Bike Tour in Bangkok, Thailand with LocalGuiding.com
In a previous post, I talked about my apprehension with taking a bike tour of Bangkok. Ii had to do with bicycle karma. (If you’re in the market to steal a bike kids, trust me – it’s not worth it.)
Turns out all my worry was all for nought. The bicycle trip with Follow Me Bike Tours from LocalGuiding.com was a stellar (and bicycle-karma-free) way to spend a day.
What is LocalGuiding.com?
LocalGuiding.com partners with local tour guides in popular and off-track places around the world. It’s sort of a one-stop shop if you want to book a tour that’s a little bit more unique than what you’d normally find in a guidebook. You’ll be working with local guides in the most foreign of places — and who would know the location better than a local.
So it’s through LocalGuiding.com that I found myself in the clubhouse of Follow Me Bike Tours at 8 AM on a random Thursday.
This was the Bangkok Jungle tour in the area known as Phra Pradeang. There were promises of back alleys, river crossings, and green jungle goodness. Well it delivered all of the above – in spades.
My tour consisted of three Dutch bike-enthusiasts, and Tob — our Thai guide for the day. After a welcome water and coffee (or tea if you prefer), we choose our bikes, and ensured they were adjusted correctly.
I was expecting something like this bike we saw on the tour, but instead was pleased to be greeted with a fine selection of Trek and Nordic bicycles to choose from. After Tob gave us details about the route we would be taking, we were on our way.
Bangkok streets can be chaotic as…well, Bangkok streets – but after 15 minutes or so, we were out of the mayhem and into the narrow alleys. Since we used mostly back roads and alleyways, main thoroughfare time was kept minimal.
I’ve spent quite some time in Bangkok over the past few months, but this tour showed me I still have a lot to see. Like this “railroad graveyard” that Tob pointed out.
I also had no idea that there was literally a jungle just across the Chao Phraya river with a maze of elevated pathways.
We were even given the opportunity to feed some koi in a park that was completely empty devoid of the chaos Bangkok is known. At one point we were the only ones there.
After our break it was back on the road for the boat back across the Chao Phraya river.
En route to the Follow Me Bike clubhouse, we stopped in for a quick visit at the M.R. Kukrit house.
Not knowing who that was, I’m glad they gave out a brochure as we entered. He was the 13th Prime Minister of Thailand, and while it’s not officially a museum (their brochure says, “We like to keep it like he still lives here”), it was a worthwhile stop. It gave a pretty good glimpse into a traditional Thai home. At least the a traditional upper-crust Thai home.
And while the buildings (there were 5, built without nails), and the gardens (they wrote the book on Zen) were spectacular, it was the creepily cool pet cemetery that caught my eye.
I gather Mr. Kukrit had a thing for animals, as he honoured each family pet with an ornate headstone to mark their final resting place.
Let’s have a moment of silence now shall we for the years of devout service rendered by the Unknown Mice.
It was a short ride back to the clubhouse, but not short enough that we couldn’t have some photo fun along the way.
We ended the tour with a filling lunch, and a free fish spa (more to come on that later!)
After lunch, we were invited to sign the guest book, which in this case, is a guest wall.
Would I do it again? Heck yes! I saw sights I never knew existed in Bangkok, I got a great BBQ lunch, a free fish spa, and probably most importantly, I got my bicycle-mojo back.
Take that karma.
Travel Tips:
- The tour is suitable for any able-bodied person.
- Water and snacks along the way are included.
- Safety helmets are available if you prefer.
- Wear a hat or cap and sensible shoes. Sunscreen is provided just in case you forget.
- Don’t worry about photos. Tob takes lots along the way, and the owner Ray will email them to you, and post on Follow Me Bike Tours Facebook page.
- Have fun. You’re going to see a side of Bangkok that most tourists don’t.
Note: This tour was provided compliments of LocalGuiding.com and Follow Me Bike Tours. The opinions expressed though are my own – I do solemnly swear. (That solemnly bit means I’m serious.)
This looks like a fun adventure! I remember seeing LocalGuiding advertised in one of the travel writing newsletters – makes me want to drop them a line.
You should! The folks there are great, and so far I’ve met two really awesome guides! They really know what’s going on in the area…
My initial reaction was “Biking in Bangkok?? Are you trying to die?”, but it actually looks like your tour was calm and peaceful. Cool cool.
Yeah that was my worry as well — but it was safe and a whole lot of fun. I also thought it would be too hot for biking in Bangkok, but actually the breeze you get makes you want to bike even more.
Fantastic, you will get to see so many places you probably wouldn’t have found by yourself!
The bike tour really showed me why I should use local guides more…
Tsk tsk tsk Raymond! Have I taught you NOTHING throughout our years? Bicycling in open toes?! You KNOW how that wreaks havoc on the pedicure!! You look wonderful and happy and all full of athleticism!! Next time you’re back on the Rock we’ll bike the trails in Mt Pearl and sit by the Waterford River and watch the Tim Hortons cups float by…. xo
…and step over broken bottles of Screech down by the Participark? Nothing would tickle my fancy more my dear. Nothing. xo
Very cool, Ray! Makes me want to book a ticket!!
Thanks Sheena! I’ll be back in Bangkok on Feb 5th — I will be more than happy to be YOUR local guide!
Oh, and what a fine guide you would be! As a matter of fact, my dear mom in en route to Chiang Mai as we speak. She’s going to be there for an entire month – MY little momma! I LOVE it. I have the coolest mom around!
God love your mother! I can hook her up with some bloggers living there if you like?
Why not? That would be great. Now, she’s not a computer user exactly…where she lives in MB only dial-up is available and as you can imagine (or maybe recall way back when) it’s painfully slow. After a while mom just gave up trying to email.
However, the friend she’s flying out with is bringing her iPad and seems a bit more computer savvy.
AWESOME! How cool are those tiny pathways through the jungle. Definitely keen to do that when we travel through Asia next year.
It’s a great way to spend a day for sure!
Sounds like great alternative way to see Bangkok.
Yes it was a lot of fun…especially those jungle pathways and back alleys…
What a great idea. You have shown me a different side of Bangkok that I never knew about either. Next time we go back, I’ll definitely book this tour. We did a cycling tour up in Chiang Rai and loved it and it never dawned on me to do one in Bangkok. Now I will. Cheers.
They offer a few tours of Bangkok — I liked this one though because it gets you away from the hustle and bustle…
That looks like so much fun!
It was a blast — even for this out-of-shape fella…
I am a big BK fan but have never done this tour. So different from how I know bangkok. However I did go on tours with localguiding before and I just love them. Really the true way to experience a location ( as above)
Keep on postin…
Yeah they have a lot of choice for sure. Glad you liked the post!
I always feel nervous when I am on a bike and not in a bike lane. I really enjoy cycling though and the tour looks awesome.
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The guide was very good with helping us navigate — it was only a few minutes of heavy traffic, then it was free and clear sailing from there…
You really go to so many interesting places with enthusiasm
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Thanks Eileen — I like to try it all at least once.
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