The Ride – June 18 to June 26, 2012
The Annual Tour de Isan is an 11 day charity bicycle tour through the Northeast region of Thailand known as Isan. This event starts in the town of Nong Khai on the Thai/Laos border and then winds 800 kilometers in 8 days of riding along the mighty Mekong River to Ubon Ratchathani with a day off in Nakhon Panom for rest, relaxation, and sightseeing.
We will take you through the emerald green rice fields of the Northeastern heartland and show you the beauty and ecological importance of the Mekong River. This ride shows you where few tourists have ventured before and finishes in the thriving city of Ubon Ratchathani during their lovely Annual International Wax Sculpture Festival.
Registration Closes – Friday May 18
- Tour de Isan is open to a limited number registered riders
- Registration fee for the Tour de Isan from 35,000 Thai Baht
- Riders must meet fundraising requirements of 35,000 Thai Baht
During the tour all accommodations and most meals are included. On riding days we provide plenty of water, fresh fruit, and electrolytes at water stops every 18-28 km. We also provide a full fleet of support vehicles to carry your luggage, assist with bike repairs, or to help a rider whose legs might need a rest.
The Tour de Isan riders cover the remote Northeastern region of Thailand. This ride, better suited to mountain bikes or touring bikes, enjoys back-roads that run alongside the awesome Mekong river. Less than 3% of foreign tourists see this amazing side of Thailand and the Tour de Isan is designed to take your through the heart of it all.
Starting in popular Nong Khai, the major border town with Laos, we leave the hustle and bustle behind and enjoy the green rice fields and friendliness of the Thai people. Local riders come out to join us on several days which gives us the opportunity to meet people we wouldn’t normally be in contact with to share our love for nature and cycling. We will ride, relax, and enjoy seeing more of Thailand in these 11 days than most tourists get to during multiple visits to Thailand.
We will arrive in Ubon Ratchathani just in time to enjoy their elegant and beautiful International Wax Sculpture Festival and all the food, crafts, and festivities that go along with it.
The Charity – Operation Smile.
In previous years the Tour de Isan charity bicycle tour riders have raised many millions for Thai charities, this year we are planning for more. Help us to help the disadvantaged of Thailand and enjoy the ride of a lifetime. This year’s beneficiaries is Operation Smile.
All riders must raise a minimum of 35,000 Thai Baht in donations to participate in the Tour de Isan. All donations go directly to the charities and we simply ask that riders show evidence that the funds were raised and received by the charity.
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Operation Smile
Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Together, we create smiles, change lives, heal humanity. |
