A Chiang Mai Cycling Adventure - Undiscovered Thailand Ep.4

Chiang Mai is the place I call home so I'm sure there will be many videos to come.
Day 1 Chiang Mai - Lampang
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Day 2 Lampang - Mueang Pan
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Day 3 Mueang Pan - Mae Kampong Village
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Day 4 Mae Kampong Village - Chiang Mai
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Instagram: @johnny_z_lee
Strava: / strava

[@Growinggreene]

Wow I’ve never thought my city and nearby would be this beautiful in your videos. Great shots and editing and giving me inner peace. (Of course I don’t need to ride ha) stay safe bro.

[@malwoanders]

Did you have to Register your drone when entering the Country? Any problems so far?

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Yes I did register. You need to register with NBTC and CAAT. You can only do this after you enter the country because you need to show the arrival stamp in your passport. The process is tedious but it’s quite simple.

[@malwoanders]

@@JohnnyZeeLee Thank you so much for your reply!

[@Ojen924]

I just wanted to let you know that you are doing an great job. I really enjoy your videos. I followed you on strava. You sure do a lot of riding. That paired with traveling WOW sir. Enjoy thailand be safe on the roads. Cant wait for the next video. I espically loved your taiwan videos. I am planing a trip in Janurary to visit my family and maybe do some riding with the RCC people in Taipei.

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Thank you ❤️ Enjoy Taiwan. I really love it there

[@aairosa]

You're a champ, mate. And your 100km+ rides are awesome. Great stuff. You're going to blow up pretty soon. So talented

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Thanks so much for the support ❤️

[@BikeSeatPhilosopher]

Really nicely done. Shots, editing, and monologue all made this a first-class adventure.

[@howiewho]

Awesome videos man, really high quality keep it up

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Thank you 🙏

[@reneaivey]

Amazing video. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@im-on-youtube]

Thai tourism authorities need to pay you - stunning!

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Thank you ❤️

[@designlsm]

Johnny, thank you for good videos. watching your let me escape my boring life. I ‘ve been planning to do bike packing at Japan but now I feel more Chiagmai. But for me, Taiwan has been the best :)Thanks for good videos, please continue to produce. My first name is Lee as well. your brother :)

[@MrBrandonLau]

Im from Adelaide Australia and there is a KZbinr from here named Durianrider who often visits Chiang Mai for Cycling and always says how good it is. I’m visiting in a month

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! It’s so good! 😊

[@spdaltid]

Durian Rider is has done more damage to the Farang Rider's reputations in Chiang Mai than anyone I can begin to name. Guy is a complete Cockwomble. But, the riding in CM, on and off road, remains epic.

[@MrBrandonLau]

@@spdaltid sorry to hear that. What did he do?

[@tomruth9487]

Your music is very fitting for the scenery.

[@mengwang6713]

impressive climb and stunning view! keep going ma man!

[@DeniM-cv2ro]

Bloody great video, mate. When would be the best time to visit Chamg Mai for cycling? After seeing this, im booking asap.

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

That’s a tough question to answer. Nov-Jan is peak season. Very dry and it’s the coolest time of year but also the busiest and most expensive. I personally like June/July. It’s the start of rainy season but you can still usually ride. This video was shot during rainy season. The only time to absolutely avoid is March-April. Google smoke season in Chiang Mai to find out why.

[@Coffeethenride]

Johnny thank you. This is the first of your videos I've seen and from the riding content to the soundtrack and visuals, wonderful stuff. Will subscribe, regards from the Chinese capital

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

🙏

[@valiantabello]

Your videos are so good. Thank you 🙏

[@MrPattas]

This road from Jae Hom to Mae Kumpong is one of the most challeging route, even with a pickup truck you still need a skill. Luckily you did pass the test. Cheer.

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

So steep!

