Pedal into the countryside
Published/Last edited or updated: 15th June, 2016
You can always rent a regular pushbike and explore on your own, but a tour could be worth it for the local insights and good-quality mountain bikes.
The first company to offer these sorts of tours was Cycling Sukhothai and it remains a good option. The most popular half- or full-day tours dip into the farmland via dirt lanes, with stops to learn about the local ways of life. Historical park tours and sunset tours are also available. A half-day countryside trip costs 750 baht per person while the full day tour goes for 950 baht.
Mainly offering private, full-day tours for around 1,000 baht per person, My Way Sukhothai Bicycle Tour offers a few different options combining some historical sites with country lanes and offbeat cultural sites, including a pottery workshop and rice whiskey distillery. English-speaking guide Ms Siri runs most of the tours and has an excellent reputation.
The company with the least original name, Sukhothai Bicycle Tour, offers similar day tours as the other two outfits along with private multi-day trips that go all the way up to Sawankhalok and Si Satchanalai. There’s a lot of room to customise a tour, with multi-day guided journeys starting at around 5,000 baht per person, including homestay accommodation in rural villages.
Tours with all three companies can be booked through virtually any guesthouse or hotel in Sukhothai, or you can stop by the offices on your own. All tours include good-quality mountain bikes, helmets, lunch and pick up / drop off at your accommodation. Kids are welcome.
Cycling Sukhothai 74/7 Moo 3 (just west of New Sukhothai off Jarod Vithithong Rd). T: (055) 612 519;(085) 083 1864 www.cycling-sukhothai.com
My Way Sukhothai Bicycle Tour 13/1 Pravet Nakhon Rd (office at Garden Huts), New Sukhothai T: (085) 751 2869 www.my-way-sukhothai-bicycle-tour.com
Sukhothai Bicycle Tour 34/1 Moo 2 (off Jarod Vithithong Rd between New Sukhothai and Old Sukhothai) T: (086) 931 6242;(089) 460 1603 www.sukhothaibicycletour.com
Reviewed by
David Luekens
David Luekens first came to Thailand in 2005 when Thai friends from his former home of Burlington, Vermont led him on a life-changing trip. Based in Thailand since 2011, he spends much of his time eating in Bangkok street markets and island hopping the Andaman Sea.
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