Follow Mike on his 2024 journey cycling through Thailand on his self-made bamboo bicycle. Check back often for updates!
April 1, 2024 - Thai training wrap up
I may join a few low impact rides this week before my Thursday evening take-off from Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. Mainly, I want to recover and tie up loose ends here. Today is Monday, a rest day, and this will be the last message from Thailand .
Averaging about 300 km a week, a rough guess, for 90 days or 12 weeks, the total distance is 3600 km or 2236 miles. Average speeds increased from about 23 km/hr to 27 km/hr. This on some truly awful roads, hills everywhere and dangers common to this area: stray dogs, wild monkeys, cars and motorbikes driving on the wrong side of the road, killer storm grates, ad infinitum. If anything, I've certainly improved my danger averting reflexes here.
As for speeds on the flats (typical of Sussex county), I can probably maintain 34-38 km/hr quite comfortably, 40+ km/hr when I need to. This may or may not be good enough for the Lewes group or the Ocean Velo club but the gap is closing. I promise to behave myself on all Sussex Cycling club rides. For me, it's always been about camaraderie and having a beer with friends. Thanks to the wonderful friendships and mentorships with SCC, I've been able to make this journey happen. From a non-cyclist getting dropped on the Beer trail to a cyclist able to stick with some of the best cyclists in the world. My transformation took a mere 20 months. My biggest thanks go to Mark Snader, Bill Gorodetzer, Steve Smith and John Martinez. You may not know exactly how you influenced me but I learned much from all of you.
For the near future, I'm looking forward to riding again with the best club in the world, building my new road bike, designing the 2024 frames, and breaking more and more barriers. The best is yet to come.
Here in Thailand, I'll be saying "So long, until next time". I've made dozens of new friends from over a dozen countries. There is nothing like travel and living in strange places to widen one's experience and perspective. If you have the time and wherewithal, break out of your comfort zone and try something completely new and foreign. You may not like everything but you will learn important lessons in humility, tolerance and civility. Most importantly, you will learn to adapt and go with the flow. From my current viewpoint, 12,000 miles away from home, I see these qualities to be sorely lacking in my place of birth, at this time, in that charged and polarized atmosphere. Above all else, be civil.
Signing off from Thailand, the Land of Smiles,
Mike Schultz
March 31, 2024 - Last full week
This will be my last full week in SE Asia. I should have a chance to join a few rides next week but Thursday April 4 will be take-off time. Preparations have already been made. The car rental from Dulles to Lewes has been reserved for April 5 at 6pm. It's a long flight with stops in Seoul and Atlanta. One concern has been eliminated. The bicycle will stay in Thailand with one of my riding buddies. This means I'll be traveling light on the way home, no better way than to have only a carry on bag. It also means that initially I won't have a road bike when I return. I'll be using the mahogany gravel bike on my first few Sussex Cycling club rides. Once I recover from jetlag, the new road bike will be built. I'm hoping to put together a Campagnolo groupset on one of my road frames, specifically an Ekar 1 x 13. That should be interesting.
Monday Punthai group ride- Ride cancelled. Apparently, the core of this group took a bike packing trip to Saraburi and didn't let the rest of us know about it. They will get some major complaints from the few guys who waited at Punthai coffee in vain. I got notice 30 minutes before leaving my condo by sending a text message to the main guy, an American friend. I did my shopping, laundry and house cleaning instead.
Tuesday-PTT Pattaya group ride Small turnout with only me and three others, all younger and faster than me. I don't think they know I've got at least 20 years on them. They certainly showed me no mercy. I stayed right on their wheels for 50 km all the way to Phufa Coffee. The hill climbs to get to this mountain top location took a toll. Twenty minutes of rehydrating and we're back on the road at a faster pace. The open roads are mostly gently rolling hills in this area. They kept the pace at 38 km/hr and hardly slowed down anywhere except on the steepest hills. We arrived at the next stop in one group but I knew I was reaching my limit. At kilometer 78 and the Bamboo bar we got more drinks. On leaving, I nearly forgot to pay and had to stop to rummage in my rear pocket for 50 baht. They shot off leaving me 200 meters behind. To catch up I dug deep and caught them by holding my speed at 38 km/hr, on the drops and in the tightest aero position possible. Once we reached a road from where I could find my way home unaided, I dropped. This was at kilometer 90. The last 10 kilometers are mine and sometimes it's nice to have the road to yourself. They soon disappeared out of sight. Thank heavens!
Total distance 100 kilometers at 27 km/hr average. My best average yet in these parts.