[@KnikoKniko]

I've just finished watching a bunch of your videos, and I'm really impressed. Your travels make me want to visit those beautiful places and go for exciting rides. I'm from Canada too, specifically Montreal, and your adventures have inspired me to explore all these amazing locations you've been to. While I might skip Japan for now, I'm definitely adding Taiwan, Spain, and Thailand to my travel wish list. I'd love to document my own adventures in those places as well. So, I'm curious, aside from the drone, what kind of equipment do you use to make your videos? Also subbed and followed your Strava. You are inspiring!

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Thanks for your support! I use a combination of GoPro Hero 11, iPhone 14 Pro, and Sony Zv E1. I hope to make it back to Quebec some day. I grew up in Toronto but I lived in Saguenay and Mont Tremblant for a few months. Taiwan, Thailand, and Spain are all amazing! Hope you can make it out there.

[@moonman110]

Nice cycling vlog!! You deserved my sub!

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Thank you!

[@HairyPixels]

Come and do some rides in Samoeng. Lots of good routes if you like mountains.

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

I have ridden in Samoeng many times 😃 Chiang Mai is where I call home.

[@HairyPixels]

@@JohnnyZeeLee I rent a weekend cycling base at the Oui Kaew coffee shop. I'll say hi if I ever see you there :) Thanks for recording the cool videos.

[@wcseong]

Nice video. Really enjoy it. You climb mountains like nobody. Nice sunglasses too, what brand & model is it?

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Thank you 🙏 My sunglasses are from Alba Optics. Not sure the model but I think they only 2 kinds.

[@ClielTv]

The scenes are alike to the Philippines 😁

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Very cool!

[@denni1229]

Hey I’m visiting Chiang Mai in June :)! Is it possible to rent all your bike equipment there? Does anyone have any recommendations?

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Yes you can rent bikes from Chiang Mai Cycling Buddy.

[@denni1229]

Thank you 🫰

[@user-uh6lm5wv6n]

24:20...magic, absolutely what its all about. That reward at the end. The venue, the views, the coffee......

[@DarlanJones-w3c]

wow woooow!..... that was a moment stunned me..... nature

[@user-zm9gc1kt8b]

Hi Johnny ! I have to say that watching this video was quite uncomfortable! You might not have been impressed but the gorgeous stunning scenery literrally took my breath away mate. Great video

[@spdaltid]

Riding in CM more than a 1/4 century.. it's great. Next time, try the ride up to, and beyond , The Giant. The coffee is worth it!

[@davehoover8853]

Thanks so much for taking the time and putting in the effort to make such beautiful videos of Thailand. I will be moving there soon and it is inspirational! A clothing question: What is the name of the Rapha collection that is best for super hot weather? I live in the Tetons, Wyoming and only have cool weather kit. Thanks again!

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

I personally like Rapha’s Pro Team and Pro Team training kit. I think any kit that’s not specifically made for cold weather should do fine.

[@davehoover8853]

@@JohnnyZeeLee Thanks for the Rapha tip! I have one more question about the riding season: When is the Smokey season. I know it gets rather bad and will try to be in Japan during that period. Thanks again for amazing scenery and video quality!

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

@@davehoover8853 the Smokey season is right now. March, April and a bit of May is normally peak smoke season

[@TheBestMethod]

This is great. What equipment you filming with? Quality is superb.

[@jaro6985]

Mueang is city or district, doesn't have to be capital. Great video.

[@Chicagonaut]

In Vietnam, dogs are not ever really an issue unless they reside near a dead end. Those that are used to regular traffic are all bark no bite.

[@cyclehavenbanks9851]

Amazing can’t believe I haven’t done those rides on the bike yet . Will consider it soon!

[@johnoxley7196]

You should try the opposite direction from CM. Head out on hwy 107 towards Chaing Dao and then through the mountains to Chai Prakhan, Doi Ang Khang, Fang & Mai Ai. We have lots of great cycling here, especially if you haven't ridden in this area previously. Also just aked the missus about the meaning of Mueang. Apparaently, even thoough the spelling is the same, the pronunciation is slightly different and thus there are 2 meanings. #1. Is as you thought it means city. #2. If Mueang appears in front of a village name it means there is or was a mine there. Therefore Mueang Pan either was or still is a mining town.

