May 25, 2017
ASEAN Community Wat Tha Sung (Wat Chantharam), Uthai Thani, Thailand
seen from Germany
seen from Italy
seen from Singapore
seen from Türkiye
seen from China
seen from Singapore
seen from Japan
seen from China
seen from Türkiye
seen from Türkiye
seen from Germany
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Iraq
seen from China
seen from Japan
seen from United States
ASEAN Community Wat Tha Sung (Wat Chantharam), Uthai Thani, Thailand
Uthai Thani king of Sang Kraeng
First race since my semi- retirement (from work) and its burning hot. The temperature hit 39 degrees on my way to the race & the app says it feels like 43. Seems like the definition of insanity to be starting at 4:30 in the afternoon in such heat. The rationale is that we’re finishing on the Sang Kraeng climb up to Uthai Thani temple snd the lookout is allegedly spectacular at sunset.
Retirement has been good. I’m training more and hitting some PB numbers that I haven’t seen in years. My booming confidence took a dent on Thursday when the youngsters dropped me on the local petrol station smash fest.
Got a lift out to Uthai Thani & the flags are really blowing in the strong wind. Arrived to find the stadium empty which made me think it was going to be an easy race. Around 35 riders eventually turned up including all the strong Nakhon Sawan boys.
We started with 5km down a fast straight road & it was immediately obvious that around 10 of us were up for a hard race. I pushed on the small uphill rise to try reduce the hangers on before we turned into the smaller roads but they clung on.
Into the skinny roads and the attacks started. Usually just 1-2 guys and rarely getting more than 50m in the wind. But it required constant attention to make sure none of the riders bridged into something dangerous. I stayed in the top 3 places throughout & did too much work.
At Km 20, we hit the bendy road which was a bit dodgy with sand and holes. I got involved in a break and we managed to lose maybe 10 riders. After the break got caught, Dennis H appeared on the front of the bunch on his TT bike & pulled the group for a few fast KM. As far as I know, he was just there for fun but it was a bit weird!
One of the NS boys got off the front & no-one seemed keen to chase so I bridged over to him. He looked fucked so I pushed on myself. I quickly realised that the wind was too strong and there was no way I could make the 20km alone to the end. But no-one behind was closing the gap and i had a few hundred metres. I sat in zone 2 and cruised along trying not to expend too much. I was put there for 7km before the pack caught me. In retrospect, i wonder what would gave happened if I’d pushed it.
I got into another break about 5km later & this one gad real potential as all 3 of us were in different categories. The much reduced bunch caught us with about 10km to go. From then in there were 8 of us. Constant attacks that didn’t stick and every one looking fucked!
I had nothing left and almost got dropped on a few of the attacks. I took it up the hill into Uthai Thani in first snd was passed by most of the group over the summit.
8 of us cane onto the Sang Kraeng temple climb together. There was an attack by the Y1RS dude at the bottom and i had nothing and just let it go. I crawled up that climb but did pass 1 guy from my category. Id guess i was 5th overall.
Good fun race but crazy hot. My Zwift numbers look great but real world performance is not aligned. Either the local kids are super strong or my power meter is off.
150 bhat for a great day out with a few drinks thrown in. 38.5 average to the climbs & then 37 for the whole race.
Its my 20th Wedding Anniversary so I immediately left and headed home for dinner. Received a frosty reception…evening races on a major family occasion are a risk 😃
Uthai Thani Together4 Race
The thai dogs start their work early. 4:45am and they’re already up for a sprint.
Im also starting early and racing something more exciting than the street dogs. Its a race I never expected as am meant to be in Krabi Tour of friendship with the boys. Circumstances change. The wife was hospitalised expectedly and so I’m at home helping her recover.
Fortunately I found an alternate whilst Im here. A weird 4-man TTT type event over 100km out near Uthai Thani. From Google Translate, I think theres a solo category so I’m out here at 4:45am riding 46km on unknown roads to try find it. I spent 6 weeks building good ToF legs so don’t wanna waste them.
The ride in countryside with no street lights took longer than expected so I made it with about 15 mins to spare. $15 (400 bhat) entry and I was in. A refreshing registration process where I didn’t even give a name.
There was a briefing in Thai and then around 100 riders rolled out of the football stadium. We soft rolled for 2km including an NTU sized climb that I later found out was the finish.
It started full gas with a dude on the front pulling on his TT bike. Initially about 10 of us were involved and the fast pace continued for about 5km which finally reduced the group to 4. Roads were pretty flat and super smooth.
The course was out and back with a little loop at the midway point. We dropped another rider at 40km which left me with 2 strong lads from the same team. One guy was pulling for 5 mins in each turn whilst the other would only do 30s. I felt long turn dude was the strongest of the 2.
I was feeling the 45km ride to the start even before the midway point. Legs were tired and could feel a hint of cramp. I kept the hydration up from the motorbike, continuously poured water on the legs and ate all my food to fuel up. It kept me alive but not sparkling.
With 3km to go, i attacked whilst the strong turn dude had just got on the front as this had the other guy boxed in. I got about 50m and was extending only to see the NTU type hill pop up in front. I pushed up here and could see the short turn guy bridging over. Was fortunate to see the finish was on the KoM of the hill so I gassed it & had enough time for a proper hands in the air celebration.
150km day including the ride there.
39km average for the race. I was happy as it was no easy race and Id worked hard throughout.
They gave great food, a big trophy and a box of cakes. Amazing considering the cost of the event! Id definitely come back and support these races.
http://www.remawadee.com/uthai-thanee/HPT.html
http://www.remawadee.com/uthai-thanee/unseen-HupPaTat.html
Attractions in Uthai Thani
Including tourist attractions in Uthai Thani Province Uthai Thani Province Is a province located in the north of Thailand This city is full of food, lifestyle, culture, nature tourism and cultural tourism.
Uthai Thani Province Historic city And beautiful nature The Sakae Rang River is a river that nourishes Uthai Thani people. There are many attractions in the province to be enchanted.
Uthai Thani Province Still infused with the urban lifestyle, traditions that are still preserved as traditional Is a beautiful beauty that has to be touched in all directions of the province
Uthai Thani Province Is home to many ancient cities in the Dvaravati period Ayutthaya period, Uthai Thani city Is like a frontier city There are a lot of people migrating to settle in the Sakae Rang River.
Experience the city of Uthai Thani, a small town that is calm and simple. More at: https://www.lovethailand.org/travel/th/36-อุทัยธานี.html https://www.lovethailand.org/travel/en/36-Uthai-Thani.html
Transfers from Bangkok Don Mueang airport (DMK) to Uthai Thani https://www.airporttransfersthailand.com/en/Bangkok_Don_Muang_DMK_Airport-Transfers-Uthai_Thani.html
Transfers from Bangkok Don Mueang airport (DMK) to Uthai Thani https://www.airporttransfersthailand.com/en/Bangkok_Don_Muang_DMK_Airport-Transfers-Uthai_Thani.html