More of Klong Saen Saep 07Feb13.

Date:

07Feb13

Distance:

15.94 km

Time:

01:42

It would seem that I have a fixation with Klong Saen Saep.

Well, it’s relatively close to home, and it’s a longish klong that has some paths that need to be explored.

This time, we are going to travel along the klong in an westerly direction from the end on Sukhumvit Soi 55. As before, the entry point is under the road bridge that crosses over the klong, but this time we go down the left side of the bridge.

We set off along the path which is similar in size and condition to the path in the opposite direction. Alas, not too far into our ride, we are brought to a screaming halt. The path is damaged and cannot be used. Sorry, but no photo. I was just about to give up and go home thinking this to be a wasted endeavour. Disappointed, I U-turn and back a short distance to an entry / exit point at the top of Soi Sang Ngeon. What the hell, I thought, I’ll try a side trip along the local soi to see how far this disruption goes for.

So, down the soi I ride. At the T intersection, turn right onto Thonglor 25 and continue until next T intersection. Another right turn onto To Sak Alley, which is basically the extension of Sukhumvit Soi 49/6, and we find another entry / exit point at the northern end of the soi. This detour of 1.2 km was not really that bad, but the traffic on Thonglor 25 was to be dealt with.

Back on the path, I continued in an easterly direction. Once again the journey short lived. After approximately 0.6 km, another impassable section is reached. Again, no photo. I will have to get my act together. This time, it is right at an entry / exit point on to Soi Klang or Sukhumvit Soi 49 depending on which map you look at. Working my way through the soi, you can follow this route on the embedded map, after about 2.9 km I find another entry / exit point to the klong path at the northern end of Phetchaburi 38/1 where the road crosses the klong.

On the path again, I treadled along hoping to get a bit of distance up.
You guessed it! Another missing piece of pathway.
This time I have a photo to prove my bad luck. At least one can see that construction works are under way to enhance this path. The entry / exit point here is easy to see, but hard to describe. Google Maps shows it as Soi Sawatdi. No problems, but the next road along which is a next entry / exit point, is also Soi Sawatdi. Anyway, have a look at the table below, and click on the hyperlinks.

Dead-End. Some construction for the future.

Back on the path after the shortest of detours, we finally get to move along at some speed. After about 640 metres, we have to dismount to climb over some stairs, and duck under a low bridge (Under Asoke Montri Rd), then back on our way.

Yeah, up in there is a way through.

Moving more quickly again, the path is clear and in good condition. About halfway between Asoke Montri Rd and the Expressway overpass, is Wat Dit. A quick photo shoot, some water, and on I go. A little bit more than 2 km since the last detour, I arrive under the Expressway high above me. Here is another break in the path. Just when it was getting good.

A nice view of a Wat Dit. This makes it all worth while.

A bit of weaving around under the expressway and between it’s supports, I to try and find any entry / exit points to continue. Time to call it a day I decide. It just gets too hard sometimes.

Although the klong adventure is over, I must make my way home through the busy streets of Bangkok. Pretty uneventful, but you must keep your wits about you.

Join me next time for more Klong Rider Adventures.

 Entry / Exit Points to Klong

Location Description	Co-ordinates
Northern end of Soi Sang Ngeon.	13.743451, 100.583969
Northern end of To Sak Alley, which is basically the extension of Sukhumvit Soi 49/6.	13.744082, 100.581534
Northern end of Soi Klang or Sukhumvit Soi 49.	13.745146, 100.576459
Northern end of Phetchaburi 38/1 where the road crosses the klong.	13.745889, 100.572886
Northern end od Soi Sawatdi.	13.746374, 100.569914
Northern end od Soi Sawatdi. (yes it’s the same, but different. Read text above.)	13.746598, 100.568970
Under the Expressway overpass. Wind through the supports to Soi Nai Lert.	13.748206, 100.550158

If you have been keeping up with my posts, you will have read that I am plotting any paths I find on OpenStreetMap. (link to blog post) Therefore, these paths, entry / exit points should be ready for viewing and using for planning your next ride.

This ride took place almost 2 years ago. I have been informed that some of the impassable sections have now been repaired or rebuilt. I have yet to check this out in person. Another ride might be in order to confirm this.

Big News. Plotting Paths on OpenStreetMap.

It's been a while since my last post. Been busy exploring and trying to plot my journeys on Google Maps. Very time consuming stuff.
I've decided to not and reinvent the wheel. Thus, I am now plotting my new and old discoveries on OpenStreetMap. These should then migrate across to OpenCycleMap, and any other sites that use this information.
I have already done some, after teaching myself how. Not as difficult as you would think. I'm still waiting to see how these plots appear on the cycling maps. Could take a few days.
I'm updating these paths using my "Klong Rider - Thailand" alias, and it will be interesting if this generates any traffic to this blog. Fingers crossed.
So, keep coming back to visit me. I will still be blogging my discoveries and adventures with the new paths and interesting photos and information.

Edit: I have already updated OpenStreetMaps with the paths from all previous rides.