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Thanks for clearing that up about Mueang. Yes, I’ve ridden up to Fang from CM. It’s beautiful out there

[@Ron-rk6iz]

Gorgeous landscape, nice for Motorbiking, but a nightmare to Cycling, for Masochists only.....

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

It certainly would’ve been more pleasant on a motorbike 😂

[@patthecat6491]

I'm surprised at your comments that finding food was a difficulty. In my experience it's not a difficulity. There are a plethora of small Mom and Pop shops, sometimes just a cart, everywhere. I did enjoy your video and found your routing rather interesting.

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

I can’t remember what I said in the video, but it really depends on your personality and how adventurous you are with food.

[@bunterngkhemwong]

Wished to riding there after new year .Stay safe and thank for sharing love your drone short.

[@pituphumsingha7474]

เป็นการเดินทางโดยจักรยานที่เยี่ยมยอดมากๆ

[@mtha7796]

Avoid riding at night, there are drunkards out there ✌✌

[@DuaRoda]

Great atmospheric video. I did the same in 2018. Only in the opposite direction. Cnx, Mae Kampong, Mueang Pan, Lampang, Phrae, Nan on a skinny tyred mtb. Less severe climbing than your ride. The 711 in Mueang Pan was closed, being renovated. Thankfully a stir fry stall next to it was opened. Next few trips in that area were with a hired car 😊

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

That sounds like a great ride! 👌 maybe I will ride all the way to Nan one day

[@davejack3054]

With snow in the forecast where I am(Calgary, Canada) your videos are looking pretty appealing! I had never thought of Chiang Mai as a cycling destination but it looks amazing. I remember driving through Chiang Rai and Chiang Kam areas and being blown away at the backroads, I can only imagine what its like on a road bike.

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Chiang Mai is a fantastic cycling destination! Lots of great roads and a big community too!

[@therealsugarking]

Great video brother. You sweat 😓 a lot 😂 more than the average man

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

It’s humid 😅

[@michaelchen2666]

Great video! I am actually planning a 3-month trip to Chiangmai on October, and do some cycling there. Would you recommend bringing a bike to there or buy one from local bicycle shop? I'm thinking having a Giant TCR or maybe a gravel bike.

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Hey a 3 month trip sounds fantastic. I would recommend bringing your own bike. There are of course bike shops here but I think you’ll find their stock is usually pretty limited and it’s likely you will have to order your bike and you’ll have to wait. If you are keen to buy a bike from a big international brand like Giant, Specialized etc, there is no advantage to buying in Thailand. If anything, it will be more expensive. You can buy cheaper bikes if you’re looking into smaller brands like Kaze or Nich.

[@michaelchen2666]

Thank you so much for the advice! Great help! Now I'm riding a vintage steel Bianchi, a bit worrying about its reliability. So I might purchase a new carbon fiber road bike from local shop in Beijing, China, and then bring it to Chiangmai. Hope we can cycle together in Chiangmai! @@JohnnyZeeLee

[@BeBetterCC]

What camera do you use? Looks really good.

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Thanks! Main camera is Sony ZV E1 but I also use my iPhone 14 Pro and GoPro as well and of course my Mavic 3.

[@nextgenerationhippy]

Hey Johnny! I've been watching you for a few weeks now. I just wanted to say that your work is incredible. These images are gorgeous. Thanks for helping us escape our own places in the world for a few minutes! Nick

[@JohnnyZeeLee]

Thanks so much for your support ❤️

[@william2582]

I thought U are thai? But U sad I'm foreigner. Why U are living in thailand?

[@generalnguyenngocloan1700]

Sabaideeeee! There’s Hmong in them there hills. 🐉🫡