Bangkok to Singapore Cycle 2013

Thursday, 31 January 2013

WELCOME TO MY BANGKOK TO SINGAPORE BLOG

Here is the blog of my ride from Bangkok to Singapore, in January 2013.

I have only added the maps so far, and will gradually add more photos, and text. Please see links to my other cycling blogs on the right hand side.

It took 14 days to do over 2,000 Kms and was meant to be a cycling challenge….it certainly was. Cycling 140-160 kilometres day after day, which none of us had done before.

We enjoyed amazing scenery, lovely food, hot weather, welcoming locals, and a great group of people, and of course so excellent cycling.

Starting with the finish….Mark, Philip, Sue and Me at the Merlion in Singapore

Ready to go again for another day

Cycling Food

With Janice and Mark

Flying the Malaysian flag

Night Stop at a beach village

2nd Breakfast

Jon, Sue and Me

Often there was a side lane for motorcycles and bicycles

Early starts rewarded with a nice cool temperature and lovely sunrise

The Crew: Adam, Yvonne, Sally and Crispin

DAY 1: 20/1/13 Pak Tho to Pran Buri 124 Kms

LEAVING BANGKOK and on the road…..

DAY 1:

First, an admission....we didn't actually cycle all the way from Bangkok to Singapore! Our esteemed organisers decided that it was too tough a challenge to start in the middle of Bangkok as the streets are mean, and we would spend all of the first day getting out of this large sprawling city. So we set off at 6am with us and all our bikes in the large support truck, and were dropped off at Pak Tho to start our cycle.

DAY 2: 21/2/13 Pak Nam Pran to Bang Saphan 155 Kms

Along the coast, close to Myanmar

DAY 3: 22/1/13 Bang Saphan to Sawi 158 Kms

On the main highway still….

DAY 4: 23/1/13 Sawi to Surit Thani 150 Kms

Final day on Thailand East Coast

DAY 5: 24/1/13 Surit Thani to Thung Song 149 Kms

Crossing over

DAY 6: 25/1/13 Thung Song to Kamphaeng 166 Kms

Longest Day…over to West Coast

DAY 7: 26/1/13 Kamphaeng (Thailand) to Kuala Perlis (Malaysia) 126 Kms

BORDER CROSSING DAY

Day 8: 27/1/13 Kuala Perlis to Alor Setar 47 Kms

SHORT 'REST' DAY

Day 9: 28/1/13 Alor Setar to Began Seri 150 Kms

WEST COAST PAST PENANG

Day 10: 29/1/13 Began Seri to Teluk Intan 167 Kms

WEST COAST PAST PANGKOR

Day 11: 30/1/13 Teluk Intan to Klang 143 Kms

TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF KUALA LUMPUR

Day 12: 31/1/13 Klang to Bukit Darat 160 Kms

TO A LOVELY BEACH VILLAGE

Day 13: 1/2/13 Bukit Darat to Batu Pahat 151 Kms

THROUGH BUSY MALACCA

Day 14: 2/2/13 Batu Pahat to Singapore 161 Kms

Final Day…..final 100 miles to the FINISH!

BtoS 2013

This was a cycling challenge organised by Kukri, and lead by the indefatigable Crispin Vitoria. We were fully supported, which meant we could cycle with no baggage, and had breakfasts (2) and drinks/snacks provided at the roadside. Crispin was ably assisted by Adam, the truck support driver, Sally Orange (Physio and First Aider), and Yvonne (Cook and general helper). It certainly was a challenge to cycle over 2000 kilometres in 14 days. It seemed quite daunting when I signed on, but it worked out fine in the end.

B to S Group

Fellow cyclists were (standing): Henry Richardson (from London), Janice Small (from Arran), Jerry Balloch (Dubai), Mark Beaumont (Scotland, Round the World Cyclist and Professional Adventurer), Josh Tetteh-Lartey (Dubai), Kevin Peel (London), Sue Bradley (Liverpool), Me, Brian Stewart (Hong Kong), Martin Wilson (Harlequins); and kneeling Hetty Sowerby (London), Tarica Winterton (Perth,Australia). Not pictured Phillip Morris (Kukri's MD), Sarah Jadesim (London). There were also 4 other cyclists who left us in Kuala Perlis, once they finally decided this was not the tour for them.