Cycling UK Forum

I'm a long time resident in S.E Asia, but haven't done any real cycling here. I've become inspired... found the urge I guess! ha. I've toured in Europe, but am looking now, for a whole new experience. I'm planning to ride Bangkok to Singapore, via East Coast of Thailand, East Coast of Malaysia in June. I'm planning on 5 weeks, so that I'm not having to pull great big days too often. The ride would be unassisted, no sag wagons. It's nothing new, but I think it would be a wonderful challenge. I'm looking for a pal or two who would be keen to join up? I'm happy to ride alone, but... always nice to have someone along for the ride. Let me know if you're keen?

Ok... after reading a reply, I agree, it's a way way better idea to go the other way! Singapore - Bangkok... still sticking to the east coasts though. I'm still looking for companions if anyone is keen!

This is a good ride, but in June the SW Monsoon winds will be blowing. You may find it better to cycle the other way, ie Sing > Bkk.

http://www.windfinder.com/windstats/win ... changi.htm

That looks sensible! I didn't even think of that...Thanks!

Uust a suggestion, but north Thailand or Borneo offer much better cycling. The south of Thailand and north of Malaysia is quite flat and monotonous (but you can jump on and off the train). Central and Wester Malay peninsula are also more interesting (and could be incorporated into your route too).

Hey Miguel, thanks for your thoughts. I'm not a big fan of western Malaysia, the traffic is much denser and beaches are not so nice in my opinion. This will be my first real tour for over 20 years (a long break... but I've finally seen the light) so I'm happy to take a nice flat route at this stage. I would LOVE to do Burma and possibly Nth Thailand at some stage... I also thought about Laos & Cambodia as possible shorter trips during my breaks... maybe a week or so. I live in Singapore, so it's reasonably cost efficient to get to them (provided I can take the bike at little to no extra $$). I've only toured in Europe (and as I said, that was a long long time ago) so.. I reckon this will be a big challenge. I'm just starting now, to get working to be fit enough for the trip. I've bought a new bike, riding to work (only 20km a day - but more than I did before) and will start at the gym soon. I'm confidant that I'll make it! Once I've done this ride, I'll look much harder at the more... adventurous rides in the region

Bikes on AirAsia 700 baht (£15), 15 kgs luggage 350 baht. Pay when booking and then you know you won't have a problem. You may get free with Thai or Sing as part of your baggage allowance, but there is always a risk you may be denied and it can make check-in a bit fraught.

I agree that the west coast of Malaysia is a bit manic, however the west coast of Thai is better and more scenic. Go south from Bkk on east to Chumpon, then cross to west coast. You can go all the way to Satun, then small ferry to Mmalaysia. Problem is getting from there to east coast of Malaysia as there is big mtn range with little accom. Maybe a bus from Alor Setar.

Also, the west of Thai and Langkawi and Penang ar all good for touring or dayrides out of accom. Phuket to Penang would be a good shorter tour for another time - airports at either end (ferries from Satun > Langkawi> Penang).

Search for Mr Pumpy - he has a good description of the Bkk> Sing ride.

Hey, thanks so much for that! I will certainly take that on. I'm not keen to take major roads, would you advise a decent map? I know the roads are well signed in Malaysia, not so sure in Thailand (only ever been to BKK, Phuket & Samui)... so, my knowledge is limited if I'd need one or not.

Thanks

Plenty of maps available. Find one that suits. There is a Periplus of South Thai which is OK, although some strange inconsistencies between different scale maps on the sheet so a bit of care is needed. Roads well signed often in English and almost all are numbered (so non Thai speaker can easily follow), many roads have km posts with the road number. Often the main roads are OK fo cycling if you want to get a move on - good shoulder and little traffic. Small roads are obviously better, but much more time consuming to follow.

..Are you planning on riding through the 4 provinces of south east Thailand where there is a lot of civil unrest..ie..south east of Songkla..
I stared to ride to Singapore from Bangkok in October with 2 other riders..For various reasons I stopped at Satun and turned north to Trang..I have ridden on the east coast twice now and it is a wonderful ,wonderful ride..especially from Hua Hin to Chumpon ..and from Sichon to Songkla..
Worth noting you cannot take a bike on a train in Malaysia..You have to send it ahead of you by freight train and pick it up from the station you are travelling to..
Not always possible to take a bike on trains in Thailand..the sleeper trains are fine..and 3rd class trains also.. .but the so called Express trains have no room for bikes..
You can generally take a bike on local buses in Thailand..and on long distance coaches also...depends a lot on the coach driver..it helps a great deal if you give him a hundred baht..about £2 ..or more..

