A nice bike ride can be the perfect escape away from the city and can be a new experience that is both fun and healthy. Traveling by bike is also a great alternative to your SUV, as it’s environmentally friendly and gives you the opportunity to observe beautiful natural scenery.

Get prepared

If you plan to take a serious trip outside of the city, you’ll want to train at least 30 minutes per day for at least two weeks to build up your stamina. You can ride in the park or even on a stationary bike at the gym. This will help you evaluate how far you realistically can go. Your arm strength also actually plays an important function when controlling the bicycle, so don’t neglect arm exercises in your training. A good night’s sleep, at least eight hours the night before your big ride, will also make a big difference.

Don’t force yourself to reach your set goal if your physical strength is simply not up to the task. And talk or consult with other cyclists about the route to get tips, and plan your trip as thoroughly as you can.

The routes

The beauty of cycling is that you can ride wherever you want, but here are some recommended routes.

If you are a beginner, riding around the city might be a challenge, but it’s also good training for longer rides. Koh Rattanakosin is a popular choice, as you can explore the historical, older parts of Bangkok and enjoy the fascinating palaces, temples, shrines and local shops.

For those who want to escape the busy rush of the city and go for a long ride to the countryside where you can enjoy a nice fresh breeze and observe sights along the way, a trip to Ayutthaya is ideal. If your legs can’t take the ride from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, but you’ve got it in your head that you want to bike around the ruins, historical temples, ancient palaces and cultural museums, just catch a train from Hualamphong station (Rama 4 Rd., 02-223-7010) to Ayutthaya. Tickets range from B15-315 and bikes are allowed on board.

Amphawa, in Samut Songkram, can also be a memorable and scenic trip. Ride along the greenery of Mae Klong River and the canals trickling off of it and discover Thailand’s smallest province. Visit tropical fruit orchards where you can taste nature’s sweet treats, fresh from the trees, or shop around the floating market. From Bangkok, if you don’t drive, you can take a train from Thonburi Train Station (Rod Fai Rd., Bangkok Noi) for B25.

Don Wai floating market, Nakhon Pathom, is another recommended destination, and there are delicious eateries all along the way. Start the ride from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Rama 7 Rd., Bangkruay), where you can park your car.

Long-haul trip

If you want to spend your weekend riding through nature, take advantage of the beauty of the national parks. This is a cheap, clean option for bikers, and the surroundings are lovely. To really feel and absorb the wild, you should camp for a night in the park. To reserve baan baan accommodations, contact Thai Forest Booking (02-196-2055/-7, www.thaiforestbooking.com). But if you want to get the true outdoor experience, ask for permission to camp from the National Park Office (61 Phaholyothin Rd., 02-562-0760) beforehand.

Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, Pitsanuloke. This is the real jungle. There are many great natural sights along the route, especially the Kang Sopha waterfall.

Kao Ito, Kao Yai National Park. Here you can ride through both forest and countryside. It’s only a 90-minute drive from Bangkok and you will be pumped full of adrenaline by the elixir of nature.

River Kwai, Kanchanaburi. Ride along the beautiful landscape of jungles and waterfalls where Kwai Noi meets Kwai Yai to form the Mae Klong River. Visit the historical bridge and railway museum as a nice break from your ride.

Bike with friends

If you are a new cyclist and don’t know how, when or where to start biking, there are companies, clubs and online communities that organize biking trips and tours. This provides a great opportunity to meet people to ride with.

The Thailand Cycling Club (849/53 Chulalongkorn 6, Bantadtong Rd., 02-612-5510, www.thaicycling.com) regularly sets up both health and travel biking trips for members through varied routes from the city to countryside. New bikers are welcome and will be offered advice and suggestions.

Spice Roads (14/1-B, Soi Promsi 2, Sukhumvit 39, 02-712-5305, www.spiceroads.com) has a list of biking tours where you don’t have to prepare at all—just bring yourself. You can choose to join a group or go on a private biking trip; experts will accompany you on the trip and will provide snacks and meals. For a one-day tour, the prices start
from B1,000 to B2,000, for long haul, the prices start from B6,200 to B10,200.

Bike and Travel (802/756 River Park, Lamlookka, Prathum Thani, 02-990-0274, www.cyclingthailand.com) offers biking tours for those who want to experience the wondrous side of the country. You choose whether to go for a private tour or join a regular tour programs, both accompanied by experts. A day tour costs at B1,700-2,700, or a long haul tour costs B4,000-7,000 a day.

Thailand Mountain Bike (www.thaimtb.com) is one of the biggest online biking communities, where bikers meet up to share their experiences and ride together.