Bangkok to Phuket Road Cycling Tour
(BPMB) – Bangkok to Phuket Road Bike
The following is a basic checklist to help you with your packing. We recommend using the layering principle of clothing for varying climatic conditions. Good padded cycling shorts are essential.
Your Bike MUST be a road bike or standard cycle-touring bike fitted with a compact or triple chainset and a nine or ten speed cassette. It is vital that your bike is THOROUGHLY SERVICED and in perfect working condition before the trip.
PERSONAL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Feet
Road or touring cycling shoes
Torso
Base-layer - short sleeve cycling top (x 2)
Long sleeved cycling top (x 1)
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Lightweight windproof gillet
T-shirts
Long-sleeve, lightweight casual shirt
Hands
Regular biking gloves
Legs
Padded cycling shorts (lycra or baggies) (x 2)
Lightweight travel trousers
Casual shorts
Head
Eyewear - biking glasses
Cycling helmet - mandatory
KE Trek Bag Contents
Travel and après biking clothes
Training/leisure shoes for après biking
Wash bag and toiletries
Swimwear
Chamois Cream (e.g. Assos or Ozone)
Small padlock (to lock trek bag)
To be carried on the bike in your jersey pockets or in a small saddle bag. Note: If you don’t want to carry any of this, you can leave it in your day-pack in the support
vehicle – see below
Mobile/Cell phone (optional)
Mini-pump
Multi-tool
Puncture repair kit & tyre levers
Inner tube
Small camera
Sun cream
Other items affixed to your bike
1 or 2 waterbottles
To be carried in the support vehicle in your day-pack for
easy access
Lightweight waterproof top
Lightweight trousers and shirt to cover up when visiting villages or temples en route
Basic First Aid Kit. Including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters, insect repellent (75-100% DEET) and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).
PERSONAL TOOLS AND SPARES
Please note: If you are hiring a bike you do not need to bring spares – just a pump, repair kit and a couple of inner tubes.
You should bring the following with you as a minimum. Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs e.g. fixing a puncture, changing an inner tube. Naturally our bike guide will always be happy to assist with any repairs, but due to the often remote nature of our trips, being able to carry out a simple repair can save time and inconvenience waiting for assistance.
Tyres
You will need 700 x 25 Touring/Road Performance tyres suitable for mostly dry with occasional wet conditions.
Pump
Plastic tyre levers
1 rear brake cable
1 rear gear cable
Spare set of brake blocks (front and rear)
2 spare spokes for front and rear wheels
2 x inner tubes
Small liquid chain lube
Multi-tool with Allen keys
Puncture repair kit
A rag and brush for cleaning bike and drive train.
Any spares specific to your bike
KE tools and spares
On all of our trips we carry a track pump, toolkit and a basic range of spares for emergencies. If any other spare parts are needed our support vehicle will make a detour to the nearest bike shop, which can be found in some of the larger towns en route.
Energy Gels/Sports Drinks/Power Bars
Our back up vehicle will carry ample supplies of water, snacks and lunches but if you like a particular energy gel, sports drink or power bar we suggest you bring a selection of your preferred choice along.
BIKE HIRE
It is possible to hire bikes for this holiday. Our local agent has Trek 2.1C road bikes for hire in a range of sizes from 47cm to 62cm. They are good quality and well maintained bikes with Shimano 105 compact (50/34) cranksets, 10-speed cassettes (11/28), carbon forks and seatposts. Spare parts (tubes, tyre, chains etc.) are included in the price of the bike rental and will be available in the support vehicle along with a tool kit and track pump. The guide will also carry some spares and tools for fixing punctures etc..
Each bike comes with a single bottle cage and one of our local agent’s own water bottles that is yours to keep. If you want to bring a second bottle cage, we can fit it. The bikes are equipped with flat pedals and strap-style toe cages can be supplied if requested. If you prefer to use spd or clip-in pedals, you will need to bring these with you, along with your regular cycling shoes and cleats. Another item which you might choose to take with you on the holiday is your saddle. The hire bikes have standard saddles and anyone requiring more comfort, or a women-specific saddle, should consider taking their own. Helmets are also provided with the hire bikes, but you will probably prefer to take your own.
A hire bike can be reserved, subject to availability. See trip dossier for bike hire costs. You will make this payment directly to the local group leader when the bike is delivered to you at the hotel in Bangkok. The hire fee does not cover you if you lose the bike or damage it beyond 'fair wear and tear'. You will need to provide a photocopy of your passport information pages and your credit card details, as security against loss of or damage to the bike. If you want to hire a bike, please contact the KE office and we can reserve one on your behalf. We must stress that your hire contract will be with the local hire company and that KE cannot be held responsible for any issues arising from bike hire.
Please do not hesitate to call us for further advice about what to bring or any other aspect of this trip. We are more than happy to offer you the benefit of our experience. Further helpful information can also be found in the Your Bike, Baggage Allowances, Climate and Travelling with Your Bike sections of the detailed trip dossier.
