The Bike Bits

Als Bike

What a great place Thailand is for riding a bike and, we don't put our bikes away in the winter here!
Coming here and hiring a bike is easy to do and generally inexpensive unless you want to hire a Harley or a BMW.
Good background reading can be found via the links on the Al's links page (well where else would they be).
Probably number 1 for info and trip posts in this neck of the woods is Golden Triangle Rider AKA GT- Rider. You can click on the link to go directly there HERE.
The beauty of a site like GT - Rider is the sheer volume and quality of posts and content which, as it happens includes some of my rides and experiences.
My other favourite biking site, again primarily for Thailand, is the superb Captain Slash website.
You can link to that by clicking HERE. There is a section on Bike Events and I welcome input.
Further down the page you will find links to my ride reports should you fancy a gander. You will also find a couple of sections on what to expect on Thai roads and some real rules of the road.

The Bike Bits.

Bike Events and Festivals in and around Thailand

Coming soon

ChiangMai ToyRide

Image is link

ChiangMai ToyRide is an international bunch of riders (and non riders) who stage rides and events to aid children from the vicinity and surrounding areas. Their charitable work has benefited many. They get their own page on this site which can be accessed by clicking the photo to the left.

Riding & Driving on Thai Roads (AKA they did WHAT!!!)

Riding a bike or driving a car for that matter simply isn't the same as you will find in the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA. For everyone except for the British and Irish the first you have to get to grips with is driving on the left hand side but that is far from all. The Thai habit of taking the shortest route to your destination can easily confuse visitors and this is only one of a whole host of things you will see on Thai roads.
Here are just some of the practices you may come across, the golden rule; expect the unexpected.

Many motorcycle hire shops will allow you to hire a bike or scooter without any evidence that you have ridden before. A good way to add to Thailand's road statistics.
You will rarely be prevented from getting onto your bike loaded with alcohol and out of your skull. Another good way to add to Thailand's road statistics.
Many road users have no licence and or no training and rely on Buddha to get them home safely.
Never assume you have right of way especially if you are smaller than the other vehicle. This includes 1 way streets.
The bigger you are the better. Bigger means you can do anything, riding a bike means you are small and should therefore get out of the way.
Vehicles will and do come straight out from a side street onto a main (your) road with out looking or warning.
You may see one vehicle overtaking another vehicle overtaking another vehicle blocking the whole road, you are small, get out of the way.
Large vehicles can overtake anywhere including blind bends you are expected to get out of the way.
Tuk Tuk's and Taxi's will crawl along the road looking for a fare then turn suddenly into your path with no warning when they spot a punter.
A vehicle will overtake you only to anchor on and turn off the road right in front of you.
More to come.

Some of Thailand Driving Laws.

If you have read the section above you may wonder if there are any driving laws in Thailand. Well there are and as a visitor you may find yourself more subject to them that you may at first expect.

Ride Reports etc.

Day Rides around ChiangMai (CMDR)

There are a host of trips that you can do when you have a spare day or part day around ChiangMai. It is a great place to simply go for a ride on whatever, big bike, small bike, just enjoy the ride. I normally tag these CMDR.
Links below; (they are on GT-Rider)

Takes More than a Day from ChiangMai Rides (CM>DR)

Getting away from it is just one of the most enjoyable things known to man, alone or with a group. Here are some of mine.

Something to Add?