Showing 51 - 60 of 66
Breathing in Hokkaido air
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 24/10/2013
» Hope you don't mind reading in this column about mountain bike trails outside Thailand every once in a while. That's because today I have another one I would love to tell you about. It's in Japan, in Niseko, Hokkaido, to be more exact.
Across the country in an hour, sort of
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 08/08/2013
» Some climbed Everest. Some travelled the world on bikes. People have different dreams but virtually everybody wishes that one day they could accomplish some kind of achievement they can be proud of, something they can be recognised, or even remembered, for.
Welcome to the jungle
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 30/05/2013
» Over the past two years, the hill of Hin Lek Fai in Hua Hin has become one of the Kingdom's downhill mountain-biking hot spots, with five adrenaline-pumping DH trails for lovers of the gravity sport to enjoy. In mid-March, however, access to the best three of the trails was denied to downhillers when staff of the TV relay stations on the hilltop renovated and locked their crumbling metal gate that was previously left open.
Dividing the straddle
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 23/05/2013
» A couple of weeks ago I wrote about an all-mountain trail from the highlands of Phu Hin Rong Kla down the mountain to Ban Huai Nam Khao south of the national park. But that wasn't the only trail I rode during the trip with the filming crew of the Sua Nong Toh TV programme. The following day, we did another route. This time it was in the northern part of the park that straddles Phitsanulok and Loei provinces.
Biking Doi Inthanon is a breeze
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 11/04/2013
» It was one of the hottest weeks, with temperatures reaching 40C in many parts of the Kingdom. And our plan was to ride on Doi Inthanon, Thailand's tallest mountain. Starting time was after lunch, when the sun was at its strongest.
An accidental cycling superstar
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 21/02/2013
» Some people bike to keep fit. Some do it for fun. Some ride to commute between home and the workplace, while a few others spin their way to holiday destinations.
Lampang's track to fame is a family affair
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 13/12/2012
» BMX racing is one of the sports included in the 41st National Games now in progress in Chiang Mai. However, the host province doesn't have a venue for this particular sport; and building a new one just for the occasion means the investment would become useless and finally rot away after the games are over. Luckily, a family in neighbouring Lampang came to the rescue.
Heading for the hills
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 06/12/2012
» As is usual at this time of year, hundreds of thousands of people are packing _ with some already hitting the road _ for holidays in the mountains of the North. The cool weather and captivating scenery of the highlands are among the main motivations. But those alone may not be enough to make such a journey really special.
When bikes fly
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 18/10/2012
» Mountain bikes can fly. Too bad, no matter how good the rider's skill, it will never allow you to travel in the air for more than a hundred metres. For a long distance flight, you and your pedal-powered two-wheeler need to use the service of airlines.
Hues of Hokkaido
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 02/08/2012
» Two years ago I visited Hokkaido for the first time. The northern island of Japan was virtually all white, covered with snow which attracted hordes of winter sports lovers from over the world. I was there again last week. This time it's summer, the season when Hokkaido's amazing array of colours is most vividly exposed.