Bangkok to Pathum Thani: Traffic madness


Statistics for today
Distance 45.00 kms 27.96 miles
Ride time (hours) 3.20 -
Avg speed 14 kph -
Statistics for trip to date
Distance 53.10 kms 32.93 miles
Ride time (hours) 4.20 -
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Thursday, December 1st, 2016

I suspected it would be interesting trying to get out of Bangkok; I am not disappointed. It reminds me a lot of Mexican cities: tons of traffic, scooters and motorcycles everywhere (some of them riding along the shoulder in the wrong direction), dodgy sewer grates that would swallow a bicycle, lots of puncture-potential detritus on the shoulders, confusing road signs or lack thereof, etcetera...

After a liesurely breakfast at the hotel it's time to hit the road. I navigate the traffic to get past the airport, then I'm stuck hemmed in on both sides by freeways. I have to carry the bike up and over a pedestrian bridge to break free. I'm game for 40-odd kilometers of urban death-ride before calling it a day. I'm tired and feeling somewhat dehydrated from the heat. I get a hotel in Pathum Thani next to a river. For just 20 dollars it's a really nice room with AC, fridge, TV, WiFi, the works. Even cheaper than Mexico!

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Not far from the hotel. Pictures of the king everywhere.
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Cross the highway on a pedestrian bridge. Some grunt work to the get the bike up here.
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Lots of canals.
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Cut off at the pass.
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Little green bug.
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River near my hotel.
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She's got the idea.

Dinner of pork chops, soup, salad, and a Nutella crepe at a street stand for dessert. Not very Thai! I'm the only gringo for miles in this town, however. I'm getting lots of looks.