LIFE / TRAVEL - THAILAND

Mud-plugging in the rain

Published: 7/06/2012 at 08:03 AM

The recent Visakha Bucha Day reminded me of one special place: Buddhamonthon. Why? The religious park, one of the venues of the Kingdom's grandest Visakha Bucha celebrations, is home to a network of wooded singletracks.

I've always wanted to ride at this park, located in Nakhon Pathom just on the western edge of Bangkok. However, it wasn't until last Friday that I made it there.

Accompanied by three friends from the Muang Thong Cycling Club, I arrived at Buddhamonthon about 4.30pm. It was supposed to be a good time of day for biking but the dark heavy clouds quickly brought load of rain and strong winds that seemed capable of tearing off tree branches.

But those threats were not enough to stop us. We unanimously decided to continue with our plan, got the bikes ready and defiantly hit the dirt trail that wound beneath a swaying canopy of trees.

The terrain is pretty flat, as anyone would expect, but the ambience is nice and there are so many curves for you to hone your cornering skill.

And cornering on a trail soaked by rainwater, so much so that it became muddy and slippery, was kind of challenging. It was fun at first but after a while the mud gradually accumulated on my 2.1 tyre and before long the layer on my tyre grew so thick the clearance between the frame's chainstays was no longer enough. The rear wheel got stuck!

Worse than that, taking a good look at my seemingly swollen tyre, one of my riding buddies pointed out that it was also losing air.

Patching a punctured tyre covered in thick mud was no fun. But my friends were so kind to do it for me while I was busy answering text messages from the office. They found two holes in my rear inner tube, both were caused by small thorns that pierced through my thin "lightweight" tyre.

After refilling the tyre, we got back to the trail but soon I got stuck again because of the mud build-up. So we went to a nearby pond to wash the mud off and do our riding on the paved roads in the park instead.

Despite the snags, it was a joyful ride. The roads lead us to the park's famous colossal standing Buddha statue and other monuments. Along the way, we also ran into a monitor lizard and many red-wattled lapwing (kratae taewaed in Thai). One of the birds was fiercely guarding its eggs laid in a nest that was almost level with the ground, making loud cries and spreading out its wings to warn off intruding cyclists.

We didn't venture out to Aksa Road (also known as Utthayan Road), the east-west thoroughfare that connects the park's front entrance to the Phutthamonthon Sai Sam Road and a famous training ground for road cyclists. It was already dark by that time and due to the rain it was unlikely anybody would be riding that long stretch anyway.

At the spot where we parked our truck, there was a tap and a hose which allowed us to wash the bikes clean before we left the park. Our clothes were still moist but that didn't matter. Our thoughts were on something else.

It is true the rainy season has arrived. But even in this monsoon period, it doesn't rain every day. Sooner or later, we promised we'd come back. As for me, next time I'll come with my thickest tyres.

Well, see you here again next Thursday. Until then, if you have questions, news or biking insights you wish to share, please feel free to send an email to pongpetm@bangkokpost.co.th or go to "Freewheel Bangkok" community page on Facebook.

Pongpet Mekloy is the Bangkok Post's travel editor and a mountain bike freak.

Buddhamonthon

GPS info: N 13 47.009 E 100 19.057

Trail condition: Shady singletracks on relatively flat terrain.

Distance: There are a number of connected trails and the ride distance is totally up to you.

Getting there: The main entrance of Buddhamonthon opens to the T-junction where Aksa Road meets Phutthamonthon Sai Si Road. From Bangkok, the two roads can be reached either via Borom Ratchonnanee or Phetkasem highways.

Parking: There are a number of parking lots within the park. However, be warned that some of them in deeper areas may be closed after 5pm. If you plan to ride late in the evening and don't want to get locked in the park, leave your car at the parking area near the big Buddha.

Food & drinks: Bring your own and make sure you dispose of the rubbish in a proper place.

What your family can enjoy while waiting: Find a spot to meditate or just chill out in the park.

Accommodation: None.