Pedals to the metal

GMM Z recently celebrated Spain’s version of the Tour de France by introducing four new biking routes around Bangkok to eager cyclists.

The three-week-long “2013 Vuelta a Espana”, which can be watched live on the Euro Sport Channel 324 until September 15, is the last of the year’s cycling tours. It kicked off in Galicia and takes competitors anti-clockwise around Spain passing through Castilla y Leon, Extremadura, Andalucia, Aragon, Catalonia, La Rioja, Cantabria, and Asturias, before returning to Madrid for the closing stage on September 15. The Vuelta will include excursions into two bordering countries, Andorra and France.

The 2013 edition began with a team time trial stage – where each member of a team started together racing against the clock – in Vilanova de Arousa. The eleventh stage, after the first rest day, is the only individual time trial of the race.

The Bangkok event saw about 500 cyclists take to the road. They divided into separate groups, each taking one of the routes and passing through several communities before ending at Bangkok Metropolitan Administration at 4pm. Actors Jaturong Kolimas and Peter Maiocchi participated in the event.

The first route ran from Kasetsart University and passed through Prop Bar in Prachachuen, Rama VII, Bangplad and Sanam Luang while the second started from Play Bike in Bang Na’s Soi Lasalle and continued through Benjasiri Park on Sukhumvit Road, Chulalongkorn University, Mah Boonkrong, Hua Lampong Railway Station, and Sao Ching Cha (Giant Swing).

The third route covered Salaya, Buddhamonthon, Pinklao, Bangplad and Sanam Luang while the last went from Ramkhamhaeng University towards Lat Phrao, Ratchadapisek, Pratunam, Yommaraj, Ratchawat, Chitralada Palace, the Royal Plaza and the Democracy Monument.

The four groups posed together for photos at the arrival point at the BMA, then headed off for a ride the historic Rattanakosin Island to promote Bangkok Car Free Day, which takes place on September 22.