You Guys So Much...!!!

It is difficult for me to research this so your help is much appreciated.

Thank You...!!!

[fdimike]

I live in Udon Thani and have been touring by bike throughout Thailand, Laos, Cambodia , Vietnam, Malaysia & Singapore for about 10 years.  There are tons of small back roads (paved and dirt) to ride in Isan.  I would suggest you buy a map for NE Thailand.  PN Map makes a good map but it's very fragile.  I personally use Reise maps which are practically indestructible and provide good coverage at a decent scale. 

[billmichael]

On 7/27/2018 at 6:58 AM, fdimike said:

I live in Udon Thani and have been touring by bike throughout Thailand, Laos, Cambodia , Vietnam, Malaysia & Singapore for about 10 years.  There are tons of small back roads (paved and dirt) to ride in Isan.  I would suggest you buy a map for NE Thailand.  PN Map makes a good map but it's very fragile.  I personally use Reise maps which are practically indestructible and provide good coverage at a decent scale. 

Thank you so much for your kindness.

[carlf]

(This is a duplicate of a posting that I just placed in an Issan thread)

Hello friends in Thailand.  I'm looking for hints and suggestions for biking.  I'll be with 2 other friends, and we're all experienced road bikers, and we usually cover 60-120 kms/day on our road bikes, although with the heat in May, I think we might be closer to 60.  I'm thinking about biking for about 4 days or so from Ayutthaya to Khorat to Phimai.  I'm not at all familiar with this area.  I see route #2 covers most of this route, from Saraburi to Phimai, but I'm afraid that #2 might not be a very good road for biking.  Does anyone have any experience with this route?  Any reasonable alternatives?  We don't mind some extra kilometers if we can have prettier roads as long as they are in reasonable condition for road biking, and we need to pass through a few towns that would have accommodations (even simple, primitive) for 3 tired bikers.  Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

[fdimike]

The first thing you need to do is buy a real map of Thailand (available at nearly all bookstores).  The second piece of advice is to stay off Highway 2 as it's a very busy and dangerous highway.  There are plenty of secondary roads available to cycle on.  You'll find very nice accommodations all over Thailand.  They're referred to as "resorts" but in reality a motel.  You'll find them in nearly every town and city and even between towns.  Reasonably priced hotels are aplenty as well in every city.  "Resorts" are priced at around 3-500Baht/night and are normally well appointed with AC, TV, fridge, warm water shower, wifi, small table with chairs and of course a bed.  If you have a smart phone you can get all the above plus with Google Map.