Doi Suthep Hill Climb Challenge 【Cycling Thailand】

[@kamolhengkiatisak1527]

The toughest corner about 500 meters before the temple is called Khong Khun Gun (Khun Gun Corner). Khun Gun was a minor rank official who donated fund and labour to help construct the road up Doi Suthep in those days. So this extreme corner was named after him. When I climbed up this hill on a road bike 20 years ago, my gear was 53/42 with 11-30 sprocket (9 gear range), this corner nearly killed me. I was 50 years old at that time and was at the highest fitness of my life having done full run marathon 42.195 km twice that year and yet this steep corner was a huge challenge. My time was 50 minutes.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

I was really worried for Thuong her first time going up it. It's definitely not easy, especially after a long climb. But dare I say the 200 meters that follow it hurt even more.

[@yewnammak750]

Wow! Thuong has improve so much! She looks so much stronger and fit now and her cadence is still so pro cyclists like! Keep this up! Really love it!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! She's come a long way :)

[@durianriders]

The Doi!! To get all our girls up the QOM I would load them up with iron pills, b12 injections and white rice, water and sugar dinners. It really really makes the difference. Test ferritin levels first though before using iron. Most cyclists are pretty low in iron as they sweat it out so much. By boosting iron and b12 levels we increase hemoglobin which next to sugar intake is the most important thing for power production.

[@rommel156]

Awesome climb, You've done it again Thuong chan! 💯👍

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! :)

[@doskraut]

I could never go up a hill like that even with 38-34 granny gears. Good job guys.

[@ddswordsaint5]

Absolutely Awesome Job Girl. Keep up the Great work

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@ricecoffee3968]

More squats with weight build those quads and hamstrings. Wow determination final sprint. Nice ride just for the scenery. Thanks.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

We just started doing squats this week. Legs are in pain.

[@BL-db6xt]

smart choice, orange shirt, yellow helmet, white bike, all are bright highly visible on the road. smart couple, smart hobby, smart choice. Well done. Cheers & Ciao

[@robertdevos5967]

Hello Cruise & Thuong, thanks a lot, very different from the "Norikura climb" !

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Yes, it's very different and Thuong has had more training for hill climbs now :)

[@malcontent_1]

Still lovin' Thuong's white Kaze

[@TwoWheelCruise]

YES!

[@dannyeicher6173]

Great job Thuong. Keep it going...🎥😃👍👌👊🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️💪💪💪

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@ericlarsen8401]

Recently found your channel Cruise and Thuong and I have enjoyed watching your rides and taking us along with you. I’ve caught up on many of old videos and watching Thuong’s enthusiasm and improvement is such a joy.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! Thuong has improved a lot :)

[@VagabondTurtle]

That bike is so incredibly beautiful! I can't stop admiring it. Sorry I haven't watched this when it came out, now here i am, joining the Cruise Crew again :)

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Better late than never ;) We love these bikes :)

[@ez22009]

This is the vid I was waiting for 👍 nice... Chi Thoung is getting better..

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@maniastrat]

Thuong doing great! Thanks for the video too!

[@DylTyrril]

Great effort Thuong, looking strong! That looks like a tough and challenging climb. Every ride up the Doi Suthep improves the fitness levels, so keep up the great progress. 😀👍

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! That's true :)

[@davewatt8840]

Fabulous effort Thuong Chan very well done. Could see pain in face. Look forward to next video from you both 🙏🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@syamsulbahariabdullah4138]

お疲れ様 Thuong-chan。

[@andrewhall127]

Great effort - I never go further than Wat Phra That bc i like to stop for a fruit smoothie haha...... next time in town i'll head up to the palace for a look.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

We haven't stopped for a smoothie yet, but it is tempting!

[@Fishing8136]

I felt the pain from my armchair! Great vid😎🇨🇦

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@malcontent_1]

Same here @Agent J -- we were all "suffering" along with them ;-)

[@jbrew44]

Enjoyed the video. Being new to cycling I really like the tips you provide. The fumes from the vehicles would suck but the country looks amazing for cycling and eating. Thanks for your work you put into this.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Glad it helps :)

[@brianmessemer2973]

Thuong looking ready to launch a THERMONUCLEAR attack past the temple at 12:30 until you called her off 😂 Awesome video man 😎

[@TwoWheelCruise]

She has some good power when the goal line is close

[@talkingtraveldogs3239]

Wow! Congrats to you both, that was impressive. Your descriptive narration is excellent!👍 Lol that blue truck that went bye made me cough.

