Cyclists /Triathletes Be Aware (Not Only The Traffic Is Dangerous)

[Felt 35]

On my early morning solo ride on Saturday from home to the end of the East coast road (4027) and return (the road which connects with the Thepkasatri road in Thalang). It was a beautiful morning for riding with dry weather and very little traffic which I believe was due to a kind of Queens Birthday holiday for many Thais!

On my return after turnaround where 4027 meets Thepkasatri, on the hill after the luxurious villas on the left (don’t know the name) 7 youths slowed down on their bikes on the top. I passed them and picked up good speed downhill on the other side of the hill. Near the drive off to Mission Hills Resort and Golf club four of them passed me again three kept behind and were swarming around me for about 5-6 minutes. I don’t know but I think they were waiting for the dead quiet stretch with road starting a few hundred meters after the drive off to Mission Hills Golf Club. I was at this point aware that they did not swarm like that to say nice hello. Not a word said from them to me and I kept riding with a speed around 35Kph. The 2 motorbikes in front of me had two persons on each bike and three persons on 3 bikes behind. I was at this point waiting for one of the riders behind me to do the move and move up on my right side. After a couple minutes more I heard the bunch in front of me laughing and the three behind me passed me in high speed. At this point some more housing and sometime people are around so maybe that was the reason they drove off.

I was not scared there and then at first and looked at it as the usual baba traffic nuisance and with a high heart rate and endorphins boiling none are exactly ready for smooth talk .However afterwards when start to analyze the situation I guess I was lucky.

Only thoughts, but the four on two bikes in front of me hold one big or more heavier object between them covered in what could be curtains or bed linen. Were they high on something and had just robbed a house! The pillion riders hold on to whatever it was as it was gold!

Very hypothetical but have the local Governments priority which is safety zones in Phuket`s biggest sh... ..hole and a Police believing CCTV cameras shall prevent crime already failed the way it seems they now have moved the thugs from one side of the Island to another. Because this is first time ever with thousands of Km riding a bicycle for training both on the East coast and North Phuket that noone ever have show anything else than positive signs when passing me!

[hansgruber]

Stop being paranoid.

[Felt 35]

Stop being paranoid.

What have this to do with racism and your attachement?

Btw, youre welcome on my next ride same area wednesday15 meet 0620 am Tesco Bypass.

[Semper]

Maybe the have watched Tour de France and noticed that there are motor cycles around the cyclists with TV cameras. A wannabe camera crew?

[Felt 35]

Maybe the have watched Tour de France and noticed that there are motor cycles around the cyclists with TV cameras. A wannabe camera crew?

Na....that ones usually only come up on my side point to their speed on the motorbike and off they go with the thumb up.

[Felt 35]

I started this tread to make other riders on road 4027 and other areas to be aware. This road have been a popular place cycling for years and relatively safe due to less traffic (that is unfortunately changing rapidly) than most other places in a not so far distance to both Phuket Town, Koh Kaew and the Cherng Talee area. I often meet both solo riders and group riders out there and almost always meet a couple of well mature foreign men doing their relaxed morning exercise on recreational bicycles in a comfortable tempo.

I meet them also on Saturday and if anyone of you is reading this I would appreciate if you could tell if anyone tried to hamper your ride on Saturday or if you see the motorbike riders because they must have passed at least one of you because I picked up and passed you after the thugs had taken off. (Well unless the thugs live nearby!)

[Guest]

There is some CCTV cameras on that road as well. At least on Ban Bang Rong, which is quite a many kilometers south from where you had your incident. Need to check next time when I go that way if there is more closer to Ban Para.

Would it be worth to do an incident report to the police? Just in case others have had the similar or worse situations?

[Felt 35]

There is some CCTV cameras on that road as well. At least on Ban Bang Rong, which is quite a many kilometers south from where you had your incident. Need to check next time when I go that way if there is more closer to Ban Para.

Would it be worth to do an incident report to the police? Just in case others have had the similar or worse situations?

I was thinking about that first later on because it would be a shame if that area should be characterized as another unsafe stretch of road on Phuket to do something as simple and innocent as bicycling on your own.

Then again to report to Police about threatening behavior without violence involved in a place where violent crime, robbery and traffic deaths top the lists will probably give me only a dumb look!

Maybe I have been naïve thinking as a innocent bicyclist nobody have a interest of me as long as I don’t provoke anyone and the danger out there is the traffic, full stop.

