About Udo Wortelboer
3,805 km
391:41 h
Recent Activity
Edda 🥾🚴♀️🏌️♀️🚵♀️ and Udo Wortelboer went cycling.
November 15, 2025
Day 8: Bang Saen – Pattaya (97.3 km, 650 m elevation gain) The last stage takes us slightly away from the coast of the Gulf of Thailand on side roads to avoid heavy traffic – our destination: Pattaya. After days in the quiet plains of the northeast, we once again feel the proximity of the Bangkok metropolitan area. A scenic highlight is the extensive circumnavigation of the large Bang Phra Lake, a huge water reservoir. We then continued on a varied, undulating route with many pineapple fields and a long, smooth descent to the outskirts of Pattaya. Crossing the city itself – with its heavy traffic and constant changes of direction – was a challenge for our guides and our nerves alike. Pattaya is Pattaya. The evening in Jomtien shows another side of Thailand: the wide, well-kept city beach, the impressive skyline in the haze of dusk – and at the same time the visible gap between Western purchasing power and local reality in the form of the many Western men with or without Thai companions. That, too, is part of this country. After almost 700 kilometers, the 19th Tour of Hope ends here – a week full of encounters, landscapes, and impressions that will stay with us. Thailand in all its facets. A country that we were once again able to experience with respect, gratitude, and enthusiasm. We'll be back! On November 6, 2026, from the region where we have now stopped, for the 20th Tour of Hope. Want to join us? Then get in touch. Most photos by Klaus and Richard
04:20
97.3km
22.4km/h
650m
650m
Edda 🥾🚴♀️🏌️♀️🚵♀️ and others went cycling.
November 14, 2025
📍 Tag 7: Chachoengsao – Bang Saen (71 km, 116 hm) Today we rode the shortest stage of our 2025 Tour – but it was anything but short on impressions. From Chachoengsao, the route led us along quiet backroads toward the Gulf of Thailand. In between, a five-kilometre section on the highway demanded full concentration. Thanks to our excellent guides, we made it through safely. The highlight was a ten-kilometre bridge stretching across the shallow coastal waters – a panorama that will not be forgotten soon. Our destination was Bang Saen, a popular seaside getaway for people from Bangkok – the perfect place to stretch out in the sand and bring the day to a calm close. Pictures mainly from Richard
02:52
69.7km
24.2km/h
150m
140m
Edda 🥾🚴♀️🏌️♀️🚵♀️ and Udo Wortelboer went cycling.
November 13, 2025
🇹🇭 The Tour of Hope 2025 – Day 5 | November 12, 2025 Prachinburi → Chachoengsao (100 km, +112 m) After the tough climb through Khao Yai National Park, today's route was flat – really flat. 100 kilometers through the heart of central Thailand, along countless canals, rivers, and rice fields. 🌾 The road was wide, the wind mild, the landscape peaceful. Only Hans was too fast in the tunnel and shot past the first rest stop – no one heard him calling. Work was being done on both sides of the road: men wearing masks on loud, rattling tricycles were plowing the fields – the start of the new rice season. In Thailand, there are two main planting seasons: 🌱 May to July, with the start of the rainy season 🌾 and again in October to December on irrigated land. In between, we passed ponds for shrimp farming – another important industry in this region. For lunch, we had delicious noodle soup with duck, after which the last few kilometers rolled by as if by themselves. A fast day, a good feeling. In the evening: the first Chang beers on the hotel terrace right by the Bang Pakong River, where Irrawaddy dolphins are rarely seen. The hotel? A little GDR charm, lots of people in uniform at a military conference – but the massages were great. Tomorrow we're heading for the sea – we're approaching the Gulf of Thailand.
04:08
100km
24.2km/h
220m
250m
Edda 🥾🚴♀️🏌️♀️🚵♀️ and others went cycling.
November 8, 2025
Today was finally the day – The Tour of Hope 2025 has started! 🚴♀️ After months of preparation, we stood at the starting line in Khon Kaen this morning – full of energy and curiosity. The sky was gray, the roads wet from rain, but the mood? Bright! After about 70 km of beautiful scenery, it was clear that today would be more than just cycling. In Ban Nong Khon, we handed over 25 bicycles to 5 schools and celebrated the opening of a new school library. The children, teachers, parents, and villagers welcomed us with open arms – two impressive dance performances by the little ones – a story about rice production and an a cappella song of thanks, a dance by the mothers, and a moving and funny moment when, after cutting the red ribbon, the children pretended to read in the library. But one of the speakers emphasized the importance of literacy. We believe it immediately. Yes, after about 70 kilometers and a few heavy rain showers, we were all pretty exhausted – and pretty dirty. But no one complained. Between speeches by politicians, teachers, and our partners, the same emotion was palpable everywhere: gratitude. These encounters remind us why we are here: Because we want to do something good. Because we want to build bridges and forge friendships – between continents and cultures. Because we want to share some of our privileges, and because we want to enjoy a beautiful bike ride. Today was just the beginning – 105 sweaty kilometers. Tomorrow we continue.
04:28
105km
23.6km/h
290m
280m
Edda 🥾🚴♀️🏌️♀️🚵♀️ and Udo Wortelboer went for a bike ride.
August 16, 2025
01:49
22.4km
12.4km/h
60m
50m
How great is that!!!
Translated by Google •
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