Golden Triangle - Thailand Adventure
Bicycle tour in Chiang Rai
After three years of scheming and dreaming with my dive buddy Glen the time was finally right- we were leaving the beaches and diving of Phuket and heading off to Chiang Rai in the hills of Northern Thailand. Our mission was to pedal our bicycles in the Chiang Rai area and then to head off to the Mekong River and follow it upstream to the Golden Triangle. This was all new territory for me, but a sort of homecoming for Glen. He was a teacher in Chiang Rai province for three years in the early 70’s when it was very much the wild frontier between Thailand and Laos. Throughout our trip we were being hosted by Glen’s former students and even met a few completely unplanned.
The first five days of the tour consisted of day trips out of Chiang Rai. We were lucky to hook up and ride with Joseph, a Belgian cycling enthusiast who conducts bicycle tours in the region (www.chiangraicycling.com). We rode with other local cyclists over some great countryside, both on and off road. Some of the prettiest sights were along the Kok River and up past a hill tribe village to the Huay Mai Sai waterfalls. The local knowledge was much appreciated in finding the best noodle shops, hot springs and great Thai massage. One of the highlights of the trip was to be included in Joseph’s No. 1 Hamburger bike team for the annual race 18 km up Doi Tung Mountain to commemorate our King’s Mother’s 106th birthday anniversary. Riding up the mountain with 650 other riders to the palace and associated gardens was special. If that wasn’t enough exercise for the day we went all out and joined the local Hash House Harriers (kennedyhb(@)hotmail.com)for their monthly run. This was more fun again as it is a small hash with plenty of good conversation.
Day six saw us head out on a 4 day 3 night loop up to the Golden Triangle area. The trip to Chiang Kong was a flat 118 km grind well rewarded by cold beers at our guest house overlooking the fabled Mekong River. We then headed upriver through some beautiful, quiet terrain to the ancient town of Chiang Saen. Our resort was located beside the old town wall and the ride around town viewing the old stupas and temples fascinating. Eight more kilometres upriver brought us to the inspiration of the tour, the Golden Triangle. We then headed south away from the river picking our way along back roads through placid farming country towards Mae Chan. We arrived at our overnight stop early enough to get a couple more hours of exploring in. Following a steep track up a nearby hill and whammo a “real” hill tribe village (no tourism here). This was an unexpected bonus for me as this is the first that I had seen while further along was another surprise- the “Horse Temple” locally renowned for the Cowboy Monk. What a day so far and we still had a BIG party ahead with some of Glen’s former students and associates.
Day 9 saw a slower start with an easy ride into Mae Chan to look for the house Glen lived in for two years while he was teaching at the local high school. Two hours down the highway and we were back in Chiang Rai; our tour was winding down. Glen hopped the afternoon bus for Chiang Mai to participate in the Interhash ( http://www.chiangmai2006.com/ - 6,000 crazy beer drinkers with a running problem) while I pedalled over to No.1 for a burger and plan my final day’s ride with Joseph. Day 10, 80 km of beautiful riding in the hills north west of Chiang Rai then hop the big silver bird and back to Phuket.
On reflection I am so happy to live in Thailand. Our ride was truly “civilized”: great scenery, great food and great new friends. After spending two weeks pedalling in Tibet last year we didn’t mind at all being pampered this time. Next year’s trip back to Chiang Rai is planned already, but time to get back to work as High Season is looking very busy here in Phuket.
About the Author
Mike is the owner of Scuba Cat Diving, Phuket's most complete dive center. We are a long established PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre located in Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand. Since opening in 1992, we have become one of the most popular and certainly the most complete scuba diving center in Phuket.
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