Chiang Rai and cycling… (3)

Green, greener, greenest

Chiang Rai and cycling….. (3)

With a nod to the title of the beautiful book by the Colombian writer and Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Márquez 'Love in times of cholera', I could also have used 'Cycling in times of corona' as the headline. But that might give the impression that my cycling activities are affected by the corona event and that is precisely not the case (at least that's what I tell myself…..).

On Sunday evening, February 9, I landed in Chiang Rai (see www.thailandblog.nl/leven-thailand/back-to-chiang-rai/). Two days later I got back on the MTB for the first time in almost 10 weeks, for a short tour in the city (15 km) to kick the 74-year-old legs - between the ears everything is a lot younger - after that period of inactivity. Experience has taught me that during such a quiet period you mainly lose muscle strength, but that the endurance, the stamina, deteriorates to a much lesser extent. Just build up some distances again and then that muscle strength will come back. Two weeks later I made my first 100 km ride without any problems; so the condition was good.

Cycling along an irrigation canal south of Chiang Rai: a quiet road of more than 50 km long

As far as the virus is concerned, there was not much going on in Thailand at that time, but that has changed in the meantime: you know that and I do not have to devote too many words to it here.

One of the recommendations published here in the initial phase is that children under the age of five and the elderly over the age of seventy stay at home as much as possible. 'Staying at home': I don't want to think about it. I don't see myself – rightly or wrongly – as a weak, vulnerable older person who needs to be protected. I think that it is precisely this physical activity that positively influences my health and resistance. Coincidentally, I saw this confirmed in an article in the AD referring to a German study – www.ad.nl/auto/why-bicycles-extra-protection-against-corona-biedt – so the answer to the question 'cycling or not' was certain for me. In principle, cycling is also a solo activity for me, although I have already made a few long rides together with a like-minded Belgian cycling enthusiast who, due to the cancellation of his return flight, got stuck here and that was also very pleasant.

So cycling, corona or no corona. On average 3 x a week a long ride, with in between some trips in and around the city for groceries, etc

Usually I'm back around noon at the latest, by then it's also quite warm. Unfortunately, one of the measures taken is the closure of the swimming pool here, so the cooling dip that I always had in mind before is - temporarily, I hope - not in it………

The halfway reward I always envision….

Two days ago I was already on my bike at half past six in the morning. 22 degrees, fairly clean air for the time of year. Just outside the city, my Belgian bicycle buddy joined and together we rode to Phan, via a beautiful quiet road along an irrigation canal, past green fields with rice, corn, tobacco, through pieces of forest, you name it. In Phan, after 58 km, had a coffee and then a shorter - but more boring - way back, along Highway 1. Back at the base, the clock showed 106 km. You won't be surprised that I don't have much trouble with the recommendation to stay home for the rest of the day...

Yesterday the legs made it clear that they were not (yet) interested in cycling. Fortunately, my favorite coffee place is still open here, so I walked there and bought some groceries at the market on the way back. Stayed home well, not that there would be anything else to do in these harsh times......

Prepared the papers for the application of the visa support letter from the Embassy. Soon I will have to apply for the annual extension of the residence period again, hence.

Delivered to the post office this morning and now just waiting. Then got on the bike - yes, there it is again - to buy cheese. Took me a long time to find tasty and affordable cheese here in Chiang Rai. I have to cycle 9 km before I reach the store (the Deli in Ban Du, north of the city) but it is absolutely worth it. I was also right on time for the fresh, still warm bread, delicious. Oh well, and while I'm at it I'll take a 'detour' around the airport on the way back. There is a beautiful bike path behind it, which I had not been to this year. I was also curious whether the damage to the bridges – caused by cars driving on the cycle path – had already been repaired. I won't say anything more about it, I'll just add some pictures....

Dangerous? Mai pen rai!

Now, this afternoon, after lunch with nice fresh bread and good cheese, I'll stay home and use my newly acquired energy to type this piece. Writing gives me pleasure, hopefully the same applies to reading…