Two wheels on the track
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Five celebrities explain why they've taken to cycling
Calling itself the “first and only” biking event that responds to bikers’ lifestyles, Bangkok Bike returns to Impact Exhibition Hall 4, Muang Thong Thani for its 2014 edition on Thursday with a new concept dubbed “Get Ready to Ride”.
With cycling more popular than ever as Thais and other residents to improve their physical health, five celebrities sat down with The Nation to tell us why they ride. Here’s what they had to say,
>>Arunnapa“Wan Wan” Panichjaroon, actress and host of Channel 3’s “SeesanBanthoeng” on Channel 3, has been riding a road bike for a year.
“Cycling has helped me get in touch with nature and calms me into meditating more. It’s also a great way of exercising,”she says.
>> Jeffrey Benjakulwiwat, actor and host of the cycling programme “Bicycle Diary” on Thai PBS, says cycling is very much part of his life.
“I bike everywhere, for example to the market and fitness centre,” says Jeffrey. “I have a road bike, a mountain bike and a dirt bike. I use the road bike for long distances and the dirt and mountain bikes for adventure. I’ve also become fascinated with vintage bikes.”
>>PanithanBumrasarinpai, senior vice-president of NCC Development and Management, says cycling has changed his life. He’s sometimes swaps four wheels for two as he travels between home and office.
“I started cycling seriously after the first Bangkok Bike event. I bought a folding bike because it was easy to carry around. These days, I ride my bike with my staff after work at Benjasiri Park, and with my family at the Ministry of Public Health near my house,” says Panithan.
>>MuncharinPhannarawong, triathlon athlete and member of cycling club Coffee Bike, takes her mountain bike along whenever she travels.
“I love touring the country and often ride out to the provinces. I find a mountain bike most suitable for roads in poor condition, like many in Bangkok, but use a road bike when I enter triathlons,” says Muncharin. “I started cycling five years ago for my health and to lose weight. An added benefit is the number of new friends I have made.”
>>ThaninRittavirun, the founder of Thai touring bike brand Rit Bicycle, cycles around Thailand and whenever he travels abroad.
“My customers always tell me that they are buying their bike at my shops to benefit from my experience,” says Thanin, who is currently preparing for a 15-day cycling trip in Nepal and will be presenting his brand at the upcoming Euro Bike event. “Once you invest in a bike, you should use it as often as you can.”
Pedal power
Bangkok Bike 2014 runs at Impact Exhibition Hall 4, Muang Thong Thani from Thursday to May 4. Find out more by calling (02) 203 4232-5 or visitwww.BangkokBikeExpo.com.