Wednesday-Jomtien Cycling club group ride to Saint Andrews in Ban Chang This ride was set to be a recovery ride. Only two other people showed up, my British friend who will store my bike and the Thai Queen of Cycling. I refrain from naming anyone but she is the heart and soul of Jomtien Cycling club and a great guide to have along. She's quite strong but struggles on the hills. Who doesn't! A slow paced ride was mainly planned for my benefit. I was still stiff from riding with the speed fanatics on the previous day. All went well on this beautiful, cloudy day and we got some great photos of the scenery near St. Andrews school. Yes, all went well until the rain caught us. We ducked under an awning at a second hand clothing store and watched as the streets flooded. The rain came down so hard that conversation was impossible. For thirty minutes we waited for it to slacken but these tropical rains come in waves. There was a brief slackening and being impatient we left our shelter. Then the next wave came and there was no where to hide. Once you're totally wet, there's no sense of avoiding the rain. We continued on. Many of the streets were dangerously flooded and we had to alter our course. On some occasions the water was six inches deep and still we plowed on slow and steady. The streets were rivers now and I could feel the water holding me back as it came rushing down the slopes. We split up as we neared town and all made it back home safely. I was wet but exhilarated, a bit cold but relieved of the usual heat. The rain continued all morning until noon and then the sun broke out. My bike and kit were dry by evening. Distance-76 kilometers 20 km/hr average and a max speed of 68 or 42 mph.
Thursday-Punthai group to PCC Coffee Garden https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45983443
The usual group of Norwegians, Austrians, two Americans and one Singaporean left Punthai Coffee house promptly at 7:30. We were 8 cyclists, tired at the end of a week of heavy cycling. I anticipated a rational ride with no speed freaks in the group. As my departure date approaches, I'm getting increasingly cautious. Our Norwegian group leader steered us on a labyrinthine course through the back streets of Chonburi province. I have no idea how he finds his way. It must be that curious sound I constantly hear from his Garmin that guides him. One stop at kilometer 53, a coffee house and boutique resort called "For You and For Rest". To get to it, they climbed the steepest grade I've seen here. I walked to the top quite wisely. This place seemed to be set up for Thai newlyweds, small cozy bungalows each with a tub overlooking the valleys below.
As usual, the pace picked up on the way back, 32km/hr mostly with stretches of 40 km/hr where safe. Cyclists peeled off one by one as we approached home base. Perfect day for riding but the heat can be withering especially when waiting for a light to change. Distance 79 kilometers at 25 km/hr. Rational!
Friday-Jomtien Cycling Club to Lake Mabprachan. This is my last chance to reach my goals for this trip. Can I crest the big hill at 30 km/hr? Can I maintain 40 km/hr for 5 km on the home stretch? Other goals have already been reached. I've cycled with some of the fastest cyclists in the area, joining two new clubs. No, I'm not ready for the International group composed of old (35-45) retired European pros. That's for next year.
Friday, I joined the usual group, the core cyclists of Jomtien Cycling Club. I had second thoughts about attaining my cycling track goals. The night before, I took an old friend on a tour of my favorite bars on soi Buakhao and as a result I only had four hours of sleep. San Miguel lite saved me from any hangover. Nevertheless, I scored one out of two. The big hill didn't look so big. We accelerated up the hill twice. The first time cresting at 28.5 km/hr, the second time cresting at 30. At last, the hill training has paid off. The second goal remained elusive. I pulled ahead of the group but couldn't stretch the speed above 34 km/hr. Naturally, they stuck on my wheel drafting the whole way and tried to sprint past me on the last hill to the finish. I let them pass on my right, they slacked off, and I passed on their right. Another sneaky European trick I learned here. The 40+ km/hr barrier on the track remains for next year. Distance-60 kilometers
Saturday-No rides scheduled. I rode to town to shop for some new bar tape and a new rear light. The bar tape was fraying and my original rear light popped off and was lost. Repairs were made in the condo and the bike is looking good as new, ready for the road once more.
Sunday-Jomtien Cycle club, the last hills. I thought I had climbed every hill within an 80 mile radius but to my chagrin then horror two more remained. These hills completely wiped me out. First, I wasn't ready for them. I expected a normal scenic Sunday ride but since this club of sadists knew I was leaving soon, it was secretly decided by them to teach me a lesson in humility. A native flatlander will never become a great climber. The first hill seemed to never end. The grade wasn't especially severe but every time I thought the end was reached another upward segment loomed ahead. After finally cresting this hill, it seemed I would never recover and I never did. The second hill was even steeper and for the first time since riding here, I stopped at the base, took one minute to oxygenate and then began the slow ascent. Fortunately, this group doesn't drop anyone, the stronger climbers waited at the top. Some days, the force is not with you. I'm taking Monday off. Distance-73 kilometers at 25+ average
Week total-402 kilometers
1) View from St. Andrews in Ban Chang.
2) The heart and soul of Jomtien Cycling and group photographer.
3) Cycling with Punthai group.
4) View from Coffee house and Resort with Punthai friends.
