Biking Day 1: Little Village to Lamphun

Before you bike in Thailand, go visit a one-eyed Dutch man named Hans who runs a brothel called the Little Village in Hang Dong (just kidding, it's not a brothel. Oh, and I'm pretty sure that Hans has two eyes and likes to squint). Anyway, Hans knows every side street and back alley in northern Thailand and can plot you the most awesomest zaniest bike journey, zipping you around out-of-the-way temples and unseen natural wonders, while "probably" not getting you killed. He rented us three superior mountain bikes and plotted us an incredible five day tour. Thanks, Hans!

And just like that, we were on our way. "Leaf! Please keep your hands on the handlebars!"


Okay, before we get too far, here are some minor things to freak out about while biking in Thailand:

• Forgetting to stay on the right side of the road. . . which is the LEFT. . . right?
• Nasty 20% grade hills
• Zombie motorbikes coming at you from all directions.
• Crazy three-legged dogs

Anyway, as soon as we got on our bikes, all our anxiety about Thailand vanished. Cycling through the villages and countryside slowed the world down. It let us experience some of the day-to-day life of the people. It let us jump into the landscape.





Hey, get out of the road, little fellow.


Leaf discovers the perfect quick-energy snack in Thailand. . . Sticky rice. . . Yum!


And just down the road. . .the rice paddy it came from!


Our first meal on the road. . . noodle soup. So good!


All in all, it was an easy day. . . 43k and we reached Lamphum in no time. Leaf immediately went out and bartered for popcorn and ice cream.


Fan repair man in Lamphun. Can you find him?


Okay. . that's our first biking day. We checked the plan and saw we had a few more easy days before we end with some 80km rides. . . . No problem, right? Krap! I'll leave you with a white elephant. . .


NEXT DAY. . .