Despite the fact that the Peppermint Bike Park in Soi Yothin Phatthana 3 has been in operation for over a year, I have never gotten to visit it. That's mainly because I don't have the patience to brave Bangkok's notorious traffic to an unfamiliar part of the city.
Recently, having seen Facebook posts by Rock, a biker friend who works there and was on the track's design team from the start, I decided it's high time I went check it out.
Rock had just finished building an addition to the track, a new line which includes a U-curve that you have to pump your bike up and down rollers to get through. My zeal to try that far outweighed my innate fear of traffic jams. Luckily, getting there from the Bangkok Post Building in Klong Toey via the Ram Intra-At Narong Expressway that afternoon was a breeze.
At the bike park, Rock told me that the project was initiated and run by Khun Suwanna Eiampikul, CEO of Bertram Chemical, which produces Peppermint Field inhaler and gel, hence the park's name. Khun Suwanna is an avid mountain biker; and this 10 rai project built on the family's property clearly reflects her tremendous passion for the sport.
The park boasts a nicely designed trail that snakes around man-made mounds. On the ground level as well as on elevated sections, the track is peppered with curves, climbs and a variety of other "obstacles" that can help urban cyclists, both roadies and mountain bikers, practice bike handling techniques.
And that I believe is very important because the more leg power you have, the better you must be prepared for the unexpected. A fast rider who doesn't know how to brake properly can be a hazard for both other people and his/herself. Often, accidents can be avoided if you have good riding skill.
Speaking of safety, it should be noted that here all riders are required to wear helmets and follow the track's one-way traffic. The rules are strictly enforced by Rock and other marshals because they want visiting cyclists to make it a habit to ride safe.
One of the features of the bike park that I greatly enjoyed was the set of pump track-style rollers. The mounds are perfectly shaped and spaced, allowing you to go faster and faster without even moving the cranks. Too bad the fun was too short. The rollers in the brand new section are more tricky to navigate at speed. But, of course, they make an exciting challenge.
The Peppermint Bike Park is open daily, except Monday, 4-10pm on weekdays and 7am-10pm at weekends. The entrance fee is 200 baht. Helmets and bikes (hardtail MTB) of different sizes are available for rent. The fee is 60 baht per hour for the former, and 150 baht for the latter.
Well, see you here again next Thursday. Until then, if you have questions, news or biking insights you wish to share, please feel free to send an email to pongpetm@bangkokpost.co.th or go to Freewheel Bangkok community page on Facebook.