Where to take your wheels

Two wheels great

Who says there aren't any good places around Bangkok to ride your bicycle? Two-wheeled enthusiast Noppadon Piriyakul acknowledges that the capital is no place for mountain bikes, but there are alternative spots in and around the city.

Serious cyclists drive to nearby provinces to ride on the weekends. Popular destinations within a few hours' drive include Ang Lue Nai in Chachoengsao and Khao Ito in Prachin Buri.

Noppadon and his friends established a cycling course last year on a hill at the Ruan Pae Fishing Park in Minburi.

Rangsinee Kedsom, a tour guide and cy¬clist who lives in Don Muang, finds the location perfect for her solo rides. She also enjoys riding in groups on weekend afternoons.

There are three courses depending on your abilities. The two fivekilometre routes run up and down hills - good for practising riding skills, says Asian Games gold medallist Pol Cpl Tawatchai Masae - with Route A the more difficult.

The scenic Route C is a six-kilometre dirt track for simpler rides.

The Panasonic course on Bangkok's Serithai Road, says Tawatchai, is particular¬ly good for burning energy.

Other options for cyclists include the Motorway Course on the outbound high¬way; the RamIndra Course in RamIndra Soi 17 and 19; the Onnuj 53 Dirt Course on Soi Onnuj; Nakorn Si Khuan Khan Park in Prapradaeng in Samut Prakan; Railway Park; Benjakitti Park; and Lumpini Park.

They suit a range of abilities, with some geared specifically to families and others to cyclists gearing up for competitions.

For more information, check out www.ThaiCycling.com and www.ThaiMTB.com.

Sirinya Wattanasukchai

Daily Xpress