Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Routes of Opportunity: A Film About Friendship, Community, and the Power of Bikepacking
Developed in 2023 by friends Pele and Bec, the Tiger Head Mountain Loop is both a physical adventure and a cultural bridge through a remote and storied landscape. Routes of Opportunity is a new film that tells the story behind the community that built this 137-kilometer (85-mile) bikepacking route through Thailand. Watch it here…
After launching Southeast Asia’s first official bikepacking route—The Lanna Kingdom in Northern Thailand—in early 2023, its unexpected popularity (with around 1,500 riders in its first year and an award in our annual Bikepacking Awards) inspired route creators Sam Rice and Bec Norman to relocate permanently to Chiang Mai. Eager to explore more, they connected with Pele, a local bikepacker from Chom Thong. Riding together that winter, Pele introduced them to her home region’s stunning diversity—from jungle trails and beautiful rice paddies to culturally rich villages of distinct hill tribes—revealing a dramatically different experience just an hour south of Chiang Mai.
This ultimately led Pele and Bec to create the Tiger Head Mountain Loop, a distinct sustainable bikepacking route that connects travelers with these landscapes while supporting local communities. This film, supported by Tailfin, shares the community’s insights during their time building this route. Watch it below, and scroll down to learn more about the route.
“And that’s when we knew that this wasn’t just about riding bikes, but an opportunity to create a bikepacking route that does some good.”
Set deep in Northern Thailand’s mountains, Tiger Head Mountain Loop is a 137-kilometer (85-mile) bikepacking route that weaves riders through a diverse tapestry of tropical terrain. It’s a place where ancient hill tribe cultures remain unchanged, and the pristine jungle wilderness explodes around you. This carefully crafted loop combines remote dirt tracks, singletrack, and Thailand’s raw natural beauty to deliver a blend of challenging riding, pushing, and cultural experiences you’ll never forget. Find the full route guide here.
Further Reading
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