1. THAILAND BIKE RIDE November 2011 John de Pury

2. WHERE? WHAT? HOW? WHY? DESTINATION

6. CLIMATE Tropical winter The North MONEY Thai Baht GB£1:45TBT ATMs/CCs LANGUAGE Thai: Northern dialect English

7. COMMUNICATIONS Telephones: 90% coverage international roaming Local phones/Internet/Post FOOD Sophisticated cuisine Vegetarian options HEALTH General: Hygiene/Malaria Biking: Hydration/Fitness

8. WHERE? WHAT? HOW? WHY? ITINERARY

10. DAY 1 SATURDAY London to Bangkok  Evening flight London to Bangkok THAI AIRWAYS TG917 29 OCT LHR BKK 21.30 15.05 (next day) TG116 30 OCT BKK CNX 17.20 18.30

11. DAY 2 SUNDAY Bangkok to ChiangMai  Afternoon arrival and transit to ChiangMai  Dinner and briefing.  Overnight at the Amari Rincome.

12. DAY 3 MONDAY33km Lamphun to ChiangMai  Bike fitting.  Transfer [1hr] to Lamphun.  Lunch in Wat Haripunchai.  Bike the old Royal Road to ChiangMai.  Dinner at the Riverside.  Visit the Night Bazar.

15. DAY 4 TUESDAY 89 km Chiang Mai to Rim Doi  North along the MaePing valley  Lunch at the RimPing Resort.  Limestone hills.  ChiangDao Caves  Dinner and overnight at the RimDoi Resort

17. DAY 5 WEDNESDAY79km Rim Doi to Fang  Continuing north into rolling hills  8km Gold Buddha climb  Close to the Thai-Burmese border  Poppy cultivation replaced by fruit plantations.  Dinner and overnight in Tangerine Ville Hotel in Fang

19. DAY 6 THURSDAY42km Fang to ChiangRai  Morning cycling.  Longtail pirogues down the MaeKok.  Elephant village: optional jungle ride.  Arrive ChiangRai hotel by boat.  Dinner and overnight at RimKok Resort.

21. DAY 7 FRIDAY75km ChiangRai to the Golden Triangle  Early morning start to final day of cycling.  Rice paddy, rubber plantations and rolling hills  Lunch by the MaeKhong in ChiangSaen  Regroup at Golden Triangle to finish at hotel.  Celebratory meal in the hotel.  Overnight at the Imperial Golden Triangle

23. DAY 8 SATURDAY Golden Triangle  Free day.  Optional trip to Burma.  Party to celebrate the week Kantok Sala of the hotel.

25. DAY 9 SUNDAY Golden Triangle to ChiangRai to Bangkok  Free day.  Optional trip to Laos.  Transfer to ChiangRai for evening flight to Bangkok. THAI AIRWAYS TG141 06 NOV CEI BKK 20.25 21.45 TG910 07 NOV BKK LHR 01.10 07.15 (next day)

27. DAY 10 MONDAY Bangkok to London  Late night flight.  Early morning arrival in London.

29. WHERE? WHAT? HOW? WHY? LOGISTICS

30. TYPICAL DAY Breakfast at 6.30 Bags for transfer Depart at 7.30. Stop every 15-20km Lunch break 1-1½hrs Evening briefing for next day Sunrise 06.24 Sunset 18.28

31. SUPPORT Representative[s] Tandem teams Tour manager[s] Trip doctor Guides/Bike guides Mechanics Drivers

32. FOOD  Varied vegetarian diet.  Breakfast: cereal, bread, egg, fruit & local dishes.  Lunch: vegetarian rice/noodles or ‘packed lunch’  Dinner: buffet vegetarian with European options when available. WATER  Do not drink tap water.  Drinking water supplied on ride  Rehydration sachets

33. BIKES  Trek 24 speed MTBs  Front suspension  Hybrid tyres  Appropriate size bike  Saddle and/or gel cover.  1 water bottle holder: BYOB preferably with covered mouthpiece.  Toe clips and/or bar ends to hire at 100bt each.

34. TERRAIN  On road  Surface  Traffic  Varied terrain Flood plains Hills.

35. TRAINING  Fitness: any aerobic exercise such as running, rowing, spinning, swimming, cycling  Stamina and balance: cycle regularly and on consecutive days  The Norwood Cycle Club Monthly ride open to all. Weekly ride open to NCC members  Weekly spinning class at The Village health & fitness Elstree: open to participants in 2011 international rides.

36. WHERE? WHAT? HOW? WHY?