On a hot swampy bikeway: Airport cycling track open for business

Wait, a government-backed project that actually was completed, serves the people and provides good fun?
The new Airports of Thailand cycling track runs along the perimeter of the irrigation reservoir surrounding the runways at Suvarnabhumi Airport for a whopping 24 kilometers. To serious cyclists, that’s just a warm-up, but the track certainly has its challenges. It can get brutally hot, and there is virtually no cover from the sun. The bright green road may be dotted with palm trees, but there’s no shade, so best to cover up or apply sunscreen.
Winds are quite strong as well, so even though it’s entirely flat, there are still significant gusts that provide an extra challenge. At the moment there are no stations for water along the track, so make sure to fill up your water bottles and consider installing an extra cage on your bicycle.
A lone ice cream vendor sells water and Gatorade at the entrance of the track.
Getting there is tricky; take a look at the map below to see exactly where the entrance is. There’s only one way in and one way out, so after relinquishing your ID to the AOT guards it’s a 24-kilometer commitment around the track—there’s no calling it quits halfway through.
It’s not a total no man’s land however, as AOT utility vehicles loop the track to provide security and help with flat tires. 

The surface of track is standard pavement painted a bright green with kilometer and lane markings along the way. Riding beside the swampy irrigation ditches is a serene experience; there are plenty of egrets, herons and bitterns, with the occasional monitor lizard basking in the warm sun. The track will also appeal to aviation enthusiasts as well, as it’s a chance to get up close and personal with airliners.
At the southernmost and northernmost points on the track planes landing come directly overhead, the roaring engines and proximity to the passing planes make the experience particularly unique.  
Check out these images for a close-up look at the brand new AOT cycling track:

Photos: Richard Marks

Related:

Tour de Swampy: Suvarnabhumi’s THB30 million cycle loop to open soon

FIND IT:
The entrance is located at Thanon Suvarnabhumi 3, use the map to find the entrance point.