Bikepacking Thailand: Sing Buri to Nakhon Sawan
Having not cycled more than 10 km in 3 years, it was a struggle getting out of bed after an 81 km ride yesterday. However, today I had a 116km cycle on the cards!
I started my day with a 7/11 visit, grabbing a sushi triangle and cappuccino that brought me back to life.
Today’s ride was beautiful and challenging. Smooth roads took me past lush, green rice fields, meandering rivers, and impressive temples.
As the day progressed, my weak legs gradually strengthened, but the pain in my ass only intensified. Constantly shifting on my saddle for comfort, I regretted not owning cycling shorts with gooch padding.
I constantly exchanged waves and ‘Sawasdee’ (hello in Thai) with many happy and friendly Thai people.
I Passed the first other Thai bikepacker I’d seen, another crazy man cycling in the midday heat, however heading in the opposite direction towards Bangkok.
The last 30 km were particularly tough and scary. I cycled on a high-speed motorway with no hard shoulder to ride in.
Lorries passed by dangerously close, and I had to keep an eye out for motorbikes coming head-on from the opposite direction. Wearing my high-vis jacket, I prayed for safety, pedalled on, and Nine hours after leaving Sing Buri, I entered Nakhon Sawan. I was relieved that I didn’t die 🙂
Resting my sore ass on a soft chair whilst admiring the beautiful view of the town with temples and a Buddha statue on the hills was euphoric.
I decided to rest the following day, without setting an alarm and enjoyed a blissful 12-hour sleep.
It was lovely to spend a day exploring this small town, stretching and eating numerous spicy and delicious Thai Dishes.
I have been cycling the last few days without cycling shorts (as I was extremely unprepared for this trip), but luckily I found a cycling shop where I bought a pair.
They also showed me that my handlebar fork and wheel (photo) had been facing the wrong way the whole time!
After this I visited the local gym as apart from my legs the rest of my body felt fresh. Then I hit the hay, resting for a huge 137 km ride to Phitsanulok.
Check out my previous blog post Bikepacking Thailand: Ayutthaya to Sing Buri and eventually Southeast Asia, or check out my next blog post to read about my journey cycling from Nakhon Sawan to Phitsanulok.
