biking the Thai side of the Mekong

[BananaBandit]

I'd like to ride my bicycle along the Mekong. The whole bit, if possible. I believe that's from Ubon to Loei, or Loei to Ubon, depending on your direction. 

 

So how feasible is this?    

 

More specifically, is there something resembling a consistent bike path or bicycle lane?

 

And, if forced to travel on actual roads, how dangerous are these roads for bicyclists?  

 

Of secondary importance to me, is there a reasonable number of guesthouses along the way?  I can read Thai well enough, in case that helps.

[Mac Mickmanus]

You can look on Google Earth and see for yourself 

[Stevemercer]

You can certainly do it. There are no bike paths, but there are plenty of minor roads withour fast traffic. The biggest problem is findig the right road and not getting lost.

 

There should be internet access along most of the route, so you can take your mobile phone and use Google maps. As you probably know, you can't rely on asking locals for directions. You will find plenty of dirt roads, but villages are every 5 - 10 km so you will be ok for food and accomodation. Just be prepared to waste a fair bit of time and kms getting lost on minor roads.

 

Of course, most minor roads will be inaccesible in the wet season proper (July - September).

[thecyclist]

Ubon to Loei is not along the Mekong. From Loei you will have to travel north to Chiang Khan. From there to Nongkhai is the most scenic Thai side route along the Mekong. Plenty of hotels and resorts, which used to be a little on the high side by Thai standards. There were no bicycle lanes when I biked it- ages ago - but traffic was light. 

[Hanuman2547]

About 20+ years ago I cycled with a groups of friends from Nong Khai west along the roads near the Mekong river to Loei.  Riding along the Mekong was very scenic.  There are no bike lanes so you are either on small roads or the highways.  We cycled to Chiang Khan and then south up to Loei.  We found small guesthouses along the way.  I would assume that maybe there are more now.  The roads were pretty good and traffic was light.  

[Denim]

On 4/7/2022 at 12:04 PM, BananaBandit said:

And, if forced to travel on actual roads, how dangerous are these roads for bicyclists?  

Unfortunately , you will have to use mainly roads . It's anybodies guess as to whether the roads you will have to use are better or worse than other places in Thailand. I've done the trip on motorcycle and a friend did it on his bicycle and the traffic was pretty light. Most of the time you will be out of sight of the river though.

[fdimike]

I've cycled the length of the river from Loei to Ubon and found it very nice.  You'll have to get off the main road from time to time if you want to cycle alongside the river.  Plenty of places to break for a drink or some food and also a place to stay for the night.  My friends and I use a combination of a compass, maps (Reise Know-How) which are practically indestructible and google maps to cycle back and forth from the main roads to the river walk which is incomplete in many areas but a nice break from the road traffic.  Our most recent trip was about 3 months ago. 

[Sparktrader]

Love to do that trip in car or motorbike. 

[Sparktrader]

Siam bike tours website has details and map.

[Sparktrader]

Bueng Kan has the Wisdom Residence. Google maps hotels shows it.

[Lacessit]

I've done that trip on a scooter, from Mae Sai to Nong Khai. That was scary enough for me, when I could accelerate to get out of the way.

I hate to think what it would be like on a bicycle, but it's your life, your choice.

I'd put it in the same risk category as going for a swim off Lady Julia Percy Island.

[Sparktrader]

5 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I've done that trip on a scooter, from Mae Sai to Nong Khai. That was scary enough for me, when I could accelerate to get out of the way.

I hate to think what it would be like on a bicycle, but it's your life, your choice.

I'd put it in the same risk category as going for a swim off Lady Julia Percy Island.

Those northern roads be more busy.

[BananaBandit]

14 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I've done that trip on a scooter, from Mae Sai to Nong Khai. That was scary enough for me, when I could accelerate to get out of the way.

I hate to think what it would be like on a bicycle, but it's your life, your choice.

I'd put it in the same risk category as going for a swim off Lady Julia Percy Island.

It's troubling to hear this, but thank you very much for sharing. 

 

I do wish to point out: Most of your Mae Sai-Nong Khai trip isn't part of my potential itinerary. 

 

What is your take on the stretch from Chiang Khan to Nong Khai?

Edited April 13, 2022 by BananaBandit

[Lacessit]

48 minutes ago, BananaBandit said:

It's troubling to hear this, but thank you very much for sharing. 

 

I do wish to point out: Most of your Mae Sai-Nong Khai trip isn't part of my potential itinerary. 

 

What is your take on the stretch from Chiang Khan to Nong Khai?

It's years since I did the trip. The road may have been widened. You will usually be OK if there is a demarcation line on the left shoulder, or it is a divided road. It gets very iffy when it is a narrow road going both ways, even on a scooter, but I guess you know that already.