The things that irritate me most with this is that it slowly but sure restrict the freedom to people living here and more or less dictate you to support the same people (businesses) which couldn’t care a moment that its unsafe to be outdoors as long as their business blooming. Drive to the club, drive to the shopping centre, drive to the restaurant, drive to the hospital, drive home and lock you up. “Land of the free”!

Edited August 14, 2012 by Tywais
Changed to standard font for easier readability

[stevenl]

There is some CCTV cameras on that road as well. At least on Ban Bang Rong, which is quite a many kilometers south from where you had your incident. Need to check next time when I go that way if there is more closer to Ban Para.

Would it be worth to do an incident report to the police? Just in case others have had the similar or worse situations?

What incident? Some motorbikes following somebody for a bit, start laughing and ride off? Anything wrong with that?

[Guest]

Correct. That one. Sometimes is better to tackle the problem before we need to read about the next case in the news section.

[zzdocxx]

Weird.

[stevenl]

Correct. That one. Sometimes is better to tackle the problem before we need to read about the next case in the news section.

While I agree with you it sounds a bit fishy, there may be nothing to it, and for sure there is no way police can or would do anything about it.

[Guest]

Correct. That one. Sometimes is better to tackle the problem before we need to read about the next case in the news section.

While I agree with you it sounds a bit fishy, there may be nothing to it, and for sure there is no way police can or would do anything about it.

There is probably nothing else than file the report to do at the moment. But if there is other similar reports, or something more serious, then the police have already a lead to follow.

It's also possible that the incident is discussed outside of the police station and some parents will have a word with their sons about it. Then maybe similar event would not happen next time. Who knows.

[steelepulse]

Ride with your phone and next time it happens, snap a pic of all the license plates.

[Felt 35]

Ride with your phone and next time it happens, snap a pic of all the license plates.

Oh I have a old one with me even with camera and its supposed to be in my back pocket for either a crash or accident. But when phones is the last thing you think about when going about your daily life its also the last thing thinking about when out riding. Yes yes old fashion and all that. Plus if they was thinking about kicking me down the phone thing would probably been a provocation!

[Old Croc]

Stop wearing the lime green lycra.

[pagallim]

Another member, AD61, some months ago wrote about an experience that he had whilst cycling early evening, and a few people overtaking him on motorcycles a few times, and actually assaulted him (albeit a whack, and no attempt to rob). Regardless of location, a lone farang, who appears vulnerable (i.e. on a bike) is going to attract attention sometimes. Lessons learned, and precautions taken.

Cycling is great, and there are few things more pleasurable than riding along a quiet road soaking up the views and smells of the countryside. Unfortunately, being on a cycle does render you limited in options should a problem occur. Most cyclists carry mobile phones for emergency use apart from normal communication, as well as a few other emergency items.

[Felt 35]

Did the same round today at the same time. But today is a weekday and more activity everywhere so did not expect anything unusual so this one was peaceful. Slowed down on the return and spoke to one of the cycling guys I mentioned in one of my previous post`s. He agreed it was a weird situation, however he and his friend had never been hampered on their ride.

Its probably time to be more careful about where and when I ride. If weather permit cycling in the weekend my wife will have to be escort with the car. I have the opportunity to ride with others 3-4 times a week but they start out from Talang and "drive to ride" is not what I prefer to do, if relatively safe on my own. Besides the independent feeling of freedom it gives.

[steelepulse]

Not the cheapest solution, but geting a small camera or two mounted on the bike, might be a good idea. If nothing else, you could upload the video to youtube to show other cyclists what to expect on Thai roads. I've thought about this for the car, just haven't gotten around to it.

[Felt 35]

Not the cheapest solution, but geting a small camera or two mounted on the bike, might be a good idea. If nothing else, you could upload the video to youtube to show other cyclists what to expect on Thai roads. I've thought about this for the car, just haven't gotten around to it.

Something to think about for sure and not necessary ned to be that costly.

http://content.photo...a-to-your-bike/

http://www.sport-cam...CFVEk6wod6lAAXg

This could in fact be a bit fun as a plus to filming the activity on Phuket roads but think I would prefer the helmet mounted solution. Cycling shall be simple and with that system its ok, well this I will look a bit more into.

Edited August 15, 2012 by Felt 35

[LivinginKata]

Not exactly on topic, but close. I see a guy on a bike with a camera mounted on his helmet in the Kata area (Patak Road) most days of the week. Looks like a pro installation. Anyone know more about this guy. No personal details, just why he feels the need to wear a camera.

