ISSUE OF THE WEEK

BIKING IN BANGKOK


Soundtrack: Bicycle Race - Queen


After sleepless nights of obsessively watching Supersized vs Superskinny, the Colour Box team aka me, myself and I decided to cycle to work this morning.
Now that may not be a strange notion in other cities but have you been to Bangkok??? No friendly bicycle lanes and hot as heck.


As I frantically prepare myself I suddenly realize I have no cycling appropriate clothes. So out come the cheapo leggings and a t-shirt. I also decided that since the morning rush was gonna get a full frontal view of my jiggly rear I layered on a pair of shorts... just to be safe.

It is now 0803 and I am kinda on time. I only have 7 km to go. Only.


My first impression was that I really liked the freedom that comes with cycling and not to mention a good wake up call.
As I leave my area and enter the main road that everybody seem to pass by, the pollution hits my face and lungs and the regret crept in a little.
I expected a lot more road bullying but everyone was respectful, even the buses!
As I reached a big long stretch of road full of trees everywhere, I could finally take in a full breath and wow it felt good.

I made it to work in exactly 25 minutes... quicker than driving!


Maybe this could be my new thing?

PREPARE YOURSELF


Check http://www.bbbike.org It is a great site for planning your route in Bangkok. I didn't use it cause I'm an idiot.
Unfortunately, this City of Angels has a dangerously high level of benzene; which is a chemical found in tobacco smoke and petrol. Over exposure to this can lead to anemia and cancer (ref. Pollution Control Department). 
Using bicycles more often may not be the absolute answer to cutting down pollution but it will certainly make a difference.
There are now on-going campaigns to make Bangkok more of a bike friendly town, let's hope that something comes out of it.

TIME


Rush hour time in Bangkok is... all the time! But more specifically from 7am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm.
It gets super hot obviously during mid-day and then just simply hot any other times.
Cycling during the winter is rather pleasant and that comes around once a year so better catch it quick! ~ December to January.


WHAT TO TAKE


Keep a bottle of water, that comes in handy. If your work place has a shower then lucky you! Otherwise keep baby wipes with you, the dust and toxic fumes is not kind on your face.
Of course most importantly ~ a helmet. SAFETY FIRST.


Good luck!


Colour Box