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Bangkok was built on very flat land, but you no longer have to venture beyond the city limits to find a decent place to go mountain biking.

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Mountain biking in our flat city

Bangkok was built on very flat land, but you no longer have to venture beyond the city limits to find a decent place to go mountain biking.

Located in Bang Khen district within the compound of the 11th Infantry Regiment (Rap Sip Et, in Thai), the Club11 bike club maintains a three-kilometre-long track which offers cycling enthusiasts a much-needed space for keeping in shape and preparing themselves for that next upcountry expedition on two wheels.

Twisting and turning through a wooded plot of land, something very hard to find in the greater metropolitan area these days, this single-track trail is well marked but technically challenging. Along the route you'll encounter berms, jumps, mounds, fallen logs, a sand trap and a narrow wooden bridge; features guaranteed to hone your biking skills but in an enjoyable way.

Those are the official obstacles. Then there are the resident monitor lizards, some more than 2.5 metres long, which like to bask in the sun on the more exposed sections of the trail. They look fearsome but these creatures are very wary of humans and will quickly give way, darting into the nearest body of water, the moment they sense your spinning wheels approaching. Pythons can also be spotted here from time to time, but they're unlikely to pose a problem either since they're more interested in hunting rats and other small animals than messing with mountain bikers.

The length of time it takes to do a circuit depends on the speed at which you like to cycle and your fitness level. Some riders have no problem completing the task in 10 minutes, or less, and will then eagerly continue, doing several more laps without a break. Others, however, may take 15 minutes or more to reach the end and are often so exhausted when they emerge from the woods that they throw themselves to the ground and lie there panting for ages.

venture – to go somewhere, especially somewhere that is unpleasant, dangerous or exciting  เสี่ยงภัย ผจญภัย
city limits – the edge of a city; the outside border of a city
decent – of a good enough standard or quality  เหมาะสม
located – where something is ตั้งอยู่
compound – an area enclosed by a fence or wall in which people work or live บริเวณ
infantry – soldiers who fight on foot, not on horses or in tanks or other vehicles ทหารราบ
regiment – a large group of soldiers กรมทหาร, กองทหาร
maintain – to keep รักษา
enthusiast – a person who is very interested in something and spends a lot of time doing it คนที่กระตือรือร้น
keep in shape – to keep your body in good physical condition
expedition – an organized journey with a particular purpose; a short trip that you make when you want or need something  การเดินทาง
twist – a to force something out of its original shape by bending it or turning it round ทำให้ผิดรูปร่าง
plot – a piece of land used for a particular purpose ที่ดินแปลงเล็ก
metropolitan – relating to a large city เกี่ยวกับเมืองใหญ่
trail – path through the countryside, often made or used for a particular purpose ทางเดิน ทางดิน ทางแคบๆที่เดินได้
technically – requiring particular skills, in this case, biking skills ที่เชี่ยวชาญเฉพาะอย่าง
challenging – difficult, in a way that tests your ability or determination ที่ท้าทายความสามารถ
route – the roads used to go from one place to another เส้นทาง
encounter – to meet; to experience or deal with something, especially a problem เผชิญกับ (ปัญหา)
berm – an area of ground at the side of a road; a raised area of ground at the side of a river or canal
mound – a pile of something, such as earth or stones กองดิน กองหิน
log – a thick piece of tree trunk or branch, especially one cut for burning on a fire โค่นต้นไม้
guarantee – to promise someone that they will have something or will get something รับประกัน
hone – to develop and improve something, especially a skill, over a period of time
obstacle – an object that you must move or go around in order to move forward อุปสรรค, สิ่งกีดขวาง
resident – living in a particular place อาศัย
monitor lizard – large reptiles with have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs เหี้ย
bask – to enjoy sitting or lying in the heat or light of something, especially the sun อาบแดด
exposed – open, uncovered or unprotected ซึ่งเปิดออก
section – any of the parts into which something is divided ส่วน, ส่วนที่ตัดออก, ส่วนย่อย
fearsome – very frightening น่ากลัว
wary – careful or nervous about someone or something because you think they might cause a problem ระมัดระวัง
dart – to make a sudden quick movement somewhere เคลื่อนไหวอย่างรวดเร็ว
approach – to move closer to someone or something เข้าใกล้
python – a very large snake that kills animals for food by wrapping itself around them and crushing them งูหลาม, งูขนาดใหญ่
spot – to see or notice สังเกตเห็น
pose - cause something, especially a problem or difficulty เป็นเหตุให้
mess with – to get involved with somebody/something that may be harmful รบกวน
circuit – a line, route, or journey around a place การเคลื่อนรอบ
eagerly – wanting very much to do or have something กระตือรือร้น
lap – one journey from the beginning to the end of a track used for running, driving, etc  รอบ
exhausted – extremely tired เหน็ดเหนื่อย
emerge – to come out of ออกจาก
pant – to breathe quickly with short breaths, usually with your mouth open, because you have been doing some physical exercise, or because it is very hot หายใจหอบ, หายใจแรง
ages – a long time

HOW TO GET THERE

The 11th Infantry Regiment is located on Phahonyothin Road, between the Lak Si roundabout and Bang Bua Canal. There are several entrances to the barracks, but to reach the Club11 bicycle trail you need to use the one next to the bridge over the canal.

At the gate you'll be required to leave your ID card, which you can pick up on your way out.

Related search: mountain biking, Bangkok, 11th Infantry Regiment