Angels in the hills

The annual International Angel Challenge bicycle race for women returns to Suan Phueng in Ratchaburi on June 9 and 10 with 700 participants expected to be tackling even more challenges across hilly terrain.
Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy governor Noppadon Pakprot says sports tourism is booming and women these days “are more interested in sports”. 
“This event drew 300 cyclists in its inaugural year and 500 last year, and it gives those who come from overseas a chance to learn about the province’s arts and culture, such as painting benjarong and making candles.”

 

Ratchaburi Vice Governor Weeras Praserttho is also looking forward to promoting the provincial capital as a “sports city”. It hosts the Chombueng Marathon and the Kao Pratubchang hiking trail. 
For the cycling event, he says, the main road is being widened to four lanes and traffic safety is being improved.
The International Angel Challenge, formerly known as the Suan Phueng Angel Challenge, will take place in and around Scenery Vintage Farm in Suan Phueng and has as its concept “Be Angel, Be Gorgeous”. 
There’ll be a 70-kilometre race and a 30km Lady Run Ride.
Organiser Pannasorn “Aeh Glory” Patamapinunt, who works for the Suan Phueng Tourism Business Association, says that, in her first five years cycling, she’d never heard of a cycling event just for women. 
“I’d come across women’s cycling groups, such as the Lady Long Legs and the Thai Airways International team, but never a race specifically for women. 

 

“For this event, which boasts a very beautiful route that’s also quite challenging, I invited two Japanese cyclists – Satowa Ota, who won the Doi Inthanon Challenge, and Yuiko Ohkawa, who I met while cycling at Shimanami Kaido in Japan, which is one of the world’s most incredible bike routes.
“Our route starts at Scenery Vintage Farm and crosses hills to the first checkpoint at Noen Sai Taek and the second one at Au Long Hill. We’ll have people lining both sides of the road cheering on the cyclists as they pass through their villages.”
Aeh Glory will be cycling with the Tourism Authority’s Angel Team alongside Geerachaya “Vhan” Geerawatthanakul, Oratai “Vaw” Moonkampang, Tanat “Poonimm” Watcharaapiya and Narissara “Au” Suphawanichleela. They’ll be competing against the Lady Long Legs and Kom Kom teams as well as celebrity cyclists including actress-TV host Arunnapa “Wan Wan” Panichjaaroon.

 

Wan Wan says she’s excited about riding up Noen Sai Taek and Noen Au Long, two relatively gentle hills. Aeh Glory has put together a great event for women, she says. 
“It isn’t only for serious cyclists. Recreational cyclists will really enjoy the beautiful nature along the way and they’ll get to sample the local produce, such as the terrific melons they grow there.”
Channel 8 actress Rattanaporn “Mint” Klinkularbhirun, who’s only been cycling for six months, is ready for her next big challenge.
“Cycling is a great way to get healthier and also make more friends,” she says. “I challenged myself at Doi Inthanon and got through it, and now I’m looking for more challenges. I’m getting rather serious about it! The Angel Challenge will be hilly but not too hard. My goal is to stand on the podium as the winner.”
Model Surampha “Golf” Yokchotisakul has been cycling for a year and loves the happiness it brings her. 

 

“I’ve biked to several tourist attractions so I could enjoy the surroundings and meet the local people,” she says. “You don’t get that when travelling by car. Any time I took a rest, people would bring me water. It was so nice! I want to cycle around all the provinces.”
Another fashion model, Yossavadee “Yo” Hassadeevichit, enters triathlons and is a spokesperson for the women’s cycling brand Liv.
“This cycling event will be a little different for me because in triathlons I mostly ride a timetrial bike. I’ve been in two Chombueng Marathons and love how the local people cheer on the runners, just like they do in the Tokyo Marathon.
“Cycling is a better form of exercise than running and less likely to cause injury. It’s a great way for women to stay healthy, lose weight and get beautiful legs.”

Wheels and scenic wonders

The International Angel Challenge 2018 will be based at Scenery Vintage Farm in Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi, on June 9 and 10.

Learn more from the Suan Phueng Tourism Business Association at (092) 371 7799 or (081) 642 5479 or visit the “suanphuengangelchallenge” page on Facebook.