28 replies to this topic

[Atmos]

Short rides from Chan city 2 – The Road to Samet Ngam Again starting from the Eastern Hotel/Big C area, head away from the city about 200m, see signposts at three roads that head left 'King Taksin the Great Shipyard' or 'Samet Ngam' - any road will do they merge quickly and within 1km you'll ride over a humped bridge that crosses the Chanthaburi River, with a temple Wat Ang Hin on the opposite side. Stay on this road, about 3.5km to an intersection signposted ''King Taksin the Great Shipyard', turn right here and stay on that road, 7.5km from here and you're at Samet Ngam, approx 22km round-trip. No hills, very little traffic. Its an easy short ride, popular for those with limited time as it's ideal for after work/evenings. http://i1221.photobu...zpsc757fb3e.jpg http://i1221.photobu...zps95a8aab4.jpg http://i1221.photobu...zpsd4e19085.jpg http://i1221.photobu...zps3c11836c.jpg Things to see - it is, as the signs suggest, the site of King Taksin the Great's Shipyard, where the fleet was rebuilt in 1767. There is a small museum here, a preserved hull of an ancient boat, and a shrine built in honour of King Taksin. http://i1221.photobu...zps3268d1cd.jpg At the Samet Ngam pier, a WWII minesweeper is being slowly restored to become a marine education attraction. HTMS Phosamton was in the British navy (HMS Minstrel), sold to Thailand in 1947 and used as a training ship till 2010. Until decommissioning was the world’s oldest steam engine warship still in service. http://i1221.photobu...zps250822b8.jpg http://i1221.photobu...zpscb785c72.jpg Across the water - Tha Chalaep (see previous post) in the distance, and facing inland, the hills of Namtok Phliu National Park

[Atmos]

I'm still here! 6th year in Thailand and 4th year here in Chanthaburi Last week -the first New Zealander cyclist I've met here in Chanthaburi. Again highlighted the need for a good map and/or use on on a smartphone; he passed me heading directly inland - aiming for the beach/coast . . . that wasn't going to happen. I still get 'lost' often but have a good general sense of direction now; in a mainly flat landscape there are few landmarks as guides. Twice in last week I've gone off-road, following canals as part of a flood prevention/diversion scheme inland/ east of Chan city. Not true 'off road' as they're hard/flat dirt tracks, but a welcome change from sealed roads and traffic. Not the best time of year for swimming - Chan's beaches all have red flags/no swimming signs at present, weather is definitely rougher this year than any previous July/August since we moved here. The showers tend to pass over quickly - 10 minutes under the tress if you're scared of rain and the roads dry out so quickly Happy riding ? can no longer add photos? anyway, look at my tumblr instead for ideas on a Chan cycle tour http://chanthaburi.tumblr.com/

Edited by Atmos, 07 August 2014 - 10:22 PM.

[Ulysses N. Owen]

Hello Atmos, Love your great Chanthaburi Coast riding updates. We've been along that way several times and found your information invaluable. Thanks so much for sharing with the greater cycling community ;-) We'll be in touch before the end of the year as we're heading your way again sometime soon. Very best, U. Owen Chief Editor

[Atmos]

I've done a lot of day rides over the Xmas/NY three week break from work; and seen plenty of touring cyclists Of the ones I've spoken to, about 90% are Dutch and German, seems there's a lot of 'word of mouth' promotion as well as magazine articles in their home countries, and Chanthaburi is 'on the map' for these international cycle tourists. The most popular route, whether with an organised tour, or self-directed, is to bus from Suvarnabhumi/Bangkok down to Trat, a few days on Koh Chang then a meander up the coast highway through Trat, Chanthaburi and Rayong provinces, second island stopover at Koh Samet, then on the bus again back to airport/Bangkok or a new destination Found this spot on the Chan coast, I love the solitude at times, no one to be seen http://41.media.tumb...5o2_r1_1280.jpg

Edited by Atmos, 19 January 2015 - 06:10 PM.

[Atmos]

I started riding the trails along canals and lakes inland from Nong Bua in 2011, it's a huge area of waterways aimed at water storage and flood prevention. Back then, a giant construction site (on my Giant!) dirt tracks, Now there's up to (depends which report to believe) 30km of concrete walkway/cycleways. And a small section that has my mtb tyre tracks through it, a mistake, didn't realise concrete was still wet...

Nong Bua just a few km south of central Chan city, can see in the first photo the city at the top. A nice diversion, get away from traffic. Hills in background are part of Namtok Phliu National Park

[Mike Hammers]

Beautiful area - great photos. Thanks so much for sharing this area of Thailand with us over such a long period. I have ridden through many of the areas of Chanthaburi you have talked about in your posts, but I'm always happy to return to this province every year to find new and exciting cycling opportunities.

[Atmos]

Still here!

Seen some cycle tourers this week, given the local temperatures - 36-38C - and add a few C on the asphalt, must be tough acclimatisating as the couples I've met were Dutch, German and French. Popular route for Europeans, never think to ask where they read about Chanthaburi

At Khung Wiman on Tuesday. An outrageous bright trial for the cycle lanes being applied, orange non-slip coating over the red asphalt which faded pink to pinkish-grey in just three years. Maybe it will weather but didn't appear very non-slip to me.

Happy cycling from Chanthaburi

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[Atmos]

Shield your eyes!
Possibly the brightest cycle lanes in Thailand?
Khung Wiman, Chanthaburi, start/finish point for many local cycle and running events

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[Atmos]

Non-slip ....Wait for rain and find out

Otherwise...Been a good week for me, yesterday a meander around Chanthaburi city, following the river inland, day before was my favourite ride, just under 60km loop from home, past eastern side of Chan city, onto smaller rural roads to coast at Laem Sing, lunch and a swim, about 12km along the coast, and inland the last 12 to home. In the heat, one positive is none of the dogs have the energy to chase a cyclist

My cycle repairman, former neighbour, suggesting my bike is too old, well it'll be 6 in May this year, and yes it's had a hard life, starting to look a bit rough, but he can't convince me just yet. Maybe next year... memories - had two dental appointments this week, same dentist who did repairs after my Feb 2013 accident. Lesson there,when crashing, try not to land on your jaw.

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