Time to try Thai

[Matt2matt2002]

Flying out to Bangkok tomorrow from Aberdeen Scotland via Amsterdam for 50+ days.
Faithful Raven Tour with me as usual.

Personal circumstances prevented me going earlier in the year so heading into the rainy season.
Research has revealed a few locations that could be drier than others so I'm open to changing plans.
Always good to be flexible, from experience.

Looking forward to the change of scenery, new culture and new diet.

I've used Crazy Guy on a bike for route planning and have started my own journal there.

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/TimetotryThai

I'll keep folks here up to date as well.

Best Matt

[Danneaux]

Best of luck on your tour, Matt. It sounds like a grand time and lots of Adventure ahead.

Best, Dan.

[in4]

Have fun. So looking forward to following your tour Matt. Keep your fluids up and enjoy the Thai experience. It’ll be a great tour.

[PH]

Sounds like a great adventure, have a wonderful time.

[Andre Jute]

I'll keep folks here up to date as well.

Looking forward to it. Enjoy your tour, Matt.

[John Saxby]

Great stuff, Matt. Look forward to your stories. Safari njema/safe journey, and enjoy! 

John

[Matt2matt2002]

 :Day 5 sees me 100+ km South of Bangkok.
My 2 days setting in went well and I could have got by with one.
But why rush? I have 50+ days here
City driving is intense but rules appear to be obeyed.
Landscape very flat so far. Haven't used the first 4 or 5 gears.
Heat, like the traffic, intense;30°+.
Tactics; 6am start and finish before noon.
Food fantastic.
Prices good coming from UK.

Raven running well. No issues despite bike box a little battered.on arrival.

Today's ride was alongside salt planes. Long straight roads. The head wind slowed me but helped since the temp hit 30°+.
Plenty of fluid intake.

Top Thai tip: small plastic bag of ice placed in bandana resting on the back of my neck.
Stayed in the roll until I pulled into the next cafe for a top-up.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/TimetotryThai

[Andre Jute]

Top Thai tip: small plastic bag of ice placed in bandana resting on the back of my neck.

Ha! All the nerves pass through your neck to your brain. It's the logical place to put a bag of ice to cool you down. Lovely idea.

[Matt2matt2002]

Top Thai tip: small plastic bag of ice placed in bandana resting on the back of my neck.

Ha! All the nerves pass through your neck to your brain. It's the logical place to put a bag of ice to cool you down. Lovely idea.

I must confess it wasn't my idea. After a snack break as I was about to ride off one of the customers asked me to stop, filled up the wee bag with ice
cubes, sealed it with a rubber band and handed it to me.
My first thought was what the heck am I going to do with this? And then I had the idea to 'carry' it in my bandana.
Worked a treat.

Btw
Does this link work? It's from Komoot.

https://www.komoot.com/tour/1118820023?ref=avs&share_token=akUQrdi30YLa1EtEVkU2CxihExmVeAvkYguY1NbnWILVJ72JKJ

Matt

[Andre Jute]

Does this link work? It's from Komoot.
https://www.komoot.com/tour/1118820023?ref=avs&share_token=akUQrdi30YLa1EtEVkU2CxihExmVeAvkYguY1NbnWILVJ72JKJ

Works a treat, Matt.

[navrig]

I'm following your Crazyguyonabike posts.  Hope you have a great and safe tour.  You're giving me ideas for the future.

[Matt2matt2002]

I'm following your Crazyguyonabike posts.  Hope you have a great and safe tour.  You're giving me ideas for the future.

Thanks. I must admit to being a bit overwhelmed with the writing up of this tour.
First I make notes on my phone as I go along, so I don't forget things.
Then I write the day up in my note book. ( Can't beat a hard copy ).
Then I write up Crazyguy.
Then I let folks at home/ Facebook know I'm still alive.
Then I sometimes let  folks here know how it's going.
Here's today's ride.
 https://www.komoot.com/tour/1130079372?ref=aau

Left the guesthouse at 0545 for a warm ride as the sun rose. My route took me through farm land and coconut oil plantations. It was very relaxing and beautiful. Not as flat as it has been but nothing strenuous. Lots of opportunities to stop for a snack/ ice cream or meal. Today's breakfast was rice and seafood.
Folks always interested in my origin and destination.
A favourite question is my age. Today, for the first time some guessed above my '69'.
Laughs all round when I told them I wasn't 75!
Maybe it's the beard?

Bike running very smoothly.
Costs are low for a UK tourist.
I'm spending £22/day including accommodation.
Some days it's £16.


Drivers very courteous but best to watch out for folks pulling out of side roads. I've yet to see an accident but the way folks ride overloaded motorbikes without crash helmets...

Pleased to answer any other questions.
I'm no expert but class myself as an adventurous amateur.

Cheers
Matt

[in4]

Enjoy the moments Matt. We vicarious followers can a wait for any shares. Don’t let the journaling get in the way of enjoyment and the making of great memories. Besides 69 is the new 49, as everyone knows!
PS looks can be deceiving, I’m told re Thailand 😉

[Matt2matt2002]

Enjoy the moments Matt. We vicarious followers can a wait for any shares. Don’t let the journaling get in the way of enjoyment and the making of great memories. Besides 69 is the new 49, as everyone knows!
PS looks can be deceiving, I’m told re Thailand 😉

Ha ha. I see what you did there, re looks.
Yes, the Thai ladies are lovely for sure.
A bit like a box of chocolates.
You're never sure which one contains nuts.😉

( Please remove post if unsuitable )
Matt

[Matt2matt2002]

Hi folks.
Entering the last third of my 50+ days here in Thailand.
By spending so much time here I feel I've got a little bit below the normal tourist surface.
Lovely friendly folks with excellent food.

Weather coming down the East peninsula towards Malaysia has been mostly dry but entering the wet season now so a few evening showers. Thunder and lightning occasionally but it all clears up remarkably quickly.

1,300+ km on the Speedo . A big day would be 117km,and a short day, 50 km.
Temperature has been 30°+ so I ride from dawn, 0600 to noon ish.
Mostly flat roads with wide cycle lanes.
Drivers generally good and courteous.

I'm in Songkhla today and heading West towards Trang tomorrow.
21 days before I fly home so still plenty of time to explore this wonderful country.

Cheers

Matt