[@schuey999]

You guys are troopers. Great ride!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@chokhou]

Nice effort Thuong! Make sure to make a video when she attempts the PR. Ride on 👍👍

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! Planning to :)

[@aakashchrispin3749]

wow the climb was really difficult. Great work both of you.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@olivergroning6421]

Big, fat kudos for 1100 hm of climbing. That's hard and a great effort with any gears.

[@NeilLavitt]

In the late 80’s I had a Shimano Biopace chainring and I felt it really helped on climbs. Coming back, I heard they were discredited and not used anymore. So interested to hear they still can be found. I also love the way the guy in the truck appeared to tout to take you the rest of the way up in his fume mobile! So Thailand!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

It's so much worse when they're in front of you during a hard effort haha

[@OldBridgeDork]

Chang Mai looks like a great place to ride. That’s a tough climb!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

It sure is!

[@IRSA1]

Wow, well done both of you ! it is amazing what can be achieved with some gritty determination, and the correct equipment . Difficult climb, but also pleasant landscape, though I can not help finding the architecture of the temples and palace a little over ornate. Also, would it be possible for you to take us round the zoo if you ever visit it ?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! We haven't been to the zoo yet, but if we go Thuong will definitely film a walking tour video on her channel at least.

[@amuro2000]

Hey I'm in Nagoya , let's go for a ride .... wait what ? ...... Love seeing all these new climbs and rides in Chang Mai . I never knew about a lot of this when I was in Chang Mai . Cheers to Thuong San for a strong ride up the mountain today !

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! Chiang Mai is a pretty popular cycling destination :)

[@amuro2000]

@@TwoWheelCruise Not sure , But I think I heard Vietnam has opened back up for reentry ? Is that true , it was on the news over here .

[@marksadventures3889]

Fantastic effort, well done Tuong San. you are doing so well 👏

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@Gondola_]

Thuong makes such good progress with her English!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@altern8tive]

When an upload starts like that you know it's going to be fun 😀Started running the AB 46/30 sub compact rings last year, cadence with an 11-34 went from a grinding ~52 rpm to +65 rpm on the same climb.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

It's so much better to be able to have a higher cadence on the steep climbs.

[@Zenific]

Nice hearing what the actual gradients are going up Doi Suthep. A small group of us used to frequently ride up to Bhubing Palace back in the aughts but we could only guess how steep it was. When there's a warning sign in Thailand indicating a steep hill is coming up, if it lists the gradient it's always 8%, regardless of the hill's actual steepness. The gradient could be 5% or 25%, but the sign will always say 8%.

[@GordoGambler]

On my ride in Vietnam and China, the signs said 10% most of the time.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

It gets pretty steep in some corners, but it is nice to be able to check while riding.

[@cesardeguzman6948]

Yes, you made it to the highest elevation. Thuong has really improve her climbing skills.Keep it up.Ride safe and enjoy.Goodluck on your next journey.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! She's come a long way :)

[@sakdapukuka9621]

Very good job!

[@Mr229357]

Nice ride, well done 😊👍🏻👍🏻

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@BromptonFamilyTime]

👩🏻Wow! Great climb, Thuong chan! Sugoi!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! :)

[@iankennethpastrana7614]

I like your content better. So much motivation coming out from you guys. Hope to see you guys around. Maybe when you get to ride in Sky Lane again. Ride safe :D

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Happy to hear that! Hopefully we can make it back there on some road bikes one day.

[@lawrencenahlik9805]

I like the way your new shoes match your helmet and Santic kit.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

They match surprisingly well :)

[@MichaelSchneiderTexas]

That climb looked pretty hard , even though the camera probably does not show how steep it really is. I noticed the same pollution issues in Ecuador , the trucks and cars there have a lot of nasty diesel exhaust fumes and a lot of old cars and buses and big trucks are the worst.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

The camera doesn't due it justice unfortunately

[@endtimeslips4660]

what i feel oval is good for flat pedalers. if use cleat it feel the upper cadence stroke feel to soft and not generate much power like regular circle gear. if we use flat we concentrate our cadence power for down stroke which this oval thing are made for boosting down stroke and make up-stroke softer which flat pedal cannot do upper stroke

[@betweenyouandme]

good job guys!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks!

