Ban Chom Bueng Thai Literary Botanical Garden of Ratchaburi may not be a familiar name. But if you like mountain biking, this is one place you should visit.
Better known than the botanical garden itself is the legendary Chom Bueng Sua Phu Khao, one of Thailand's oldest mountain bike competitions. Over recent years, the event's racetracks were laid in the botanical garden as well as the adjoining woodlands. But you don't need to wait for a racing event to ride these cross-country tracks. With permanent markings and direction signs, they can be ridden any time of year.
The botanical garden sits at the foot of Khao Prathap Chang, a limestone hill on the north side of Road 3087 that links Chom Bung and Ratchaburi downtown. But the XC trails also extend to the other side of the road to the woodland around Khao Bin, another limestone hill, which is home to Khao Bin Cave, one of the province's major tourist attractions.
Let's first take a look at the northern zone, the Khao Prathap Chang section. To reach the trailhead, you need to ride a kilometre or so on a fire road from the office of the botanical garden. The shaded single track will take you through a bamboo grove and a deciduous forest, which is lush green at this rainy time of year. The trail is not so technical but it's wise to pay attention to not just the path but also both sides of it, especially in the bamboo forest. King cobras are not uncommon in these areas, and this is the period they lay eggs.
However, don't be paranoid. Unlike street dogs, snakes won't attack you unprovoked. Just make sure you see them first and avoid getting too close too fast. Don't make yourself look like a threat.
The southern zone, which can be accessed via tunnels beneath Road 3087, feature similar vegetation. But the surfaces are more varied. Now it's not just dirt. You will also be riding through rock gardens and long stretches of thick sand that require some skill to clear. Luckily for me, there had been rain the previous night so the ankle-deep sand was packed and thus easier to ride. There are also mild climbs and a pump-track-like rolling section.
These trails are not exclusively for mountain bikers. Trail runners are welcome as well. On Saturday, June 16, there will be the running event Khao Prathap Chang Trail 2018 (bit.ly/2JtT1ya), while the following week there will be a mountain bike race, the KPCT Bike 2018 (bit.ly/2sA2Cda). In the latter, there will be a road bike competition on Saturday and a mountain bike race on Sunday.
Well, see you here again soon. Until then, if you have questions, news or biking insights you wish to share, please feel free to send an email to pongpetm@bangkokpost.co.th or go to Freewheel Bangkok community page on Facebook.
Pongpet Mekloy is the Bangkok Post's travel editor and a mountain bike freak.
Ban Chom Bueng Thai Literary Botanical Garden
GPS co-ordinates: 13°36'22.94" N 99°39'46.50" E
Trail condition: Single- and double tracks with varying surfaces and some mild climbs..
Distance: 34km.
Getting there: The botanical garden is located almost opposite the access road to the famous Khao Bin Cave.
Parking: There is plenty of space in the botanical garden.
Food & drinks: The closest shops are those at the parking lot of Khao Bin Cave. Bring some water, you will need it while you're in the woods.
What your family can enjoy while waiting: If they don't want to join you in the ride, they can visit the cave and the nearby Khao Prathap Chang Zoo.
Accommodation: The botanical garden has large houses for rent. Sometimes, mobile homes are also available. Many resorts can be found in Chom Bung and Suan Phung.
Local contact: Inform the botanical garden staff in advance if you plan to ride the trail. Call Wek Kaeomukda at 089-510-7066 or 081-007-1930.
