Passionate cyclist and blogger Jack Thompson of Jackcyclesfar quit his office job in 2015 and decided instead to pursue his passion for ultra-long-distance cycling and adventures around the globe on two wheels.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand invited Jack to the Great Mekong Bike Ride to gather valuable feedback on this endurance cycling tour. He ended up spending 12 days cycling north and south along the Mekong River. Here are some highlights from his detailed blog post documenting his journey through Thailand.

After an incredible 12-day cycling tour through northern Thailand earlier this year, I couldn't help but say "yes" when the opportunity arose to return to this cycling mecca.

On my last trip, I spent another twelve days in Thailand. For the first five days, I participated in the official "Great Mekong Bike Ride" in the northeast, a race that attracts over 700 cyclists from all over the world. For the remaining seven days, I explored ancient sites, historical landmarks, and culturally rich landscapes north of Bangkok with my good friend and fellow tour guide, Sea Keong Loh, from Venture Wander Travel.

The Great Mekong Bike Tour

The Great Mekong Bike Ride, divided into three stages, starts in Nakhon Phanom and showcases the most beautiful parts of the region. Towns like Sakon Nakhon are aglow with festive cheer as the race passes through. I accompanied 15 Australians to this race, and we as a group agreed it was the best-organized event we had ever attended.

What I particularly love about competitive cycling and cycling adventures in general is the immersion in other cultures that you experience while cycling. The people you meet along the way, the enticing aromas of the local cuisine, and the vibrant atmosphere of the markets.

Broad grins greeted us at the start and finish of the race, and each rider received a food voucher after crossing the finish line, which they could use to choose something from the numerous food trucks offering local specialties, fresh fruit smoothies, and desserts. The camaraderie between the local and international riders was simply incredible.

After a short flight back to Bangkok, the second part of my journey began, and what a week lay ahead of me!

Ancient Wonders of Bangkok and Ayutthaya

I was picked up by my guides Tintin and Patipath (aircraft mechanics in the Thai army). We drove back to the army base in Bangkok and settled in for the night. The next morning, Tintin prepared two Thai-style omelets, and we soon set off on our first motorbike tour.

Our destination for the day was Ayutthaya, Thailand's ancient capital. Founded in 1350, the city is home to numerous ancient ruins. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by spectacular, colorful stone temples.

The journey itself was 80 km long. Although Bangkok was very busy, I felt incredibly safe. The drivers in Thailand are polite, quite unlike those in the Western world. There was a certain sense of urgency, but hardly any risks were taken. After 20–30 km, we had left the traffic chaos behind and were driving along a small river system towards our destination in Ayutthaya.

There, we visited the floating markets, sampled the famous delicacies, and then continued on to our accommodation, the "Busaba Ayutthaya Hostel." You can think of it as a five-star hotel in the Hamptons of New York: light wood, lots of greenery, and a view of the river. If you're in Bangkok and looking for something to do, I highly recommend Ayutthaya. The city is rich in history, and the temples and monuments are remarkably well-preserved.

Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai

We began our second day of cycling at a local velodrome before heading southwest towards our destination for the day, Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi is known among backpackers for the numerous sights in the surrounding area and is perhaps most famous for the bridge over the River Kwai – the starting point of the infamous Death Railway from World War II to Burma.

Our journey took us 100 km along mostly flat roads. It was lovely chatting with my guide, Patipath, as we drove through the rice paddies. In the afternoon, we explored the military cemetery, the first section of the Death Railway across the River Kwai, and the War Remnants Museum. There was so much information to process that I would love to visit Kanchanaburi again and take more time to truly understand the tragic events of World War II there.

The next day we explored Kanchanaburi by bicycle, covering 110 km through the lush green countryside. The highlight of the day was a visit to the Death Railway. Located high above the banks of the Mae Klong River, the railway line is an impressive feat of engineering, built long ago. The second part of the day, and our final destination, was the Erawan Falls, a spectacular natural wonder consisting of seven waterfalls of varying depths.

Mae Klong Railway Market

For those unfamiliar with this landmark: it's essentially a street market built on railway tracks. The unique aspect is that the tracks are still in use. Every time a train approaches, the vendors swiftly pack up their stalls to allow the train to pass. Once the train has gone by, they reassemble their wares on the tracks. After strolling through the markets, we headed south to Hua Hin, our destination for the last two nights of our trip.

Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a seaside resort on the Gulf of Thailand, 200 km south of Bangkok. It is one of Thailand's most popular holiday destinations, especially for residents of the capital, and is famous for its excellent mango sticky rice. Hua Hin is similar to Phuket, but far less crowded. Tourists will find a diverse range of activities here, including handicraft markets, traditional Thai massages, shopping malls, and gyms.

The landscape in this part of Thailand is breathtaking. It's completely different from the mountainous north of Thailand. The south is flatter, and the relaxed atmosphere by the sea reminded me of my home on the beach.

In my opinion, a mix of Chiang Rai and Hua Hin is ideal: mountains for climbing and a more tranquil coastal town for relaxing. Comparing my time in Chiang Rai with my time in Bangkok and the surrounding area, I can honestly say that both are equally wonderful.

Later this year, Jack will be offering a series of guided adventure tours to Northern Thailand, and in 2019 he is also planning a trip from Bangkok. Contact Jack for more information and read his full blog post here.