Bangkok Bank CycleFest declared a success

Bangkok Bank director and executive VP Thaweelap Rittapirom said the theme this year was “Ride for All” and aimed promote healthy lifestyle activities.
“Cycling is fast becoming one of the favourite sports in Thailand. With entry classes for all ability levels, including individual and team time trials as well as fun rides, the event has enabled customers and the public to create memorable experiences on closed cycling roads around Siam Country Club. With our commitment to being “Your Trusted Partner” for customers and the society at large, we are delighted to hold yet another successful Bangkok Bank CycleFest this year to connect and bring us closer to more than 3,000 Thai and international cyclists,” said Thaweelap.
The event was not only about fun or promoting an active lifestyle, but also about giving back to society. Together with members of the public, Bangkok Bank CycleFest 2019 raised funds for its official charity partner Siriraj Foundation, which assists with the treatment and care of underprivileged patients at Siriraj Hospital. Every baht raised from entry fees for the Family Ride category will be donated to the Siriraj Foundation. Individual riders were also given the opportunity to offer a contribution of their own, raising a total of Bt480,000 for this noble cause.
The event, which has been held for three consecutive years, featured seven different ride options ranging from 12km to 62km circuits, offering a unique riding experience for cyclists of all ages, abilities and experience levels. Races included timed rides for individuals who wish to be initiated into an elite riders category; a challenging off-road ride, which was added last year as the ideal choice for those who love adventure riding; team time trials in which teams of cyclists raced against the clock; and a non-competitive “family ride” for those who wanted to join a premier cycling event without the stress of competition.
In between race events, participants enjoyed quality time with family and friends at the Festival Village. A number of recreational activities and outlets were available for cyclists and spectators to enjoy, including bicycle equipment shops, food and drink stalls, music stages, a free BMX Pump Track zone, gift giveaways and fun interactive games.
“I’m happy to join and support this super cycling festival event here in Thailand. The spirit of camaraderie is reflected beautifully in the slogan of the Bangkok Bank CycleFest 2019 – ‘Ride for All’. This event encourages cyclists of all levels to enter the tournament to compete and also to join in activities that are non-competitive. I strongly believe cycling is a sport that truly promotes equality. Whether you are young or old, rich or poor, and no matter what your nationality is, when you’re cycling, everyone is a friend as you’re all travelling along the sam Ivan Basso said e route, making it easy to talk to others freely, it’s a sport that really brings people together,” Basso said after the event.
This year also saw Thai Paralympic athletes joining the competition for the first time. One of the athletes was Phuyin Khamnuan, the 44-year-old national Thai Paralympic athlete who won gold at the SMACK Swedish Paracycling Cup 2018. “We are grateful to the organizers for giving us the opportunity to compete in this race. Bangkok Bank CycleFest is one of the few bike races that can see the importance of Paralympic athletes and this made us feel honored and welcomed and we would all like to thank everyone involved once again for this great opportunity to compete in this competition,” he said.
Speaking of the preparations for the 2020 Asean Para Games in the Philippines, which take place at the beginning of next year, Phuyin said: “This year we are only competing in one category, and we’ve trained hard all for an event we have previously been champions of. We are confident that our efforts and commitment will see our athletes get on the podium. For the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, the Thai national team is currently ranked number one in the world and we will do our best to maintain that ranking.
Winnie Heng of IMG Services (Thailand) and a promoter of the race, said: “We would like to thank Bangkok Bank and all of our partners who supported us in bringing Bangkok Bank CycleFest to life for all our cyclists in 2019. Offering the perfect combination of competition, inclusivity, fun and entertainment, this event brings together thousands of cyclists of all ages and abilities to celebrate their passion for the sport and inspire a healthy lifestyle.”