An account of mountain biking in Chiang Mai, Thailand and biking in the mountains around Chiang Mai

Mountain biking Chiang Mai

We'd been out since six, by now we were far away from the city, more than 20kms in fact and so everything was quiet except for the clicking of gears on our mountain bikes and the occasional puff. I really love it out here in the jungle, the mountains of Northern Thailand are great for mountain biking. In Chiang Mai, it's lush and unspoilt, the villages we pass through are quaint and life seems so different at this early hour, all the locals are heading off to their fields in the cool morning breeze.

For mountain biking in Chiang Mai there are trails all over the place, that's why we love mountain biking here, always something new to discover, maybe a disused hunting trail or a steep mountain descent. About twice a week we get out, my mates and I, we're spoilt for choice really, and the sense of adventure makes us feel like we live in the country rather than a city. We love it, never get bored of the same old routes, and never have to worry about traffic or trespassing. When Mountain biking in Chiang Mai the views are always great, the trails are wicked and the atmosphere is really rural.

By 8am we were deep into some valley and we came upon a lychee plantation beside the road, so we stopped for a munch. The farmer soon appeared all cheery; "Help yourself," he said, "All you can eat," so we tucked in a enjoyed a friendly banter with him, sucking on the sweet fruit, gulping from our water bottles and spitting out the pips with carefree abandon.

On this particular morning we were heading down to Ob Kham national park, where we could cool off in the river before heading back. The route winds through rural farmland, groves of lychees, and some thick jungle. I think about my London friends at this hour, jumping on the tube with thousands of others, stale air, noise, grim faces, and I think how lucky we are here in Chiang Mai.

Andrew Purnell from the UK

To arrange mountain biking tours in Chiang Mai we recommend:

Mountain Biking Chiang Mai who offer a variety of day-trips downt he mountains and through the national parks, complete with full suspension bikes and safety gear.

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