See Si Racha as you’ve never seen it before
From the vantage point where I stood, the small city bathed in soft morning sunlight looked as if it’s nestled in the embrace of nature, flanked by the blue sea on one side and lush greenery on the other. I never knew Si Racha could be this beautiful. Previously every time I visited this coastal city of Chon Buri, a short drive north of Pattaya, it was either to meet somebody or to have a quick meal during a road trip to somewhere else. Si Racha is quite a busy place with lots of people and businesses. But this time, thanks to mountain biking, I got to see it from a different angle. It’s a view of the city that even most of its residents have never experienced. This peaceful sight is a privilege reserved only for hiking Boy Scouts and mountain bikers who make it to the ridge of Khao Chalak.
Located between Si Racha and Bang Phra reservoir, the town’s main source of freshwater fringed by a 20km paved route that local cyclists use as their regular training ground, Khao Chalak is home to a challenging single track that suits the taste of more adventurous riders. Yes, the lookout point which allowed me a bird’s-eye view of Si Racha is on this particular trail.
The dirt track starts from a military communication station on the hilltop. I went up there on a pickup truck, while the local riders who would show me the way chose to bike up as they normally do. From the back of the truck I watched my new friends with utmost respect as they sped their way up the steep road with relative ease.
They arrived at the trailhead not long after my truck. And in no time we set of onto the dirt track which wound through the bamboo grove and deciduous forest on the hillside. Most of the ride was downhill, with only a few parts that required a bit of climbing. The loose fine soil surface and the tight turns at certain spots reminded me of the legendary DH trail at Khao Phlong in Chai Nat. In some high-speed sections, it can be very dusty and it is wise to keep some distance between you and the rider in front, or else you would not be able to see your way and the waiting obstacles clearly.
The single track ends at a Chinese cemetery at the foot of the hill. From there you can go back to the top of Khao Chalak and enjoy another run down the forest track. And that was exactly what we did. This time, however, everybody hauled their bikes on the pickup truck.
Taught by the experience from the first run, on the second ride I put on my sunglasses which helped keep some of the dust kicked up by the knobby tires from getting into my eyes, but more importantly protect them from those numerous twigs dangling into the narrow trail from both sides. DH goggles would have been much better but on that day the glasses were all I had. With such protection, I was more confident. So our second run was faster and a lot more fun than the first.
Too bad we didn’t have time for more runs. After splitting up I went into Si Racha for lunch. Somehow, to me this time the town looked kind of nicer than before.
Well, see you here again next Thursday. Until then, if you have questions, news or biking insights you wish to share, please feel free to send an email to pongpetm@bangkokpost.co.th or go to
Freewheel Bangkok community page on Facebook.