Cyclist Alan Bate From Chiang Khong

[Limbo]

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Originally his plan was to start in London at midnight.

At the first 'bong' of the Big Ben!

At the first second of his birthday; he is 42 'tem' today!

As he intends to dedicate his world record to His Majesty the King of Thailand,

who he loves and admires greatly, he decided to start in Bangkok.

The first hour was okay. He did 36 kilometers (town traffic).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allan is on his way !

Allan has the Asian records for Chiang Mai to Tak (in 8 hours 23 m, 287 km),

Chiang Mai to Bangkok (in 26 hours 4 m, 760 km), Phuket to Bangkok (29 hours 15 m, 930 km)

and Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai (in 2 hours 42 m, 105 km, at a record 43.6 km per hour).

The reason that it took him so long, 26 hours, from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, was that he had

a strong head wind and evenso strong rain for several hundred kilometers. He could hardly see.

Allan, who has been living about five years in Chiang Khong now, is known in Chiang Rai for his

bicycle museum and his great work as coach.

The Thai national champion among the ladies is from Chiang Khong. She learned her trade of Alan.

She rides now for the team of Northern Bike and heaps up successes as if she was taking them

from a conveyor belt.

The present world record is in hands and legs of Englishman Julian Sayarer.

He did the 28,970 kms(almost 25,000 miles) in 165 days last year.

During more than three months Allen has to ride a firm 293 kms on average every day,

not 'fanning' in the middle of the pack but as lonely rider.

Susu Allen, susu!

Limbo

Some pictures of Allen at the start and during his record ride from Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai.

The event took place to His honour on the Birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand last year.

The ride took 2 hours and 42 minutes.

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Reason for editing: I forgot to mention that Allen aims at 99 days as new world record!

That's why he has to be on the saddle almost 300 kms a day.

Edited April 1, 2010 by Limbo

[Limbo]

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Some rectifications:

1) Alan had his 45th birthday the first of April and not his 42nd.

2) 28970 kms is 18002 miles and not 25000.

Some information about the requirements:

The ride must start and finish in the same place and must pass at least

two antipodal points (two points lineing up through the earths center).

When the rider reaches a transit point to connect with a flight or boat to

the next continent or country start point, the clock stops with regard to the

actual riding time. As most of the earths surface is water, this is unavoidable

and fair as it applies to all athletes attempting the record. Once customs is

cleared at the next destination, the clock immediately starts again.

The same bicycle must be used throughout the attempt, although repairs and

replacement parts and bikes are allowed for mechanical failure.

The evening of his birthday, April 1, Alan had brought 440 kms behind him.

The second day he stopped at quarter to six in the evening, bringing

the total distance to 837 kms (520 miles).

He has to make a lot of kilometers now, as he is on good roads and in maximal shape.

This to compensate the thousands of kilometers he will have to cover on bad roads

and possible 'physical inconveniences'.

Let's also hope that Alan will get the same support (police escort when needed etc etc)

everywhere as he has here in Thailand.

Every fifteen minutes there is an update, so you can exactly see the position of Alan,

this Great Son of Albion, riding to the homour of His Majesty the King of Thailand.

A satellite tracker shows it on the google map:

http://www.worldcyclingrecord.com/liveprogress-map/

Now, in a few seconds, he will drive in Tung Son.

Chapeau Alan, chapeau!

Limbo

Picture: Alan last night. The bleeding wasn't that bad and the wounds were

luckywise on 'static' places of his skin.

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Edited April 3, 2010 by Limbo

[klikster]

The evening of his birthday, April 1, Alan had brought 440 kms behind him.

The second day he stopped at quarter to six in the evening, bringing

the total distance to 837 kms (520 miles).

OUCH!

Many moons ago I did some riding .. but not even in the same league as Mr. Bate. My longest day was 120 mi on very flat terrain (passing through Demming, New Mexico). I can't even imagine 275 miles! But I was never a world class jock either!

My hat is off to Mr Bate and I wish him success in breaking the record.

[Limbo]

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Day 20 !

This very morning our fellow 'Chiang Rai Farang' sportshero Alan Bate climbed on

his bike in a small town somewhere in Victoria and now he is heading for Melbourne.

After he flew from Singapore to Perth he lost some precious time because

of a communication problem with his support team. It took a while before

they finally found him. Also some minor technical problems took some of

his time, but it looks as if Alan is making up for it!

This morning, twenty days after the start in Bangkok, he could look back at 5136 kms (3191 miles).

He is on schedule: he finished already 19 percent of a total of 29.500 kilometers (18.330 miles).

From Melbourne he will ride to Brisbane, where his Australian adventure ends.

Alan susu!

Limbo

On the pics: Alan enjoying the Australian scenery.

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[flying]

A true inspiration !

Also his love & dedication to Thailand & the King is very touching.

Chok Dee Alan

[Limbo]

Also his love & dedication to Thailand & the King is very touching.

Yes 'flying', he ends every message with the words 'Long live The King' and I

have no doubts that His Majesty the King of Thailand is a source of inspiration

for him that gives him the strength and perseverance to continue whatever

obstacles he might meet on his path.

