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Published on July 9, 2007

Most people start an exercise-based hobby because they enjoy playing the game, whatever it may be.

PTT ICT Solutions managing director Chaicharearn Atibaedya loves riding his bicycle, but before it became his hobby, he rode to overcome a health problem.

"I started to take bicycle riding seriously about five years ago. It is not only a hobby that I enjoy; I also ride to overcome a health problem and get away from the seriousness of my work. This is a hobby for my new life," Chaicharearn says with grin.

Chaicharearn is one of many large-company executives to have found a hobby in the saddle of a good bicycle. He also has a regular group of friends who ride four times a month, on the weekends.

"My group has 15 people from 12 different careers - a doctor, an executive soldier, dentists, a business executive and jobless people. Riding with my group is a good opportunity to share opinions between friends while enjoying the trip," he says.

To support his hobby, he uses information technology (IT). He has a global positioning system (GPS) to find destinations and a wristwatch that checks his heart rate and monitors speed, distance and personal performance.

Before each bicycle journey with his group, he studies the planned route, the distance and the road along the way by using the satellite imagery of the virtual-globe programme Google Earth, so that the group will not waste time taking wrong turns.

"I find a route or the way to go to a destination via Google Earth and send e-mails to everyone to set our riding schedule. I also use IT for the heart-rate monitor, and sometimes I also use my mobile computer to download information from GPS along the way, so that I have details of my personal trip when I stay someplace overnight. Moreover, I also take a digital camera to take photos along the way," Chaicharearn says.

He has found an interest in many places he has visited on his bicycle - for instance, in Ayutthaya province.

"One day, I was riding through a village in Ayutthaya, and I watched a father teaching his child to cast a fishing net in the river in the morning. I'll always remember that scene. It was a happy time for me; it made a real impression," he says.

He also points out the uglier side to riding a bicycle - being able to see things along the way in detail. Many times, he sees garbage where it shouldn't be, including high-tech cast-offs like batteries, television sets, computer monitors and radios along the roadside. It brings to his mind the greenhouse effect, which is believed to cause global warming, and pollution of the environment.

"I think it's time that all of us became concerned about a green environment. People should not throw their hi-tech garbage on the road. We should be aware of environmental damage," he says.

There is something else about riding a bicycle that is similar to conducting business. Riders must be prepared for any eventuality and, like good businessmen, must be able to solve urgent problems.

"When I ride with my bicycle group, I have equipment, tools and some food in my bag, so I can take care of myself and make decisions to solve urgent problems or help my friends on the way to our destination. If you want to reach your goal, you should prepare yourself," says Chaicharearn, adding that groups and teamwork are just as important on the road as they are in business.

He has ridden his bicycle over many routes in the past five years, including to Vietnam and Luang Prabang, Laos. He now plans to ride from Bangkok to southern Thailand.

"I would say my hobby allows me to enjoy life. It enables me to meet various friends and learn from different kinds of people from those I work with," he says.

He believes people should have three social circles with which to fulfil their lives: work, friends and family - as well as a good hobby.

Jirapan Boonnoon

The Nation