Cycling around Chiang Mai with Croching Tiger Cycling Tours through the eyes of Di and Bernie McGoldrick.

Bern & I have just done a fantastic 4 day bike ride around the Chiang Mai area of Northern Thailand and thought we'd let all the Bandidos back in chilly Melbourne know what great riding is to be had in this area. 

Chiang Dao in the clouds

We organised the ride (a 60th birthday present for Bern from the family) through Marcus Maguire (ex Melbourne - now International Bandido) and his Crouching Tiger Tour company and can't speak highly enough of the organistaion, support and best of all the choice of rides Marcus  mapped out for us.
As it was low season, Bern & I were the only riders with Marcus as our  personal guide and a well stocked a/c support van trailing behind.


Marcus specialiss in 'road bike tours' so has a small kitty of Trek bikes to hire. As we travelled straight from the boat, we hired ours from Marcus but apparently most customers bring their own bikes,which is a good option if you love your bike so much and want to take it on an exotic holiday!

Chiang Mai itself is a relatively flat city, situated in a valley bound by mountain ranges either side. So the choice of rides is vast. Most of the riding we did was out of town on well-sealed roads in surprisingly, excellent condition. As it was just the two of us the rides were customised to suit us but  involved a mixture of flat, undulating and a couple of challenging climbs. We averaged 100kms each day starting out at 7.30 each morning and with stops for cool drinks and fresh or dried fruit mid-morning and finishing by early afternoon for lunch. This was good timing, as by midday it really starts to warm up. And for hill climbers there is so much on offer around this area. Marcus is as fit as a mountain goat and keen on hills! The scenery is beautiful- green and lush with rice paddies in abundance and dense jungle growth through the mountains and eye-catching temples everywhere!

As it was a 'package tour' accommodation, all meals, transport etc was inclusive and of an excellent standard and well chosen. So for a cycling holiday doing what you love most in a warm climate check out www.crouchingtigertours.com

 P.S.I've just re-read what I've written and I know I sound like a tourist brochure, but the description is how it really is!!!

Many thanks to Di and Bernie McGoldrick for this account of their tour with us last month. Come again soon guys!

Have you “done” the Doi?

 Ever heard of Doi Inthanon? Well, you will have done on our blog as we love it there and so do our clients!! The “Doi” is Thailand’s highest mountain at 2565meters.  Nick named “Roof of Thailand” and for good reason as the views are amazing. 

Think you are up to the challenge of cycling this classic climb? Too tough for you? Would you like to wear this T-shirt?


Road cycling up Doi Inthanon has got to be one of the toughest road bike rides in this part of the world. With an ascent of 2260 meters in 48 kms and with gradients exceeding 23% in places, more than three times as long as and certainly competing with the famous French classic L'Alpe d’Huez. Set in the most spectacular mountain range in Northern Thailand and with top quality, wide sweeping roads, Doi Inthanon is fast becoming the most popular challenge for road cyclists in South East Asia. 


You have  heard of the “mythic” cols of France,  now take up the challenge and cycle the mammoth climbs in our Thai Highlands Tour and wear this T-shirt with pride. Available exclusively from Crouching Tiger Cycling Tours, it can be yours!

Gutsy Aussies Cycle up Doi Inthanon!

The Crouching Tiger Team has just returned after an amazing trip that we thought you would love to hear about. A group of Australian cyclists, living in Singapore, have just accomplished our Thai Highland Tour, usually taking 14 days, in just 4 days! Even our 14 day tour is challenging cycling for the super fit! Starting in Chiang Mai and taking in the most spectacular scenery through the highest and toughest mountains in Thailand, this road cycling tour traverses the famous Mae Hong Son loop. Culminating in the ascent of Thailand’s highest mountain Doi Inthanon, at 2565m over a climb of 47 kms, our clients take home some amazing memories, and two seriously tired legs!

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate our Aussie friends on their amazing accomplishment – a seemingly impossible goal when we were first asked to arrange their trip but well and truly achieved by one and all. This was certainly a cycling trip through Northern Thailand to be proud of.

Well done guys –  you rode Thailand's toughest mountain route and cycled up Doi Inthanon - We thoroughly enjoyed your company and stand astounded by your endurance and spirit.
Cycle Safe!



Interested in a custom-made group tour? 

Travelling with a group of friends can make for memorable, fun holidays. However organising a trip for a group can be a time-consuming and stressful undertaking. Let us take the problem of organisation away from you by designing a tailor-made trip of a lifetime where all you have to do is arrive at the airport, get on your bike and pedal!