Bicycling in Hua Hin
Switching gears and exploring Hua Hin on two wheels with your own power. You will burn calories and get connected with the world around you. Cycling is a low impact aerobic activity which provides maximum cardiovascular benefits (you can’t see) with minimum strain on bones and joints, and also gives you a great set of toned legs (you can see) in swimsuit and shorts. Hua Hin has many clubs and groups that get together on bicycle trips. Here is what you need to get yourself rolling.
The Right Bicycle: If you are planning on using your bike to get in shape (as excursions around Hua Hin), it should be in good working order. If you already own a bike, take it to a bike shop for a tune-up. If you don’t have one or want to upgrade, your best all-purpose choice is a hybrid bicycle- a cross between road-bike styles and a mountain bike that is light weight but has sturdy frame. You will want 21 to 24 speeds for efficient pedaling and wheels that are rugged enough for back roads but not too sluggish on the asphalt. Hybrid bike, with their upright design, are naturally well suited to women’s bodies; women have proportionally longer legs and shorter torsos than men.
The Right Fit: Your bike, like your favorite jeans, should fit. To make sure it is the correct height for you, stand astride it and you should have two to four inches clearance above the cross bar, and that the ‘cockpit’, or the space between the seat and the handlebars is neither too close or too long. And don’t scrimp on the seat. It is well worth investing in a wide saddle or a seat specifically contoured for women’s comfort. Your bike shop can help you select a model that fits you correctly. There are a number of shops selling imported bicycles and accessories in Hua Hin.
The Right Stuff: Helmet should be worn level on your head, snug but not tight, with the straps fastened. Look for a U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission sticker (CPSC). A backpack or messenger bag is handy for short trips. Don’t forget to prepare for flats. Carry a framed mounted pump on bike, a patch kit, a spare inner tube, and tire-removal levers. Fit your bicycle with something that you can announce your presence to alert pedestrians and fellow cyclists such as a bell or a horn. Since Thai drivers tend to ignore bicycles, it is best to stay off busy streets like Petchkasem and Damrongraj.
Hua Hin terrain is suitable for every level of cycling skills. Nice and easy cycling paths are located out to the west end of Hua Hin. Venture to Hua Hin railway station, and toward the Royal Hua Hin golf course, and around Khao Hin Lek Fai. And for really a steep climb, go toward the south end of Hua Hin to Wat Khao Takiap for the great views of the bay and the city. Bicycling in Hua Hin is the ideal form of exercise; you get to sit down, burn calories, and go places all at once. What’s more, it is cheap, nonpolluting, and you are moving at your own pace, slowly enough to see the charm of Hua Hin town and countryside. When bicycle is your mode of transportation, life slows down enough to be truly savored. Seek out happy trails.