The Great Mekong Bike Ride 2018

Enjoy magnificent Northeastern scenery, culture and, of course, food, and get fit into the bargain in the upcoming ‘Great Mekong Bike Ride 2018’ scheduled for May 17 to 20. The eco-friendly race, which is being organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand Tri-League, highlights provinces along the mighty Mekong River, putting Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Sakon Nakhon front and centre as leading sports tourism destinations in Thailand’s Northeastern region.

The Great Mekong Bike Ride 2018 features three categories including a three-day long-distance triple stage road race starting at 07.00 hrs.

Stage one is the ‘King of Kong’ 127-kilometre tarmac stretch that snakes alongside the Mekong River from Phaya Sri Satta Nakarat, Nakhon Phanom to Mukdahan Tower, Mukdahan. Stage two challenges entrants along the 150-kilometre ‘King of Endurance’ stage, cycling once again along the main highway inclusive of some hilly climbs into Khong Phing Ngu, Sakon Nakhon. The third stage ‘King of Speed’ sees cyclists pedal down at maximum speed into Phaya Sri Satta Nakarat, Nakhon Phanom.

Participants are invited to join one, two or all three stages or choose to ride in a one-day 10-kilometre fun race that is being held as a non-competitive fun day for the whole family.

Rewards for cyclists range from a cycling jersey, souvenir t-shirt, trophy, medal and e-certification depending on category and finishing time. Cyclists can register with Thailand Tri-League from now until May 10, 2018.

Nakhon Phanom, known for the huge Wat Phra That Phanom temple, Wat Maha That, Phaya Sri Satta Nakarat and Wat Si Thep Pradittharam temples, is Thailand’s most northeasterly province, bordering Laos on the Mekong River.

Mukdahan is located on the west bank of the Mekong River. Here visitors can enjoy various attractions including Mukdahan National Park, Mukdahan Tower, Phu Manorom and Wat Si Mongkhon Tai temple.

Sakon Nakhon, located not too far from the great Mekong, has various attractions including Wat Phra That Choeng Chum Worawihan and Wat Tham Phae Dan temples, Ban Tharae Catholic Community and Phra That Narai Cheng Weng.

Editor: John Li