Downhilling in Pattaya?

Location: Pattaya Hill, Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand
Length: Less than 2kms

Pattaya is a very popular destination for tourists in Thailand. Lots of things to do, lots of places to visit. On one side there's the beach where you can just kick back and have some sun. On the other side, there's the mountains overlooking the small city and the bay.

But there's one place in Pattaya that most returning tourists and even the locals do not know about - a downhill trail right under the Pattaya Hill (or Radio Mountain as some people will call it).

Bruised and I featured it one time but only the "XC" trail. This trail is dead but hey Bruised, apparently there's another XC trail over there cut by the downhilling group for us XC'ers. This is for next month's last leg. It should be ready by now! Woooooot!

CraZyGang
The local DH biking group call themselves CraZyGang. This is actually a misnomer since none of the members are nuts and all of them are respectable and responsible members of society -executives, business owners, and topnotch college undergrads. I know some of you will think "elitist" or "snobs". On the contrary, they're one of the friendlier bike groups in Chonburi. These are the guys that ride this trail most weekends.

What's crazy are some of the tracks that they run, just like this one in Pattaya - very fast and extremely furious. In a country where DH is just a baby, going down this hill at 50-60kph on two wheels with no engine is just like having a big red neon sign over your head saying "NUTCASE". Then they'll be surprised when you take of your helmet,"Hey, that's the bank manager!" Ah, the stereotypes that we have to live with - people usually associate DH'ers with long-haired dudes bumming under a tree or by the beach. Us XC'ers are not spared even on our HTs associating us with FR's and Extreme Sports.

The Trail.
The trail takes off right behind the Volkswagen coffee stall. As I've said before, the second XC trail is already in bad shape and only the DH course remains decent so think twice if you're going to bring your hardtail or anything with less than 5inches travel.

These pictures will show that this is a VERY serious DH course. When Bruised and I saw it, we could not believe that people actually go down on a bike on these hills. The tracks were insanely steep. But then I logged on to ThaiMTB and realized that the track is very much alive with activity! The group was there last weekend to check out the track for this year's Pattaya MountainBike Downtown Race on Dec 02.

Beyond the short strip right behind the volks cafe is all down down down. The track is fast and creative crossing pathways and connecting dirt to stairs to dirt again. These crossings are potential hazards since the pathways are used by joggers and bikers, too. Although they seldom come here to jog or bike, it only needs one serious collision between an incoming 590kph Intense and a jogger for the officials to shutdown the track. No warning signs at the crossings so be careful and eyes wide open.

How to get there:
When in Pattaya, just ask the locals for directions to Khao Phra Tamnak. Foreign tourists know this place as Pattaya Hill or Radio Hill. It's overlooking the bay and about 100meters past NipaHut Restaurant.

Trip Value.
Hey, it's right in Pattaya. 'Nuff said.

Credits.

All photos were taken by K. Oo Pattaya CraZyGang (อู๋ พัทยาCraZyGang) who is also a very good DH'er! Thank you, Sir!

*This article is not only to introduce the trail but also to give an idea of the kind of equipment available here. Some people seem to have the impression that Thailand is one big backwards village with buffalos, rice paddies, and smokey markets with boats - just like in the movies.

So yes, we do ride the kind of bikes that you ride, most of us have MTBs under 25lbs, and yes we do wear helmets.

Trail Review: Chonburi, Pattaya -- Phra Tamnak Hill

Short downhill and Cross Country XC trail right in the heart of Pattaya

Make it a weekend with your family and friends in Pattaya. This mountain bike course is right smack in the middle of the Phra Tamnak Hill, jutting at the foot of South Pattaya.



Scenery
Postcard-perfect! Perfect view of whole city of Pattaya and the bay area.




Trip Value
Coffee served from a converted Kombi at the hilltop, a Wat, and a monument to a great Thai Admiral can be found at the top of the hill. This is one of the rare instances where you could bring your beloved half, make a quick offering at the Temple and let her sip coffee and enjoy the view. Just dont let her look at the downhill course or you may get grounded for weeks.


The Trails
There are 2 courses in the hill, and i tell you there is a Dr Jekyll-Mr Hyde aspect to these course. One is a winding XC on well-paved footpaths. Very gentle and civilized. You could bring the family along on this course. Cruise along, take pictures ... sit on the benches, even have a picnic.


The other course is a short downhill, but very mean and nasty. This is the Mr Hyde part. I will not recommend this trail for beginners or the occassional weekend warrior. Highly technical and competition level -- only for advanced riders please. The jump-off is a small platform right behind the coffee shop. For this downhill course, that is all you need to know as everything will go rushing past anyway. Anything I describe will be just a blur to you after the jump-off. Seriously though, I suggest you scout the course first on foot and go through the lines to get past the various obstacles. There will be lots of air and jumps on this course.

Firstly, before attempting to take the downhill course, bring protective gear and bring ALL of it. Full-face helmet, body armor, arm and shin guards, heck, if you can find your grandpappy's old flak jacket from WWII, then bring it as well. The mountain bike gurus always say, "dress for the crash and not the ride", then on this course, dress for a HUGE crash.

The downhill course cuts into public pathways at two points. Always keep this in mind especially on crowded weekends. You will find yourself landing right in smack of the public pathway before continuing onto the other side. Best that you dont get surprised by this, or worse, surprise a wobbling retiree out on his daily stroll.



Mind the picture on the left -- this was taken on a ledge about a meter high from the pathway and straight into a long stair. As you approach the ledge, prepare to get some air beneath you. You will land on the footpath and straight onto a flight of stairs.

Very short and very fast. You are at the bottom before you know it.

The only way up is via the front road uphill. It is a long grind. To keep you motivated, think of the hot steaming coffee with the spectacular view at the top. Or, another round of high-adrenalin professional level downhill run.


Fitness Level / Technical Skills
Minimal. The XC on the paved footpaths are easy and quite flat. Not much work there. Anyone can ride this course, as everywhere its smooth and cultured.

On the downhill trail, gravity does the work anyway. No requirement to be fit. The course could be fitness 'optional' but technical skill - mandatory. No place for beginners, only advanced riders please.


How to Get There
Go straight to Pattaya. Cruise past Pattaya South road until you reach Tepprasit Rd. This is the one leading to Jomtien Beach. Head into Tepprasit and turn right at the end of the road -- left goes to Jomtien, while the right goes to Phra Tamnak Hill. Watch out Phra Tamnak Rd on the left side. Follow this road and it will lead you to a police pillbox. At this point you should see a steep uphill road leading to the Wat. Drive uphill and you will come across a small clearing to park your car.