Thai Cycling - Sikhio to Nakhon Sawan

My new bicycle.

Another small adventure!  I am no longer working but still in Thailand, so free to do a bit of travelling, it is pretty hot at this time of year but nonetheless I should be able to do a little cycle tour, an eight day circle starting from my current home in Sikhio, Nakhon Ratchasima province.  I begin with a short ride north, just 40km or so to Dankhuntot, a nice little place with a very substantial lake - arriving there mid afternoon, I have time to walk around it.  What do do in the evening here - well, unsurprisingly a find a bar - not the first time I've been to one here, it is only a short drive from home after all.

Day two, still heading north, but a substantially longer route, some 90km to another little town, Nongbuarawe.  This makes for hard work, I fear I am out of condition, still the exercise will do me good I am sure.  I pass many lakes, one of them has an impressive temple complex with a truly huge elephant statue next to it.  I'm into my second province of the trip, Chaiyaphum - I have probably driven through it but this is my first time here as a tourist, it is pretty - less flat than much of Thailand.  Arriving, I check into a resort - basically a motel - and as will be the plan every day, wash my cycling clothes before heading to another bar - this time there is live music.

Temple with very large elephant.

An even longer day - 110km, and what is more there are mountains to ride through.  I am heading west, today I will cross the border between Chaiyaphum and Petchabun provinces, as is often the way the border follows a line of hills.  Well, it makes for scenic riding, there is even wildlife - monkeys of course.  Very hot work though, I consume massive amounts of water over the course of the day.  I manage to reach my destination, another small place called Bueng Sampan, the resort I have booked here is rather nice, even has a pool although I am to tired to think about swimming, or indeed moving much.  Fortunately the place is able to supply beer and food, although I do kind of wish the Belgian owner would put a shirt on.

A view over Chaiyaphum province.

Onwards, the days are just getting longer, this one is over 120km, somewhat flatter but still a long way, I don't have much time to pause, even to take photos - mostly when I stop I just guzzle water.  Yet another province today, Nakhon Sawan, and this time I am actually going to the provincial capital.  This of course is a place I have cycled to before, on my way from Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai in fact, I guess I have ridden around a fair bit of Thailand by now.  Nice to see the place again, and in fact I've booked into the same hotel as last time I was here.  Half way through this little trip now!

Photos to go with this post can be found here.