Cycling can encompass many types of activities on a bicycle! In Chiang Mai we have the Sunday cycling group which caters for those who like to ride at a slow leisurely pace covering, I don't know, perhaps 50km all day with frequent stops. This suits the leisure rider.

On Tuesday and Thursday evenings (5pm) a fast group on road bikes, made up mainly of Thais with some expats head off from SpinBike on Canal road (not far from Night Safari intersection on the left as you head away from town). Now this is a FAST group with average speeds higher than 35km. At times they touch 50kph. You have to be able to follow wheels and know how to handle your bike in a group (no sudden braking etc). SpinBike also organise weekend rides.

Every morning there is a group that leaves from Bugs Coffee Shop which is situated on the right hand side of the canal road after the night safari intersection and just before the Samoeng intersection. This group is made up of mainly expats with occasional Thais. Distance is usually between 70-80km (though some of us like to do a lot more). Speeds average 28-30kph although it can get faster. Some days the rides are also slower and there are occasionally slightly slower riders around who form a second group. Nice friendly group and if you haven't ridden in a bunch before advice is freely available. Road bikes preferred and always make sure you carry a spare tube & levers. Coffee/chocolate etc at Bugs after the ride. Meet 8:15 back at the coffee shop 10:30ish.

Finally, if you keep an eye out on the ChiangMai Road Riders Yahoo group you'll learn of some other local rides.

See you up the road.

Ian,

What type of terrain does that Bugs group ride on? Are you going off into the hills or are these Rt 121 rides? I'm concerned that I won't be able to keep up with the group if you're talking about 30km/h rolling average through the hills. Not that I don't like riding hills, it's just that the pace that you mentioned is fairly stiff for me even on the flats (assuming that we're talkign about sustaining that pace for a couple of hours).

Edited September 11, 201015 yr by OriginalPoster

Ian,

What type of terrain does that Bugs group ride on? Are you going off into the hills or are these Rt 121 rides? I'm concerned that I won't be able to keep up with the group if you're talking about 30km/h rolling average through the hills. Not that I don't like riding hills, it's just that the pace that you mentioned is fairly stiff for me even on the flats (assuming that we're talkign about sustaining that pace for a couple of hours).

Many of the rides are flat because of the nature of the roads around here. Occasionally we'll head off into the hilly bit behind sanpatong - not serious hills and peeps ride those at their own pace. We are talking average pace here although this morning having done 45 miles on the hillish route the computer showed an average of 17mph. That's about 26?

Ian, are you a Donny Wheelers man ?

... ... ...

Edited September 12, 201015 yr by OriginalPoster

Ian,

What type of terrain does that Bugs group ride on? Are you going off into the hills or are these Rt 121 rides? I'm concerned that I won't be able to keep up with the group if you're talking about 30km/h rolling average through the hills. Not that I don't like riding hills, it's just that the pace that you mentioned is fairly stiff for me even on the flats (assuming that we're talkign about sustaining that pace for a couple of hours).

Many of the rides are flat because of the nature of the roads around here. Occasionally we'll head off into the hilly bit behind sanpatong - not serious hills and peeps ride those at their own pace. We are talking average pace here although this morning having done 45 miles on the hillish route the computer showed an average of 17mph. That's about 26?

Sounds brisk but feasible considering that here's going to be peer pressure involved.

Ian, are you a Donny Wheelers man ?

My club is the A5 Rangers CC based in Towcester UK. I've been there for 25 years. Previously with

Folkestone & Dist CC

Racing Club Dover

Velo Auray

Team Winslow

Paddington CC

plus a brief spell with the MidOxon CRT

That's 50 years worth of cycling: Racing, track, time trials and touring.

I haven't had enough yet.

Edited September 13, 201015 yr by ianf

Ian, are you a Donny Wheelers man ?

No I am a lifelong member of the A5 Rangers CC based in Towcester, UK.

Meanwhile an update:

The Bugs Riders at 8:15 now meet at 8:30 at the coffee shop on the left side just past 7eleven, on the road that goes to Samoeng from the Hang Dong Road, just before the traffic lights at its junction with Canal Road. Peeps meet and leave a 8:30 but some riders arrive early to grab a coffee! Daily rides. Sometimes quite hard (today 80km average 31kph) but soft options often available .............................

Ian, are you a Donny Wheelers man ?

The Bugs Riders at 8:15 now meet at 8:30 at the coffee shop on the left side just past 7eleven, on the road that goes to Samoeng from the Hang Dong Road, just before the traffic lights at its junction with Canal Road. Peeps meet and leave a 8:30 but some riders arrive early to grab a coffee! Daily rides. Sometimes quite hard (today 80km average 31kph) but soft options often available ............................. Lots to do in Chiang Mai!

Ian, are you a Donny Wheelers man ?

The Bugs Riders at 8:15 now meet at 8:30 at the coffee shop on the left side just past 7eleven, on the road that goes to Samoeng from the Hang Dong Road, just before the traffic lights at its junction with Canal Road. Peeps meet and leave a 8:30 but some riders arrive early to grab a coffee! Daily rides. Sometimes quite hard (today 80km average 31kph) but soft options often available ............................. Lots to do in Chiang Mai!

hi

just to say 'good on you' and that I'm a little envious; there's a cycling group at Aranyaprathet about 90km from here - too far away - so I'm a cycling group of one.

I only have my self to blame when I (frequently) become lost and have to use the 'phone a friend' option.

Safe and happy riding!

hi

just to say 'good on you' and that I'm a little envious; there's a cycling group at Aranyaprathet about 90km from here - too far away - so I'm a cycling group of one.

I only have my self to blame when I (frequently) become lost and have to use the 'phone a friend' option.

Safe and happy riding!

Groups of one can grow ..... best of luck

hi

just to say 'good on you' and that I'm a little envious; there's a cycling group at Aranyaprathet about 90km from here - too far away - so I'm a cycling group of one.

I only have my self to blame when I (frequently) become lost and have to use the 'phone a friend' option.

Safe and happy riding!

Groups of one can grow ..... best of luck

Saturday 23 Oct. 8am. Samoeng loop (approx 97km) starting from Casa del Caffe - the usual start outside the cafe past 7-eleven on the road that joins the Hang Dong Road to the Samoeng Road, just before the Canal Road. 8am sharp for an 'easy' ride that should take 4.5 hours or thereabouts. Not snails pace, but not racing pace either.

Hi Ian,

Just realised where you are and it's too far away from where I'll be staying (Hua Hin). I'd love to have joined your group for a ride, sounds like the perfect way to get to know the country!

I can average 17mph in the rides I do here in the UK (around the South Downs so quite hilly), but isn't it pretty tough in the heat there?

I'll look for a group in my area...

Mac

Hi Ian,

Just realised where you are and it's too far away from where I'll be staying (Hua Hin). I'd love to have joined your group for a ride, sounds like the perfect way to get to know the country!

I can average 17mph in the rides I do here in the UK (around the South Downs so quite hilly), but isn't it pretty tough in the heat there?

I'll look for a group in my area...

Mac

Hey Mac: Come and stay in Chiang Mai next time. The South Downs are beautiful and if you can average 17mph there then you can do +2mph here as the riding is always quicker here for some strange reason. Enjoy Hua Hin, very nice and nice food on the beach. But this time of year may get windy, roughish sea sometimes but OK.