Posts by Corentinlf
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Northern Thailand by bike: Bangkok to Chiang Mai route
Hi there,
You’ll find the KML files here—let me know if you need GPX files or can’t access them. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ubrb13op4pt9r8wbepriv/AHVFWzQ7vR9I5coXbIantqs?rlkey=fsms034e8e3cnbr7b2y16xad4&st=7wbp57so&dl=0
Or here are all the tracks, which you can edit and export as GPX if you have a Bikemap subscription. Just a heads-up—I don’t have any affiliation with Bikemap, but it’s super handy for creating routes. You can also use OpenCycleMap with a subscription. https://web.bikemap.net/c/256316
I’d recommend preparing your routes before you leave and sticking to them. Avoid the main roads. Thailand has tons of small, beautiful, and pleasant backroads, but improvising on the spot is tough because the alphabet is unreadable on maps and signs, there are so many intersections, and people will always direct you toward a main road instead of showing you the smaller paths.
The most interesting stretch is from Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai. But be warned—it’s steep, so you’ll want really low gears.
Have a great trip! Serge
Hey Serge, thanks a million for this goldmine! I can access the KML files, but if you happen to have the GPX files ready and it’s not too much trouble, that’d be awesome for my GPS device!
The backroads *are* so much nicer...
Can’t wait to tackle those mountains—it’s my favorite part!
Thanks again, Corentin
You’ll find the KML files here—let me know if you need GPX files or can’t access them. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ubrb13op4pt9r8wbepriv/AHVFWzQ7vR9I5coXbIantqs?rlkey=fsms034e8e3cnbr7b2y16xad4&st=7wbp57so&dl=0
Or here are all the tracks, which you can edit and export as GPX if you have a Bikemap subscription. Just a heads-up—I don’t have any affiliation with Bikemap, but it’s super handy for creating routes. You can also use OpenCycleMap with a subscription. https://web.bikemap.net/c/256316
I’d recommend preparing your routes before you leave and sticking to them. Avoid the main roads. Thailand has tons of small, beautiful, and pleasant backroads, but improvising on the spot is tough because the alphabet is unreadable on maps and signs, there are so many intersections, and people will always direct you toward a main road instead of showing you the smaller paths.
The most interesting stretch is from Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai. But be warned—it’s steep, so you’ll want really low gears.
Have a great trip! Serge
Hey Serge, thanks a million for this goldmine! I can access the KML files, but if you happen to have the GPX files ready and it’s not too much trouble, that’d be awesome for my GPS device!
The backroads *are* so much nicer...
Can’t wait to tackle those mountains—it’s my favorite part!
Thanks again, Corentin
Northern Thailand by bike: Bangkok to Chiang Mai route
Hello.
I have a fantastic route with GPS tracks and KML files for Google Earth that goes through Kanchanaburi, Tha BKradan, Ban Tin Tok, Ban Rai, Mae Wong, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Mae Sot, Tha Song Yang, Mae Sariang, Khun Yuam, Mae Hong Son, Ban Chan, Samoeng, and Chiang Mai.
And for the return trip, by bus to Sukhothai, then by bike back to Bangkok in three days.
There are few national roads, and lots of trails and small roads. However, this route is very demanding physically, and you need to travel light. It’s about 2,150 km with over 21,000 meters of elevation gain. It took me a month with a bike under 30 kg. The return from Chiang Mai can be done by bus or train, which shortens the distance quite a bit, but doesn’t reduce the elevation gain since it’s practically flat.
I posted photos here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sergeetsoa/Thailande2009
Biking through the Karen villages is just amazing. The people are welcoming and even kinder than the Thais (which is saying something), and it more than makes up for the effort it takes to get there.
If you want the KML files, send me your email via PM.
Serge
Hi Serge, It’s been a while since you did this, but I’d love to do more or less the same route! Do you still have those files? Thanks a lot! Corentin
I have a fantastic route with GPS tracks and KML files for Google Earth that goes through Kanchanaburi, Tha BKradan, Ban Tin Tok, Ban Rai, Mae Wong, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Mae Sot, Tha Song Yang, Mae Sariang, Khun Yuam, Mae Hong Son, Ban Chan, Samoeng, and Chiang Mai.
And for the return trip, by bus to Sukhothai, then by bike back to Bangkok in three days.
There are few national roads, and lots of trails and small roads. However, this route is very demanding physically, and you need to travel light. It’s about 2,150 km with over 21,000 meters of elevation gain. It took me a month with a bike under 30 kg. The return from Chiang Mai can be done by bus or train, which shortens the distance quite a bit, but doesn’t reduce the elevation gain since it’s practically flat.
I posted photos here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sergeetsoa/Thailande2009
Biking through the Karen villages is just amazing. The people are welcoming and even kinder than the Thais (which is saying something), and it more than makes up for the effort it takes to get there.
If you want the KML files, send me your email via PM.
Serge
Hi Serge, It’s been a while since you did this, but I’d love to do more or less the same route! Do you still have those files? Thanks a lot! Corentin
