Wheels of culture

Pedal pushers with an interest in culture would do well to get together with Wiroj Winijwejchakarn of Saraburi's Bike Health Club.

A tour through history

He's not just an avid cyclist but also an expert on local history and he regularly leads a bike caravan along a 27kilometre route from the busy city centre to the small town of Sao Hai.

Wiroj, who prefers to be called Ar Toi, gets to know the members of the caravan over breakfast at the TaiYuan Cultural Centre, owned and run by Songchai Wannakul.

After bowls of rice congee with pork, we ride to Wat Khao Kaeo Worawihan, a temple built during the reign of King Rama IV, to pay our respects to the holy relics and the miniature footprint of the Lord Buddha.

Nearby is Wat Ton Tarn, where we are surprised by the many beautiful Chiang Saenstyle images.

At the weaving centre, we watch housewives creating quality silk using traditional techniques before stopping briefly at the Sunday floating market for a spot for shopping.

Ar Toi leads us to Wat Phayao to marvel at an ancient Ayutthayastyle golden Buddha image and onwards to Wat Samuha Pradittharam, which is famous for its exquisite architecture and murals.

We stop briefly at the 100year Sao Hai market and admire the menu at Sor Panich, where a large plate of fried pork dumpling made to a secret recipe costs just Bt80.

Ignoring our grumbling stomachs, we ride to Wat Sao Hai to see the renowned racing boat, called Thep Norrasingha.

Sidetracked by fruit bats

The last part of our journey takes us along four kilometres of road lined by serene green fields and we are almost sorry to reach Wat Ngong Sida, a conservation area for bats, where we are greeted by more than 200 flying foxes - or fruit bats, as they are also known.

On the ride back, we stop to seal new friendships over somtam and spicy mincemeat salad at Larb Udon 2, and promise to do it all over again.

XTRA

Pedal power

>>The Bike for Health Club Sara Buri has more than 100 members. Their office is in Jakrayarn Saengaroon store in Sukumarn market. Call (081) 573 5022.

>> The TaiYuan Cultural Centre offers homestays programme for Bt100 per person/night .Call (036) 725 2244.

>> For the map, check it out on Google Map