One long line south.
A 2,100-kilometre solo bikepacking journey from Bangkok to Singapore, unsupported, over eleven days.
As direct as possible, one long line down the peninsula, from the madness of Bangkok to the bottom of the map.
After escaping the madness of Bangkok, the roads down the Thailand coast were a dream, five hundred kilometres of solitude before heading inland at Surat Thani. Quiet tarmac, gold temples, and the sea never far off to the right.
Plenty of beautiful beaches along the Thailand peninsula made for welcome rest stops, usually with a mango or coconut smoothie attached. Roll in, cool off, watch the boats, and push on.
One night I stayed in an awesome mud hut on a farm in remote southern Thailand, barefoot on the cool floor, bike leaned against the wall, the rain coming down outside. The route was littered with low-cost, good places to stay.
The route was littered with good, low-cost accommodation. I'd normally roll in around five, just before sunset, find a cheap room, eat at whatever market was nearby, sleep, and do it again. A simple, repeating rhythm that ate the kilometres.
Roll in around five, just before sunset, find a cheap room, eat, sleep, and do it again.
Crossing the Thailand–Malaysia border at a remote hill station was a significant milestone, and the high point of the trip, in both senses. The route was deliberately flat to keep the distance coverable in the time, so the one proper viewpoint, at 304 metres above the karst just south of the border, felt well earned.
A rest day in George Town was much needed after stage eight and twelve hundred kilometres, plenty of pastries, the heritage shophouses in the rain, and a proper chill before hitting the road south again.
Completing this first solo bike tour on time and without issue was hugely satisfying, over the Causeway, through the city, and down to the water at Marina Bay. It left me inspired for many more adventures to come.
Each stage is a separate Strava activity, browse forward there for the rest.
