Durango has offered a “tour of farms” bicycle ride for the last several years, but we’ve never managed to participate, and I’ve always wished I had after reading the write-up in the Herald.  Trang had it’s first ever “promoted” district farm tour. (The Sunday tours with a small [15 to 25] cadre of cyclist have visited a variety of rural businesses and endeavors, featured in this blog over the years.)

However, this weekend’s tour was sponsored by the local province and district (state and county) governments which drew a first-time crowd of about 150 riders. It’s an extension of the “bike lane” advocacy program that’s sweeping across Thailand.  The only thing missing from this event was the T-shirt.  They met at the  “bike park” under development beneath the bridge, with a sound system (minus the stage), speeches (probably preaching to the choir), and morning treats (hot chocolate, tea and Thai donuts).

Definitely the slowest paced tour arranged by any organization, but considering the folks along for the ride it was perfect: children and grandparents all on a wide variety of bicycles, not to mention squeezing 150 riders on 2-meter bike paths thru the woods and back lanes.

In three hours (including the speeches)  we only covered 20 kilometers (12 miles), however we managed to eat and drink four times.

Our second stop was the most interesting since Trang is famous for it’s Mu Yang (Roast Pork) and we got to see a very small suburban (still inside the ring road) family roast pig operation, where they were waiting to pull the pork out of the subterranean oven.  Unbeknownst to us, we scooter by this place several times a week when going to eat at our favorite Panang Curry restaurant. As per usual, the farang (foreigner) got thrust forward so that everyone can take their photo with the dignitary, oddity or pig in this case.

I happen to really savor the Mu Yang here in Trang.  The Fassang (pre-dawn) cycling group finishes at the most popular mu yang dim sum restaurant at 6 AM every weekday morning, so it’s second only to Panang Curry for me. Which begs the point, do we cycle in Thailand to justify eating large qualities of food – including still juicy hot fatty pork roast?

Next stop, about 20 minutes later, was a Mulberry farm (or what our translation provides). Sweet treats fashioned as for a wedding, we’re guessing, and a cold fruit cocktail as is served in roadside stands and stalls.

A Roi.

I should mention the group had 5 EMT’s on scooters doing intersection marshaling and first aid, and a lead truck with loud speakers and banner. Plus a professional photographer documenting the ride from all aspects, even standing on top of a scooter seat for a faux ariel.

To round out the district ride, we visited a local Wat (Temple) where we supped on noodles and chicken…

and a special treat of an open dessert bar on a  3-wheeled ice cream cart.