International Mountain Bike Champion at Bhumibol Dam
Mountain bikers gather at one of Thailand’s most scenic dams for a series of races and fun activities.

Mountain bikers gather at o
Bumping over rough trails is not everyone’s idea of having fun, but medical science appears to support the idea that riding your mountain bike over a boulder-strewn course is actually good for building bone density.
If you need an excuse to join the sixth Bhumibol Dam International Mountain Bike Championship, 29 to 30 August, that might be it. But it is more likely to be that the venue, for this fun event, is the scenic Bhumibol Dam, surrounded by forest-covered hills, in Sam Ngao district, Tak province.
This weekend of fun rides and serious competition is a firm fixture in Thailand’s annual sports events calendar. It is remarkably popular because it focuses on mountain bikes as opposed to the majority of cycle-related events that are either a triathlon with competitors using triathlon or time-trial bikes, or the tradition road races that favour super light road bikes.
Most leisure cyclists own a mountain bike so here is an opportunity to take the family on an interesting trip to Tak province, a destination that has a reputation for serving up superb soft-adventure options as well as a famous dam where you can relax and enjoy nature. 
Backing the event are the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand. Created to promote an interest in outdoor sports and also encourage ecotourism at both national and international levels, the races underscore the beauty of a province that is not on the main tourist trail.
For many mountain bikers and their families this is the highlight of the year, a reunion of friends from both Thailand and overseas, who share a passion for mountain bikes.  Participants of all ages gather at the starting line on the crest of the spectacular Bhumibol Dam for two days of fun activities and serious races.
This very scenic location provides a variety of race routes that will both challenge the semi-pro mountain bike racers and also please recreational riders.
It is really up the participants as to how far they wish to push their bikes and bodies. If they want the thrill of descending steep slopes through jungle terrain, or the steady pace of a trail over rolling hills that border the reservoir, the organisers have a choice of categories to deliver the right experience.