[@playteles123]

Just did this ride on the Tacx app with my smart trainer at 50% resistance. I can see why you both went with the subcompacts. There were a few points I was in my easiest gear with a 50/34 crankset with an 11-28 cassette.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

I wouldn’t want to climb it with anything bigger than that

[@maedakeiji00]

Man, I tried a climbing this weekend, not even that long or steep, and almost died, winter really wasn't a good thing this year. So, watching this makes me a little ashamed :D But I get back on that saddle and push through to summer like a champ.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

We all gotta start somewhere :)

[@jojisai]

How do you like the oval rings for climbing? and how is that design better for climbing?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

They feel great :)

[@Chrisb8s]

Wtg Thuong !!! Such a mountain climbing pro!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

She's improved a lot over the last few weeks :)

[@meenamathur23]

Thanks for mountain ride.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Our pleasure!

[@bradleyhammond719]

Good stuff!

[@malwoanders]

I have a 34/11 Cassette an 50/34 Chainrings and I am missing a lower gear when going up more than 10 % with Heavy luagage. Eccept that it is perfect for me. Any Suggestions what I should change? Cassette or chainrings or both? Are you still recording the audio via a special recorder or do you now use the media pod to put the mic in? Congrats to Thuong! Great climb! 👍💪

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! If you're carrying heavy luggage, I doubt you really need the 50/11, so you might be better off with more climbing gears (depending on where you're riding though). We usually record the audio separately and sync in post.

[@kwhatten]

If you need lower gears you might want to put an MTB rear derailleur on and use a cassette with an 11-50 range. Maybe even use a 1X CR.

[@malwoanders]

@@kwhatten Thanks KWH! 👍

[@kwhatten]

You skipped past 2 of what I consider to be the hardest sections, the curve just after 16'20" and the approach to the viewpoint at 9'28”. I used to always ride against traffic on those sections (if it was safe!). There are a couple of super steep hills on the way up to Doi Pui campground from where you stopped. If you go early in the morning the scent of the pine forest at 16'20" on is very nice.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Yeah, there are quite a few difficult sections, especially after the temple to Doi Pui. It does smell pretty nice up there too :)

[@yoshiakitatsuno5320]

Nihongo omochiroi I love it

[@markfalkingham590]

Crazy long tough hill climb. Congratulations to both of you for killing it, I’d love to ride that one day What power meter are you using?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! I'm using Favero Assioma now

[@mblegend3056]

How’s the Absolute black oval chainrings compared with the usual round ones? How’s the shifting on the front derailer?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

At times I notice it in my pedal stroke and it feels more efficient. Haven't had any shifting issues.

[@Membrillo81]

That's a very nice mountain! One (safety) suggestion for both of you. Once you are comfortable with the stem height, cut down the steerer. Because if the stem is not clamping where the compression plug is, it can compromise the carbon structure. You don't want to have that problem in that part of the bike.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@hippoace]

Alternatively you can get a longer compression plug to make sure it is able to support the portion where the stem is clamping on the steerer...

[@luigitoluphoto]

Very good, what an envy, I would like to be there with you to test my fitness. My mountain bike has been stopped for days for fork maintenance.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Hope the bike repairs finish soon!

[@unitedislife]

How did you get chainrings smaller than 50-34 to fit the 105? Are those Absolute Black chainrings? Any problems with dropped chain when shifting too the small ring? I used to experience that on my Rotor Q-Rings. :(

[@TwoWheelCruise]

They are absolute black rings and they fit fine on r7000. Haven't had any dropped chains yet.

[@bengt_axle]

Does the 46/30 require a spider with a 110 BCD? And do the ovals shift as well as the 50/34 round rings, especially when slightly cross chained? I would like to get a climbing bike with lightweight wheels and low gearing. Good effort Thuong! My HR sometimes goes up to 170 on a steep climb in the teens. And I'm in my 50's!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! Best to check the compatibility guide on their website. Haven't had any issues with shifting.

[@durianriders]

46/30 only works with 11spd shimano road cranks.

[@yoshiakitatsuno5320]

Esposa animada parabéns casal

[@yujiin9850]

Congrats on making it up! Definitely thinking about upgrading my 105 5800 to 105 R7000 & getting Absolute Black Oval Chainrings. What cycling computer are you guys using? Does it come with any sensors? It seems to detect the gradient too!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! It's a good combo for sure. I'm using a wahoo bolt and she's using a Trimm One. They both detect gradient.

