Cycling tour in Bangkok?
Sep 5th, 2004, 01:25 PM
#2
Funny, I was also looking into cycling tours. I emailed to the Amazing Bangkok Cyclist, but haven't heard back from them (and the web site is in Dutch, so maybe that's the problem?).
Anyway, I'd also like to know if anyone has done one and can refer us.
Anyway, I'd also like to know if anyone has done one and can refer us.
Sep 5th, 2004, 04:22 PM
#3
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I haven't used them myself, but you could try 'Smiling Albino'
Un-Urban Pedal ? 4 hours (http://www.smilingalbino.com/adventures/pedal.asp)
"Sometimes you need to escape the fast pace of life that is Bangkok.. Little do many travelers know that there are peaceful, semi-rural areas right in the city. Hop on a mountain bike and cruise the elevated walkways that make up Bangkok?s khlong (canal) system. Unknown to most visitors, Bangkok has a peaceful, almost hidden culture which lines the banks of the city?s khlongs. These fascinating, interconnected waterways are the lifeblood of many Thais, providing for their bathing, washing, fishing, transport and leisure."
Un-Urban Pedal II ? 8 hours (http://www.smilingalbino.com/adventures/pedal2.asp)
"Here it is - a 40km, full-day exploring the amazing world that is Bangkok?s urban khlong (canal) system. Slap on a helmet, mount your bike and we?ll head out for a day few have experienced and one you?ll surely never forget."
Un-Urban Pedal ? 4 hours (http://www.smilingalbino.com/adventures/pedal.asp)
"Sometimes you need to escape the fast pace of life that is Bangkok.. Little do many travelers know that there are peaceful, semi-rural areas right in the city. Hop on a mountain bike and cruise the elevated walkways that make up Bangkok?s khlong (canal) system. Unknown to most visitors, Bangkok has a peaceful, almost hidden culture which lines the banks of the city?s khlongs. These fascinating, interconnected waterways are the lifeblood of many Thais, providing for their bathing, washing, fishing, transport and leisure."
Un-Urban Pedal II ? 8 hours (http://www.smilingalbino.com/adventures/pedal2.asp)
"Here it is - a 40km, full-day exploring the amazing world that is Bangkok?s urban khlong (canal) system. Slap on a helmet, mount your bike and we?ll head out for a day few have experienced and one you?ll surely never forget."
Sep 5th, 2004, 09:25 PM
#4
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Thanks for Smiling Albino SD3, hadn't found that one yet.
Lcuy, I assume you've been looking at the Dutch site www.amazingbangkokcyclist.com (English won't be the problem by the way); take a look at www.realasia.net for an English site.
Lcuy, I assume you've been looking at the Dutch site www.amazingbangkokcyclist.com (English won't be the problem by the way); take a look at www.realasia.net for an English site.
Sep 7th, 2004, 08:40 AM
#5
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In addition to www.realasia.net,
have also found:
www.smilingalbino.com/adventures/pedal.asp
http://spiceroads.com/thailand/bangkok/
http://asiatours.net/thailand/tours/Cycle-BKK-1.html.
Still interested in any comments if any of you have been on such a trip.
have also found:
www.smilingalbino.com/adventures/pedal.asp
http://spiceroads.com/thailand/bangkok/
http://asiatours.net/thailand/tours/Cycle-BKK-1.html.
Still interested in any comments if any of you have been on such a trip.
Sep 7th, 2004, 08:52 AM
#6
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I'm going to Thailand in October and have booked smiling albino for two day tours and the 5 night northern tour.
They are great guys and very accommodating. We have spoken with 3 references and they were all very pleased. In case you didn't know, they are Canadians who went there to teach English. Language will be no barrier.
They are great guys and very accommodating. We have spoken with 3 references and they were all very pleased. In case you didn't know, they are Canadians who went there to teach English. Language will be no barrier.
Sep 11th, 2004, 06:28 AM
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I've done the ABC tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. We lived in Bkk when we did it but the route they take you on is indeed very much off the beaten track so don't go expecting to see Bkk. Great cylces provided. Our group was about 18 of us. Really liked the organizers and our mostly Dutch co cyclists.
Apr 9th, 2005, 10:22 PM
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Just reporting back that we had a great time with Co van Kessel. I'm including a bit of our trip report (which is on my weblog: http://marksmalley.blogspot.com/; if you want to read more about Bangkok, we were there from Feb 27 to Mar 4, just click on the appropriate month under 'Archives')
- - - - - - - - - -
Up at 0530 today, this time not due to trouble sleeping but because we're going on a bike ride with Co van Kessel ([email protected], http://www.amazingbangkokcyclist.com/, http://home.planet.nl/~roode270/index.html) at 0700. Co is Dutch but has been in Thailand for almost 30 years and takes (and gives) great pleasure in taking groups around areas a tourist will rarely see. The first Skytrain to the river at 0605, probably the second boat to Tha Ratchawong at 0630, a 15 min walk to China Grand Palace Hotel and we meet up with Co and his charming assistant Ms Nong (that's a long 'o' please) in the lobby.
