Cycling with a minty flavour

Latest figures show that more than two million Thais regularly cycle, mostly upcountry to be sure, though Bangkok and its suburbs now boast 150,000 biking enthusiasts, with the figure continuing to rise.

In recent months, the city has seen the launch of the green cycle track at Suvarnabhumi Airport and the technical single-track at Club 11 Bike Club as well as a bike lane under the expressway.

The latest to join the club is Peppermint Bike Park, a mountain-biking trail in Soi Yothin Phatthana in the Lat Phrao area. 

"I had the idea for the bike park when I started riding a bike,” says Suwanna Eiampikul, chief executive of Bertram Chemical (1982) and a second-generation member of the family that produces Siang Pure natural pain relief products in medicated oil, balm and inhaler form. 

“I’ve been into sports since I was a child and love basketball, volleyball, tennis and golf. But whilst my favourites are still tennis and golf, they are not sports I can play with my staff because of the costs involved. Then I started riding a bike and it dawned on me that this was something everyone could enjoy. I wanted my staff to enjoy the freedom of cycling, of having the wind in their faces. Cycling is both a sport and a way of life.”

 Peppermint Bike Park is spread over 10 rai of land owned by Suwanna’s father. It has cost Bt70 million to set up – Bt40 million for          the bike park itself and Bt30 million for the facilities. These include a café, showers and restrooms as well as a parking lot for 100 cars. 

“The land was originally slated for a kindergarten, a housing estate or a golf course. I’m using it to connect with my Peppermint Field brand,” says Suwanna, who uses Peppermint Bike for morale-boosting bike trips and offers soft loans to her staff so they can buy their own two wheelers. 

“We use this bike park as our meeting point. It helps us stay in touch with the nature.”

The point-to-point trail takes its cue from Bangkok’s Club 11 Bike Club as well as mountain-biking trails overseas. The initial paved trail with man-made ramps and pump tracks as well as some inclines and sharp curves has now been expanded to include a north shore trail and a sheer drop.

 “Three weeks after the opening, I starting receiving calls from companies asking me to work as a consultant! But it’s important to realise that a bike park isn’t profitable. If you measure its index with a KPI (key performance indicator) in terms of money, it is impossible to earn a profit. But it scores high on happiness so it goes well with our brand,” says Suwanna.

Peppermint Bike Park is advertising itself with the slogan “mountain biking for urbanites”. 

“Our target group is working people and young families, the kind of people who want something healthy to do after their working day finishes,” she explains.

The trail is safe though caution is required especially through the rougher points. For the beginner, it offers a training course at four levels, priced at Bt500 an hour. There are 10 bicycles for rent for Bt100 per hour and helmets too at a reasonable Bt50.

Peppermint Bike Cafe, which is expected to open at the end of the year, will be on two levels. Food and drinks will be available on the first floor while the second floor will house a bike shop.

“My satisfaction from building and running the bike park comes from the happiness it gives to others. Many international schools are bringing their students here. I enjoy being able to give and I’m so happy to see more and more people turning to cycling.

“That’s one of the reasons I keep the fees low, just Bt150 for daytime use and Bt200 for the night session. Right now, I have a group of foreign teenagers coming four days a week. If the fee were higher, it would be too expensive for them. I also see a mother with stage four cancer riding with her child and two young boys often come to ride for four or five hours at a stretch. Here we offer exercise and recreation. It’s an index of happiness,” says Suwanna.

So passionate is she about cycling that Suwanna is now looking for investors to help her build a new bike park outside Bangkok. If the quality is anywhere as good as at Peppermint, it should be a big success.

 

 

On two wheels 

 

Peppermint Bike Park is on Soi Yothin Phatthana 3, Lat Phrao. 

It’s open daily except Monday. Operation hours Tuesday to Friday are from 2 to 5.30pm and from 6 to 10pm, while on Saturday and Sunday, it runs from 7am to 5.30pm and from 6 to 10pm.

The fee is Bt150 for daytime riding and Bt200 at night.

Call (090) 980 1368 or visit Facebook/PeppermintBikePark.