[@madpeddler8263]

Challenge? Doi Inthanon is a challenge, Doi Chaang is a real challenge from the north ascent. Doi Suthep is fun, keep it up. 👍

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Working our way towards Doi Inthanon :)

[@EugeneMatlin]

You guys should check out Mon Jam. The most epic climb in the area!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

I just did that one recently. Great view at the top :)

[@EugeneMatlin]

@@TwoWheelCruise yep, super fun descent too.

[@Xubuntu47]

I can't remember how many hours this climb took 22 years ago on my Schwinn hybrid bike. For me it would be more enjoyable on a mountain bike, slower, with some breaks...but I don't race, and my wardrobe has no Spandex. My last bike with drop bars was left in the rooming house when I moved out in 1993. Different (pedal) strokes for different folks, I guess. Speaking Japanese in Japan=end-to-end encryption. Unless you happen to be near a Japanese speaker.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Lots of people do the climb on mountain bikes, it's a bit easier with the smaller gears. And sadly not too many Japanese speakers here, I think there will be a lot more of them in Vietnam though.

[@Xubuntu47]

@@TwoWheelCruise I hope you make some more tomodachi from Japan.

[@hoolan]

@@TwoWheelCruise If you ever fancy speaking Japanese there is a fantastic Japanese bar called Yashokudou (夜食堂) in Ban Sathaphon. I used to go there most weeks in 2019, its one of the local hangout spots for Japanese expats in Chiang Mai. Cheap beer and they serve some great Takoyaki.

[@tman5634]

Great climb & clear voice/footage, excellent & efficient pedaling style. Question. Are the fork steerer tubes on your bikes alloy or carbon?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! I'm not sure on the steerer tubes.

[@tman5634]

@@TwoWheelCruise Worth checking & if carbon, consider cutting down the steerer some. If you don't you're running the risk of developing carbon fractures on the tube caused by the stem tightened on the tube without internal support. Basically you have spacers above your stem & the steerer bung will not support the length from top down to your stem, meaning no support where your stem is clamped. I'm a professional cycle mechanic.

[@wingy72]

How's the feel of the oval ring? Big difference?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thuong didn't notice a difference really, but I can notice it especially with a slower pedal cadence. It feels like it's forcing a nicer pedal stroke

[@ChunBoonNg]

What is the less heavy traffic times?

[@Fred_Nice]

Dude, no way that climb is a recovery ride!

[@TwoWheelCruise]

With the right gears and slow pace it can be :)

[@GordoGambler]

My Rohloff14 tour bike was 120 lbs when I went over Hai Van pass by DaNang. LOL. Only had 21.8 GI. Going to Guiyang China, I was doing some pretty steep climbs on wet clay with 36 mm tires. One minute I was 220 feet under the freeway, then 60 feet over it.

[@hakimhamzah5990]

How about coming and riding up to Cameron Highlands in Malaysia one day? It's a famous climbing route here. Tbh I also not riding up to it yet 😂. Hope you two can enjoy riding up to it cause it's chilly up there.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Hope we can make it one day

[@hakimhamzah5990]

@@TwoWheelCruise 😍🔥

[@grecinos2]

Wise choice in gear selection. You guys crushed the climb! That must have been a cat 1 climb, perhaps out of category? What goes up must come down. How do you like the disc brakes vs rim brakes while descending those steep gradients?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

The full climb is uncategorized, but up to this point only is probably a cat 1 or 2. I definitely like the disc brakes for descending.

[@ksc8673]

Thuong Chan riding skills keep improving. Good to see how well riding out of saddle is working. The bad part is both of you having to deal with the coal burning trucks :(

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Fortunately usually only a few of them on the way up :)

[@Reeferanz]

it looks similar here in Busay Cebu, Philippines. the worse things are the jeeps, buses, motorcycle who doesnt care about safety. is really annoying and risky

[@gjswilson]

🤙👍

[@pleung3147]

Nice ride. i wish you can do an overall review on the 46/30 and your 48/32 chain ring. no doubt that it should be good on climbing, but is it good on other ocassions?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Overall, they allow you to stay in the big ring more comfortably outside of race-pace level rides, which is nice.

