Showing 31 - 40 of 62
An urban oasis for city cyclists
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 11/08/2016
» Despite the fact that the Peppermint Bike Park in Soi Yothin Phatthana 3 has been in operation for over a year, I have never gotten to visit it. That's mainly because I don't have the patience to brave Bangkok's notorious traffic to an unfamiliar part of the city.
A moist mountain ride
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 14/07/2016
» Chiang Mai's iconic mountains, the adjoining Doi Pui and Doi Suthep, are internationally famous as home to some of Southeast Asia's longest downhill tracks. For mountain bikers who are not DH hardcore and also enjoy the challenge of climbing, these mountains definitely have a lot more to offer. The awesome route featured in today's article is just one of the many "all-mountain" trails available there.
No more pining for Pineapple
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 23/06/2016
» It was about two years ago when the Pineapple track was built on Khao Hin Lek Fai, the hill that is home to Hua Hin's best mountain bike playgrounds. But almost as soon as the local riders could finally enjoy the fruits of their labour, the track suddenly became forbidden. The TV signal transmission station on the uppermost part of the hill refused to allow bikers to enter its premises to reach the trailhead. And that's it.
Racing through farmland in Saraburi
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 26/05/2016
» Two weeks ago, I wrote in this column about a hotel and resort in the Hua Hin-Cha-am zone that boasts mountain bike trails open to both guests and non-guests free of charge. Today, let's visit another property, which also offers such playground for mountain bikers. This one is in Kaeng Khoi, Saraburi.
Cruising along the river
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 21/04/2016
» Not everybody enjoys Songkran's water-throwing crowds. Admittedly, I'm one of those who always avoids venturing onto Bangkok's streets during the festival. But this year was an exception.
Plenty of cycling in 2016
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 31/12/2015
» After six months or so of closure, the revamped cycling track around Suvarnabhumi International Airport was officially reopened last Saturday. Renamed the "Sky Lane", this collaboration between the Airport of Thailand (AOT) and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has been greatly welcomed by Bangkok's cycling community. The return of this bike track to the short list of places where residents of the capital can train or enjoy leisurely rides without the risk of becoming roadkill is definitely one of this year's best bit of good news.
Keeping it tight in Pran Buri
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 29/10/2015
» Pran Buri, just south of Hua Hin, is famous for its namesake beach and river, the big fishing community at Paknam Pran (Pran Buri river mouth), mangrove forest and a few other things. However, not many people, not even the locals, know that this district of Prachuap Khiri Khan is home to two downhill mountain bike tracks.
Biking on the fly
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 03/09/2015
» A reason single tracks are fun to ride is that they're not always the same. Mountain bikers, especially downhillers, are well aware that the character of each trail changes at different times of year. In the dry months, for example, you may have fallen leaves obscuring ruts or rocks along the way, while on any day in the monsoon season you may have fallen branches or even an entire tree blocking your path.
Downhiller full of venom
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 27/08/2015
» On my recent two-day visit to the mountainous area of Chiang Dao district, about 70km north of Chiang Mai city, I got to ride two scenic routes. The first one, which started from Pa Kia and ended at Ban Sop Kai, was featured in this column last Thursday. (In case you missed it and would like to know about it, visit goo.gl/X2pJ80.)
Grassland gallivant
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 23/04/2015
» With Songkran, Wan Lai and all other water-throwing festivals and parties completely over, we're left to live with the harsh truth that this is the height of the hot season.