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[TRAVEL] 5 Reasons to Take Your Bike to Chiang Mai
[Join Kat as she tests out the new Omni Spring collection in Thailand]
Whilst everyone else in Perth was in the midst of Winter, I had the [very] selfless task of heading over to Thailand to shoot our new Omni Spring collection. Having travelled there a few times before, I can definitely recommend October & November as the best riding conditions.
1. Doi Suthep
[27kms, 660m]
If you climb only once in Chiang Mai, let it be Doi Suthep. Just minutes from the city, the road begins to rise, carrying you through 660 meters of elevation over 10 steady kilometers. The gradient holds consistent at 6–7%. It’s a climb with rhythm, a perfect balance of effort and flow, which is why it’s loved by both locals and travellers chasing altitude.
The final approach to the temple delivers a short kick, one last steep ramp but crest it, and the reward is a sweeping descent: smooth tarmac
curling through switchbacks, past waterfalls, and, if you’re as lucky as I was, wrapped in a veil of drifting fog that transform the mountain into something otherworldly.
Despite its scale, Doi Suthep is surprisingly kind. I reached the top in 47 minutes at a manageable normalised 200 watts, finding it more forgiving than gruelling. And if 670m isn't enough, the road continues to Bhubing Palace, where the road narrows, the forest deepens, and the mountain is at its most serene. 39 kilometers in all, and over a thousand meters gained.
Despite its scale, Doi Suthep is surprisingly kind. I reached the top in 47 minutes at a manageable normalised 200 watts, finding it more forgiving than gruelling. And if 670m isn't enough, the road continues to Bhubing Palace, where the road narrows, the forest deepens, and the mountain is at its most serene. 39 kilometers in all, and over a thousand meters gained.
2. 55 Cycle Club Bunchie
[90kms, 200m]
Every Saturday at 7:30 a.m., riders gather at the Shell Station by Royal Flora for what feels like Chiang Mai’s weekly pilgrimage: the Saturday 55 Ride. 90kms of fast, friendly bunch riding that draws close to a hundred cyclists to the start line.
The route runs out to Chom Thong and back, with a mid-ride stop to refuel. The opening 30 kilometers tick along at 35–40 km/h, intimidating on paper, but the flat terrain makes it surprisingly manageable and I was surprised to find myself cruising in zone 2/3.
Soon after, the ride splits. The fast group swings right and winds it up to a 55 km/h chop, while the rest settle into a steadier, coffee-pace return. Choose wisely: the chop is only for those confident in hard, disciplined bunch riding. Respect the regulars, and above all, stay safe.
I gave the fast group a try, lasting four minutes before blowing up, the 262 average watts not working out in my favour. Fortunately, I wasn’t the only one, and a small drop group of us rolled through solidly to the halfway stop. After a quick reset, the route simply reverses, with the final 15 kilometers turning into another full-gas showdown. My legs had nothing left, but I loved every second. Of all the rides I joined in Chiang Mai, the Saturday 55 was my favourite.
3. Ride to Elephant Cafe
[95kms, 445m]
Head to the café at Tawan Riverside Resort for a bite to eat and the chance to encounter elephants up close.
[Hot tip]
For travel, I rely on the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 road bike bag. Packing takes less than fifteen minutes: wheels off, tyres deflated, and the frame secured without the need for full disassembly. After multiple trips, I’ve yet to see a single scratch or issue.
Rolling out of the city, the route climbs gently through Mae Rim, where the morning light filters through rice fields and the first switchbacks begin. The Samoeng Loop is an immersion in waterfalls, gardens, and jungle climbs where you’ll find yourself lost in a mosaic of forested slopes, small villages, and quiet valleys.
The heart of the loop is the climb toward Samoeng itself, a steady ascent into cool mountain air, rewarded with wide vistas at the viewpoint above town. From there, the road ripples onward, all sharp hairpins and smooth tarmac, a playground for those who love to climb and descend.
Most airlines treat the bag as standard checked luggage, which means no surprise fees. I simply pack clothes around the bike. The only trick is weight, staying under the airline limit takes some careful packing. Heavy items go in the carry on, and the bike sails through without trouble.
Just be sure to check your airlines requirements for c02 canisters and electric pumps.
4. Mae Rim Samoeng Loop
[107kms, 2200m]
Chiang Mai’s signature circuit, the Samoeng Loop, is a rider’s rite of passage: a perfect century of twisting mountain roads, sweeping views, and a taste of Northern Thailand’s rhythm.
Rolling out of the city, the route climbs gently through Mae Rim, where the morning light filters through rice fields and the first switchbacks begin. The Samoeng Loop is an immersion in waterfalls, gardens, and jungle climbs where you’ll find yourself lost in a mosaic of forested slopes, small villages, and quiet valleys.
The heart of the loop is the climb toward Samoeng itself, a steady ascent into cool mountain air, rewarded with wide vistas at the viewpoint above town. From there, the road ripples onward, all sharp hairpins and smooth tarmac, a playground for those who love to climb and descend.
It’s not just about the riding. Stops reveal their own treasures; the cascades of Mae Sa Waterfall, the canopy walk of Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, a tiny café perched on a bend where the forest presses close.
Whether you chase it fast or linger at every viewpont, the Samoeng Loop captures the essence of riding in Chiang Mai: challenging, beautiful, and endlessly rewarding.
[Accomodation]
Tucked on a quiet street just outside Chiang Mai’s old city, Vanilla feels less like a hotel and more like a base camp for cyclists. Bikes line the racks in the courtyard, wheels gleam after a rinse at the DIY wash station, and the hum of an air compressor at the service bench is common.
Inside, it’s simple and comfortable with air-con rooms, washing machines ready for a week’s worth of kit, and strong Wi-Fi for uploading rides before breakfast.
For those travelling light, quality road bikes are available to hire.
Rates start around $50 AUD per night, with generous long-stay discounts that make it easy to settle in, spin out each day’s kilometres, and come home to a place that feels built for riders.
5. Flat Recovery Loop to FOH Cafe
[95kms, 63m]
When the legs are heavy and the body needs a softer ride, there’s the FOH recovery loop.
Cut through rice fields and villages with the mountains standing tall in the distance. On hard weeks it’s a reset; on easy weeks it’s a ritual. A reminder that sometimes the best rides are the ones that give you space to recover and refuel with some 10/10 avocado toast and a damn good coffee.
[Supplies]
I picked up some gels from Velocity bike shop for around 3AUD each.
If you've been thinking about a cycling trip to Chiang Mai, hopefully this has encouraged you to push the button or at least provided some useful information. I had the best time and could not recommend it enough.
If you would like any more information, feel free to reach out to me kat@societycycling.com and I'd be more than happy to help where I can!
Kat