[Felt 35]

Here is what could be fun, http://contour.com/products/contour-roam.

8K Thb back home and absolutely something to consider on the second helmet.

However there would unavoidable be a few film clip like this

[Felt 35]

Not exactly on topic, but close. I see a guy on a bike with a camera mounted on his helmet in the Kata area (Patak Road) most days of the week. Looks like a pro installation. Anyone know more about this guy. No personal details, just why he feels the need to wear a camera.

I dont know who it is but the purpose can be related to training camps which some Triathlon teams usually have in Phuket a good month or two before the annual Laguna Triathlon and 70.3 Ironman!

[bobobo]

I stay up in Bang Niang. I never go out bicycling after dark after an incident i had a couples of weeks ago. Yes I have lights but it just to dangerous anyway...I think that people are just not expecting a bicycle on the road. Now i always take the ride during daytime..

[FritsSikkink]

Only thoughts, but the four on two bikes in front of me hold one big or more heavier object between them covered in what could be curtains or bed linen. Were they high on something and had just robbed a house!

Maybe they just bought something from somebody.

Why were they high on something?

What were you wearing when you rode your bike?

[LivinginKata]

off topic post and a number of reply removed. The poster can PM me and explain why the post should be allowed.

[Felt 35]

Only thoughts, but the four on two bikes in front of me hold one big or more heavier object between them covered in what could be curtains or bed linen. Were they high on something and had just robbed a house!

Maybe they just bought something from somebody.

Why were they high on something?

What were you wearing when you rode your bike?

Well maybe they just have bought a big object 0715am in an area of Paklok (where on an ordinary day are next to noone at that time) and they want to give it to me This was the the Saturday before the Queens Birthday when most of the Phuket Population was either on a long weekend of the island, long weekend in bed or simply still at sleep.

I said was they high on something, not that they was. But considering how the media portrait the "not so kind" youths on the island they seems to operate in teams and doped/drunk.

I weared a normal road racing jersey and bike shorts plus helmet.

I think I hear you, why not say it, I was wrong cycling and offended them because of my cycling.

Here is my opinion, more and more young people are without work in Phuket and Thailand, especially they with a low education, that over time can make heads spin and turn to drugs/drinking and crime, i.e.in the same situation, Police are to few and the island to big to control and the Government is at Trisara

[FritsSikkink]

Only thoughts, but the four on two bikes in front of me hold one big or more heavier object between them covered in what could be curtains or bed linen. Were they high on something and had just robbed a house!

Maybe they just bought something from somebody.

Why were they high on something?

What were you wearing when you rode your bike?

I think I hear you, why not say it, I was wrong cycling and offended them because of my cycling.

There you go again an other wild guess.

Maybe they were house robbers, maybe they were on drugs, maybe i think you were at fault.

You didn't feel comfortable with the youth around you but nothing actualy happened. I think stick to the facts and don't guess too much.

[Felt 35]

Only thoughts, but the four on two bikes in front of me hold one big or more heavier object between them covered in what could be curtains or bed linen. Were they high on something and had just robbed a house!

Maybe they just bought something from somebody.

Why were they high on something?

What were you wearing when you rode your bike?

I think I hear you, why not say it, I was wrong cycling and offended them because of my cycling.

There you go again an other wild guess.

Maybe they were house robbers, maybe they were on drugs, maybe i think you were at fault.

You didn't feel comfortable with the youth around you but nothing actualy happened. I think stick to the facts and don't guess too much.

The facts is what I told in my first post. Now take your motorbike and drive around in the same area at the same time the coming Saturday and when there try thinking why a handful + gang with youths have a great interst of one lone bicyclist on the road 0715 am.

[stevenl]

Only thoughts, but the four on two bikes in front of me hold one big or more heavier object between them covered in what could be curtains or bed linen. Were they high on something and had just robbed a house!

Maybe they just bought something from somebody.

Why were they high on something?

What were you wearing when you rode your bike?

I think I hear you, why not say it, I was wrong cycling and offended them because of my cycling.

There you go again an other wild guess.

Maybe they were house robbers, maybe they were on drugs, maybe i think you were at fault.

You didn't feel comfortable with the youth around you but nothing actualy happened. I think stick to the facts and don't guess too much.

The facts is what I told in my first post. Now take your motorbike and drive around in the same area at the same time the coming Saturday and when there try thinking why a handful + gang with youths have a great interst of one lone bicyclist on the road 0715 am.

And that posts contains no facts about the boys, only speculations.