The Golden Triangle Challenge 2006
Five challenging cycling stages, riding 400 kms
from Chiang Mai to the Golden Triangle
Dates: Sunday 15th October - Saturday 21st October 2006
2006 Cycling Challenge Updates - Words from the organizers!
October 7, 2006
Dear Charity Challenge Cyclists and supporters,
Wow - it has come around pretty quick hasn't it? So far my training has consisted of riding to the office and back each day. I recommend buying shares in Vaseline because i think I am going to get through a lot over the course of our expedition!
I thought i might take this opportunity to just outline a few details and reminders to you all as before we know it, we'll be together and ready to leave.
Arrival Dates
Please could you mail me your arrival date and time to Chiang Mai Airport (code name CNX). If possible i will make sure that someone is available to meet you at the airport and escort you into town.
We will remit the flight list details and names to the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, so they have a shuttle available for each participants.
Please do send us your details.
For thoses who arrive early:
Sunday 15th October - I propose a group brunch at the Amari Rincome Hotel where for a little under 6 pounds there is a very good all you can eat buffet and the food is pretty yummy. We will then transfer to the Royal Lanna hotel in the night bazaar for the bike fitting session and stay the night here. (If time permits we can go to the walk in Sunday Market - a charming craft street market - perfect for birthday/Christmas presents). Sunday night there will be a group dinner and a briefing for the Monday schedule.
Fees - the logistics fee for the trip - 14,500 baht (207 UK pounds) will need to be paid on this day. For those of you who have not paid the registration fee and minimum donation fee to the UK, you will also need to pay 80% of this fee on the Sunday afternoon - 6,400 baht (92 UK pounds). The remaining 20% of these fees must be paid no later than 4 weeks after the trip - (23 UK pounds). The most economical way of doing this will be to bring UK sterling cash to Thailand and change it here - you will get better rates than changing your sterling at an Airport at home.
The cycling will be broken up into stages of manageable distances. We will have regular breaks where we will need to snack and rehydrate. This is of paramount importance as during the day the heat can be fierce. Many people have asked if the cycling will be hard. The best answer i can give is that Northern Thailand is hilly and there will be some off road sections but i think the hardest part of it all will be time in the saddle. Of course some riders will be quicker than others - personally, i want to go at a pace where i can absorb all of the surroundings and enjoy the conversation. There will be a lead vehicle which sets up the drinks/lunch stops and a van at the back of the pack. There will also be a truck transporting all of your luggage from place to place. We will have some spare bikes onboard as well as extra equipment and a mechanic.
Friday 20th October - we will have a dinner to celebrate the accomplishment, at the marvellous Imperial Golden Triangle Hotel.
Rooms - will be based on a twin share set up. i am sure some of us might want to mix this up each night to vary the conversation. If you want to have a single room by yourself, it will be possible but this will incur an extra supplement fee.
Saturday 21st October - will be a day to explore the Golden Triangle. A lot of the schedule after this depends on your departure dates. Please mail these to us also. It may be that some of us stay up at the Golden Triangle until the Sunday. If this is the case, we will need to organise the transport details accordingly but any extra nights at the Golden Triangle will need to be paid by you personally.
We will use 9 seaters vans, so it gives some flexibility for this return. We will have a van driving to Chiangmai earlier (departure at 11am, with lunch stop in Chiang-Rai).
Other vans will bring the people to visit Mae Sai and burmese border, with lunch in Mae Sai, and return to Chiang Mai (via Chiangrai) after lunch.
General info
Ride Clothing - we will provide you with two complimentary commemorative tour t-shirts. You may chose to ride in these or use them to advertise the challenge at night. The weather is changeable here at present with some very hot temps and some good down pours. It is very likely that we will get some rain during the ride courtesy of the hurricane fast approaching Vietnam! I recommend bringing a good lightweight shell jacket and two pairs of padded cycling shorts. Any 'dry fit' type tops will be good to cycle in as they draw the sweat away from your skin. Cotton will get heavy when laden with sweat/rain! Jacky's sells a range of specialist cycling clothing.
Evening Clothing - it will be a bit cooler up north so you may feel more comfortable with long sleeves and pants/jeans in the evening. This will also protect from mosquitoes. I will take a hoody just incase some of the hotels have the AC cranked up. You will not need anything smart and i recommend that you try to travel light with comfort.
Daypack/Camelpac/Bumbag - the choice is yours. You will certainly want to keep your valuables on you in person, particularly a camera to capture the great sights we will cycle through and you may want to keep some energy bars/re-hydration sachets on you also. The camelpacs are an excellent way of keeping hydrated as drinking from them is effortless. You can pick up real or fake hydration packs in Chiang Mai.
Innocculations/Malaria
I recommend that you consult your GP regarding jabs for Northern Thailand. I can guarantee that they will advise many and you will end up looking like a pin cushion. Certainly make sure that you are covered for the major illnesses and that your tetanus is up to date. Regarding malaria - none of the staff who work here take tablets and in reality we will not be delving into the deepest jungles. The alternative to taking tablets is to keep yourself well covered with a good mosquito spray. The decision is yours!
Please feel free to mail if you have any questions. I am sure there will be some and please remember to send me your arrival/departure times and dates.
Looking forward to seeing you all very soon.
Luke and Alex
Back to The Golden Triangle Challenge
