Issan cycle trip report

[bluesofa]

I’ve had a cyclist staying with me for a while. Initially he only came to stay for one night. A Swiss guy who has been cycling around the world for the past five years.
OK, he did pause the cycle touring for eighteen months in one of the countries he was in, to work – even though the work was as a cycle courier.

He ended up staying with us for three weeks, due to Covid – being unable to move on to other countries. So far he’s been “stuck” in Thailand for six months.

 

When he decided he should move on (within Thailand) we went cycling together on an eight day tour of Issan last week:

Day one – Udon to Kalasin 125km Stayed in the German-run EiDi Homestay.

Day two – Kalasin to Roi Et 107km. Spent the night in a hotel in Roi Et town.

Day three – Roi Et to Yasothon 91km. Spent the night in a small Thai guest house.

Day four – Yasothon to Si Saket 120km. Spent the night near the ‘temple of a million bottles’ (empty unfortunately), located about 65km south of Si Saket.

Day five – Si Saket to Surin 108km. Spent the night at Chong Jom, right on the Cambodian border.

Day six – Surin to Buriram 77km. Spent the night in a Swiss Garden Resort in Ban Kruat.
Mid-morning we were having a rest for ten minutes in a ‘sala’ (a small open area on the side of the road with a roof, to shelter from the rain, or just to relax).
While we were talking, a passing cyclist saw our bicycles and came over to talk to us. It was another round the world cyclist! He was an American who was also “stuck in Thailand, the only option for him being to stay here or only to return the the US.
What must be the chances of two round the world cyclists bumping into each other on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere!

Day seven - Buriram (Ban Kruat) – Buriram (Nong Ki) 78km. Spent the night in a new motel just off Highway 24.

Day eight - Buriam to Korat 86km. My Swiss friend and I parted company mid-morning, as he was cycling south towards Khao Yai National Park.
I spent my last night in the Tokyo Hotel in Korat town.

The trip was a total of 792km.

 

From Korat I went by train early in the morning to Ban Phai (30 Baht plus 90 Baht for my bicycle) to visit Colinneal, our long-time ThaiVisa member and troublemaker!????????
He was a very sociable host (when I could get a word in edgeways!) Colin very kindly provided a good lunch and cups of coffee. We had a good chat - nearly eight hours.
Then in the evening I caught the train from Ban Phai back home to Udon. 33 Baht plus 90 Baht for my bicycle.

Fortunately the only day it rained was when I went to visit Colin.

I’ve spent the last two days recovering, as at 62 years old it did take it out of me. Having said that, it was a very enjoyable trip, with good company.

[Justgrazing]

4 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Fortunately the only day it rained was when I went to visit Colin.

 

Probably the P M summoning the rain once he found out 2 TVF'ers were meeting up .. " that'll teach 'em for the constant p*ss taking " he chortled .. 

Only nearly 8 hrs .! Bet Col' didn't get a word in edgeways .. joking , joking 

[Cake Monster]

What a great story

[Justgrazing]

24 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

What must be the chances of two round the world cyclists bumping into each other on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere!

 

About as much chance as finding a chastity belt in a bordello I'd say ..  

[sammieuk1]

I had a little guesthouse when I first came to CM and remember had a Swiss husband and wife stay with their bicycles riding all the way to their relations wedding in Australia they said they would keep in touch but never did and often wonder if they made it out of my soi without being run over  ????

[LawrenceN]

I would like to see photos. Also, details on how and what you packed. 

[colinneil]

18 hours ago, bluesofa said:

Fortunately the only day it rained was when I went to visit Colin.

Put a right dampener on the day, i might add.????????????

 

 

Only kidding, it was great to see him ( i think), got a bit of grief from er indoors, why he speak Thai better than you, bla, bla.

[bluesofa]

3 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Put a right dampener on the day, i might add.????????????

 

 

Only kidding, it was great to see him ( i think), got a bit of grief from er indoors, why he speak Thai better than you, bla, bla.

I see you're now trying slip Thai into your comment, to make up for it: 'bla, bla' - fish fish.

[AlfHuy]

I also once tried to start a bike tour. Went up Sukhumvit road, passed Nana, entered a few site sois, continued with heavy legs towards soi cowboy to have lunch. Unfortunately, the trip was over. Someone had stolen my bike.

I walked this soi up and down about 657 times to make up for the lost bike-world-tour.

[bluesofa]

46 minutes ago, LawrenceN said:

I would like to see photos. Also, details on how and what you packed. 

This is a list given to me by someone else no longer with us.

I've amended it somewhat.

Everyday wherever we stay, need to wash shirt, shorts, underpants, ready for the next day. Often have to put them on the top of the panniers the next morning, to finish drying in the sun.

