Hello Everyone,
Before I kick off this Ride Report, I need to figure out my route.
I'll be in Thailand in a couple of weeks, need a little bit of info on traveling there.
Background: I've traveled thru Vietnam and India before, the backroads going was s-l-o-w. 250km was a long day in Northern Vietnam.
From the videos I've seen, the roads in Thailand look to be in much better condition and speeds look to be much faster.
Question #1: Is Chiang Mai to Sukhothai doable in 5 to 6 hours of riding?
-- Sukhothai is 290km SSE of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai International Airport to Sukhothai Historical Park
-- Google says it's 4 hours away, is this realistic in Thailand?
-- I usually add 25-50% more time than what google estimates for exploring backroads and stops = 5 to 6 hours to go 300km.
Question #2: Are museums and temples and other tourist sights closed on Mondays in Thailand?
-- Google indicates that Sukhothai will be open, but Google has burnt me before...
Question #3: What's the petty theft situation in Thailand?
-- Do I need to rent a bike with hard panniers to keep my stuff from being stolen while the bike sits in a carpark?
---- OR ----
-- Will my drybag be right where I left it on the back of the bike when I come back from touring a temple 3 or 4 hours later?
Question #4: What bike do I rent?
-- I normally get whatever the locals are riding, but Thai roads seem pretty wide and fast compared to India and Vietnam.
-- Recommended bike for 5-6 hour days in the saddle?
-- Who has the best maintained fleet in Chiang Mai?
Thanks!
-Mitch
Before I kick off this Ride Report, I need to figure out my route.
I'll be in Thailand in a couple of weeks, need a little bit of info on traveling there.
Background: I've traveled thru Vietnam and India before, the backroads going was s-l-o-w. 250km was a long day in Northern Vietnam.
From the videos I've seen, the roads in Thailand look to be in much better condition and speeds look to be much faster.
Question #1: Is Chiang Mai to Sukhothai doable in 5 to 6 hours of riding?
-- Sukhothai is 290km SSE of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai International Airport to Sukhothai Historical Park
-- Google says it's 4 hours away, is this realistic in Thailand?
-- I usually add 25-50% more time than what google estimates for exploring backroads and stops = 5 to 6 hours to go 300km.
Question #2: Are museums and temples and other tourist sights closed on Mondays in Thailand?
-- Google indicates that Sukhothai will be open, but Google has burnt me before...
Question #3: What's the petty theft situation in Thailand?
-- Do I need to rent a bike with hard panniers to keep my stuff from being stolen while the bike sits in a carpark?
---- OR ----
-- Will my drybag be right where I left it on the back of the bike when I come back from touring a temple 3 or 4 hours later?
Question #4: What bike do I rent?
-- I normally get whatever the locals are riding, but Thai roads seem pretty wide and fast compared to India and Vietnam.
-- Recommended bike for 5-6 hour days in the saddle?
-- Who has the best maintained fleet in Chiang Mai?
Thanks!
-Mitch