[@SurpriseMeJT]

I have a small bike collection and where I live, it's hilly but no mountains. On my bikes with 30mm tires and fenders, I run 46/34. This allows more of the rear cassette to be available on the 34. If you use a gear inch calculator (for speed), you will find a 46 x 11/12 at a decent cadence is plenty fast. When I ride my road racing bike (25mm tires), I run 50/36 with a 12-32 cassette (campagnolo centaur 11) and I feel that this gearing might be needed on fast group rides. I feel the 36 tooth allows me to climb faster on shorter hills since I'm a bit of a masher. So much depends on where you live, how much you weigh and riding style. I'm a bit muscular at 5' 8" and 167 lbs.

[@jerryavalos9610]

What brand chainrings were put on Thuong's cranks?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Absolute Black

[@arienzoamadeus6675]

Wooow nice gear leverage is the name of the game .. love the bike . What brand is it ?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Kaze

[@Happy_Biker]

Is there a link to purchase TwoWheelCruse taiyaki jerseys?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

We don't have any more stock and not sure when we will be making new kits again right now.

[@Happy_Biker]

@@TwoWheelCruise oh darn it, maybe next time

[@Sukirai]

should've included the descent ! nice video nonetheless

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Thanks! It's a long descent haha

[@thecrazyToolfan]

Filmed on the dji?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Gopro

[@thecrazyToolfan]

@@TwoWheelCruise those exposure settings are bright, a few months ago the dji would show up like that. Looks good.

[@bmdonlin]

Jealous of those finishing numbers: 12%, 211W, 133 BPM (WHAAAAT?). Wish I can get my HR that low on a climb like that.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

It's usually much higher, but today was a slower pace for me.

[@eliastv5498]

PM2.5 reading is really troubling in Chiang Mai... And the trucks don't help. Please do research on PM2.5 particle inhalation and just keep it in consideration. Hoping for the best health for both of you, especially during this pandemic time. Even short term exposure to PM2.5 can be detrimental to one's health.

[@WhackaWhacka]

RIP TWC. 😢

[@TwoWheelCruise]

New video will be up this Sunday! We had a computer break down on us 😢

[@WhackaWhacka]

@@TwoWheelCruise Ah, bummer. Good to hear you're still in business.

[@olivierpietrzak8218]

How is air pollution now in Chiang Mai ? Last 2 years it was a nightmare and most of the time very dangerous to exercise

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Until last week it was awesome. A little bit smoggy now.

[@olivierpietrzak8218]

@@TwoWheelCruise ok good. they talk about fog or smog but it is pollution from fire with a lot of pm2.5

[@jimluparello2724]

Have mercy on Thuong .

[@the.communist]

Should have gone for the 32 tooth cassette. More flexibility

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Would like to, but unfortunately on a short cage derailed now

[@strawman9410]

"Hope her fitness will increase" She peddled up a steep hill. What you want Wonder Woman.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

😂

[@OfTheGaps]

"Ride starts at 0:00"? Really?

[@TwoWheelCruise]

Sorry, should be 1:00

[@blizzbee]

How many water bottles you guys carry 😅😅 they look weighty 😆 But cyclist need to be hydrated 😉

[@TwoWheelCruise]

2 for longer rides

[@vivoslibertos]

We want to see your full effort ride but it's important you scream SSSSTTTTRRRAAAAAAVVVVAAAAAAAAA!!!!! to make it legit

[@TwoWheelCruise]

I need to figure out a way to do data overlays on iPad.

[@jhcycling3098]

110 bmp!? What!? Are You a Walking dead.. ;) My ticker gets that rhythm just on walking few steps. When used to run seriously my regular heart rate was 175-185 with even slower 5min/km pace. Could talk with 170 level. Even 140 sounds, to me, very low. Obviously I got rid of all those hrm stuff because it was ruining my motivation. Should test some day (if ever can still do hard training after knee bust in December and nerve damage in my shoulder and arm two weeks ago, f*#k! Note: Don’t get old!) can I still go over or even near 200 mark. LoL. What is that whirling/creaking sound in Your bike? Something gives resonance.. First hearing it annoyed.. in the end of video making me go crazy! Yep, I like to have my bikes silent… :))))

[@TwoWheelCruise]

I have a pretty low resting hr and this was an easy pace for me. My recovery rides are usually around 110 bpm, but different story with running.

[@christill]

It’s a shame about those trucks. I can imagine the smell just watching the video. But I’d take a few dirty trucks in a beautiful location than hundreds of less dirty trucks in Bangkok.

[@TwoWheelCruise]

True, it's not too bad and there's less of them during less busy times of the day