 

1 shirt

1 pair shorts                                                           
1 pair underpants                                              
1 warm under-shirt                                               
1 pair socks                                                              
1 jogging bottoms                                                   
1 cagoule
Small hand-towel

1 razor
1 bottle shower gel - screw top, NOT fliptop
1 small talcum powder
1 sachet washing powder
Comb
Medical kit
Elastic bands
3m thin rope (washing line)

Passport
Wallet
Phone
Powerbank
USB charger and plug
Mains 2/3 way adaptor & travel adaptor
Snacks

Multi-tool
Rear lamp                                                                    
Puncture kit
Head torch                                                                   
Pump
Knife                                                                              
Chain lube                                                                    
Cable ties                                                                      
Straps
Bike lock

 

 

Ooh, I think to protect the guilty party's anonymity, this is the only photo I could safely share:

The sign says 'Vomit station'

 

Edited November 1, 2020 by bluesofa
misprit

[Bredbury Blue]

19 hours ago, bluesofa said:

I’ve had a cyclist staying with me for a while. Initially he only came to stay for one night. A Swiss guy who has been cycling around the world for the past five years.
OK, he did pause the cycle touring for eighteen months in one of the countries he was in, to work – even though the work was as a cycle courier.

He ended up staying with us for three weeks, due to Covid – being unable to move on to other countries. So far he’s been “stuck” in Thailand for six months.

 

When he decided he should move on (within Thailand) we went cycling together on an eight day tour of Issan last week:

Day one – Udon to Kalasin 125km Stayed in the German-run EiDi Homestay.

Day two – Kalasin to Roi Et 107km. Spent the night in a hotel in Roi Et town.

Day three – Roi Et to Yasothon 91km. Spent the night in a small Thai guest house.

Day four – Yasothon to Si Saket 120km. Spent the night near the ‘temple of a million bottles’ (empty unfortunately), located about 65km south of Si Saket.

Day five – Si Saket to Surin 108km. Spent the night at Chong Jom, right on the Cambodian border.

Day six – Surin to Buriram 77km. Spent the night in a Swiss Garden Resort in Ban Kruat.
Mid-morning we were having a rest for ten minutes in a ‘sala’ (a small open area on the side of the road with a roof, to shelter from the rain, or just to relax).
While we were talking, a passing cyclist saw our bicycles and came over to talk to us. It was another round the world cyclist! He was an American who was also “stuck in Thailand, the only option for him being to stay here or only to return the the US.
What must be the chances of two round the world cyclists bumping into each other on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere!

Day seven - Buriram (Ban Kruat) – Buriram (Nong Ki) 78km. Spent the night in a new motel just off Highway 24.

Day eight - Buriam to Korat 86km. My Swiss friend and I parted company mid-morning, as he was cycling south towards Khao Yai National Park.
I spent my last night in the Tokyo Hotel in Korat town.

The trip was a total of 792km.

 

From Korat I went by train early in the morning to Ban Phai (30 Baht plus 90 Baht for my bicycle) to visit Colinneal, our long-time ThaiVisa member and troublemaker!????????
He was a very sociable host (when I could get a word in edgeways!) Colin very kindly provided a good lunch and cups of coffee. We had a good chat - nearly eight hours.
Then in the evening I caught the train from Ban Phai back home to Udon. 33 Baht plus 90 Baht for my bicycle.

Fortunately the only day it rained was when I went to visit Colin.

I’ve spent the last two days recovering, as at 62 years old it did take it out of me. Having said that, it was a very enjoyable trip, with good company.

Great post! 

 

Find in these difficult times, that I end up watching lots of cycling tour vids and dreaming of doing it myself when my kids are grown and the wife and I are no longer tied to being at home for them daily. Maybe you'll enjoy these tours (both toured Thailand); I watched all episodes. The Yorkshire guys vids are better of the two.

 

 

 

 

 

[Justgrazing]

2 hours ago, colinneil said:

Put a right dampener on the day, i might add.????????????

 

 

Only kidding, it was great to see him ( i think), got a bit of grief from er indoors, why he speak Thai better than you, bla, bla.

 

Did he bring his own milk after Col' ..

 

[ThiAmo]

21 hours ago, bluesofa said:

as at 62 years old it did take it out of me.

I congratulate you on your performance !

I suppose that you really appreciated the comfort of your blue sofa once you'd gotten home again????!

What about traffic safety during these 8 days?

 

 

[bluesofa]

2 minutes ago, ThiAmo said:

I congratulate you on your performance !

I suppose that you really appreciated the comfort of your blue sofa once you'd gotten home again????!

What about traffic safety during these 8 days?

I'm sure the traffic in Udon felt safer while I was away.

I wear a cycle helmet and a reflective vest if that was what you meant?

A lot of the time we were on quieter roads with not much traffic, apart from the last day on Highway 24.