TBH, I mostly remember going along the Mekong from Mae Sai to Chiang Saen.

[fdimike]

The road from Chiang Khan to Nong Khai is a 2 lane paved road with a divided cycling lane to the side.  Traffic was not particularly heavy so cycling was quite pleasant.  I've met numerous others bicycling along this route as well.  I believe it's a favorite route for cyclists because you're riding right alongside the river for the most part which makes for some wonderful vistas.   

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, fdimike said:

The road from Chiang Khan to Nong Khai is a 2 lane paved road with a divided cycling lane to the side.  Traffic was not particularly heavy so cycling was quite pleasant.  I've met numerous others bicycling along this route as well.  I believe it's a favorite route for cyclists because you're riding right alongside the river for the most part which makes for some wonderful vistas.   

Agree, Chiang Khan to NK to about Phon Phisai is nice.  From Phon Phisai around to Nakhon Phanom (Tha Uthen) would be a bit boring.  As not really along the river.  Bueng Khan about only thing along the way.  

 

Then from Nakhon Phanom all the way down would again be nice.  Have done that stretch on a scooter & car from  Chiang Khan to Mukdahan.  Didn't stay on the river over to Ubon Ratchathani, though probably the better choice as nice park w/waterfall along the way.

Edited April 15, 2022 by KhunLA

[fdimike]

You can ride alongside the river from Nong Khai to NKP.  They have built a sidewalk/footpath quite a ways outside the city.  From there It's easy to get off the main road on a bicycle when riding From say Phompisai to NKP.  There are numerous small roads leading to the river.  Once at the river you can ride on the sidewalk (footpath) until it stops at say a river "gorge" without a bridge.  You then bypass it on the small village roads and get back on again a little ways later.  Think zig zag and you'll get the idea.  One of the many  pleasures of riding a bicycle is you can get to places and meet lots of village people not easily done on a motorized vehicle.

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, fdimike said:

You can ride alongside the river from Nong Khai to NKP.  They have built a sidewalk/footpath quite a ways outside the city.  From there It's easy to get off the main road on a bicycle when riding From say Phompisai to NKP.  There are numerous small roads leading to the river.  Once at the river you can ride on the sidewalk (footpath) until it stops at say a river "gorge" without a bridge.  You then bypass it on the small village roads and get back on again a little ways later.  Think zig zag and you'll get the idea.  One of the many  pleasures of riding a bicycle is you can get to places and meet lots of village people not easily done on a motorized vehicle.

Been more than a few years since I cruised along the Mekong.  You the 'man' when it comes to biking Thailand.  Didn't I buy one of your bikes in Udon ?  Or was someone else.

[fdimike]

My current 2 bikes were bought from Bkk.  Both bikes are Surly - 1 LHT and the LH Disc..  I'm a touring cyclist at heart.  Some friends and I have toured all the surrounding countries bike bicycle from UT.  We've been as far south as Malaysia & Singapore and east to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

[PJ71]

On 4/13/2022 at 2:55 AM, BananaBandit said:

 

What is your take on the stretch from Chiang Khan to Nong Khai?

I've done this multiple times on big bikes, one of my favourite roads in Thailand, both Chiag Khan and Nongkhai are great places.

 

The route is very scenic, quite a few things to stop and see on the way, not sure about accomadtion on route?

[fdimike]

There are plenty of accommodations along the way.  I'm riding a bicycle and have never had a problem finding a place to stay.  It's especially easy if you can speak Thai.  It's also easy if you recognize signs for a guesthouse/resort.  One thing in ou favor is that we are traveling much slower than anyone else in a motorized vehicle and easy to stop an speak with the local people.

[Hanuman2547]

13 hours ago, fdimike said:

My current 2 bikes were bought from Bkk.  Both bikes are Surly - 1 LHT and the LH Disc..  I'm a touring cyclist at heart.  Some friends and I have toured all the surrounding countries bike bicycle from UT.  We've been as far south as Malaysia & Singapore and east to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Excellent!  I didn't know that they had Surly's in Thailand.  

[fdimike]

The Surly distributor is Piraya International.  They have both fully setup bikes as well as just frame & fork.  I bought both bikes a frame set only, had them shipped to Udon Thani where my LBS & I fitted them out.  You can also buy from a dealer on the Line app - XP Bike - Mr. Ping Surly.  

 

Hanyman are you a cyclist?  

[KhunLA]

3 hours ago, fdimike said:

The Surly distributor is Piraya International.  They have both fully setup bikes as well as just frame & fork.  I bought both bikes a frame set only, had them shipped to Udon Thani where my LBS & I fitted them out.  You can also buy from a dealer on the Line app - XP Bike - Mr. Ping Surly.  

