Latest On Chong Sa-ngam Road Condition?

[travellingtwo]

Hi all -

We are a couple cyclists, going round the world and currently in Surin. We are trying to decide if we should brave the border crossing at Sa-ngam to get to Siem Reap or if we should go via Poipet. Can anyone tell us if this new road is an all-weather road or just madness to attempt in the rainy season? How different would the road condition be to the one going from Poipet? Also, what kind of services will we find en route? Are there any guesthouses or is it totally desolate? We will take 2-3 days to do it by bicycle. Unfortunately we can't find a good map to give us more details on terrain/population from the Thai border to Siem Reap.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Dave the Dude]

Go speak to Martin at the Ferang Connection, Surin (details above). Although far from a cyclist, he knows the area well.

The one time I travelled to Siem Reap by taxi from Chong Chom, the roads were terrible and in the 3 1/2 hours, I do not recollect seeing a single Hotel.

Good Luck

Dave

[TBWG]

Go speak to Martin at the Ferang Connection, Surin (details above). Although far from a cyclist, he knows the area well.

The one time I travelled to Siem Reap by taxi from Chong Chom, the roads were terrible and in the 3 1/2 hours, I do not recollect seeing a single Hotel.

Good Luck

Dave

Hi DtD

I have it on good authority that Martin has a yellow jersey which he obtained on the 1953 Tour de France. Tandem category, he was the back half as he could not be trusted to steer

Rumour has it the frogs said that had never seen a better rear end in the history of the classic event.

TBWG

[bergen]

Go speak to Martin at the Ferang Connection, Surin (details above). Although far from a cyclist, he knows the area well.

The one time I travelled to Siem Reap by taxi from Chong Chom, the roads were terrible and in the 3 1/2 hours, I do not recollect seeing a single Hotel.

Good Luck

Dave

Hi DtD

I have it on good authority that Martin has a yellow jersey which he obtained on the 1953 Tour de France. Tandem category, he was the back half as he could not be trusted to steer

Rumour has it the frogs said that had never seen a better rear end in the history of the classic event.

TBWG

Didn't know he had been a top atlet . .......must have been quite a sight down the alps

Oh.....I just remembered...........I've seen him in a blue jersey in front of the tv in FC

[Dave the Dude]

Hi DtD

I have it on good authority that Martin has a yellow jersey which he obtained on the 1953 Tour de France. Tandem category, he was the back half as he could not be trusted to steer

Rumour has it the frogs said that had never seen a better rear end in the history of the classic event.

TBWG

He would have a better chance as the back half of a PANTAMIME HORSE!

As Thaddeus once said, he is built for comfort and not speed.

[travellingtwo]

Well, we managed this journey today without too many problems. Actually we crossed yesterday and then overnighted in Anlong Veng and did the rest to Siem Reap today.

The 15km into Anlong Veng are perfectly paved, then there is a short stretch of 3-4km out of the town that is dirt and quite rutted but still passable on a bicycle. After that the paving returns again for another 15km or so. For the following 60km, it's dirt roads of varying quality but all quite ridable. The worst we had was some slightly tacky mud under our tyres. We could feel the bikes slowing down but no mud stuck to the tires.

For the most part the dirt road was well graded, hard packed and free of potholes.

About 30km before Siem Reap the asphalt returns again and it's an easy run into the city. So, in short no problems although if there was a lot of rain (it's been rather dry for the most part lately) perhaps the middle section could be a bit messy.

On the other hand, they're doing work on the road and I imagine it won't be too long before the middle section is paved too. We didn't see any guesthouses in Srey Noi so we carried on. Doing the whole stretch in one day on a bicycle is a long haul but possible if you're willing to spend 7-8 hours in the saddle.

[JanAndersLarsson]

Well, we managed this journey today without too many problems. Actually we crossed yesterday and then overnighted in Anlong Veng and did the rest to Siem Reap today.

The 15km into Anlong Veng are perfectly paved, then there is a short stretch of 3-4km out of the town that is dirt and quite rutted but still passable on a bicycle. After that the paving returns again for another 15km or so. For the following 60km, it's dirt roads of varying quality but all quite ridable. The worst we had was some slightly tacky mud under our tyres. We could feel the bikes slowing down but no mud stuck to the tires.

For the most part the dirt road was well graded, hard packed and free of potholes.

About 30km before Siem Reap the asphalt returns again and it's an easy run into the city. So, in short no problems although if there was a lot of rain (it's been rather dry for the most part lately) perhaps the middle section could be a bit messy.

On the other hand, they're doing work on the road and I imagine it won't be too long before the middle section is paved too. We didn't see any guesthouses in Srey Noi so we carried on. Doing the whole stretch in one day on a bicycle is a long haul but possible if you're willing to spend 7-8 hours in the saddle.

Please keep us (at least me) informed about your further adventures. About 20 years ago I made the same in eastern Europe. Those days no internet, no mobiles, no ATM and so on. Now when I am old I really envy you.

Good luck

[Thai Chi]

Yes, please do.

If and when possible.

There are many avid cyclists in this part of Thailand that would love to hear of your adventures.

[farangconnection]

Good luck to the cyclists...................................and I would also like to admonish these thread-hijackers, who in their wisdom decided a discussion on the shape of my body, and my physical well being more approriate. I'll 'ave you lot know, that I have worn the famed yellow jersey. Every Monday in fact,and I'll also say the years have been kind to my shape, apart from a slight bulging around the mid-riff area. And anyway, if God wanted us to cycle everywhere, he would have given us wheels, not legs. So there.