Mountain-biking in Saraburi
Famous for its waterfalls, Chet Khot Forest Park now also boasts of an off-road cycling trail
Over the past few years, I've written about Chet Khot-Pong Kon Sao Forest Park once or twice. It's one of my favourite hideaways. During a recent visit to this partly man-made woodland which serves as a buffer zone on the western edge of Khao Yai, I found something new that makes me love this place even more. And I can't help but share it with you.
First of all, let me tell you briefly why I like Chet Khot so much.
Located in Kaeng Khoi district of Saraburi province, this forest park is only 120 kilometres or so from Bangkok, very close. And it's easy to get to, too. You can either drive there via Saraburi or via Ban Na of Nakhon Nayok.
The place has a nice campground and inexpensive lodgings next to a small lake surrounded by wooded hills with walking trails that lead you to nearby waterfalls. However, to get to the largest and most beautiful fall in the area called Nam Tok Krok Edok, you need to drive a few kilometres before you reach the beginning of the trail.
Now here's the new addition: a mountain-bike course!
This new course, which starts from near the viewpoint and winds down the hillside to the log cabins near the campground, was the venue of knobbyonline.com's second downhill race of the year held just over a month ago.
It's not as steep as the course on Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai and it's not strewn with sharp rocks like at Khao Makha in Sa Kaew province. But this new trail does have a few technical sections, including a mild drop from a rocky outcrop onto a sharp, and off-cambered curve, plus a few points that allow you to fly off the ground if you approach them at sufficient speed. Wheeeee!
However, all in all, it's not a tough course. On the slopes here, you have full control of how fast your bike is going. If the speed provided by the force of gravity is not enough, you can easily boost it with your pedalling power. On the other hand, if you want to go easy, you can just stand on the pedals and let the bike roll down the beautiful trail. (For your information, some participants of the recent race managed to finish this 1.2 kilometre course in less than one minute and 20 seconds!)
It's true this bicycle course was designed initially for downhill racing. But since it's not so steep, it's good for cross-country mountain bikers who enjoy riding uphill as well. As a matter of fact, you don't even need a bike. During the pre-ride reconnaissance, I got a good rush of adrenalin just by running, and jumping, down some sections of the course. And when I slowed down to a strolling pace, I spotted several birds and squirrels going about in the bush on both sides of the trail.
Oh, I've got a couple more things to update other fans of Chet Khot who haven't been there for quite a while. Many of the old log cabins there are currently under repair so the new lodgings near the park's headquarters are now open for visitors. (The room rates, called ``donations'', range from 600 baht to 1,000 baht per room per night. For reservations, call 036-227-156.)
Also, remember the off-road track that leads to the point where you have to get out of your vehicle and start hiking to Krok Edok waterfall? Well, that's history. Now the road has been widened and paved. Trust me, you wouldn't recognise
Bangkok Post 2 June 2005 www.bangkokpost.com