Thanks for that... yep, I'm guessing I'll go through the 'restive south' ha... I'm figuring that keeping a low, respectful profile will keep me as safe as possible. Of course, there is time before I ride for things to worsen or get better... so, I'll definitely be keeping a watch on events there. Thanks for the tips too... I'm really looking forward to it. Am off to Bangkok tomorrow for a conference actually, so will be interesting to hear what Thai's think of issues in the south currently.

I cycled some of the east coast recently. I ventured into Songkla, but mainly along the northern part. As mentioned I'd just be wary anything further south. Your travel insurance won't be valid for starters, so make sure nothing goes wrong. And keep in mind all your gear is probably worth quite (relative to what they earn), which makes you a target in an area of civil unrest.

I personally found it a bit boring on the east side. The west coast had far more character and islands for me to pop off and visit. It's especially interesting in the hilly areas going up towards Burma.

With regards to main roads, they are generally fine. I found I got most attention on them. A lot of female attention actually, girls wanting to chat while riding alongside on a moped. It made the journey quite interesting. I did dart off onto the smaller side roads. Again interesting and a nice break from the traffic. Quite a few dogs though. I found it worse than eastern Europe (Romania), in terms of number of incidents (12 in one day). Either accelerating away, or stopping and getting off. Then when I got annoyed by that I would rejoin the main road for a break. And so on. So my advice would be to mix it up.

Satun, Trang and up to Krabi I really enjoyed. And Ko Lanta was a nice island to cycle the length of. Up near Chumphon the coast is nice too. Cycling into Bangkok is pretty horrible. Even worse cycling to the airport. I won't be doing that again. Ended up on flyovers and all sorts.

Thanks for the advice! I've been chatting with a colleague who wants to make the trip. I'm a wee bit nervous about the South and like you say, there are multiple issues to consider. I'm married and have a daughter, thats reason enough to minimize risks. So, my latest thoughts are to do the east coast of Malaysia, cross to Penang, doodle around Penang and visit Langkawi... then fly up to Krabi... cycling from Krabi up to Phuket, follow the road north and then, closer to the Burmese border head east and up. I travel regularly to Bangkok, there is no way I'll ride there. So, at some stage (Pattaya???) I'll jump in a cab/bus/train and go straight to the airport to head home to Singapore. I think thats a safer route, plus will give me more time to meander and take in the beaches. I don't want to be head down, bum up the whole way. Dogs do concern me hahaha... Did you have a strategy? My friend suggested a taser lolololololol... I don't think thats a viable option. I would be interested in hearing peoples thoughts on the dog dodge...just ride hard?

Fly to Trang. From Trang Town to Krabi Town was one of my favourite parts. Stop in at Ko Lanta on the way. In fact I doubled back and did it again I liked it so much!

If you do go to Trang, book into Sri Trang Hotel. It's a little pricey relative to hostels, like £10 a night, but it's nice and right next to the night market (try to go to Trang on a Friday or Saturday).

Krabi has loads of options. Pak-Up Hostel is cycle friendly and only £4 a night for a modern, clean hostel. Handy location too. It's 14km from the airport.

Regarding dogs, as mentioned, it's mainly off the main roads. On Route 4 I didn't experience many, it was just off the main road that I did. Judge it as you go. Some I had passed enough and had strength in my legs to just out run them. Be prepared to go 35kmh though, some are fast and will go for 100m. Dismounting and putting the bike between you and them works well. Some just get you off guard, really makes you jump and gets the adrenalin going. After about 8 though I got sick of it. Dismount and walk works well though. None of the dogs seemed violent, they just enjoy the chase. Oh and in Romania, I found barking back would throw them a little as they're often just all bark and no bite.

Thanks! I will try that. I've got two weeks in April off and thinking that may be a really nice little warm-up for June... The only time I had problems with dogs while cycling was in France... at a park where I'd stopped for lunch, this German Shepherd came flying just as I got my feet into the toe clips... Of course, I was stuck in them and fully loaded, so I couldn't get going so quickly. The dog got hold of one of my feet and I was really worried about falling and the thing really going for me... I managed to get my other foot out and was kicking it through the frame... luckily, just as I was about to fall the owner came screaming and shouting at it. I was so stunned, I didn't say anything.. I think the owner felt pretty bad though... haha.. at the time, really frightening, looking back on it.. really funny!