Wed, May 23, 2012 14:48:39 PM
Bangkok Post
Wed, May 23, 2012 14:48:39 PM
Bangkok Post
You know that you're addicted to mountain biking when you see that it's the main activity for most of your holidays. And this weekend, there are so many exciting events bike-aholics can choose to attend. As for me, the Club11 Time Trial competition, which is taking place this Saturday, is now balancing precariously on top of the list.
It's been months since I last visited the singletrack bike park at Club11, which is located within the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen. I was there again the other day to check out the race track and found out that it is now even more fun to ride on!
As before, the trail zigzags through a wooded terrain, which is shaded from the strong sun at all times of the day. The dirt surface in many parts has become smoother and several corners are now banked to allow riders to better maintain their flow through the winding trail. A 100-or-so-metres long stretch of straight yet bumpy ride along the ridge of a steep-sided flood wall has been added. The total distance has been cut from 3.5km to 3km. In short, at this Saturday's event, the racers will get to ride only on the best parts of the trail!
All participants will have to take part in two rides, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Clocked time of your first ride decides which of the three groups of racers you will belong to in the afternoon run.
Those who finish the first ride in 13 minutes or more will compete with others with similar performance. Those who do it inside 12 minutes will race against other 12-minute folks, same for faster riders (11 minutes or less) who are put in a separate group.
The fastest of each group win, on the condition that their time remains within the designated time bracket. For example, if the fastest racer of the 12-minute category finished the afternoon ride at 11.59 minutes, he/she will automatically be moved to the 11-minute group. And the next fastest rider whose time does not exceed the 12-minute bracket will be the winner of the group.
But, of course, if you're confident of your fitness and skill levels, you can choose to race in the open category instead. That will allow you to compete against everybody.
Unlike mountain-biking competitions elsewhere, racers competing in the Club11 Time Trial are not divided by their age. However, riders from 36-year-old up receive a handicap of 2 seconds for each year beyond the 36 mark. For example, if you are 40 years old, at the end of the race, you'll have 10 seconds deducted from your actual time.
Fair enough, I think. After all, this is one of the few race events where people come for the joy of riding rather than for serious victory.
Registration starts from 6-8am. Bikes must be ready at the pit before 9am. And the first ride begins at 10am. For application and more details, call Kate on 089-452-3445.
Well, see you here again next Thursday. Until then, if you have questions, news or biking insights you wish to share, please feel free to send an email to pongpetm@bangkokpost.co.th or go to the "Freewheel Bangkok" community page on Facebook.
Pongpet Mekloy is the Bangkok Post's travel editor and a mountain bike freak.
Apart from the race at Club11, there are also other events you might find worthwhile for this coming weekend.
The Cycle-lizing Bangkok Fest
Also taking place this Saturday, but in late afternoon, from 3pm through 8pm, this event at Lumphini Park is a campaign to promote biking in the city through live music and screening of bike-themed short films. After all the shows are over, participants will join a group ride from the park to Yaowarat Road.
For more information, call 02-622-2250_2 or visit www.greenworld.or.th.
The Bike Hash
The Bike Hash is a big group of expat mountain-bikers who ride together once a month. And their February event falls on this weekend. This time the trail is in Khao Yoi, Phetchaburi, about an hour and a half drive from Bangkok. They ride on both Saturday and Sunday. The special thing about this weekend is that there will also be an experimental night ride on Saturday!
If you're interested, check out www.bangkokbikehash.org.
Long-distance trip for novices
Taking place this Saturday as well, this free programme is aimed at giving new cyclists the chance to experience long-distance riding. Participants will be guided by Uncle Tho and volunteer riders who had been on similar trips held previously. The Saturday ride will cover a distance of 100-120km, mostly onroad. Average speed will be about 22-25km.
There are two starting points you can choose from: the IT Square Lak Si at 7:15am sharp, and the Sao Roi Et chicken & rice shop near the Work Point company next to Prem Pracha canal at 7:30am.
For details, call 081-431-7677 or visit this link.
