Chiang Mai Cycling Guide
Here’s a quick and easy guide to cycling around this city and why you should consider going. Here’s my Northern Italy Guide.
Where???
Chiang Mai is a relatively large city in the mountainous region of Northern Thailand. It’s relatively close to Doi Inthanon, one of the world’s toughest climbs and the highest peak in Thailand.
Why There?
It is one of the secret top cycling winter destinations in the world. Warm when other places are cold, huge cycling community, huge coffee culture, cheap prices for everything, friendly people, safe, access to high level cycling support/infrastructure, cheap sports massage and lots of things to do night and day when you are off the bike.
When to Go?
October to February. You must leave before burning season in late feb/march where the air quality might be intolerable.
Before you Go:
- Most locals do not speak English but you can still be fine with few words.
- Almost every transaction is cash only.
- Don’t drink the tap water
- Install the Grab app. ( replaces Uber/Taxi )
- Get the Map for your Garmin: https://garmin.bbbike.org/
- Disc brakes heavily recommended for descents that often hit over 15%
- You cannot bike down Doi Inthanon anymore, you will need to hitch or book a ride to get back to the gate.
- 1:1 or better gear ratio recommended
Costs
This is where Thailand famously shines. If you’re the type who has more time than money, then Chiang Mai is unbeatable worldwide as a cycling destination in my opinion.
Scooter rides basically free
Riding Conditions
The road quality is generally pristine with many of the more important / scenic roads newly paved. Flat-inducing cracks and potholes are quite rare.
It might be best to pick a place to stay on the outskirts of Chiang Mai if you are there primarily for cycling as otherwise you will have to ride through 10+km of dense traffic to get to your ride. That is the one downside of Chiang Mai but miles better than comparably sized cities elsewhere.
Scooters create a lot of “organized chaos” but generally they travel slow and safely enough to not cause issues.
Cycling Amenities
Chiang Mai is very safe to walk around at all times and you can leave your bike mostly unattended in most places and nobody will run off with it.
There is a large community of cyclists, including some pros, who train, race, ride and bike-pack year-round. You will find all the modern equipment and expertise that you need as well as options for top-end bike rentals and fully supported tours.
There is a vibrant coffee culture and endless high end cafe stops seemingly in the middle of nowhere. If massages are your thing the you can get one every day which is a luxury that is impossible to afford anywhere else in the world.
The City
The city itself is one of the main reasons to come here. There’s a slew of touristy activities ( elephant camps, cooking class, muay thai fights, zoo, aquarium, waterfalls, world class caves, ladyboys lol ) but also anything a typical modern 1 million people city would have. There seems to always be something going on in the city from concerts to night markets and even random beauty pageants.
HIGHLIGHTS
Helpful Links
Chiangmai Cycling Buddy - Book epic fully supported multi or single day tours. Everything taken care of, even bike rental if you need it.
Bike King Service - Great shop to get your bike repaired / serviced
Vanilla Residence - Cycling hotel with monthly rental available, bike rentals and bike repair/cleaning station
Cross Vibe Chiang Mai - ( cycling friendly hotel where many rides depart. Breakfast buffet is awesome.
55CyclingClub - Organiser of group rides that anyone can join
Grab App - For all transit/taxi needs around Thailand and other Asian countries.
BBBike - Create and download free maps for anywhere in the world to install on your Garmin units
Rides
Easy (for me): Sticky Waterfall - Phachor Canyon - Lampung Dam
Intermediate (for me): Doi Pui - Hmong View Climb - Samoeng Loop - 4 Buddah
Steep (lol): Doi Inthanon ( Race Side) - Doi Inthanon ( Steep Side ) - Microwave Climb - Kew Fin - Thep Sadet