If ever in Chiang Khong it will be easy to find him and/or his bicycle museum.

Everybody knows and loves him there! He is not only an enormous strong bicyclist

but a really great personality as well.

Hi everyone, sorry again not to answer all the lovely messages. When I finish this,

I will reply to every last message. I am now totally unsupported in a change of plan,

so no support team, just me, my panniers and my bike.

I am finding the isolation difficult and feel very lonely. I know I have so many people

giving me their heart. Now, I will struggle to upload anything as I am useless with technology.

When I can, I will post some news but I am relying on internet shops.

I am heading towards Texas. It is the start of the tornado season, so a little intrepidation.

LONG LIVE THE KING!

Alan

One third done: 9671 kms (6010 miles)!

Alan went on his bicycle from Bangkok to Singapore, took from there a plane to Perth in Australia,

cycled all the way to Melbourne and from there to Brisbane in the north.

From Brisbane he took a plane to New Zeeland where he endured cold and rode on icy roads.

Then he flew to San Francisco and will now have passed Phoenix Arizona.

Another 19,000 kms to go ...

Limbo

Pictures:

Alan in Australia and the first leg in the United States (the second leg will bring him to the north,

Nova Scotia/Halifax, from where he will fly to Europe).

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Alan susu, susu, susu!

[flying]

Yes Limbo Alan is incredible !

Next time I go to Chiang Rai I will look up his museum for sure thanks.

I cannot believe or understand why he is unsupported for the USA leg of his record.

I wish him all the luck & hope he has a safe trip across.

Thanks again for the updates I also keep an eye on his site since you linked it a few posts back.

Edited May 14, 2010 by flying

[losworld]

Very impressive and I think my 30 km rides are impressive lol... I'll have to check out the museum sometime. Interesting post.

[flying]

Brit biker sets record for Thai King

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Brit biker sets record for Thai King

Phuket NEWS Hound

– A daily digest of news about Thailand from around the world, compiled by Gazette editors for Phuket's international community.

PHUKET: Away from his home in Chiangrai for more than three months, British expat Alan Bate completed his trip around the world in honour of His Majesty the King of Thailand yesterday and set a new record in the process.

A report in The Nation today says the 45-year-old Bate biked more than 20,000 kilometres through 18 countries before bringing his journey to an end after 113 days and 15:17:04 hours.

The end came in front of a large cheering crowd at the gates of the Grand Palace, whence he had started the trip on March 31.

With sweat pouring down his face, the former British cycling champion eclipsed the previous record of 194 days. He draped himself in a Thai flag and proudly declared himself a Thai.

"It doesn't matter whether I have a Thai passport. I love this country and the King. I think I'm Thai now," said a delighted Bate.

Bate said the record, which is not officially registered yet, had little relevance to what he intended to do for His Majesty.

"I felt great about setting a new record, of course. But most importantly, I was looking for a chance to go around the world for Thailand and particularly for Phor Luang [the King]. That's more important for me than any record," he said.

When asked if he had a personal message for His Majesty, Bate bowed his head in humility.

"I think the King is far too important for an ordinary person like myself to have a message for him. I just love the King, and thank him for being the King of Thailand," he said.

Bate said he had been through lots of experiences, some frightening, during his trip.

"I have lived in Asia for six years, and found travelling in some Western countries quite dangerous, which made me very nervous and afraid. Riding in the US was a huge concern.

"I was hit with a stick in Los Angeles and our lives were threatened in Australia while I was sleeping with my wife in a tent," he said.

On Sunday, Bate will lead some cyclists from Benjamabopit temple to Siriraj hospital where they will all sign good wishes for His Majesty.

[Limbo]

Very impressive and I think my 30 km rides are impressive lol... I'll have to check out the museum sometime. Interesting post.

Thanks losworld!

If my information is right, then Alan (45 years of age) did the 29.000 kms in 114 days.

The old record, held by James Bowthorpe (32 years at that time) was 174 days.

Allan aimed at 99 days and he nearly made it.

It is unbelievable, he looks almost as if he gained weight.

I talked yesterday with the gentlemen there and he is more than welcome at the bar mentioned in

the football thread and named after the animal he is having a conversation with on the picture.

Limbo

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[davidgtr]

Photos of The Hub Bicycle Museum in Chiang Khong.

[jubby]

Photos of The Hub Bicycle Museum in Chiang Khong.

Wow, he's got some Raleigh Choppers, brings back a few memories of my youth . I'll have to nip in next time I'm in Chiang Khong which will probably be in a few days.

Whens he due home ? . I guess he'll be taking an Holiday or something beforehand

[Paul123456]

Well done to Alan - an amazing feat. And thank you for dedicating it to HM The King.

[ernesto1]

Well done to Alan - an amazing feat. And thank you for dedicating it to HM The King.

Please take a look at the Alan Bates thread in the Cycling in Thailand forum. There are those who feel that Mr Bates is not as straightforward as he seems!

[jubby]

Are any of us as straight forward as we seem !?