To our pleasant surprise it's the smallest group we could imagine, Co will be up front, we're in the middle and Nong, who's a graduate in tourism, at the rear.
We give Co some newspapers and magazines we've brought over from Amsterdam and chat for about 30 min, Co explaining his way of doing things, which boils down to focussing on what you see, hear and smell. He'll provide some comments from time to time but no running commentary. It'll be an easy ride with plenty of stops for filling up and emptying water, Co assures us.
We walk down to the garage beneath the hotel, pick a bike and set off though the back streets, small alleys and even smaller alleys of Chinatown, encountering people preparing food, mending car parts, buying and selling. We come across a junior school where the headmistress is giving the kids a good lecture that she expects them to get a 10 in their exams. At 0800 they play and sing the national anthem, raising the flag in the schoolyard.
We cycle to the river where we pile the bikes on a ferry that takes us to the other side. The ride along the west side of the river takes us to a temple where we follow Nong in lighting a candle and josh sticks. Frequently we exchange simple greetings with the locals outside their houses or shops. Some recognise Co, many show amusement and interest at the sight of the cycling falangs (foreigners). We stop for a longer chat with a little family group including twins of about 4 and grandfather of 42. We are offered iced tea, being assured that hygiene is OK. Soon after this magic moment we stop for some food at a simple roadside cafe near a police station, leaving the choice to food expert Nong. Dishes with noodles, rice and a whole fish appear then disappear. Further along we pass Wat Arun. After ferrying back across the river close to Wat Pho - helping a 85 year old man with bad knees onto the boat - a flower market awaits us, where bunches of orchids are being prepared. We've seen so many things but probably have already forgotten more than we've managed to remember, but we recall the Portuguese Catholic area, a couple of mosques, temples and monks, countless cats and dogs.
We end up back in Chinatown at around 1230 having had an unforgettable experience.
He does the trip almost every morning and afternoon, the costs are a very reasonable 950 Baht each, including drinks.
- - - - - - - - - -
Up at 0530 today, this time not due to trouble sleeping but because we're going on a bike ride with Co van Kessel ([email protected], http://www.amazingbangkokcyclist.com/, http://home.planet.nl/~roode270/index.html) at 0700. Co is Dutch but has been in Thailand for almost 30 years and takes (and gives) great pleasure in taking groups around areas a tourist will rarely see. The first Skytrain to the river at 0605, probably the second boat to Tha Ratchawong at 0630, a 15 min walk to China Grand Palace Hotel and we meet up with Co and his charming assistant Ms Nong (that's a long 'o' please) in the lobby.
To our pleasant surprise it's the smallest group we could imagine, Co will be up front, we're in the middle and Nong, who's a graduate in tourism, at the rear.
We give Co some newspapers and magazines we've brought over from Amsterdam and chat for about 30 min, Co explaining his way of doing things, which boils down to focussing on what you see, hear and smell. He'll provide some comments from time to time but no running commentary. It'll be an easy ride with plenty of stops for filling up and emptying water, Co assures us.
We walk down to the garage beneath the hotel, pick a bike and set off though the back streets, small alleys and even smaller alleys of Chinatown, encountering people preparing food, mending car parts, buying and selling. We come across a junior school where the headmistress is giving the kids a good lecture that she expects them to get a 10 in their exams. At 0800 they play and sing the national anthem, raising the flag in the schoolyard.
We cycle to the river where we pile the bikes on a ferry that takes us to the other side. The ride along the west side of the river takes us to a temple where we follow Nong in lighting a candle and josh sticks. Frequently we exchange simple greetings with the locals outside their houses or shops. Some recognise Co, many show amusement and interest at the sight of the cycling falangs (foreigners). We stop for a longer chat with a little family group including twins of about 4 and grandfather of 42. We are offered iced tea, being assured that hygiene is OK. Soon after this magic moment we stop for some food at a simple roadside cafe near a police station, leaving the choice to food expert Nong. Dishes with noodles, rice and a whole fish appear then disappear. Further along we pass Wat Arun. After ferrying back across the river close to Wat Pho - helping a 85 year old man with bad knees onto the boat - a flower market awaits us, where bunches of orchids are being prepared. We've seen so many things but probably have already forgotten more than we've managed to remember, but we recall the Portuguese Catholic area, a couple of mosques, temples and monks, countless cats and dogs.
We end up back in Chinatown at around 1230 having had an unforgettable experience.
He does the trip almost every morning and afternoon, the costs are a very reasonable 950 Baht each, including drinks.
May 31st, 2006, 08:48 PM
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Co van Kessel has now his own website:
http://www.covankessel.com
Most pages are in Dutch. Some are in English. The site has lots of pictures to give you an idea what the tour will be like.
http://www.covankessel.com
Most pages are in Dutch. Some are in English. The site has lots of pictures to give you an idea what the tour will be like.