 

Hanyman are you a cyclist?  

Anyone going Hi-end, pricing wise, on a bike, may won't to consider an e-bike.  PAS may come in handy.  Here's a ballpark idea if interested:

https://www.bkkebike.com/e-bike-thailand?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0umSBhDrARIsAH7FCofhPx1nqGbD_Nd5CxegC224Xo3lwlV1qh5giD4pQvZ4SPUvFHfolZEaAtIsEALw_wcB

[mackayae]

Some scenic spots:

Chiang Khan Skywalk.

https://www.facebook.com/skywalkloei/

Wat Pha Iak Suea, NK.

[fdimike]

Khun pretty much all ebikes suffer from the same problem, that being quite heavy.  I typically carry 4 panniers, a bar bag and a trunk bag when touring.  I would need to add the extra weight of the motor, controller & battery to the weight of the ebike.  If I should run out of battery or some other electrical problem not easily fixed on the road, I would face a choice of canceling the tour and returning home or pedaling the extra weight neither of which is very appealing to me.  I really like my Surly LHT and would not like to swap it for an ebike not designed for touring.   However, keeping that in mind I've recently run across an ebike conversion which is somewhat appealing to me.  It's Swytch Bike.  The controller and battery are compact and rather light.  The lightweight brushless motor is in the front wheel so there is very little drag.  The company supplies you with a new front wheel with the motor installed. the controller/battery can be located anywhere on your bike.  Swap out your front wheel for the one supplied (without a tire), install the crank sensor and the controller/battery pack and you're about done.  The total kit weighs in at 3kg.  they build the new front wheel to your bike dimensions.   It's not perfect but the best solution I've come across.  Now at 76 y/o I know I will have to face the aging process more than I am doing now.  

[KhunLA]

28 minutes ago, fdimike said:

Khun pretty much all ebikes suffer from the same problem, that being quite heavy.  I typically carry 4 panniers, a bar bag and a trunk bag when touring.  I would need to add the extra weight of the motor, controller & battery to the weight of the ebike.  If I should run out of battery or some other electrical problem not easily fixed on the road, I would face a choice of canceling the tour and returning home or pedaling the extra weight neither of which is very appealing to me.  I really like my Surly LHT and would not like to swap it for an ebike not designed for touring.   However, keeping that in mind I've recently run across an ebike conversion which is somewhat appealing to me.  It's Swytch Bike.  The controller and battery are compact and rather light.  The lightweight brushless motor is in the front wheel so there is very little drag.  The company supplies you with a new front wheel with the motor installed. the controller/battery can be located anywhere on your bike.  Swap out your front wheel for the one supplied (without a tire), install the crank sensor and the controller/battery pack and you're about done.  The total kit weighs in at 3kg.  they build the new front wheel to your bike dimensions.   It's not perfect but the best solution I've come across.  Now at 76 y/o I know I will have to face the aging process more than I am doing now.  

I converted my Schwinn Streamliner, neither a light nor fast bike, with a rear wheel kit.  Battery, an upgrade, fits nicely (blue) under the seat.  Controller suppose to hang in small bag (holds excess wires), but I zip tied to the bottle holder, to give it some air.  Seems silly to put in a bag.  Larger bag, opposite side, actually holds a spare battery.  Just local riding around.

Edited April 17, 2022 by KhunLA

[Hanuman2547]

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I converted my Schwinn Streamliner, neither a light nor fast bike, with a rear wheel kit.  Battery, an upgrade, fits nicely (blue) under the seat.  Controller suppose to hang in small bag (holds excess wires), but I zip tied to the bottle holder, to give it some air.  Seems silly to put in a bag.  Larger bag, opposite side, actually holds a spare battery.  Just local riding around.

Is the top photo taken at Ao Manao just south of the city of Prachuab Khirikhan?

[Hanuman2547]

20 hours ago, fdimike said:

The Surly distributor is Piraya International.  They have both fully setup bikes as well as just frame & fork.  I bought both bikes a frame set only, had them shipped to Udon Thani where my LBS & I fitted them out.  You can also buy from a dealer on the Line app - XP Bike - Mr. Ping Surly.  

 

Hanyman are you a cyclist?  

Yes I am! I ride mostly road bike but I also mtn bike and do some touring as well.  

[fdimike]

I'm waiting for the covid virus thing to calm down before looking to do any touring.  However, if you'd like to hook up for a tour let me know.  I now busy myself doing day rides in the Udon Thani area.  Sitting on my butt just doesn't appeal to me.

 

Where do you live?