It is a tremendous achievement . Period. Or Fullstop as we say in blighty . picking the bones out of it are probably best left to the Cyclist forum.

[Limbo]

Are any of us as straight forward as we seem !?

It is a tremendous achievement . Period. Or Fullstop as we say in blighty . picking the bones out of it are probably best left to the Cyclist forum.

Thanks Jubby!

Alan is a great sportsman and on top of that a very nice person.

He certainly doesn't deserve this kind of smear.

A forum like this offers people the opportunity to anonimously

attack those who in honesty undersign their actions with their

real names. Some choose to take that opportunity.

I apologize to Alan for mentioning him by name in this forum.

Sorry Alan, I should have known better. Please be assured that

everybody I have spoken to has the greatest respect for what

you achieved.

You have had and still have great importance for northern Thailands

mountainbiking and roadracing.

I am sure that if your Thai bicyclist friends and disciples would read

how a 'fellow farang' writes about you in this forum that it would bring

tears to their eyes.

Long live the King of Thailand!

Limbo

[Limbo]

By coincidence I just found these videos about the tour around the world of

Allan Bate, our champion from Chiang Saen.

Limbo

Part 1:

Part 2:

Edited January 13, 2012 by Limbo

[villagefarang]

I too must admit to not knowing this individual but everything I have read or heard of him sets off alarms. Clearly his detractors seem much more credible than his supporters to date. That said, it is of no great interest to me either way. Just another one of the oddities that make Chiang Rai a colorful place to live.

[sceadugenga]

They call it "tall poppy" syndrome in Australia, the urge to cut someone larger than others back to size.

I make no comment on the allegations though, I haven't been following the thread closely.

[cdnvic]

Posts that could violate defamation laws have been removed along with some replies.

[Limbo]

Posts that could violate defamation laws have been removed along with some replies.

Thanks cdnvic! As SBK would say: It took a while, but ...

Alan Bate is one of those foreigners living in Thailand that have widely gained respect among

Thai people for sharing their tremendous respect and love for His Majesty the King of Thailand.

On Thai television, radio, in Thai newspapers and magazines the Thai people have been informed,

without any doubt to their great happiness and satisfaction, that foreigners living in Thailand can

share their spiritual orientation and therefore the deepest of their inner feelings.

Mr. Allan Bates, a Briton living in Thailand, more precisely in our beautiful Chiang Rai Province,

was given the opportunity to open his heart. Millions of Thai people know mr. Bates now and respect

him greatly.

During his world tour mr. Bates has been an ambassador for Thailands finest gifts to the world;

Everywhere he came he brought the message of the power of love and humbleness, the pillars of the

Thai Mind and Nation. Inspired by his love for the Greatest of Kings he endured any hardships.

Alan has, in word and deed, shown that foreigners living in Thailand can embrace the values

of the Highest Institutions of this Nation, of the Thai Culture in general and more specific of its inner

spirit, unique in this world and beloved also by an overwhelming majority of those, coming from elsewhere,

who in great gratitude enjoy the unsurpassable hospitality of the people of this great nation.

Mr. Bates was riding for us all!

Long live His Majesty!

Limbo

The birthplace of His Majesty, Cambridge Massachusetts, was one of the places Alan visited during

his tour.

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For the 'merchants of conflict': The worldrecord of Alan is approved by GuinnessWorldRecords.

The discussion in the world of bicyclists was about the fact that Singha Beer, the main sponsor of

this event, had provided a car to transport his luggage while riding the SE-Asian part of the traject.

The discussion is now if there should be two categories, one for those who transport their own

equipment and those who are supported in doing so.

[villagefarang]

[TwentyBaht]

I second Limbo's comments.

Alan lives here in Chiang Khong. And, is well known and respected by the Thai people for his cycling and appreciation of Thai culture.

The fact that Alan completed this record at the age of 44 is remarkable by itself.

But, sadly, cycling as a sport worldwide continues to be diminished by mounting controversy from every quarter.

[dindong]

I tnnk this quote is appropriate.

It’s funny how the people who know

me the least have the most to say

[Limbo]

Thanks twentybaht and dingdong!

Aside from Ernesto1, a banned member of this forum, who for reasons only known to himself started to

question Alan's enormous achievement on other forums and linked them to Thaivisa.com only people

who never showed any interest in bicycling feel themselves obliged to give a negative opinion.

It is too ridiculous for words!

One really wonders what their motivation is for this slander.

It can not be the bicycling itself, as they never showed any interest in bicycling.

Vinnie Cox and Alan Bates both delivered an enormous performance in the same

year. Contacts have been made with GuinnessWorldRecords and they have confirmed

Alan's record.

The 'method' of the merchants of conflict is to refer to websites that don't show the

final results of the communication with the Guinness organisation. Unbelievable!

I really don't dare to speculate about other reasons that could be behind this, but I can

imagine that it could be reasons for this thread to be closed.

L.

[villagefarang]

Interesting that yesterday their site said one thing but today it says something different. At least we have some credible proof now.

[cdnvic]

Ok, enough bickering on both sides. Next one is going away for a bit.