Play - By Bike

A couple of notable cycling exploits ....     South East Asia Thailand Malaysia France - Loire Valley Northern England - C2C South-East Asia One day I may write in more detail on this one, but for now here's a summary of the six-month trip that was basically Bangkok (Thailand) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) by bike. Thailand Plane to Bangkok, Thailand. Train to Kanchanburi province. Day rides round Kanchanburi Town and the River Kwai. The further west you go in Kanchanburi province, the more interesting, and demanding, the landscape gets. Train back to Bankok, then train again, north to Chiang Mai. Day rides round Chiang Mai either dead easy (staying near the river) or else extremely challenging (going into the mountains). Easy to underestimate the time it'll take getting from place to place if you don't allow for slogging up hill as slow as 2 m.p.h. Train back to Bangkok, then Train again just 80 kms south to Petchaburi (avoiding cycling out of Bangkok on motorways). Cycle south from Petchaburi to Chumporn. Through the Saam Roi Yot (Three Hundred Peaks) National Park ... Limestone outcrops leaping out of the coastal plains. Cycle Chumporn to Surat Thani, followed by break on Islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Good diving from Koh Tao, but too small to be really worth taking your bike there. Cycle Surat Thani to Song-Khla (Thai "beach resort" but don't expect too much). Cycle Song-Khla to Sungai Kolok (Thai/Malaysia border). Malaysia Cycle Sungai Kolok to Kuantan on coast road, then Kuantan to Temerloh, and then Jerantut. Minibus Jerantut to Taman Negara National Park. Walks and river trips in the rainforest. Boat back to Jerantut, cycle to Mentakab then Kuala Lumpur over the mountains. If you'd like to know more mail me. France - Loire Valley Another summary of a two-week trip. Train London Victoria to Lyon via Paris. Cycle from Lyon over the mountains to Roanne. Coming down from the mountains always fun on a bike (particularly after having walked up the other side). Easy cycling through non-touristy areas along the banks of the Loire to Orleans. There always seems to be a fast road on one side of the Loire, and a quiet country road on the opposite bank. Fab French food everywhere, often very cheap. Cycle Orleans to to Nantes through the more touristy part of the Loire. Lots of Chateaux. Train back to London. Northern England - C2C The classic coast to coast trip from Whitehaven to Newcastle. Plus ... Loads more bits of cycling in France and England not worth rabbiting on about ...

	Last Updated: 17/08/2000		Up One Level