South Thailand Adventure

by Starla Estrada

Cycling through Thailand is an intense and liberating way to see the country. Intense because of the heat; liberating because you’re typically free to go at your own pace and stop at villages and markets en route to the day’s final destination. As we cycled our way through remote villages, children appeared from homes and schools to run alongside us waving and shouting "Hel-looo!" in their best American and British accents. Their giggles are infectious and we all found ourselves laughing and calling back "Sawaat-di!" much to their amusement. I’m not sure if they were laughing because we were an unusual and funny site - 16 Westerners plodding along the highways and main streets, sweaty and out of breath - or laughing at us because we were insane enough to be cycling in the 100-degree heat and humidity. . .

The trip commences with a city tour of Bangkok and some of its main sites such as the Grand Palace which houses the elusive Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha - an impressive gold plated Buddha stretching 46 meters long and 15 meters high. We then take an overnight train to Surat Thani where the cycling adventure begins. During the next two weeks we cycle a loop from Surat Thani southwest to Khao Sok National Park, to a Muslim fishing village (built on stilts!) in Koh Panyi, to Krabi and Railay Beach in the Andaman Sea, across the peninsula to Nakhon Si Thammarat, and up to Sichon on the Gulf of Thailand for a final couple days at the beach, finally heading back up to Bangkok via train or plane. The terrain is hilly and classified as easy/moderate however because of the heat it should be considered strenuous. We covered between 30-70 miles per day with a couple free days interspersed for relaxation and beach time.

Two support vans with snacks and energy drinks follow us at all times, there is always the option of riding along in the van in order to rest. The bikes are well-maintained hybrids – sturdy enough for off-road terrain but comfortable enough to coast along the tarmac. Helmets are not provided so you must bring your own. A gel seat-cover will add much needed cushioning to the hard bike seats; also, a Camel Pack will make hydration convenient – these things are not provided but definitely recommended.

Cycling is a truly adventurous way to see another country. It allows access to more remote areas as you are not just zipping by in a bus but pedaling along at a much slower pace – this allows you to really see the places you pass through; the geography, the flora and fauna; the architecture and design; and the people. It is an excellent blend of culture and activity and all that delicious pad-thai and Singha is well-deserved at the end of the day!

To learn more about this trip and to see current dates and prices click here.

Starla Estrada is a former Adventure Specialist at Adventure Center living in San Francisco.