Pattaya Family Bike Day is approaching! Held on Saturday, 4 March 2017, this recurring annual event takes place at the Thai Polo and Equestrian Club, Pattaya, to benefit local charities. In this year’s edition, all proceeds from the event will be split evenly between Women With a Mission, supporting support school scholarships and other educational endeavours, and Make-A-Wish Foundation Thailand, which grants wishes to children who are unwell.

To provide a fun, challenging and rewarding day for everyone, the event offers different rides catering to different abilities and fitness levels, including a 2km children’s ride on a groomed dirt trail. This is suitable for young children being pushed by their parents on bikes with a handle, children with balance bikes (walking bikes), children using stabilisers and for those on small single speed bikes. Parents are encouraged to walk or cycle the course with younger, less confident children. Babies and toddlers will enjoy participating in the ride in their strollers or prams.

Other rides are as follows:

• 5km Ride: The 5km ride is a reasonably flat ride on nice wide open trails. The ride is suitable for children who can ride a single speed bike (gears are not required) without stabilisers. Any tyre type will be fine. Fitter parents, who do not have a bike of their own, are welcome to walk or jog along with their children. The ride is also suitable for off road strollers and tag along bikes.
• 10km Ride:  The 10km ride is suitable for anyone including children over 8 years of age who are confident on their bikes and able to handle some simple off-road trails. A minimum of 3 gears are recommended but strong riders will be fine with just one gear and off-road tyres. The course is fairly flat and mostly on double track with firm dirt. The ride is also suitable for tag along bikes and for children on toddler seats on an experienced parent’s bike.
• 25km Ride: The 25km ride was designed with teenagers and weekend warriors in mind. This enjoyable ride in the countryside takes you past coconut, tapioca and pineapple plantations on farmer’s trails. It includes wide and fast double tracks and a long, fun and flowing single track section especially designed with mountain bike riders in mind. The 25km ride is suitable for anyone at, or above, average fitness level.  Any mountain bike with more than 6 gears will be suitable for this ride.

The day ends with a delicious BBQ dinner from Holiday Inn Pattaya, children’s activities and a chance to make new friends while enjoying the scenery at one of the magnificent pavilions. The cost is 800 baht for adults and children 13+ years and 500 baht for children 2 to 12 years; this fee includes trail rides, water stations, BBQ dinner and a medal. Non-riders who want to join the BBQ dinner pay 600 baht and 300 baht per adult and child, respectively.