My wife a I moved to Nonthaburi three years ago. In July I started a new teaching job 16km away. As a way of saving money and saving the plant, in my own special way, I decided to cycle there. After scanning maps and doing test runs, I came up with this cycle. For me it shows the true extent of what rural roads and life can be like when Bangkok is the neighbouring province.
After leaving the estate’s security behind from where I live, I know had my local village in my sights. Even the cycle there was quite rural, with rice fields and deserted paddies, that had become overgrown as I cycled along the 5035 road.
The village would be one of my busiest areas to cycle through. Here the 5035 road ran into the 1026 road. The village itself always had stray dogs and people milling around, grabbing breakfast, doing an early shop, or just waiting for the local taxi service to turn up.
Once passed the village, the 1026 road twisted on its way for a short distance until it was running parallel with the Bang Yai Khlong (canal). From here I could look forward to a nice relaxing cycle for at least most of the journey that was left.
My cycle soon took me over the khlong and onto the 6005 road. This was a narrow road and a little too busy for its design. There was a small refreshment place, where Annie (my wife) had had drinks there before continuing on our final leg of any cycle escapade.
The road I cycled onto after turning left was called Soi Ban Nai di. The road in parts was very good, while in others the road was cracking up. Lorries often used this road, obviously stressing it up in the process. The road was actually quite nice in place with thickish vegetation separating the road from the paddy fields.
Obviously, in this part of the world, you’re never too far away from snakes, most of them are either pipe snakes, greywater snakes, or vine snakes. The road eventually runs parallel with the Kradon, again a small khlong. Just when you think you are heading into thick undergrowth you hit the Kamnam Somchit Alley.
This is a road that hugs the Prapa Maha Sawat. The Parpa Maha Sawat runs for about 34 km in a zig-zag shape. This road does have its breaks along the way. The road in question is again narrow, but due to it being straight in many places, it seems to encourage motorists to speed.
Here I simply cycled across the road and also across the Parpa Maha Sawat, which is nothing more than a khlong, wide than most.
This road is certainly interesting. Not too far away from the previous junction there is a haulage firm, and there were always remnants of mud on the road. What makes it more challenging is that there are a number of dogs there too.
This road had some rather big holes in it, so one has to be careful when cycling on it. The sight of the Siam City Cement company was a welcome sight.
This led me to the 1009 road, recognisable by the yellow and blur railing that seemed to follow the road for miles.
It was on this road that I bumper into three quiet energetic boys on one bike. I both managed to film them as well as to take photographs of them.
This was a good road for cycling on. I cycled along this road for 2.5km before turning left onto a minor road that had no name. This took me to another road where I turned right, where the large temple complex was. This for much of the way hugged part of the Bang Yai Khlong, which incidentally was chocked in parts by the water hyacinth.
From here it wasn’t too long before my school came into view. A cycle that normally takes around 45 minutes to cycle.
Below is my slide show followed by my video.
The school near where I work
Cycle In Thailand 